Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 1, 1993 TAG: 9308010187
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The Christiansburg driver won his third consecutive start and eighth overall in the first of the twin 100-lap Late Model Stock races.
The second half of the doubleheader did not finish until late Saturday night.
The start of that race was delayed because Brian Chinault had to be cut from his car after an accident just past the midpoint of the Pure Stock race. The incident brought out a red flag for more than 30 minutes.
In the first Late Model race, Thomas sat on the pole and led the entire 100 laps.
But for the first 37 laps, it wasn't easy. Driving in the low groove, Johnny Rumley kept the pressure on Thomas.
Rumley repeatedly put his Chevrolet Lumina under Thomas' car coming out of the turns. Rumley even appeared to pull in front briefly on lap 25.
Each time though, Thomas' Ford Thunderbird had enough horsepower on the straightaways to maintain the lead.
Everything changed on lap 38. Jeff Agnew's car caught fire, bringing a lengthy caution period. After that incident, Rumley never challenged for the lead again.
"As the laps went on, our handling got worse," Thomas said after the first race. "Undoubtedly, the 99's [Rumley's] tires were worse than mine. . . . But we were still turning some pretty good laps at the end."
Thomas had a blister on his right rear tire that caused his handling problems. But Rumley's right front tire was flat by the time the race ended.
Rodney "Six Pack" Cundiff finished third, Kenny Francis was fourth and Chris Diamond placed fifth.
In other races Saturday night:
Pole-winner Mark Akers of Narrows led from start to finish in the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race. Akers won the caution-free race by more than 2.5 seconds, giving him two victories this season. Charles Miles held off Rock Harris for second place.
Wayne Moore couldn't catch Jay McCray of Salem in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. McCray, who won for the fifth time, inherited the lead with four laps to go when the two cars in front of him spun.
Davis "Ducky" Phillips of Plum Creek won and Mike Marion finished second in the accident-filled Pure Stock race that was extended to 27 laps because of a wreck on the last scheduled lap.
The 25-lap Modified Mini race was not completed at press time.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB