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April 10, 1999 GILBERT HOLDS OFF CHALLENGES TO WIN SECOND STRAIGHT LAKELAND, Fla. - It was billed as a 100-lap race, but the real race was in the final 10 laps of the Professional Association of Racing Trucks (PARTS) Pro Truck Series Quickshine 100 at USA International Speedway Saturday (April 10) night.
Randy Gilbert drove the Lark Portable Buildings Chevrolet to his second straight PARTS win in 1999, but it wasn't a cakewalk for the Dallas, Ga. driver. A late-race caution bunched the leaders for a 5-lap dash.
Butch Gafnea, winner of the last PARTS event at USA International, ran side-by-side with Todd Bontrager for three laps before moving into second. With two laps to go, Gafnea, Driving the GMT Motorsports Chevrolet made a banzai charge to the inside of Gilbert.
The two trucks bumped with Gafnea getting sideways and heading for the concrete inside retaining wall. The McCalla, Ala. driver was able to gain control of is truck and avoid any damage, but had to settle for a fifth-place finish. "I knew I only had one shot at it and I had to go for it," Gafnea said. "We bumped and I got out of shape. That's racing. I was trying to push him up and he was trying to keep me down low. Randy drove a good race and is going to be tough to beat this year."
With Gafnea out of the way, Bontrager had to contend with Fredrick Moore in a battle for the second spot. Bontrager, driving the Bodie's Auto Chevrolet was able to hold his ground for the runner-up position. The Cycle Sorcery Chevrolet of Moore came across the finish line in third followed by Derek Hagan in the Easy Care Chevrolet.
In PARTS Division II competition, it was Frank King of Farmersville, Ala. taking the win in his Middleton Oil Ford. Rounding out the top four finishers transferring to the main event were Johnny Mitchell, Vince Whitmire and Ralph Chastain.
Linny Foster of LaGrange, Ga. was the PARTS Division III winner. Dusty Vinson finished second and Joe Gerard was third. Gilbert was awarded the Synzone Oil Half-Way Leader Award. Gafenea was the fastest qualifier and won the California Quickshine Quick Time Pole Award. Tim Lee of Conway, S.C. won the Hard Charger Award, finishing 14th after starting 31st in the 32-truck field.
-Norm Leno |
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