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Dave Seay
JAMAICA, Va. (March 29) - The only thing cold during opening night events at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway were the temperatures as the action on the track was red hot.
In the Victory Lap Late Model division the night started off with Matt Morgan of Hughesville, MD besting the track record held by Austin Hubbard with a lap of 18.419 seconds. Brian Staton of Chesapeake, VA then took home the victory in the black and blue 35 lap feature. In the New Generation Racing Sprint Car 25 lap feature Daren Bolac of Moyock, NC dominated to take home the victory. In the Budweiser Modified 25 lap feature rookie Matt Marshall of Stuarts Draft, VA used an outside pass on Bret Hamilton to take command of the lead and then held off a determined Eric Erwin for his first win. And in the Limited Stock Car division Bret Adkins of Gloucester, VA not only set a new track record but also raced from sixth to take the first ever division win.
The Victory Lap Late Model 35 lap feature was not for the faint of heart as the top five went out it tooth and nail. Ben Bowie of Brandywine, MD and Neil McClanan of Moyock, NC led the field to green. Very quickly McClanan and Walker Arthur went to beating on each other for the top spot. The two got together and slowed allowing Matt Morgan to take the lead with Brain Staton in tow.
The races first caution would come out on lap 4 when McClanan came to a stop in turn1. On the restart Staton powered past Morgan for the lead. Morgan would fall out on lap 7, ending his night, one that started with a new track record.
Caution would fall once again on lap 8 when Brandon Long and Dave Savage got together in turn 2. On the restart Ronald Cusic slid under Staton heading into turn 1 to grab the lead out of turn 2. On lap 16 Staton got back under Cusic as the two got together out of turn 2 sending Cusic spinning down the back stretch bringing out the races fourth caution.
On the restart Staton pulled away as Arthur and Long battle for second. Heading to the checkers the battle on the track was for fifth as Bowie battled to keep Chris Stacy and Anthony Kincaid behind him. Staton held on to pick up the victory over Walker Arthur by .951 seconds.
"Great Car, great tire and great track, they really got it right, this is going to be an awesome season," commented Staton in victory lane.
Rounding out the top five were Stevie Long, Donnie Marshall Jr. and Ben Bowie. Bowie also picked up the Thurston Spring Service Rookie of the Race Award with his fifth place finish.
In the New Generation Racing Sprint Car 25 lap feature Daren Bolac of Moyock, NC and Tyler Shipp of Mechanicsville, VA led the field to green only to have the caution come out with Brian Lawson and Kevin Atkins getting together in turn 2.
On the restart Bolac pulled away as defending champion Craig Folmar slowed and pulled in the pits with mechanical issues. Caution would come out again on lap 2 this time when Eric Green ended up in the turn 4 wall. On the restart Bolac once again got a great jump on Shipp with Eric Keck, Matt Stambaugh and Mary Anne Williams in tow.
On lap 19 Williams battled Stambaugh for fourth taking the spot at the line. Bolac dominated the remaining laps to take home the victory over Shipp by 2.739 seconds. Rounding out the top five were Eric Keck, Mary Anne Williams and Matt Stambaugh. Shipp would be found light at the scales. Brent Bordeaux picked up the Thurston Spring Service Rookie of the Race Award with a fifth place finish.
The Budweiser Modified 25 lap feature lived up to all the billing with 26 cars taking the green to put on one of the best races of the night. Lance Grady and Bill Roberts led the field to green with Roberts taking control for the first four laps before Bret Hamilton worked inside Roberts for the lead on lap 5.
Behind Hamilton the race for third was three wide with Matt Marshall, Eric Erwin and fast qualifier Brandon Galloway. Marshall emerged with the spot and quickly went after Roberts for second. By lap 11 Marshall was working the high side to perfection and began to gain on Hamilton. On lap 12 Marshall finally pulled his #18 Hamilton Chassis door to door with Hamilton out of turn 4 and then rocketed around Hamilton for the lead. On the lap 16 restart Hamilton and Erwin both tried to take the lead from Marshall, going three wide down the backstretch. Marshall held on to the lead with Hamilton holding onto second.
