Race: Points Race #13
Date: 10-3-2004
Location: Richmond, Va.
Track: 360 West Shopping Center
Temperature: 71°F & Sunny

The weather man was calling for cooler and sunny conditions this October morning. Racers arrived at the track wearing jackets, sweaters and long pants for the first time since early spring. The track layout was to be the same as race #10 that featured an intermediate mix of speed and technical aspects. (See diagram below)
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Again track setup went fairly quickly due to the efforts of many drivers lending a hand. Soon the air was a buzz with the sound of engines running slightly rich due to the cool fall air. When track setup was complete registration opened and practice was had by most everyone.

Mike Bowman broke John Lasters recent grip on qualifying by posting the fastest time of the day in both 1/8th scale and Nitro Touring Pro. John did however secure the TQ spot for Electric Touring . David Basl earn the TQ honors for Nitro Touring Sport as did Spencer Atkinson in the Nitro Truck division. Newcomer Aaron Bartlett earned that honor as well in his division of Nitro Monster truck. With Qualifying complete a lunch break was ordered and mains were posted.

Keeping up with usual format 1/8th Scale took to the track first. Mark Poore and Mike Bowman started putting ground between themselves and the rest of the field from the start of the event. Bowman ran into trouble at the first fuel stop when fuel evidentially got into the receiver and made his racer go wild. Mark driving his new serpent 950R was never seriously challenged again after that. Ken Harris would finish some 12 laps back in second, Stan Medlin would finish third followed by Mike, John Laster, Tommy Chenault, Robbie Medlin, & Terrance Brown.

Next the Electric Touring drivers set off at the sound of the tone and started dicing for positions early. john Laster and Paul Knab battled feverishly in the opening minutes as behind them Wayne Goodwin, Chris Booberg, Louis Pollard, Todd Hook, and Angie Ingram jockeyed for their own room on the track. Joe Harler would be the first to retire due to mechanical demons but ran enough to get in front of Spencer Atkinson and Kevin Randolph as these drivers did not start. When the all the batteries were dead and the tire dust settled the finishing order looked like this. John, Paul, Wayne, Chris, Louis, Todd, Angie, Joe, Spencer, and Kevin, in that order.

In Nitro Truck pole sitter, Spencer Atkinson struggled to regain his TQ form and was quickly overtaken by Earl and Tommy Ingram. Father and son put on a driving clinic that thrilled spectators with bold moves and an impressive finish. Tommy would win this father and son duel to take home the win followed closely by Earl. Spencer did manage to finish but would be relegated to third. Gregg Phelps did not start.

David Basl still fresh from his TQ run found his car had gotten better as the day went on. Keeping true to form, he out maneuvered Paul Knab, Jon Barnes, and Ashley Stringer in the early going to hold on for his 4th win of the season. Paul, Jon, and Ashley finished in that order behind David as Craig Jones, Aaron Bartlett, Joe Harler, Justin Jacobson, Jamie Donati, and Chris Booberg rounded out the rest of the field of Nitro Touring Sport.

In Nitro Touring Pro, Pole sitter Mike Bowman would have to battle the whole race to hold off John Laster. John maybe had some sand in his bag as he ran identical lap times of the leader and had a little better luck. Further back in the field Josh Lancaster, Kevin Randolph, Jack Honeycutt, Jamie Donati, Terrance Brown, and Stan Medlin battled long and hard each taking their turn moving as high on the scorers boards as third. Tommy Chenault and Robbie Medlin both retired early and were not a factor in the outcome. When all the dust had settled, John made the final move to take the win away from Mike who finished second. Third place belonged to Jack followed by Kevin, Josh, Terrance, Jamie, Stan, Tommy, and Robbie in that order.

The Nitro Monster Truck class put on a great show as pole sitter Aaron Bartlett and Jamie Donati fought for the whole duration of the event. Wayne Goodwin ran well but lost touch with the front runner about a third of the way through the race. Larenzo Allen and Mac Scott had troubles that would force them to close out the field in the back. Finishing order was Aaron, Jamie, Wayne, Larenzo, and Mac.

I'd like to thanks all those drivers who stayed around and helped with track tear down.
The next race will be points race #14 on October 17th.
Hope to see you there!
---Mark Poore


Copyright © 2004 V.O.R.R.A. (Virginia On Road Racing Association)