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Rain holds off as Philip Morris wins the Bailey's 200

By Diane Brinkley, Lisa Voit and Larry Bateman
NRVS Writers

RADFORD, VA (May 26, 2001) - The outlook of rain did not stop the fans and excitement at the New River Valley Speedway this Saturday evening. The running of the second Bailey’s 200 had no lack of excitement, even though the caution flag rarely flew.

The NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars started the evening out rough as Chad Harris (02) spun in turn two due to an oil spot on the track, bringing out the caution on lap one. The only other caution of the 100 lap race came on lap 76 when Butch Hamlet (21) spun in the exit of turn one before going into turn two. While Hamlet was attempting to rejoin the field, Jason Merriman (2) slid up the track, hitting Hamlet’s car and causing more damage to the car.

Hamlet had led the first eight laps of the feature event before Phillip Morris (01) overtook him for the lead. Morris held the lead for the rest of the race, challenged only by Hamlet and Wade Day (96). In second was Eric Sartin (40) and in third for the first time this season was Day.

When asked about his win tonight, Morris said, "It feels great, the guys were (really) racing hard tonight."

The division to bring out the most yellow flags of the night was the H&H Carpet Late Model Truck race. At the start, Rusty Skews (7) spun out and made contact with the wall in the exit of turn two. Randy Howard (22) also spun out on the backstretch in an attempt to avoid Skews. While under caution, drivers proceeded to race back to the line, during which Jason Lawerence (54) hit the Bo Howell (01), which consequently sent Lawerence to the end of the field for the restart.

The final caution of the race occurred on lap 27. Robert Witlow (23) spun in turn three after getting loose in the turn. The trucks of Brianne Cronrath (16), John Griffin (5), Terry Lawson (29), and Howard tangled up behind Witlow. Joe Lucas (31) led for the first half of the race until Rick Sigmon (45) was able to pass him. Sigmon was able to hold on to the lead and take the checkered flag for his first victory of the season in the H&H Carpet Late Model Truck series.

The Bailey’s 200 leads the speedway into five consecutive weeks of Saturday night racing. Next week the racing conditions with the running of the U.A.W. Local 2069 200. Volvo workers will be on hand to enjoy their employee night at the speedway.