Marshall kept his car on the high side and out in front by two car lengths until caution fell again on lap 23. On the restart Erwin got under Marshall only to have caution fall again. On the races final restart Marshall had just enough to take home his first ever victory at Virginia Motor Speedway. Rounding out the top five were Eric Erwin, Brandon Galloway, Mark Schools and Josh Harris. Marshall also picked up the Thurston Spring Service Rookie of the Race Award with his victory.
In the Limited Stock Car 20 lap finale Marty Coltrain and Scotty Nelson led the field to green and a three wide battle for the lead. Coltrain emerged as the leader with Bob Terry, Nelson, James Givens and Brett Adkins the balance of the top five. On lap 3 Terry worked inside Coltrain for the lead with Nelson following to second.
On lap 7 Terry, Adkins, Nelson, Wayne Suite and Givens all raced in a tight pack for the lead. On lap 8 Adkins worked inside Terry to take the lead and control of the feature. On lap 11 Suite worked under Nelson and Terry in a three wide battle for second. The races last caution came out on lap 18 for a wreck in turn 2. On the restart Suite tried to the inside of Adkins only to have the door slammed in his face and also have caution come out for a big crash on the back stretch. Following behind Adkins were Wayne Suite, Bob Terry, Scott Nelson and Wesley Givens. Brett Adkins also picked up the Thurston Spring Service Rookie of the Race Award with his win.
It wasn't a great night for defending champions as Craig Folmar (Sprint Cars), Bret Hamilton (Modifieds) and Austin Hubbard (Late Models) all exited early due to mechanical problems.
Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway returns to action Saturday April 5th and will host Thurston Spring Service Dirt Series Night at the Races featuring four divisions of FAST FAMILY FUN. See the Victory Lap Late Models, Truckin Thunder Sportsman, Budweiser Modifieds and the VMS Limited Stocks in action.
Competitor gates for Saturday, April 5th will open at 3pm with spectator gates opening at 4pm. On track activities will begin at 6:15pm with hot laps. Divisions scheduled to race on Saturday March 24th: Victory Lap Late Models (35 Laps); Truckin Thunder Sportsman (25 Laps); Budweiser Modifieds (25 Laps) and the VMS Limited Stocks (20 Laps). All divisions will run Hot Lap Time Trials and Features.
Adult tickets are just $10, Senior and Military $8, Students 13 -17 yrs old $7, Children 7 - 12 yrs old $4 and Children 6 and under free. The Speedway offers a Family Pack for two adults and two children 12 and under for only $20. Also check our website for discount coupons.
Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track affiliate, is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.
To learn more about Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2008 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track's web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223
RACE RESULTS FOR WRAR / WNNT OPENING NIGHT, MARCH 29, 2008:
VICTORY LAP LATE MODEL 35 LAP FEATURE (27 CARS):
1. Brian Staton, Chesapeake; 2. Walker Arthur, Forest; 3. Stevie Long, Mechanicsville, Md.; 4. Donnie Marshall Jr., Gloucester; 5. Ben Bowie, Brandywine, Md.; 6. Anthony Kincaid, Hayes; 7. Louis Timberlake, Mechanicsville; 8. Scott Adams, Chester; 9. Tony Buckler, King George; 10. Brad Rigdon, Chesapeake; 11. Tyler Bailey, Chesterfield; 12. Brandon Long, Mechanicsville, Md.; 13. David Parker, Powhatan; 14. Chris Stacy, Spotsylvania; 15. Dave Savage, Mattaponi; 16. Brett Royal, Owings, Md.; 17. Eddie Groome, Stuarts Draft; 18. Tom Cohick, Gloucester; 19. Ronald Cusic, California, Md.; 20. Lou Littlepage Jr., Mechanicsville; 21. Michael Green, North; 22. Matt Morgan, Hughesville, Md.; 23. Neil McClanan, Moyock, N.C.; 24. Austin Hubbard, Laurel, Del.; 25. Davis Lipscombe, Mechanicsville; 26. Stephen Evans, Tyner, N.C..
