LateModelStock.com - News

Craftsman Truck Series Romps at "America's Hometown Track"

South Boston, VA...With 100,000 watts of light and 36 horsepower heavy trucks from the Craftsman Truck Series, "America's Hometown Track" blazed to life on a cool Friday night for the NetZero 250 presented by John Boy and Billy. Oldies 100.7 (WTRG Raleigh, NC) and Advanced Computer Technology Training teamed up to bring in the "Big Show". Winston Cup hopeful, Hermie Sadler (#13 Emporia, VA) rolled the dice for Virginia Lottery's King and Queen of the race, while MRN Radio's "Virginia is for Lovers Dash for Cash" contestants lined up for a chance to win a share of $250,000.00

The winners of the 1st Annual Wendell Scott Memorial Essay Contest were announced with their share of $6,500.00 in scholarships by a host of special presenters to include the Scott Family, Anthony Martin of the Urban Youth Racing League, drivers Willy T. Ribbs (#8 San Jose, CA), Bill Lester, Tim Woods III (Chino Hills, CA), Halifax Chamber of Commerce, J. E. Burton Construction's Brian Burton, and BB & T's Mark Blizard, and Susan McLamb. Commendations from

Honorable Senator George Allen and Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore were read as runner-up, Shanna Jones collected her $2,000.00 scholarship. Net Zero Honored Guest and Grand Marshal Rick Hendrick passed the honors of getting engines started to his father, "Papa Joe" Hendrick, who gave the command with a huge crowd cheering him on. "Papa Joe", as he is affectionately known, has been absent from many races due to illness. Joe Mattioli III, Cathy Rice, and the entire speedway family were glad he chose to come home to Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway.

"This is what 'America's Hometown Track' is all about," said Cathy Rice General Manager, "families gathering together to enjoy themselves while watching some of the best short track racing in the nation."

The action got underway early as, pole sitter, Jack Sprague (#24 Spring Lake, MI) battled alongside Ted Musgrave (#1 Franklin, WI) for the lead in the early laps. Caution involving Ricky Sanders (#19 Stockbridge, GA) on lap eight slowed the charge. As Sanders attempted to get restarted, he made contact with leader Jack Sprague, causing damage to the NetZero Chevrolet, which had to pit to make repairs. Musgrave inherited the lead as Sprague was forced to restart in the back. Local favorite, Nick Woodward (#84 High Point, NC) caused another caution for a loose oil line and had to pit. Woodward had great hopes of running well at a track he knows very well, but it was not to be. Rookie, Kyle Busch (#99 Las Vegas, NV) impacted the turn one wall bringing out another caution, as his front suspension broke, causing a loose tire to tumble across the track.

Rodney Sawyers (#68 Ridgeway, VA), who competed in the Textilease Late Model Division earlier this year, brought out a smoke-filled yellow flag of his own. Sawyers, who has been competing on a limited basis in the Craftsman Truck Series, was able to re-fire his Smirnoff Ice Dodge and continue. Lap traffic kept the leaders in a tight pack until the midway point, as Musgrave powered his Mopar Dodge to a healthy advantage by lap 130. The best on track battle was between hometown hero, Scott Riggs (#2 Bahama, NC) and returning driver Mike Bliss (#16 Milwaukie, OR) as they waged war for the second position. Just as the leaders were coming off the second turn, Bill Lester (#4 Oakland, CA) spun directly in their path. Riggs tapped Bliss, as he checked-up, sending Bliss spinning to the inside. Pit strategy began to unfold as many of the lead lap trucks chose not to pit.

Winston Cup legend, Morgan Shepherd (#21 Conover, NC) gambled for the lead as Nick Woodward gained a lap back on the re-start. Shepherd passed by a charging Terry Cook (#29 Sylvania, OH) on lap 152, avoided a four-truck incident as the red flag came out on lap 158. Eight cautions were in the books by the restart on lap 185. Ted Musgrave pulled out on the restart, but Dennis Setzer (#46 Newton, NC) tracked him down with 50 laps to go. Woodward, who was working to get back on the lead lap, cut a tire on lap 201 and ended his quest for a decent finish.

