LateModelStock.com - News

Hard Racing at NRV

by Lizzie Starck 
NRVS Writer 

Radford- The weather in Radford provided excellent driving conditions for the drivers at the New River Valley Speedway. The humidity was low, allowing the drivers to drive in more bearable conditions at the Kroger/Pepsi 275 presented by Farm Bureau Virginia. The Late Model Stock Car division had a full field of 36 drivers to run the 200-lap race as WDBJ 7 televised it live.

To start the afternoon off, Philip Morris (01) claimed his twelfth pole of the thirteen races this season, beating out 44 other competitors for the possible 36 starting spots. Eric Sartin (40) started in the pole position after the inversion. However due to engine malfunctions, he finished the race in the pits within the first 100 laps.

Tony McGuire (7) stole the lead in the first lap and held it until the halfway mark, with Wade Day (96) constantly in his mirror. After the first 100 laps, the drivers were given fifteen minutes and there was an inversion of the top two, giving the lead to Day.

Hard racing took place with 50 laps to go between McGuire and Morris. Morris took up too much of the track, sending McGuire into turn two's wall. NASCAR gave Morris the black flag sending him to the back of the lead lap. The battle also caused McGuire to fall approximately five positions.

Points leader, Chad Harris (02) qualified and finished third. McGuire raced back to the front after his encounter with Morris. He took second place for his sixth race of the season. He led the whole second segment of the race giving the 2000 Blue Ridge Region Champion his first win of the season.

All the WDBJ 7 television activities did not allow time for the Blue Ridge Timberwright Pure Stocks to qualify. The 14-car field lined up based on point standings. Mark Harris (45) had the pole position for the 25-lap race. He remained in the lead and took the checkered flag. Anthony Huff (57) took second for his 11th top five finish and Dean Sutphin (11) claimed third.

The H & H Carpet Late Model Trucks were positioned the same way as the Blue Ridge Timberwright Pure Stocks, lining up by points. Because of this, Bo Howell (01) held the pole position. A handful of cautions were thrown in the fifteen-truck field. The cautions were thrown mostly for minor spins. Points leader, Rick Sigmon (45) took his fourth victory of the season with Jason Lawrence (54) picking up his fourth second place finish. Howell rounded out the top three.

Come join in on the action when the Hooter's Pro Cup invades the New River Valley Speedway at the Kroger 250 presented by Pepsi. The gates open at 3pm with qualifying at 5pm. The Hooter's Pro Cup will race at 7pm followed by the Late Model Stock Car 100-lap race and 25 laps of NRV Mall Mini Stocks.