ARCA Trucks: Dave Reeb Winds up Winchester ARCA Trucks
24 August 1999
by Don RadebaughWinchester, IN, - If rookie Dave Reebs first look at Winchester Speedway intimidated the Pataskala, Ohio driver, it didnt show. In fact, Reeb appeared quite comfortable on the legendary high-banked oval, which is exactly what he needed to be from his pole starting position when the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series rolled off for its first-ever Winchester Speedway appearance.
Reeb, aboard the Accurate Express-Accurate Logistics Ford Ranger, followed outside polesitter and veteran Johnny Witham, all the while honing his Winchester skills for 29 laps, before he made his winning move to the high side of Witham in turns three and four. In doing so, the first-year driver won his career-first feature event and became the sixth different winner in the new touring series after nine events. Witham, with a miss-firing motor, worked hard to hold off Jeff Speakmans Pennzoil-National Auto Lube Ford for second. Speakman finished less than a length back in third with Bill Withers and Troy Marciniak following in a tight line to round out the top five. "This is incredible," said an elated Reeb in victory lane. "I absolutely love this place. I cant believe we did it. We were fast right off the bat in practice, but it took me a few rounds to hold my line all the way around. Once I figured out where I needed to be on the track, and caught my breath, I knew wed be good for the main event. It was tough for me to start up front, even though thats the preferred place to start, but this is Winchester, and I had 19 great trucks behind me. I just didnt want to mess anyone up. The handle on the truck was perfect. God I hope we get to come back."
1998 ARCA Pro-4 champion Witham controlled the event for most of the way but not without constant pressure from Reeb who never found himself more than 3 lengths away from Withams back bumper. With laps winding down, Reeb found an opening to the high side of Witham in turns three and four and hustled his Ford truck alongside. The two trucks traded paint most of the way down the frontstretch before Reeb emerged as the leader in turn one. Witham them marched right back to challenge mounting a couple of honest charges on Reeb before conceding to the new ARCA winner.
Hoosier Tire Pole award winner Aaron Hulings, who had led the points going in, made only one lap in the main event due to an earlier wreck in the first heat. Hulings was uninjured but his HRP Motorsports Ford Ranger received heavy front-end damage.
Witham was also honored with the Cloyes Gear and Product Halfway Leader award and Vic Tantarelli won the Ed & Company Hard Charger award for advancing the most positions, from 16th to seventh.
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