BARE SNARES FIFTH, LOVE TAKES RD 3 OF VICTORY LAP CHALLENGE AT VIRGINIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY

 

Saluda, VA – Booper Bare of Rockbridge Baths, VA wasted little time in getting to the front of the 35 lap Thurston Spring Service Super Late Model feature on River Pools & Spas Night at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway. Bare started fourth but took the lead from Sean Cosgrove of Catharpin, VA with an inside pass out of Turn 4 of Lap 2. Bare then had to hold off the challenges of Cosgrove before powering to his fifth victory of the season in his Poske’s Performance Parts / Cecil B Arthur Contractors / Beverly Brothers Logging / Malcuit powered Pontiac Rocket.

 

“We couldn’t afford a week like we had last week when we blew an engine, we had to have a good finish this week in this race for the championship,” commented Bare.

 

In other action Ray Love Jr. drove his Allen Miller Trucking / Carruth & Sons Redi Mix / Love Concrete & Masonry / Chevrolet Rocket to victory in Round 3 of the Victory Lap Late Model $25,000 Challenge. In the Budweiser Modified 25 lap feature Brent Bordeaux of Fredericksburg, VA picked up his second win of the season and Ronnie Keith of Hanover, VA scored his career first victory in the H+M Performance All American 15 lap feature.

 

In the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Models Sean Cosgrove set fast time during “Hot Lap” qualifying and then was able to pull a number one pill to lead the field to green alongside Donnie Marshall. As the two barreled into turn 1 Cosgrove powered his way to the lead with Booper Bare coming from his fourth starting position to second with an outside move on Marshall.

 

On the next circuit Bare drove to the inside of Cosgrove in turn four to take the lead. The races first caution flag flew on lap 4 as Eddie Pettyjohn looped his car in turn 4. On the restart Bare had Cosgrove and Williams battling hard for the second spot with Williams riding the high side. Williams run up front would come to an end with a spin out of turn 4 on lap 8 while battling for second.

 

On lap 13 Chuck Finch, who started 17^th, made an outside pass of Louie Litttlepage and then went directly to the inside of Tommy Wagner Jr. to take fifth.

 

On lap 17, caution fell on the field for a spin by Terry Harris in turn 2. On the restart Bare pulled away and left Cosgrove to deal with Hills who was working the high side. Cosgrove was able to hold off the advances of Hills as Jeff Pilkerton and Chuck Finch battled for fourth and fifth.

 

On the restart after a caution on lap 29, Finch disposed of Pilkerton and set out for Hills. The three battled for several laps before Finch would take control of third.

 

Bare would pull away over the last five laps to take the his fifth win of the season. “When the track is like it was tonight you go a little harder and then try to set a pace for yourself,” commented Bare. “The track is real racy which makes it more fun for both the drivers and the fans,” added Bare. Rounding out the top five were Sean Cosgrove, Chuck Finch who started 17^th, Darryl Hills and Jeff Pilkerton. Mark Pettyjohn picked up the VMS Dirt Series Rookie of the Race Award with his 9^th place finish.

 

In Round 3 of the Victory Lap Late Model $25,000 Challenge Jamie Lathroum once again set fast time in “Hot Lap” qualifying and then inverted the top four qualifiers with the pill draw. That put Sommey Lacy and Ray Love Jr. on the front row bring the field to green. As rocketed out of turn 4 for the start lacy slowed piling up the field and collecting nine cars on the front stretch.

 

On the restart Love outraced Kenny Pettyjohn to take the lead. Lathroum then went to work on Pettyjohn, trying to get a run on the outside.

 

On lap 12 Matt Hubbard had moved to fourth with a pass on Billy Hubbard and set out to catch Lathroum. On lap 16 Hubbard went to the inside of Lathroum, the two touched as Hubbard took the position. That brought out a caution for Lathroum who had a flat left rear and also Hubbard who lost a drive shaft.

 

On the restart Love and Pettyjohn pulled away as Larry Grimstead Jr. went to the inside of Billy Hubbard for third bringing Sommey Lacy, David Hoffman, Anthony Kincaid and Ronald Cusic along to the front. With the laps winding down Love began to put distance between himself and the rest of the field and pulled off the victory in Round 3 of the Victory Lap Late Model $25,000 Challenge and setting himself up for a shot at a $5000 bonus in Round 4 on September 4^th. “I’m just so happy to get my second win, I know I couldn’t keep up with Matt (Hubbard) last weekend but we had some good luck and everything turned out good tonight,” commented Love. “It’s pretty hard to win here, you have to have your stuff right every week,” added Love. Rounding out the top five were Kenny Pettyjohn, Larry Grimstead Jr. who started 10^th, Sommey Lacy and David Hoffman who started 16^th. Ray Love Jr. also picked up the VMS Dirt Series Rookie of the Race with the win.

