Chuck Burkhalter wins Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 at Columbia Motorsports Park
by Rick Warren
The Goodyear Challenge Series rolled into Columbia Motorsports Park Saturday night to do battle for 100 laps on the fast ½ mile. Although several other tracks had races scheduled and caused the field of cars to be somewhat less than expected, the competition was still fierce for the win.
Rich Clouser was the fast qualifier with a time of 17.440 seconds, followed by Justin Larson with a time of 17.550, and Doug Moff with a lap of 17.680.
After the fast qualifiers cleared tech inspection, Clouser, as fast qualifier pulled a 0 for the inversion, starting the field heads up by qualifying time.
After an on-track autograph session, the field lined up for the start of the 100 lap feature, with Clouser and Larson on the front row, followed by Moff and Burkhalter, Joe Winchell, Darren Brown, Drew Brannon, Greg Kaouk, and Jeremy Colangelo. As the green flag waved to start the race, Clouser jumped to the lead, followed by Larson, Burkhalter and Moff.
The first Caution of the evening came on lap 3, as the cars of Brown and Brannon made contact on the back straight, causing Brannon to spin in turn 3, making very hard contact with the wall, on the drivers side. After a few minutes with safety personnel, Brannon exited the car under his own power, and was later taken to a local hospital to check for a possible concussion.
After the track was cleared and the field reset, with Clouser on the front,
the field went green once again. On lap 12, Larson slipped high in the corner, and the cars of Burkhalter and Moff took advantage of the situation and drove by Larson to gain positions. Burkhalter immediately began to pressure Clouser to try and take the lead. The race for third spot got very interesting, as Moff, Winchell, Larson, and Brown all took turns passing one another.
The battle for position had the fans on their feet for several laps, as the drivers were putting on a great show. Brown eventually worked his way to third position, and began to reel in the leaders. As the battle for 4th position continued, Winchell got loose off turn 2 and slapped the wall on the back straight. Winchell was able to continue for a while, but at a reduced speed, and eventually would be forced to retire for the evening due to damage to the front suspension.
The field was slowed for a couple of cautions for minor incidents, but overall the race held a very quick pace. Larson was making good progress thru the field, but motor problems ended his evening early. As the field was nearing the closing stages of the race, Clouser, Burkhalter and Brown were nose to tail, running for all they were worth. Lap 94 brought the fans to their feet again, as Burkhalter drove under Clouser entering turn 3 to take the lead.
Brown followed Burkhalter thru the hole, and on the front straight, Clouser and Brown made contact with Brown spinning in turn 1. Both cars were sent to the rear for the restart. With only 6 laps remaining, both drivers were on a mission, heading for the front of the pack as hard as they could go. The race ended with Burkhalter taking the win, with Moff bring home the runner up spot.
Final Results Goodyear Challenge Series Columbia Motorsports Park
100 laps June 9, 2007 1 . 1X Chuck Burkhalter Clermont Fl. 2. 46 Doug Moff Ft. Myers, Fl. 3. 9 Rich Clouser Palm Bay FL. 4. 53 Darrin Brown Ormond Beach, FL. 5. 05 Jeremy Colangelo Deland, Fl. 6. 31 Greg Kaouk Pembroke Pines, FL. 7. 88 Justin Larson Safety Harbor, Fl. 8. 57 Joe Winchell Brooksville, Fl. 9. 08 Drew Brannon Miami, FL.
