LateModelStock.com - News

Fireworks Start Early at SNS

KENLY _ The fireworks only triggered the early observance of July 4 at Southern National Speedway on Saturday night.

Wayne Grubb's explosive dash to the checkered flag in the 200-lap Late Model Stock finale of the Carquest 320 auto racing program kept the large crowd fired up. Grubb, a Virginia driver who formerly competed in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, continued his love affair with the .4-mile asphalt SNS oval, steering his Monte Carlo to his second SNS victory of the season. Grubb ruled the 26-car field after starting 10th.

"We were just taking care of the tires and picking them off one-by-one," Grubb said. "Fighting lap traffic was the big thing tonight. The car was running awesome."

Grubb was joined in Victory Lane by John Whaley of Goldsboro in the Super Stock twins, Wayne Skinner of Wilson in Pro Trucks and Jamie Mozingo of Pikeville in Stock Look-Alike.

Pole sitter Jamey Caudill of Four Oaks, in the Southern Piping Monte Carlo, owned the point until Grubb wrested it from him on lap 154. But before the race's midway point, Grubb had surged into second place. A caution with approximately 60 laps remaining detained Grubb only briefly.

"We had a good car, but we had brake problems," said Caudill, a former Late Model Stock champion at SNS. "The set-up and handling were good. But at about lap 130, the pedal started getting soft and the only brakes we had came from pumping them in the straightaway.

"But Wayne had a good car and ran a good race."

While Caudill was desperately attempting to fend off Grubb in the final 50 laps, Raleigh's Tony Grady, in a Monte Carlo, moved on their bumper and was poised for an opportunity to pounce into the lead.

"They were going at it," Grady said of Grubb and Caudill. "I didn't know if they both might get loose and I might get caught up in it. I backpedaled too much and might have cost myself a chance at the win." Grady, who started fifth, squirmed past Caudill and into the second spot on lap 167. But Grady never posed a serious threat to Grubb the final 25 laps.

"If I had been in front, I would have won," Grady said. "But at about lap 40, we got hot _ the temperature was 240 degrees. After we got by Jamey, I gave it all I had." Grady notched a strong second-place showing, followed by veteran Wilson driver Billy Ray Lucas in a Monte Carlo.

"We thought we had a shot for second, but we are tickled to death," said the weary Lucas. "The old man is here to stay. This (third) is just as good as a win. We used our head and padded our points lead." Caudill finished fourth, while Clayton's Steve Mendenhall, who started on the outside pole, finished fifth in his Monte Carlo.

The second five consisted, respectively, of SNS rookie Stephen Rhodes in a Monte Carlo, Blake Eatmon of Wilson in a Monte Carlo, Terry Harris of Newport News, Va., in a Monte Carlo, SNS rookie Sherman Davis Jr. of Fayettevivlle in a Monte Carlo and Sanford's Ryan Rhodes, another SNS rookie, in a Monte Carlo.

Only six cars finished on the lead lap. Cautions numbered but five. Eatmon, in his first race since last November, registered the biggest jump---starting 17th and finishing seventh. But Grubb provided the fireworks.

"We knew from the 10th lap we were good," Grubb said. "I think I could have done it (claimed the lead) quicker, but the track was so slick. I didn't want to jeopardize getting into him (Caudill) and jeopardize both our finishes."

And, consequently, only the order of finish behind Grubb was in jeopardy.

The Southern National Speedway is located off highway 301 between Wilson and Kenly N.C. Featuring 6 divisions of NASCAR WRS action every Saturday night. For additional information call the speedway office at 919 284 1114 or visit www.southernnatlspeedway.com.