| Johnny Collins Wins Thompson Memorial at Volusia | By Phil Schryver KARNAC Media
Volusia County, FL (Volusia County Speedway) July 21, 2008. This past Saturday night three separate Late Model series joined together to honor the memory of Scott Thompson in the annual event held at Volusia County Speedway.
The three series included the Volusia Late Models, the National Late Model Series, and the United Dirt Late Model Series. For all three series to be able to come together, each having variations in their rules, and to be able to put on such a big event was amazing.
Not only were there three race directors involved, but also 3 separate announcers, two flag men, and countless other hard working staff from each group who all seemed to work flawlessly together.
61 Late Models had signed in for the event, and all had to fight for one of only 30 spots available for the main event. Some people had voiced concerns that the night lasted so late, ending at almost 3 am, but I personally respected that fact that the promoters and race staff wanted to make sure that everyone was given a fair chance to make the race.
Another big story of the night was in regards to Patrick Williams, a veteran late model driver here in Florida, was driving Scott Thompson’s #38 late model in the race, which he has only driven 5 times now.
Patrick had a tough time in qualifying, but was able to make the feature after a consi race. I am sure that many people were rooting for Patrick to win the race and he did come very close to accomplishing that.
Patrick started in the 21st position, but quickly made his way through the field. In a post race interview, Williams said “I come a long way in a hurry; By lap 18 I was 4th”. Williams also said “I had to keep going”, “To get all the way to 2nd; the fifth time in this car is pretty good.”
Collins was on a rail that night, lapping a bunch of other cars, but Williams was working hard to do everything he could to catch him. Williams had said “ No one could stay on the bottom in 1 and 2”, “I tried to use every inch of this place.” Collins agreed in his post race interview stating “I wanted to run the top, but didn’t have the traction there.”
With only a couple laps to go, the #26 of Beebenbaugh was able to get by Williams and come home 2nd. Collins won the race, and Patrick Williams finished in 3rd.
When Patrick was interviewed he thanked the Thompson family for the opportunity and told the fans he had given it his all.Williams also said “Johnny is good, there’s no two ways about it.
Johnny Collins said in his interview “This is the greatest event in Dirt Racing that you could ask for, And to win this race means a lot to me.”
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