FAST TIME: Matt Morgan - 18.419 seconds, 97.725mph (New Track Record)
BUDWEISER MODIFIED 35 LAP FEATURE (26 CARS):
1. Matt Marshall, Stuarts Draft; 2. Eric Erwin, Beaver Dam; 3. Brandon Galloway, Gloucester; 4. Mark Schools, Midlothian; 5. Josh Harris, Gloucester; 6. Page Harrison, Jetersville; 7. Gary Conner, Powhatan; 8. Brian Maxey, King George; 9. Curtis Barricks, Chesterfield; 10. Kelly Samuels, Richmond; 11. Dan Arnold, Petersburg; 12. Lance Grady, Maidens; 13. Mack Tatum, Midlothian; 14. Wayne Taylor, Tappahannock; 15. Brian Dobie, Partlow; 16. Joey Polevoy, Powhatan; 17. James Marshall, Saint Leonard, Md.; 18. Noel Austin, Petersburg; 19. Bret Hamilton, Powhatan; 20. Bill Roberts, Mechanicsville; 21. Jack Foulkes, Fairfax Station; 22. John Ferguson, Gloucester; 23. Brandon Cohick, Gloucester; 24. Chris Moore, Walkerton; 25. Roy Skaggs, Highland Springs; 26. Steven Atkins, Chesterfield.
FAST TIME: Brandon Galloway - 20.911 seconds, 86.079mph.
NEW GENERATION RACING SPRINT CARS 25 LAP FEATURE (15 CARS):
1. Daren Bolac, Moyock, N.C.; 2. Eric Keck, Providence Forge; 3. Mary Anne Williams, Chester; 4. Matt
Stambaugh, Fredericksburg; 5. Brent Bordeaux, Fredericksburg; 6. Troy Severin, Ashland; 7. Brett Blose, Chester; 8. John Snead, Fredericksburg; 9. Scott Davis, Virginia Beach; 10. James Hawk, Maidens; 11. Eric Green, Sutherland; 12. Craig Folmar, Philipsburg, Pa.; 13. Kevin Atkins, Louisa; 14. Brian Lawson, Barboursville; DQ: Tyler Shipp, Mechanicsville.
FAST TIME: Craig Folmar - 17.855 seconds, 100.812mph.
LIMITED STOCK 20 LAP FEATURE (31 CARS):
1. Brett Adkins, Gloucester; 2. Wayne Suite, Mechanicsville, Md.; 3. Bob Terry, Stafford; 4. Scotty Nelson,
Leonardtown, Md.; 5. Wesley Givens, New Kent; 6. Raymond Harper, Gloucester; 7. Andrew Miller, Bena; 8. Vernon Kirby, Glen Allen; 9. Mark Wright, Mechanicsville; 10. Rick Adkins, Gloucester; 11. Lee Oldaker III, Suffolk; 12. Bobby Shreves, Hayes; 13. Tyler LaRoque, Newburg, Md.; 14. Ryan Toole, Richmond; 15. Marty Coltrain, Richmond; 16. Lee Overstreet, Midlothian; 17. Joe Ender, Glen Allen; 18. Danny Martin, Richmond; 19. James Givens, New Kent; 20. Davey Pullen, New Kent; 21. Brandon Sandbridge, Mechanicsville; 22. Mitchell Hart, Hanover; 23. Paul Bess, Quantico; 24. Kevin Fletcher, Saluda; 25. Luke Danison, Stafford; 26. Stephen Childress, St. Stephens Chursch; 27. Brandon Coates, Warsaw; DNS: Ashley Meyers, Gloucester; Herbert Seay, Aylett, VA; Chris Woods, Richmond; DQ: Ray Payne, Fredericksburg.
FAST TIME: Brett Adkins - 22.876 seconds, 78.685mph (New Track Record)
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