By- Jim Rouse, BRP Media
The Powell Memorial. RaceCar Engineering Late Models, Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators battled for the glory unmatched anywhere else.
Up first were the Limited Late Models. Forrest Gough led early. On lap 6 Eddie Gainey made the move for the lead and was successful just as David Showers found the wall. Down the backstretch on the restart Adam Higginbotham cut a tire and made contact with JO Nobles which caused a collision that involved Howard O’Steen, Shane Koperda, and Ricky Land as well. Forrest Gough also had damage; all but Nobles and Higginbotham continued. With just 4 laps left a debris caution came out bringing Gainey back to David Showers, Jr. and Caleb McGillivray. Gainey held those 2 off as well as Shane Koperda and Ricky Land.
Hobby Stock racing went 2nd. On lap 7 Mike Stalnaker slowed as Rodney Wright and Tim Powers battled for the lead. The restart gave Wright advantage as Trevor Gamble watched from 3rd. On lap 10 a debris caution flew with Wright, Powers, and Gamble the top 3. On lap 14 Powers made the pass on Wright for the win. Gamble finished 3rd, Darran Jackson 4th, and Mike Stalnaker 5th.
The Powell Memorial. A 50 lap battle for honor amongst every driver in the Late Model field. Quick Qualifier at a 16.966 (only driver in the 16-second bracket)“Catfish” Keith Nosbisch took the lead on lap 4 after Darrell Padgett looked like the man to beat earlier. A lap 7 caution for Jason Burke’s turn 2 spin set up Nosbisch, Justin McRee, and Padgett for a 43 lap battle. On lap 12 McRee broke his 25M while in the top 5 and brought the yellow out; Nosbisch, Padgett, and Christian Augspurger restarted in the top 3. Mark Whitener brought the caution out on lap 15 when he stopped in turn 3. On lap 23 Christian Augspurger made contact with lapped Dale Powell to bring out yet another caution. Padgett passed Catfish on lap 25 for the lead but he took it right back on lap 27. On lap 34 Padgett’s left rear went down and brought the yellow out as Augspurger’s right rear went down. Nosbisch held the lead with Bo Allen and Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. behind. However, under caution Lloyd’s father gave him a new helmet. He stepped onto the clay meaning Lloyd would be parked for the night. “Catfish” held on for the win over the final 15 laps in his Bubba Army Performance Engine by Zeigler. Rounding out the top 5 were Darrell Padgett, Christian Augspurger, Bo Allen, and the lapped car of Mark Whitener.
The Rent-N-Roll Gladiators put on a show for the ages. A caution free battle saw Reid Christensen get back into victory lane over Steve Johnson, Jordan McMillon, Tony LaPorta, and Brandon Haseleu.
Late Models and Limited Late Models race again tomorrow and will be joined by the Scorpion Racing Products Modifieds, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks, and a Spectator Race!