 

In the Budweiser Modified 25 lap feature Craig Ramich of Oak Hill, VA and Renee Weeks of Powhatan, VA led the field to green after Roger Jamerson inverted the top six qualifiers with the pill draw. On the drop of the green Weeks out dragged Ramich to turn 1 to take the lead form the outside with Brent Bordeaux following to second. Bordeaux then went to the low side to try a pass on weeks but could not make it work. After several attempts to the bottom of the racetrack, Bordeaux went to the outside on lap 2 to take the lead from Weeks. Weeks then had to contend with Jamerson who took over second.

 

With Bordeaux and Jamerson now battling for the top spot Weeks, James Givens and Aubrey Thurston wrestled over third through fifth. A bobble by Weeks in turn four on lap 21 allowed Thurston to take third with Mark Schools following to fourth. On lap 23 the races final caution set up a two-lap dash for the victory. On the restart Bordeaux had Jamerson all over him and looking to the inside. In turn three it looked as if Jamerson was going to make the pass but Bordeaux closed the door. Jamerson kept letting Bordeaux he was there but also had to watch out for Thurston as the three battled to the checkers with Bordeaux the victor. “Roger (Jamerson) let me know several times he was back there, but I thank him for driving me clean,” commented Bordeaux. “I didn’t think I would ever get back to victory lane,” added Bordeaux. Rounding out the top five were Roger Jamerson, Aubrey Thurston, Mark Schools and Mark Claar Sr. Craig Ramich picked up the VMS Dirt Series Rookie of the Race with his seventh place finish.

 

In the H+M Performance 15 lap feature Davis Lipscombe of Mechanicsville, VA and Ronnie Keith of Hanover, VA paced the field to the green flag with Keith winning the drag race into the corner and taking the lead.

 

Lipscombe then had to deal with Mark Cunningham as the two waged a 15-lap battle for second. Cunningham would get beside Lipscombe, only to be denied the position each time. Behind the battle for second Arthur Carver and Brett Adkins wrestled over the fourth spot with Adkins taking over the spot on lap seven.

 

With all the action behind him Keith was able to cruise to his career first win, “I’ve been working at this and working with Mark (Cunningham) and this has been a hard road but it was absolutely worth it,” commented the excited Keith. “The Cunningham’s and Wayne Rablin have been real patient with me letting me drive this car, we have working real hard and its been getting faster and faster,” added Keith. Rounding out the top five were Davis Lipscombe, Mark Cunningham, Brett Adkins and Arthur Carver.

 

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway will host Pepsi Night on Saturday August 14^th featuring the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Model, Truckin Thunder Sportsman, Budweiser Modified and the Al’s Auto Parts Charger divisions. The Chargers will be competing in an extended 30 lap, double point event.

 

The Speedway will also continue with its SwitchMe.net Race 2 Riches promotion, where one lucky fan will have a chance to win $25,000.

 

Competitor gates for Saturday, August 14^th will open at 3pm with spectator gates opening at 4pm. On track activities will begin at 6:15pm with hot laps. Divisions scheduled to race on Saturday: Thurston Spring Super Late Models (35 Laps); Truckin Thunder Sportsman (30 Laps); Budweiser Modifieds (25 Laps) and the Al’s auto Parts Chargers (30 Laps  - Double Points). Chargers will run heats and features; Super Late Model, Sportsman, and Modified divisions will run Hot Lap Time Trials and Features. Adult tickets are just $12, Seniors and Military $10, Students 13 –17 yrs old $8, Children 7 – 12 yrs old $4 and Children 6 and under free. Fans can go to our Website for discount coupons.

 

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, VA… Closer than you think! Virginia Motor Speedway is a 1/2-mile, dirt oval. The track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.

 

To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2004 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track’s web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223

 

RESULTS FROM RIVER POOLS AND SPAS NIGHT:

 

THURSTON SPRING SERVICE SUPER LATE MODELS 35 LAP A MAIN (26 CARS):

1 - Booper Bare; 2 - Sean Cosgrove; 3 - Chuck Finch; 4 - Darryl Hills; 5 - Jeff Pilkerton; 6 - Joe Leavell; 7 - Louie Littlepage; 8 - Tommy Wagner; 9 - Mark Pettyjohn; 10 - Kenny Pettyjohn; 11 - Timmy Booth; 12 - Eddie Pettyjohn; 13 - Brent Robinson; 14 - P.J. Hatcher; 15 - Matt Morgan; 16 - Lou Littlepage ; 17 - David Williams; 18 - Charles Wolford Sr.; 19 - Lenny Skelton; 20 - Billy Tucker; 21 - Donnie Marshall Jr.; 22 - Eddie Groome; 23 - Terry Harris; 24 - D.J. Valente; 25 - Eddie Drury; DNS: Charlie Whittington. (Lap Leaders – 2: Cosgrove 1; Bare 2 – 35)

 

RD 3 VICTORY LAP LATE MODEL $25,000 CHALLENGE 40 LAP A MAIN (24 CARS):

