Tracks: Open Wheel Modifieds featured at Jax Raceways
30 September 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Written By: Donnie Helmly
Jacksonville, Florida--Great weather and a great group of Open Wheel Modified showed up at Jax Raceways last weekend, as the track played host to a special 40 lap event, along with regular shows in three other speedway divisions.
The nights action began with qualifying for the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model division, which saw points leader Jeff Godbee once again setting fast time, turning the 1/2 mile "D" shaped oval in 19.05. Godbee's fast time placed him on the pole for the thirty lap feature, where he would take off and lead every lap to add his 15 win of the season of what he calls a "Dream Season". Terry Pless who set on the outside pole would follow Godbee for every lap, but would never be able to get close enough to challenge, and would settle for second. The rest of the field was made up of Robert McCormick, Buster Delay, Michael Murrer, JO Nobles, Fred Schell and Homer Leonard. NASCAR announced the final point standing for the Winston Racing series this past week. Jeff Godbee will be awarded the fifth place trophy and money for his finish in the standings at the awards banquet in Orlando on Friday, November 5th along with 133 other Winston Racing Series competitors.
The Open Wheel Modified Division saw a new face in the winners circle for the 40 lap event. Creg Hall took the lead from the start of the event and held off Keny Porter to take home the $700 share of the increased purse. Hall formally a Hobby Stock competitor has very limited time in an Open Wheel car was pleased with the run. "all I can say is....The car is WAY better than the driver." "Terry Rye really puts together a great car. I guess that's why Steve Whitener and Donnie Hall have won so many races in it." Chasing Hall across the line was Keny Porter who has experienced a great season as well. Kenny Bayless came from the tail of the field after an early race flat tire sent him to the pits,crossed the line to finish third, with Ronnie Ponce and Steven Skipper making up the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of Bobby Balkcom, Robert McCormick Eric Tatum, Jerry Campbell and Eddie Holton.
The Hobby Stock feature was once again one of the best entertainment values of the night as a pair of former division champions fought it out for the win. Former division champ Eddie Holton came into the night with a huge points lead in the division, but his 8 wins for the 1999 season seemed to be such a long time ago. Holton had been fighting an ill handling race car over the last month. Holton found his trouble, which meant trouble for the competition. Holton took the lead from his outside second row start and would hold off the 1997 champion Michael Lloyd for the win. Joey Miller who is currently in second in points crossed to finish third with Gary Godwin and Lee Blacksher rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of David Ryals, Tony Callaway, James Jeffers, Bill Adkins and Calvin Pike.
The Pure Stock race looked as if Ray Pruett would make it to the winners circle, after taking the lead from Bobby Simmions at the start of the 15 lap feature. Simmion would spin out later and be sent to the rear of the field. Pruett was in dominating fashion until a flat tire put him in the pits before the checkered flag could be displayed. This would put Wendel Clark up front where he would stay for the victory. Points leader Hardy Jarvis chased for the win but crossed in second with Chris Combs coming from way back in the pack for thrid and Darren Greenslet and Bill Burkhart making up the top five. Sixth through tenth was Priscilla Yergy, who was put to the tail after being involved in a earlier caution, John Taylor, Dan Rice, Robert Hyers and Lee Adkins.
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