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Chaney goes flag-to-flag for second Kingsport Late Model victory

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Aug. 11) – Michael Chaney of Abingdon, Va., started from the pole position and led the "Shoney’s" NASCAR Late Model Stock Car 50-lap feature flag-to-flag en route to capturing his second victory of the season on HVAC/Kids’ Night at the Races Friday at Galaxy Kingsport Speedway.

Much speculation surrounding the personable, 19-year-old Virginia Tech mechanical engineering student’s recent disqualification after an apparent victory, when the Jack "Iron Man" Ingram-led team refused to tear down its engine, was laid to rest Friday night. They made a statement to the other LMSC competitors when track officials tore down the race-winning motor, all the way to the crank, and it was found to be in complete compliance with the rules.

Chaney led the 19-car field to the green flag, with Kres VanDyke occupying the outside spot in row one. Completing the opening lap Chaney had VanDyke, Wade Lopez, Larry Utsman and Adam Dean in tow. With the field settled in running single-file back through the 15th position, Chaney had pulled out to a four car-length lead over VanDyke on lap 16 when the event’s first caution waved for a spin in turn two by Kelly Glass.

The top five on the restart continued to be Chaney, VanDyke, Lopez, Utsman and Dean. Robbie Ferguson, who was running seventh, moved into the fifth position on lap 17 when Dean got out of shape in turn four after slight contact from the sixth-running Reece Milton. Just prior to halfway in the 50-lapper, the caution waved when Mark Ketron looped his mount in turn two on lap 21.

Looking to back up a strong second-place finish in one of last week’s twin Late Model feature events on the 3/8-mile concrete oval, Utsman passed Lopez for the third spot on lap 29 racing off the fourth turn. While out front, Chaney once again began to put a little bit of breathing room between himself, VanDyke and Utsman.

Ferguson’s hopes of bringing home a top five finish ended on lap 39 when his No. 32 Monte Carlo’s engine quit running due to an electrical problem, and he slowly coasted down the backstretch and into the pits off turn four to end his night.

Over the final ten laps, Chaney stretched his race-winning margin at the checkers to almost a half-straightaway over VanDyke, Utsman, Lopez and Milton. Completing the top 10 finishers were Wayne Hale, Jeff Berry, Dean, Tommy Spangler and Mike Potter. With Lopez’ fourth-place run, and a seventh-place finish by Berry, Lopez assumed the track Late Model Stock point lead.

"To run as well as we did tonight in winning our second Late Model feature of the season, and then to be declared legal in post-race inspection, yeah, we feel like we have proven a point to the other drivers’ in this division," said an obviously relieved Chaney. "It’s not really like we’ve got a lot more horsepower over the other guys, our car is handling really well through the corners. All race long, on both ends of the track, I could stand on the gas full throttle halfway through the turns and really have some acceleration down the straightaway. Handling is very important in racing here at Kingsport, and our car is working great right now.

"It looks like next Thursday night’s race will be my last of the season, being I have to start my second year of college the following week at Virginia Tech. I want to thank my dad, Paul Chaney, for providing me the opportunity to race. And a lot of thanks to Jack Ingram for teaching me everything he has about racing, plus the help from all of the guys on the pit crew – Bo Hunter, Steve Jarrett, Justin Ingram, Aaron Musgrove and Rodney Arnold."

"SHONEY’S" NASCAR LATE MODEL STOCK CAR (50-laps)

   1.Michael Chaney #24-Abingdon, VA 
   2.Kres VanDyke #15-Abingdon, VA 
   3.Larry Utsman #23-Bristol, TN 
   4.Wade Lopez #83-Abingdon, VA 
   5.Reece Milton #16-Blountville, TN 
   6.Wayne Hale #19-Piney Flats, TN 
   7.Jeff Berry #61-Kingsport, TN 
   8.Adam Dean #81-Bristol, VA 
   9.Tommy Spangler #82-Bristol, TN 
  10.Mike Potter #1-Johnson City, TN 
  11.Rick Pannell #33-Kingsport, TN 
  12.Bill Lane #14-Kingsport, TN 
  13.Clyde Jones #7-Kingsport, TN 
  14.Kelly Glass #31-Jonesborough, TN 
  15.Allen Hawkins #77-Kingsport, TN 
  16.Bill Garrett #4-Johnson City, TN 
  17.Robbie Ferguson #32-Jonesborough, TN 
  18.R.J. Stanley #18-Bristol, TN 
  19.Mark Ketron #26-Kingsport, TN