by Rick Anges

Bradenton, Fl. In what looked like might be a second consecutive rainout the rain filled clouds blew just north of the speedway and another night filled of ASA racing began at “the South’s Fastest Short Track”.

The green flag dropped on the thirty-five-flap Open Wheel Modified feature and was the veteran DeSoto racer John Shields in his Mopar powered ride leading the pack. Shields car was on a rail building close to a full straightaway lead.

Behind the leader the battle was heating up for the second spot but it was the rookie sensation Dalton Baldwin was making some veteran moves of his own took over the second spot. And as the laps wound down he began tracking down Shields.

The sixteen-year-old Baldwin is a second-generation racer son of former track champion Bobby Baldwin. The youngster is in his first year behind the wheel of his fathers high powered Open Wheel Modified and impressing everyone with his natural talent.

As the laps wound down Baldwin would close in on the leader but the crafty Shields would not be denied taking win. Shields last win came in 1998 so this was a special checker flag for him. Baldwin would take the second spot, third would be Bobby Ervien, fourth went to Doug Miller with Billy Mowery in fifth.