| Sunday, September 2, 2001 | |
| Hooters and SARA at Lakeland | Bobby Gill Dominates Jackaroo 200
by Thom Watson
 LAKELAND, FL: Bobby Gill came into the Jackaroo Sauces 200 with the points lead in the South Division of the Hooters ProCup Series. The only way to guarantee the regular season points championship was to win the final race of the regular season. Gill did just that as he built a seven car length lead for the win over Jason Sarvis.
Sarvis started on the pole and quickly grabbed the lead on a complete restart after a multi-car accident in turn two. The only car out was Mario Gosselin, although he later came back. By lap 20, Gill had worked his way to second and followed Sarvis until making a pass for the lead on lap 54. Gill was able to lead until the leaders pitted on lap 120. Sarvis got out first with Gill following in second. On the restart Gill slowed temporarily coming out of turn two and fell back out of the top five.
This was a short-lived setback in Gill's quest for the win. On lap 130 Gill was back in second place but Sarvis had started to check out on the field, building a three second lead. Gill was on the move and by lap 147 had overtaken Sarvis for the lead. Once in the lead, Gill took off and except for being in lapped traffic, was never threatened again. Sarvis remained in second, with Steve Christian, Jay Fogleman and Kertus Davis rounding out the top five.
Next up for the Hooters ProCup series is the Four Champions Championship Series. This is a unique play-off type system with a series of four races for the top 25 points leaders in the North and South divisions competing for the chance to win it all back here at USA International Speedway on November 24. The first race in the Four Champions Championship Series is September 14 at Chicago Motor Speedway.
Bobby Gill on KARNAC.com's Real Racin'Talk Radio.
 SARA:
BARKIS WINS SARA LATE MODEL 100 AT LAKELAND
LAKLEAND, FL: Brad Barkis bided his time in second place until points leader Jason Boyd suddenly slowed on the backstraight with a blown motor. Boyd took the lead on the first lap and was able to hold off Barkis. The biggest lead Boyd was able to build was four car lengths on lap 35. That was wiped out by a caution caused by Marty Pierce who spun by himself in turn four.
Just laps after the restart on lap 41, Boyd's car started smoking and losing water. Boyd was able to lead at the halfway point. Finally, on lap 52, Boyd's engine let go coming out of turn two. Barkis was ready and able to take advantage as he took over the lead, with Bobby Beauchemin right behind him.
After a restart on lap 54, Barkis and Beauchemin stayed nose-to-tail for the next 10 laps. By lap 87, Wayne Morris had caught the leaders to briefly make the top three leaders a three-car train. Barkis and Beauchemin gradually pulled away as Beauchemin continually tried to pass for the lead. A lap 98 caution flag set up one last chance for Beauchemin to pass Barkis. This set up a green-white-checker finish. Beauchemin tried the outside groove for the lead but could not pull off the pass as he finished one-half car length behind Barkis. Wayne Morris remained in third place, with Ed Howell and Joe Boyd rounding out the top five.
As always, these results are pending tech inspections.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
