| Race: Points Race #05 Date: 5-16-2004 Location: Richmond, Va. Track: 360 West Shopping Center Temperature: 96°F & Humid |
| The fifth points race of the year was actually the 4th. Go figure... Number four hasn't been made up yet (Scheduled for 5-23-04). The high reached 95 and the threat of rain was in the mix for late mid-evening. Track setup was modified again to a more flowing style with one little hitch thrown in for good measure. The turns were again setup purposely to avoid cracks in the asphalt that had weeped water in previous weeks and wrecked havoc upon drivers. Some club members had gone out earlier in the week and laid down some sealer in an effort to help with the water problem. John Laster took TQ honors in three classes leading 1/8th scale with a 21 lap effort in low time of 5:04.32 as well as a 20 lap effort in Nitro Touring Pro on a 5:02.65 and a 15 lap run in Electric Touring at 4:05.22. Nitro Touring Sport showed Club President, David Basl, moving to the top of the heap with 16 laps on a 5:03.40. In Nitro Truck Earl Ingram earned his first TQ of the year running 11 laps on a 5:18.06. 1/8th scale started off the Main features with laps being run at a feverish pace. John Laster started it off by pulling out to a commanding lead in the early going. Next to take the point was Mark Poore, who slowly ran John down and made the move just before the fuel stops. After all the fuel stops were complete Mike Bowman took over the lead and never was seriously challenged again. When the dust settled it was Mike, John, Mark, newcomer Rod Mitchell, Chuck Leinbach, Stan Medlin, Ken Harris, Terrance Brown, & Hank Giancanterino. In Electric Touring, John Laster showed why he was TQ running away from the field with a 9 lap margin of victory. He was followed by Angie Ingram, Joe Harler, & Corrine Medlin. The Nitro Truck class took the track and Stan Medlin blistered the asphalt with a 23 lap effort. TQ, Earl Ingram followed some 4 laps back to finish second and Tommy Ingram rounded out the field in third. Nitro Touring Sport saw Ashley Stringer continue his strong performances with a 1st place run to unseat pole sitter David Basl. Joe Harler, Chris Booberg, Lamount Dunson, Jon Barnes, & Justin Jacobson rounded out the field. Paul Knab & Todd Hook did not start the event. Nitro Touring Pro was probably the most exciting event of the day. Six drivers put on a racing clinic that was both entertaining and daring. John Laster fell out early while running strong. Next out of the event was Josh Lancaster who kept pace with the other four drivers until mechanical gremlins forced him to retire with just over 2 minutes left to go. When the checkers flew it was Mike Bowman, Jamie Donati, Terrance Brown, & Kevin Randolph in that order.
It came down in record time and proved that if everyone works together, these events can be fun for everyone......not work. Don't forget next weekends make up race (5-23-04) for points race #4. ---Mark Poore |