|
| Marion Sizemore Takes Two At Putnam | SATSUMA, FL (8/18) - For the second time this season, Marion Sizemore won two features on the same night at Putnam County Speedway. He won the Modified feature with relative ease. Robbie Hager led the early going in a borrowed car and looked to be a match for Sizemore, but lost the lead in an early spin. Other would-be contenders fell by the wayside during the 25-lapper and Sizemore was never seriously challenged. Several new faces appeared in the top five as Kenny Blair had a season-best second place finish and James Blackmer also had a personal best by coming in third. Garland Spangler beat Chris Hammond at the line for fourth.
Sizemore had considerably more difficulty in the Limited Late Model main. He won the drag race into turn one from J. O. Nobles. Nobles rebounded, however, and worked Sizemore inside and outside while the leaders battled traffic. Bill Kopka stayed close and waited for a miscue to make his move, but it was not to be the points leader's night as his car expired around the halfway point. On two occasions Nobles pulled even with Sizemore on the inside only to have his runs negated by caution flags. Nobles locked and loaded one last time on lap 22 with a bold inside move on Sizemore on the front stretch. However, Nobles cooked it too hard into turn one, Sizemore got under to make the pass, then Nobles looped his car in turn two. Sizemore held off Chris Vogel for the win. Tim Gamble wound up third ahead of Adam Bennett and Ronnie Grubb.
L. J. Klemons led every circuit of the Pure Stock main in taking the checkers and pulled even with leader Mike Tripp in the points standings. A scary moment involved David Miller Jr. as his Ford got caught in three-car wide traffic, slid down the front stretch, and slammed directly into the infield wall on the passenger's door. An anxious, anticipatory silence followed; fortunately Miller was conscious, moving, and talking with trackside personnel. He was taken to a local hospital as a precaution, found to have no major injuries, and was released early Sunday morning. The race resumed after the 40-minute red flag and Klemons maintained his advantage in a battle with Greg Fife throughout the rest of the race. Fife held off Mike Tripp for second, while Scott Nolan was fourth and Floyd Martin Jr. was fifth.
Kenny Hall started on the pole, grabbed the lead into turn one, and led every lap of the Street Stock race. Toby Sims kept the pressure on Hall for the balance of the race, but fell out of contention late. Shane Williams brought the #16R in second followed by Richard Adams, Tiny Greene, and Robert Ammons. A post-race protest of the winner found Hall's car legal and Hall kept the win.
Colt Taylor led every lap of the Mini Stock feature except the lap that paid. Jake Hartley made a last-lap, last-turn pass on a very surprised Taylor to sneak off with the win. Mike Gibbs brought his car home third with Mickey Leth and Marlon Durbin following.
David Miller and Ronnie Soltis have a tight points war going in Hobby Stocks, and tonight's race was a reflection. The duo raced hard through traffic and numerous cautions as they outdistanced the rest of the field. Soltis came out on top in this battle with Miller close behind. Rounding out the top five was Dave Dowling Jr., Brad Pilinko, and John Hedberg.
All regular Putnam County Speedway divisions will race this Saturday night. Pits open at 2 PM, grandstands open at 5 PM, and racing starts at 7 PM.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
