LateModelStock.com - News

Valvoline 250

September 15,2001 
Diane Brinkley 
NRVS Writer 

Radford, VA- The S.M.A.R.T. Modifieds visited New River Valley Speedway for the Advanced Auto Parts 250 presented by Valvoline. These fast cars ran a great 150 laps. George Brunnhoelzl, one of the youngest of the series ran in the top five for the first 50 laps, until a wreck on lap 51 took him out of the race. He said, "It's a real disappointment, a car just slips up in front of you and you get caught. It's a curse, and it just bit us".

The fiercest battles were the ones for first, second and third in which the same three cars traded positions during the race. At the end, it was Jay Hedgecock in first, Junior Miller second, and Jay Foley third.

The big question for the NASCAR Late Model Stock cars, was could Phillip Morris make this Blue Ridge Region championship his. Morris needed to finish high enough to take the points lead at New River Valley Speedway and he would get the championship. His biggest contender for the lead was Wade Day, who was the leader going into the night's 100 lap event. Day's race was ended when he was involved in an accident with put him out for the night, and Morris at the end of the lead lap. Within the final 40 laps Morris came from the back to finish third, and claim his Blue Ridge Region title. Chad Harris finished second ahead of him, and Butch Hamlet took the checkered.

Of the victory Hamlet said, "It's all this crew. My grandma, my great grandma could have driven this car and won. It's all about the crew."

The victory was Hamlet's second of the 2001 season, with the first win coming at the season opener in April.

The H&H Carpet Truck division saw Rick Simon start last, due to broken hub which occurred during his first qualifying lap, move quickly through the field to finish third. He said, "We were really fortunate to come back and get a top three after we broke the hub qualifying".

Bo Howell finished second, after a good consistent run during the race. Kevin Snyder took the checkered flag smoking after fighting hard to get there. "That old truck turned out to be pretty good," he said.

The Blue Ridge Timberwright Pure Stock cars finished the night's event with Anthony Huff in third, Mark Harris, second, and Dean Sutphin winning the race.

Official Results:

S.M.A.R.T. Modfieds: 1. Jay Hedgecock, 2. Junior Miller, 3. Jay Foley, 4. Frank Fleming, 5. Earl Baker.

Late Models: 1. Butch Hamlet, 2. Chad Harris, 3. Phillip Morris, 4. Tink Reedy, 5. Michael Kidd.

Trucks: 1. Kevin Snyder, 2. Bo Howell, 3. Rick Sigmon, 4. Aaron Deplazes, 5. Randy Howard.

Pure Stocks: 1. Dean Sutphin, 2. Mark Harris, 3. Anthony Huff, 4. Doug Moore, 5. Steve McCoy.