Joe Winchell Wins 100 Lap Limited Late Model feature at Hialeah
by Marty Little
HIALEAH, Fla. - Despite rain and a local power outage, Joe Winchell was on top of his game Saturday night at Hialeah Speedway as he scored a convincing victory in the MK Mechanical 100 for limited late models.
Starting third in the 15 car field, fast qualfiier Winchell had his Associates Roofing Chevrolet working perfectly on the flat third-mile oval. Steve Weaver, Jr took the early lead with Stuart Robertson and Winchell in tow. On lap nine Robertson brought out the first of six yellow flags as he cut a tire and slid into the third turn tire barrier.
Winchell powered into the lead on lap 19 and really set sail, enjoying nearly a half lap margin during some long green runs. Following a late race restart Winchell's mount filled with smoke but it was no problem for the fleet veteran and he took the checkers to claim the third race in the six race series. Danny Maddox earned runner-up honors ahead of David Weaver, Bobby Beauchemin, and Nick Staropoli.
Tim Shaffner scored an easy wire to wire victory in the street stock 25 lap run. Chasing Shaffner's truck to the line was Tony Barreca, T.C. McElyea, Travis McCoy and Tom North.
Defending mini stock champion Tommy Styer gained his first victory of the season as he put his Mustang in victory lane after the 15 lap run. Bill Calder, Harold Cross, Fred Williams and Eli Pollard were next to the stripe.
Ron Regula led wire to wire to gain his first win this season in the 25 lap cyclone headliner. John Pettit broke free of traffic in the late going and closed the gap on Regula but settle for second money ahead of Gabe Hernandez, Tony Crowder and Bob Regula. Dan Marino topped the school bus figure 8 run over Greg Gorniak and Hernandez while Brian Dielmann was the last man running in the demolition derby. - 30 - Complete finish of MK Mechanical 100 for limited late models showing finishing position, driver and laps completed: 1. 57 Joe Winchell 100 laps; 2. Danny Maddox 100; 3. David Weaver 100; 4. Bobby Beauchemin 100; 5. Nick Staropoli 100; 6. Kendrick Gomez 100; 7. Mike Kohut 99; 8. Gary Padula 92; 9. Bob Regula 89; 10. Gary McGoron 50; 11. Charlie Coyle 46; 12. Steve Weaver, Jr. 33; 13. Greg Kaouk 32; 14. Stuart Robertson 8; 15. Sean Bulaskas 2.
