Gary Padula takes Limited Late Model at Hialeah Speedway
by Marty Little
HIALEAH, Fla. - Able to survive several skirmishes during the event, Gary Padula sped to the victory in the 25 lap limited late model headliner Saturday night at Hialeah Speedway.
Steve Weaver, Jr set the pace for the first four laps before Danny Maddox took the point. Maddox and Padula tangled once with Maddox spinning but he was given his spot back while Padula went to the rear. Padula also survived a solo spin and came from the rear that time as well. On lap 15 Maddox and Padula locked horns again and th is time Padula came out on top and ran to his fourth win this season. Along with the win he knocked Maddox from the point lead. Gary McGoron checkerd second behind Padula with Maddox third, Weaver fourth and rookie Mike Kohut.
Bob Hogan paced the 25 lap street stock in wire to wire fashion for his first win of the season. Two weeks previous Hogan nearly demolished the car in a practice crash and it looks like the repair is just what he needed as the car worked to perfection all evening. T.C. McElyea gave chase but settled for runner-up honors over points leader Sean Bulaskas, Tim Shaffner and Greg Gorniak.
Former mini stock champion David Russell made his first visit to the trrack since April and promplty walked off with the feature win, his fourth in only a half-dozen starts this season. Fellow Toyota runner Kenny Strong gave chase but checkerd second in front of Bill Calder, Jim Miner and Dave Shull.
A brief rain shower saw the cyclone healiner called after 14 laps with Rick Ulrich and his trusty Oldsmobile the victors for the first time this season. Sean Ryan paced the first dozen laps but settled for second spot in the final rundown over Chris Stockton, newcomer Steven Kaheel and George Morales.
The super late models of the Florida Pro Series are on tap this Saturday night after being rained out here in both April and May.
