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Shane Chastain, Dusty Williams Take Openers at Lanier

Braselton, GA (March 24, 2001) - Two brief showers did not dampen the spirits of the opening night crowd on hand that came in anticipation of seeing close quarters racing at historic Lanier National Speedway. The fans got their wish as both 100 lap feature events were not decided until the final lap.

Shane Chastain of Gainesville had been known over the last four years as a driver that could not get his Chevrolet into victory lane until the second-half of the year. But he made an early season statement Saturday night in the 100 lap Budweiser Pro Late Model event as he blasted past Tom Hardy on lap 49 then held on for victory in the non-points contest.

Hardy started on the pole based on a draw as qualifying was scrubbed due to rain. The driver that once dominated Lanier, Mike Love, showed up in his No. 25 Chevrolet and ran as high as second before parking his entry on lap 33 with brake failure.

As Hardy led the first-half of the 100 lap contest, 2000 Lanier Pro Late Model champion Tony Bennett began his march to the front after starting 13th. He appeared in the top five on lap 32.

After Chastain took the lead at the mid-point of the feature, his rear-view mirror was continually filled with the No. 16 of Hardy and the No. 42 of Bennett who rode in the tire tracks of the No. 3 until lap 95.

At that point Chastain's engine suddenly quit coming out of turn four. Hardy got door-to-door with Chastain but was unable to complete the pass for the lead as the No. 3 quicky regained power.

Running in a tight three car battle, Hardy spun on lap 98 and was sent to the rear of the field. In a green, white, checker finish Chastain was able to hold off Bennett for the win.

"The engine actually shut off there at the end. I sure hate Tom (Hardy) spun. I don't know what happened with the engine but we had enought to hold them off," commented Chastain in victory lane.

Budweiser Pro Late Model Notes - Richie King was running fifth when a large trail of smoke erupted from his No. 21 Chevrolet on lap 84 ending his evening...Love wasn't the only "veteran" in the field. Ray Brooks and Debris Brown competed. Brown claimed a fifth-place finish. Love indicated he'll likely run the entire 2001 Lanier Pro Late Model schedule...Despite starting fifth, it was a frustrating night for Stacy Long who finished on the lead lap but could not get his Pontiac into the top five after the start. One of Long's new sponsors is the Loganville Auto Auction...Hardy has changed colors and is now sporting a black paint scheme on his Ford...Tom Salley, who started third, ran well early as the Augusta driver held second for the first ten laps...Former Lanier Sportsman driver Todd Trinkle of Snellville made his first career Pro Late Model start Saturday night...Dwayne Buggay, who finished third, is sporting a new look on his Ford which is now red and features sponsorship from Atlanta Auto Brokers...Bennett said the only change he has made to his No. 42 Pontiac from the 2000 season is a new engine...Former Lanier track champion Clay Dale is sporting a new sponsor with Hart's Farm & Builder Supply on his No. 1 Chevrolet.