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| Winchell Tops Hialeah Sportsmans | By Marty Little
Joe Winchell hustled from his outside front row starting spot to lead all 25 laps and win Saturday night's late model sportsman feature event at Hialeah Speedway.
Making his first start here since August, Winchell had his familiar No. 57 working well and was never challenged although runner-up Rick Rogero did close the gap in the late laps. Charlie Coyle, Danny Maddox and Gary McGoron completed the top five finishers.
The street stock format was changed from the planned 100 laps to twin 30s with Gary Padula and Jimmy Valentine the victors. In the opener Padula, rebounding from a wild flip the week previous, led ever lap for the victory over Rick Lutz, Bob Hogan, Travis McCoy and Corey Crisafulli. In the nightcap Valentine bolted on fresh rubber and he too paced every circuit for the score ahead of Billy Joyner, Crisafulli, McCoy and Ron Wilson.
Mini stock point leader Eddie Lowery padded his margin as he guided his Toyota to his third win this season. Tommy Styer gave chase but settled for the runner-up spot ahead of Bill Calder, Wayne Aultman and Steve Quick in the 25 lap run.
In the most controversial event of the night, cyclone leader Bryan Cook and challenger Roger Bohannon tangled coming off turn four for the checkerd flag and Mike Powers avoided the melee to score a narrow victory. Cook checkered second over Bohannon, Bruce Moerlins and Mike Blinco.
On tap this week will be the 10th Annual Al Gosney Memorial for the late model sportsman cars.
-Marty Little
(KARNAC reporter Scott Saip's story with photos will follow this report)
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