The Challenger Challenge Highlights Action at VSP

by VSP Media

BARBERVILLE, FL- Volusia Speedway Park returned to action on Saturday night after some time off over the 4th of July holiday weekend, and the extra week of preparation, or healing as it may be for some, paid off for the racers and fans.  The night’s events were highlighted by the 4 Cylinder Challenger Challenge, plus fans were thrills by exciting racing from the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Late Models, the Budweiser Modifieds, the Daytona Sportswear Street Stocks, and the Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Thunder Stocks.  and as an added bonus, fans were treated to racing from the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association (DAARA) plus an autograph session with the vintage cars and their drivers at intermission.

The Challenger Challenge gives the 4 Cylinder racers a moment in the spotlight, plus offers them extra incentive as the race pays $500 to win.  Throw in another $100 from Astor Recycling and the Challengers were more than ready to go at the track and each other, getting off to a rather rocky start but settling down for 20 laps of green flag racing.

Once everyone decided to race instead of wreck, Tony Laporta wasted no time in getting to the point and leading the field.  Steve Cox gave chase and managed to keep close to Laporta, but eventually succumbed to James Sullivan who grabbed the second spot on lap 12.  Casey Feaster had come into the night as the current points leader, and was busy making his way from a ninth place starting position into the top five, while Davey Wolf had a good run going, challenging for as high as third place at times.

But no one had anything that could threaten Tony Laporta as he raced to the checkers and the winner’s check.  James Sullivan followed in the second spot, while Steven cox placed third.  And after a back and forth battle over several laps, Casey Feaster wrestled fourth place from Davey Wolf, who finished fifth.

Donnie Chappell has been clawing his way up the points ladder with the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Late Models at VSP, and Saturday’s feature race certainly did not hurt that effort.  But as good as Chappell was, Matt Hartley was better as he continues to rehab after knee surgery, and what better way to heal than to grab another solid win over a stout field of late model racers?  Hartley’s win came in a race that went green from start to finish, with Donnie Chappell claiming second place over Lawton Minchew.  Current points leader Joe Kump was in the top five as he placed fourth, and Darrell Padgett raced his way into the fifth spot.

The Budweiser Modifieds saw Jeff Mathews come through the pit gate with something to prove, but first he had to overcome James Smith who had the pole and was not in any mood to relinquish the lead.  Mathews started in the 6th spot, but quickly rocketed past everyone to attack Smith by lap five, then grabbed the lead for himself on lap 6 and never looked back.  The final 13 laps ran caution free as Jeff Mathews extended his lead for the win, with James Smith following for a distant second place run.  Kent Corbin held on to place third, and Jamie Carter battled his way up to fourth place.  And Kyle Bronson climbed into the 66 car on Saturday night, then drove it to a fifth place finish.

There was quite a bit of back and forth going on at the front of the Daytona Sportswear Street Stock field as Tim Hughes, Mike Tovet, and Philip Brown, all tussled over the lead from time to time.  But after a few cautions for this and that, plus some hard racing, Hughes developed a loose condition and began slipping backwards, leaving Brown and Tovet to fight over the top position.  Mike Tovet then snatched the lead for good on lap 6 and went on to score a win, while Philip Brown settled for the second spot.  Billy Medders placed third, while James Smith and Bubba Christian rounded out the top five finishers.

Scott Mooers may have a firm grip on the Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Thunder Stock points lead, but Chad Scranton and Luke Sadler have given him plenty of stress over the past few races.  And after being caught up in someone else’s calamity and leaving his last Thunder Stock outing at Volusia Speedway Park on a hook, Mooers was in no mood to take prisoners on Saturday night.  So when Scranton blew past him with ease and Sadler got past him later in the race, Mooers found himself the third car to cross the finish line as the checkers waved.

Chad Scranton may have been able to enjoy a celebration in Victory Lane, but was summoned to tech immediately after leaving the track, and further inspection by officials resulted in his disqualification.  That made Luke Sadler the race winner and moved Scott Mooers up to second place, while David Whitt earned a third place finish.  John Thorpe was fourth, while D.J. Nobles moved up to the fifth place spot.