ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607080055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CALLAWAY
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Most people like to see the underdog driver win, but even those familiar with the Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams series had to be surprised at this.
Roger Hill, who had not won a SMART race this year and was eighth in points going into Thursday's race, took home the checkered flag in the 150-lap feature at Franklin County Speedway. (Results in Scoreboard. B4)
Hill, from Westfield, N.C., grabbed the lead when Billy Middleton slammed into the turn 4 retaining curb and into the infield on lap 130. He never relinquished it.
Jay Foley, the Stuart driver, led the race midway through, but got into a scuffle with Frank Fleming, who was second in the points battle.
Fleming, from Mount Airy, N.C., pushed Foley into a spin on lap 90 and both cars were given a stop-and-go penalty for rough driving.
Both returned to the race but Fleming had to be towed after his car stalled and ended up finishing 14th. Foley fought back to come in third with Walnut Cove, N.C., resident Gary Myers ending up second.
In other racing action at the track:
* Carl Dadian, who had not raced at the track since May, took the pole and won the Late Model Stock non-winner's race for drivers who had not won this year. Billy Martin, who was fifth last weekend, finished second and Dennis Gardner came in third.
* Fred Goff was strong on the first lap, passed pole-sitter Mike Dudley and never looked back in winning the Limited Sportsman race.
Dudley kept the pressure on but finished second. Wayne Corprew was third.
* Jay Peery grabbed the lead from Kevin Ransome after four laps and won the Pure Stock feature.
Kelly Kingery, who began racing this season a month ago, was second and Mike Looney finished third. Ransome settled for sixth place.
* In the Mini Stock race, Gary Joyce of Collinsville won his sixth race in a row to take control of the points race in that division.
His closest rival, Chris Martin, had an uncharacteristic finish, coming in sixth. Dennis Gardner was second and Gary Clifton finished third.
* Steve Cannaday beat Scott Spradlin to win the Rookie division race and Tracey Scott won the Any Car Division in a record-setting 14-car field.
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB