| Crawford Bests Late Models at Columbia | LAKE CITY, Fla. - Veteran John Crawford proved the best of the late model stock set at Columbia Motorsports Park Saturday night as he grabbed the topspot from Al Beckelheimer, Jr on lap eight and raced to the win in the 25-lap feature event.
Strong early, Beckelheimer was no match for the fleet Crawford and his sharp No. 41 on the half-mile oval. Chris Tedder gave chase but settled for second money over Sam Clark, Jr., Beckelheimer and Kyle Owen.
The Florida modified main was a special 35 lapper with Derek Crawford out front for the first pair of circuits. On lap three Gary Southard went to thefront but had his hands full with a very pressing Wayne Parker. The challenge evaporated when Parker's car quit on lap 25 and LM winner John Crawford,doing double duty this night, took up the challenge but it was not to be as Southard got the victory. John Crawford, Mike Johnson, Derek Crawford and James Feagle completed the top five finishers.
Aboard his familiar orange No. 74, Ray Wheeler led wire to wire to win the 20 lap street stock finale for his first career win. Starting on the outside of the front row, Wheeler jumped out front at the wave of the green and had to fend off heavy pressure from Debbie Shepard for the win. Point leader Charles Seroki claimed third money over Randall Jackson and Gale Grayer.
The closest battle of the evening went to the entry level pure stock set as William Jerkins and Jerry Fortner hooked up in a furious battle. Pam McRae lead early before Jerkins took command on lap four. Fortner then joined the fray and coming down for the checkers, Fortner nosed under Jerkins and took the victory by less than a foot. Danny Coleman, McRae and Trish Berry were next to the stripe.
A four lap exhibition race with the new All American divison cars saw Brad Nickerson the victor as his nearest challengers tangled and failed to finish. When sufficient cars are ready this will become a regular division at the speedway.
By Marty Little
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