The final charge to the finish was on, as Setzer clawed for the lead with Musgrave darting and dodging lap traffic. Mike Bliss powered his way through traffic for position and re-gained his lead lap status when Coy Gibbs (#20 Mooresville, NC) looped his MBNA Chevrolet in turn four. A 30 lap sprint was staged to close the inaugural Craftsman Truck event, as Riggs and Setzer made their moves to catch Musgrave. Jack Sprague made his way to fourth with his attention set on retaining his championship point lead. Ted Musgrave cleared all the traffic in his way, claimed his fifth win of the season, and the first manufacturer's championship for Dodge.

" The truck was awesome, we qualified well and that was the key," said Musgrave, "we were able to save our brakes and tires and that was what did it for us. I couldn't believe that Jack (Sprague) made contact with the lapped car under caution, but then we were in the lead and we kept on the same set of left tires all night and made it work to keep the truck up front. We're proud to bring home the manufacturer's championship for Dodge, it was a great win here at South Boston Speedway."

Ultra Motorports has claimed victory in half of all Craftsman Truck Series events for the 2001 season. Dennis Setzer finished second and heads to Martinsville Speedway to drive a late model in the Taco Bell 300 on Sunday, September 30th. Scott Riggs finished a close third in front of his hometown crowd and received a standing ovation as he climbed out of his Team ASE Dodge. Jack Sprague worked traffic and stayed out of trouble to post an impressive fourth after his early restart in the rear. Ricky Hendrick claimed the lead in the rookie points by finishing sixth at the home of his stock car debut.

"This is where I drove my first stock car and we did much better this time. This track is where it's at. I thought we would have been better, but we did come away leading the rookie points and that's a plus."

--Info Source: South Boston Speedway

South Boston Speedway
Unofficial Results
September 28, 2001
Pos No. Driver Sponsor  Make
1 1 Ted Musgrave Mopar Performance  Dodge
2 46 Dennis Setzer ACXIOM/Computer Associates  Chevrolet
3 2 Scott Riggs Team ASE Racing  Dodge
4 24 Jack Sprague NetZero Platinum  Chevrolet
5 18 Joe Ruttman Dana Corporation  Dodge
6 17 Ricky Hendrick GMAC Financial  Chevrolet
7 29 Terry Cook Power StrokeŽ Diesel  Ford
8 60 Travis Kvapil CAT Rental Stores  Chevrolet
9 16 Mike Bliss IWX Motor Freight  Chevrolet
10 88 Matt Crafton XeSighting Systems  Chevrolet
11 08 Bobby Dotter People Against Drugs  Chevrolet
12 20 Coy Gibbs MBNA  Chevrolet
13 90 Lance Norick Aventis Behring Choice  Chevrolet
14 50 Jon Wood Eldon  Ford
15 75 Billy Bigley Jr. Spears Manufacturing  Chevrolet
16 81 Michael Dokken Best Inns & Suites  Chevrolet
17 43 Carlos Contreras Hot Wheels  Dodge
18 68 Rodney Sawyers Smirnoff Ice  Dodge
19 84 Nick Woodward Lights' Auto Body  Ford
20 51 Brian Rose Sunclear Energy  Chevrolet
21 93 Jerry Hill Troxell Racing  Chevrolet
22 53 GJ Mennen Motor Check  Ford
23 86 Dana White Coverall Carports  Chevrolet
24 14 Rick Crawford Milwaukee Electric Tool  Ford
25 72 Jimmy Hensley MetLife Auto and Home  Chevrolet
26 91 Michael Ritch Sportsman Racing Products  Chevrolet
27 21 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing  Ford
28 8 Willy T. Ribbs Dodge Motorsports  Dodge
29 54 Timothy Woods III Red Bull/Chino Hills  Ford
30 61 Vince Whitmere TruckSeries.com  Chevrolet
31 19 Ricky Sanders TruckTrix.com  Ford
32 4 Bill Lester Dodge Motorsports  Dodge
33 99 Kyle Busch Eldon  Ford
34 35 Clay Young PYR Motorsports  Ford
35 70 Morris Coffman Turbines, Inc.  Chevrolet
36 25 Phil Bonifield National Wild Turkey Federation  Chevrolet