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Morris Wins Ranson Chevrolet/Oldsmobile 200

By Lisa Voit 
NRVS Writer 

RADFORD- The rain must be a race fan. For the past couple of weeks the New River Valley Speedway has been able to stick to its racing schedule, despite the constant threat of rain. This week proved no different as small showers came through the area before the racing activities began, then the sky cleared and a rainbow lured over the speedway.

The Ranson Chevrolet/Oldsmobile 200 ended with another familiar activity, Phillip Morris (01) claimed his sixth victory in the Late Model Stock Car division. Morris started the 100 lap feature race in sixth position after grabbing another TnT Flinchum Pole Award and the track inversion by points. On lap 13, Morris took the lead from Hank Turman (0) and continued on with the lead for the remainder of the night.

Current points leader, Eric Sartin (40) had a tough night after suffering front end damage on lap 20. Sartin was on the high side of the track, he had no where to go and got squeezed into the wall. After making a trip to the pits to remove loose sheet metal, Sartin returned to the field and finished the evening in twentieth, two laps down. Sartin remains in the points lead with 422 points, in front of Chad Harris (with 398 points) and Morris (with 364 points).

The speedway welcomed the number 4 of Eric McClure, from Chilhowie, VA to the field for the first time. McClure was a regular at Lonesome Pine Raceway but now expresses intent to race here at New River for the rest of the season. McClure started the evening in 21st and finished in 18th position, one lap down after suffering damage to the front end of the car after making contact with another car.

As the laps counted down, caution flew for the fourth time of the evening as the number 49 of Michael Kidd spun on the frontstretch. Kidd was able to successfully recover the car without making any contact. Kidd finished thirteenth.

The race then went green, white, checkered with the count of 102 laps. Rounding out the top five for the Late Model Stock Car division were Turman in second, Wade Day (96) in third, Butch Hamlet (21) in fourth, and the number ten of Branon Nichols in fifth.

"It's as good as victory when you finish second to this guy (Phillip Morris)," said Turman after the race. This was Turman's, the six time most popular driver, first second place finish of the season.

If this weekend's racing was not enough thrills for you, then we have a treat for you. Next Saturday, June 23rd is the Toyota Hollywood Stunt Show presented by 107 PSK. Over an hours worth of thrill-seeking, heart stopping events will be performed right here at the New River Valley Speedway. In addition to the stunt show there will also be the U.S Cellular 250. Running in the US Cellular 250 will be the H & H Carpet Late Model, in a 50 lap race, and the NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars in their first 200 lap race of the season. It's sure to be a night of thrills here at the speedway.