Anderson tops Sunbelt 125 at Columbia Motorsports Park | by Jane Smith
Lake City, Fla. (September 3, 2005) In spite of rising gas prices and somewhat shortage of diesel fuel, eighteen Super Late Model drivers made their way to Columbia Motorsports Park for the Sunbelt Super Late Model 125. But Ryan Sieg of Tucker, Georgia was unable to make the race or qualify after hitting the wall during practice.
Wayne Anderson set fast time with a 16.846 followed by Brian Finney 16.935, Patrick Williams 16.964, Jay Middleton 17.000.. and Patrick Conrad 17.096. Anderson pulled the 5 pill putting Patrick Conrad on the pole for the 125 lap event.
On the green, Conrad quickly jumped to the point followed by Jay Middleton, Patrick Williams, Brian Finney, and Kevin Durden. Middleton passes Conrad taking over the lead as Conrad slides back to second. Anderson works his way to fourth putting Finney fifth. Anderson then sets his eyes on Williams and takes over third but Williams has to let off some and slides back to fifth with Finney in fourth. Anderson then puts the pressure on Conrad taking over second with Finney following thru for third, Williams in fourth and Conrad in fifth.
The first caution of the night comes out on lap 10 when Tal Etheredge and Chris Fontaine get together in turns 1 and 2. Both drivers are fine but their cars are done for the night. The race is red flagged since Fontaine and Etheredge are hooked together and must be taken apart. The race goes back green on lap 16 as Middleton leads the way over Anderson, Finney, Williams and Durden. Durden finds his hands full of Fain Skinner as they go lap by lap fighting for the fifth place spot. They finally touch causing a caution which sends them both to the rear of the field for the restart..
Lap 32 sees the restart with Middleton, Anderson, Finney, Williams, Conrad, Ryan Foster, Jason Boyd, Mac Johnson, Jeff Scofield, Rich Pratt, Daniel Webster, Doyle Boatwright, Fain Skinner and Kevin Durden. Josh Badenbaugh, who drove in the Pure Stock division at Columbia last year, has to pit but returns to the race on lap 34. On lap 36, Williams takes over third from Finney as Finney goes to fourth. Bedenbaugh brings out the caution as he tags the frontstretch wall and must go in for some crew attention.
Lap 47 sees the restart but before lap 48 is down, the yellow comes out for Mac Johnson, Kevin Durden and Fain Skinner. On the restart, something happened to Johnson which caused Durden and Skinner to spin. Durden gets out of his car and goes up the track after Skinner and the race goes red as the cars are cleared and the crews calmed down. Durden is then dq'd for unsportsmanlike conduct. Skinner is towed in as Johnson is pushed in.
Lap 57 sees the restart with Middleton on the point followed by Anderson, Conrad, Ryan Foster, Boyd, Finney, Webster, Pratt, Boatwright and Scofield. Foster finds his hands full of going side-by-side with Boyd for fifth. Boyd takes the postiion as Foster settles into sixth. In the meantime, Anderson is looking every which way to pass Middleton but Middleton holds strong and protects the lead. Finally Anderson gives Middleton alittle tap getting him loose and takes over the lead as Middleton must correct and settles into third.
Lap 75 Doyle Boatwright brings out the caution as he spins in turn 3. Boatwright goes in as Fain Skinner and Mac Johnson have made repairs and return to the field. After having a great race, the No. 2 of Patrick Conrad retires with brake problems.
Lap 87 sees the restart as Anderson leads the way over Williams, Middleton, Boyd, Finney, Pratt, Foster, Webster, Scofield, Johnson and Skinner. Anderson quickly walks away from the field as he leads the way Scofield tries to pass Webster but instead gets himself sideways and must let off to correct. Middleton looks to pass Williams but Williams holds tight.
Lap 100 it is Anderson, Williams, Middleton, Boyd, Finney, Pratt, Foster, Webster, Johnson, Scofield and Skinner in the field. Boyd takes over third from Middleton as Middleton slides to fifth and Finney in fourth. It is obvious that Middleton has a problem with his car as Pratt and Foster pass Middleton. But Middleton does not give up and stays out fighting for his position.
As the laps dwindle down, Boyd gives Williams a run going side-by-side trying to take second but Williams is having nothing to do with it. Boyd tries again and Williams once again shuts the door. Anderson takes the checkered followed by Patrick Williams, Jason Boyd, Brian Finney and Rich Pratt.
1. #93 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood 2. #77 Patrick Williams, Arcnher 3. #92 Jason Boyd, Orlando 4. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island 5. #0 Rich Pratt, Anthony 6. #10 Ryan Foster, Lowell Arkansas 7. #74 Jay Middleton, Lake City 8. #1x Daniel Webster, Brooksville 9. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City 10. #6 Mac Johnson, Gainesville 11. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak 12. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont 13. #57 Doyle Boatwright, Starke 14. #82 Josh Badenbaugh 15. #47 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland 16. #8 Tal Etheredge, Sylvestor, Ga. 17. #17 Kevin Durden, Archer DQ'D 18. #39 Ryan Sieg, Tucker, GA. DNS
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