Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 15, 1990 TAG: 9004150175
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
One week after being disqualified from a third-place finish because of illegal valves, the Salem native held off a challenge from Winston Cup star Ken Schrader to win the Late Model Stock feature race in the Shelor Chevrolet 200 at Pulaski County Speedway. It was Highberger's first win ever at the track.
Highberger took the lead on lap 70 after leader Tink Reedy cut a tire on a restart. Twelve laps later, Floyd's Jeff Agnew tried to pass Highberger but drove too fast into turn two and spun out. That set the stage for Schrader and Highberger to duel for the win.
With nine laps to go, Schrader pulled up beside Highberger and the two went door-to-door for three laps before Highberger moved in front.
"It didn't bother me at all that Ken was behind me. As a matter of fact it was more comforting," Highberger said. "I knew he wouldn't spin me out."
The race was slowed by several caution flags, the longest coming after Dick Goodwin's car spun and left oil on the track. The race was red-flagged for about five minutes, and 16 laps were run under caution.
"I wish we hadn't wasted all those caution laps," said Schrader, who was driving Jackie Cook's car. "This car would get stronger the longer we ran it. I thought we had a shot to pull this thing out, but we just couldn't get the bite off the corners."
Schrader's strong run was most impressive because he qualified the car 12th after having only a few practice laps before the race.
"From what I understand, last Monday this car was still sitting in the shop without any sheet metal on it," Schrader said. "These guys must have worked real hard just to get this car ready to run. I just wish we could have pulled this one out."
After last week's disqualification, Saturday was especially sweet for Highberger.
"I felt like we had something to prove," Highberger said. "What we had last week was wrong and I admit that. We didn't know we were wrong though."
Saturday, Highberger had his car put through pre-race inspection to make sure everything was in order.
Early in the race, it was Christiansburg's Ronnie Thomas who held control, but on lap 24 Reedy and Highberger muscled their way around the former Winston Cup driver. Reedy led for the next 48 laps, until he cut the tire on the restart. Stanley Akers of Narrows finished third and Vinton's Tim McGuire was fourth.
\ Salem's Kenny Prillaman appeared to be the big winner in a wild Mini Stock race, but he was disqualified. Robert Cox of Bassett, who was second past the checkered flag, was awarded the victory and Salem's Tommy Cline ended up second.
The 25-lap race took 45 minutes to complete because of cautions, including one for a five-car pileup on lap 10.
Doug Vaught of Christiansburg led from start to finish to win a caution free Modified Mini Stock race. Jimmy Hinkley also of Christiansburg was second and Forest's Kevin Parker was third.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB