LateModelStock.com - News

Stars Shine at NRV

by Lisa Voit 
NRVS Writer

RADFORD- Saturday night racing at New River Valley Speedway has reached a new level. With a larger crowd in the grandstands, larger fields for each race, special stars on hand, and extra laps in the Late Models, how can we surpass this?

Those who were not part of the capacity level crowd on hand for the evening missed out on The New 94.9 Star Country Race of Champions and the regular NASCAR sanctioned divisions. The day started early when fans poured into the stands beginning at 2pm to await the arrival of six of NASCAR’s finest stars. On hand for the Race of Champions was Kerry Earnhardt, Brett Bodine, Stacy Compton, Ernie Irvan, Michael Waltrip and Harry Gant. The drivers signed autographs for fans then participated in a 30 Lap shootout, driving Late Model Stock Cars borrowed from the track regulars.

To begin the special race the crowd gave the command for the drivers to start their engines. After the green flag dropped Michael Waltrip pulled out to take the lead over his fellow NASCAR stars. To show respect for the late Dale Earnhardt, fans held three fingers in the air for the third lap of the race. Kerry Earnhardt was driving the number 98 late model of Brandon Ward for the race. Earnhardt stayed side by side with Stacy Compton for most of the first fifteen laps.

Ernie Irvan played his cards right for the evening staying in 5th for the first 15 laps and taking the first starting position when the field was inverted for the second 15 laps. The lead position was soon taken from Irvan by Michael Waltrip on lap 17. Irvan got hung out to dry on the high line of the track and was shifted back to fourth position. Compton and Brett Bodine battled through the laps side by side with Compton pulling away in the final moments to claim victory in The NEW 94.9 STAR Country Race of Champions. Providing the car for Stacy Compton was the number 21of Butch Hamlet. Waltrip pulled in second, Bodine finished third followed by Irvan in fourth and Earnhardt in fifth.

To close the exciting night of racing was 100 laps of the NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars. Philip Morris grabbed the pole for the race. Due to the track point inversion regulation, Morris started the race in the sixth position. The 100 lap feature race turned into a 123 lap race of the fittest with only five cars finishing on the lead lap. Throughout the race cautions flew for numerous incidents involving Butch Hamlet, Steve Lynch, Lee Blaker, Morty Buckles, Jason Mitcham, Matt Wolfe, Anthony Barnes, Mike Looney, Hank Turman, Rick Sigmon, Mark Parks, Michael Kidd, Brandon Ward, Jason Dickerson, Jon Wood, Chad Harris, Wade Day, Tink Reedy and other drivers.

Incidents prevented the field from taking the checkered flag and drew the race out for an addition 23 laps. After a lengthly red flag stop to clean up the wreck in turn four the race finished with green, white, checkered flag laps. Eric Sartin claimed his first win of the season ahead of Tony McGuire and Clay Highberger. Sartin now has six top ten finishes and is the current points leader. Sartin maintained his racing composure and battled through the wrecks and mishaps that cluttered the track throughout the evening.

In the H & H Carpet Late Model Truck division the number 01 of Bo Howell claimed his third victory of the season. A caution coming out on lap 49 due to a spin in turn two involving the number five of John Griffin and the number 22 of Randy Howard. The race went back to racing to finish under the green, white, checkered laps. Jason Lawerence picked up his third second place finish of the season and Rick Sigmon claimed his fifth top five finish by placing third.

Thirteen cars made up the field for the Pure Stock race. Twenty five laps of racing went wreck free with seven cars finishing on the lead lap. Dean Sutphin took his third win of the season this evening finishing in front of the number 45 of Mark Harris. Taking third for the evening was Anthony Huff in the number 57. Sutphin also claimed the pole for the evening through his performance in the heat race.

The Race of Champions was just the beginning to an event filled night at the New River Valley Speedway. The NASCAR sanctioned divisions take next Saturday night off as the track hosts the second night of $5 Friday racing. Gates open at 5pm, racing starts at 7:30 and admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Don’t miss the Mini Cups, UCARS, Enduros, and Street Motorcycle Wheelie Contests. Saturday night racing returns on May 26th for the Bailey’s 200.