ARCA: Withers wins career-1st ARCA Truck victory
22 August 2000
DeGraff OH, - There was only one piece missing from defending ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series champion Bill Withers’ program – a victory. Withers, who won the inaugural title in ’99 without a win, finally filled the gap. The Columbus, Ohio veteran had apparently grown tiresome of his consistent and conservative nature and charged ahead with a vengeance Saturday night at Shady Bowl Speedway to score his career-first ARCA Truck Series triumph. For Withers, it was his first feature win of any kind in more than a decade. “It feels great that’s for sure,” said an emotional winner in victory lane. “We haven’t won a feature since 1987. We were thrilled with our championship last year but we were getting tired of finishing second and third everywhere. We knew we were always good enough to win but we just couldn’t get there. But it sure feels great to be here. I want to thank my sponsors Mannings USA and Hall Electronics, the whole crew and my engine builder Bud Wacholz for the great engines. We could really get use to this.” Jeff Wichmann, in the Midwest Metals Supply Ford, hustled home second while Tully Esterline, who recovered from a blown engine the night before at Winchester, trailed tightly in third in the Spangler Candy Company Chevy. Michael Carter, who pulled the all-nighter putting his machine back together after a crash at Winchester the night before, finished fourth the first truck one lap down. Kyle Witwer, in the Kelley Automotive Group-Witwer Racing Chevy, completed the top five. Johnny Witham, in the Pate Manufacturing-Fab Shop Ford, led at the onset from the pole after establishing a new one-lap track record earlier. Witham appeared to be the man to beat until the Hamilton, Ohio driver broke a rear end just 12 laps in. Witham, after a lengthy stay on pit road for repairs, returned in time to muster up a 10th place finish. Chad Guinn then took control and led for 37 circuits before his oil pump failed sending the Erie, Michigan driver pitside for good after completing 51 laps. With Guinn gone from the line-up, Troy Marciniak took his turn in the top-spot and led seven laps until he broke a right rear wheel. The incident initiated a three-car accident that eliminated not only Marciniak, but Jack Weethee and Bobby Marvin as well. From there, Withers, as always in a position to win, was next in line and led the remaining 44 laps to hang on for the well-deserved payoff. Witham won the Hoosier Tire Pole Award while Marciniak was credited with the Cloyes Gear Halfway Leader honors. Bob Beringer won the Ed & Company Hard Charger Award for advancing the most positions, from 17th to seventh. The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will next appear at Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, Indiana on Sunday, August 27.