1 - Ray Love; 2 - Kenny Pettyjohn; 3 - Larry Grimstead Jr.; 4 - Sommey Lacey; 5 - David Hoffman; 6 - Anthony Kincaid; 7 - Ronald Cusic; 8 - Jamie Lathroum ; 9 - Scott Adams; 10 - Gene Benson; 11 - Roland Mann; 12 - Chuck Beech; 13 - Billy Hubbard; 14 - Tom Cohick; 15 - Matt Hubbard; 16 - Curtis Mason Jr.; 17 - Ricky Johnson; 18 - John Staton; 19 - Mark Parks; 20 - Donnie Daniel; 21 - Joey Love; 22 - Fred Siebert; 23 - Billy Adkins; DNS: Craig Eastep. (Lap Leaders – 1: R. Love Jr. 1 – 40)

 

BUDWEISER MODIFIEDS 25 LAP A MAIN (24 CARS):

1 - Brent Bordaux; 2 - roger Jamerson ; 3 - Aubrey Thurston ; 4 - Mark Schools; 5 - Mark Claar Sr.; 6 - James Givens; 7 - Craig Ramich; 8 - John Mosby; 9 - Chuck Marks; 10 - Renee Weeks; 11 - Johnny Gratz; 12 - Wayne Rablin; 13 - Bill Atkins; 14 - Ricky Johnson; 15 - Kelly Samuels; 16 - Eric Eriwin; 17 - Lance Grady; 18 - Wayne Taylor; 19 - Nickey Sprouse; 20 - Page Harrison; 21 - Chris Hudgins; 22 - Bret Hamilton; 23 - Gary Wheaton; 24 - Bill Roberts.  (Lap Leaders – 2: Weeks 1 – 3; Bordeaux 4 – 25)

 

H+M PERFORMANCE ALL AMERICANS 15 LAP A MAIN (27 CARS):

1 - Ronnie Keith; 2 - Davis Lipscombe; 3 - Mark Cunningham; 4 - Bret Adkins; 5 - Arthur Carver IV; 6 - Rick Thompson; 7 - Donald Payne; 8 - John Taylor; 9 - Adam Hale; 10 - Mark Wright; 11 - Tony Quade; 12 - David Bowler; 13 - DJ Beedle; 14 - Mitch Smith; 15 - Mark Childers; 16 - Travis LaRouqe; 17 - Steve Brown; 18 - Johnny Brooks; 19 - Matt Dickens; 20 - Ronnie Bridges; 21 - Dave Savage; 22 - Darrell Shrewsbury; 23 - Stephen Atkins; 24 - Lee Broadway; DNS: Ricky Smith, Therese Winner, Marty Coltrain. (Lap Leaders – 1: Keith 1 – 25) Heat Race Winners: Davis Lipscombe, Ronnie Keith.

 

TOP 10 IN CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS AS OF AUGUST 7, 2004:

THURSTON SPRING SERVICE SUPER LATE MODELS:

1 - Booper Bare – 480; 2 - Chuck Finch – 475; 3 - Kenny Pettyjohn – 465; 4 - Louie Littlepage – 434; 5 - Darryl Hills – 414; 6 - Charles Wolford Sr. – 389; 7 - Lou Littlepage Jr. – 370; 8 - Mark Pettyjohn – 370; 9 - Timmy Booth – 351; 10 - Eddie Drury – 304. (Winners: Bare – 4; K. Pettyjohn – 3; Finch – 1; M. Pettyjohn – 1; Williams – 1)

 

VICTORY LAP LATE MODELS:

1 - Billy Hubbard – 591; 2 - John Staton – 580; 3 - Ray Love – 568; 4 - Chuck Beech – 554; 5 - Matt Hubbard – 546; 6 - Fred Siebert – 534; 7 - Sommey Lacey – 520; 8 - Jamie Lathroum – 504; 9 - Anthony Kincaid – 500; 10 - Larry Grimstead Jr. – 490. (Winners: B. Hubbard – 4; M. Hubbard – 3; R. Love – 2; Staton – 1; Beech – 1; Siebert – 1; Cohick – 1)

 

TRUCKIN THUNDER SPORTSMAN:

1 - Roger Jamerson – 520; 2 - Jerry Scott – 492; 3 - Vaughan Haywood – 474; 4 - John James Jr. - 470; 5 - Mike Latham – 468; 6 - Bobby Bustamante – 410; 7 - Daren Bolac – 405; 8 - Robert Marshall – 397; 9 - Clifton Mays - 377; 10 - Tim Shelton – 373. (Winners: R. Jamerson – 3; Haywood – 3; Wood – 3; Scott – 1)

 

BUDWEISER MODIFIEDS:

1 - Roger Jamerson – 377; 2 - Mark Claar Sr. – 367; 3 - Brent Bordaux – 360; 4 - Mark Schools – 353; 5 - Charles Marks – 341; 6 - Renee Weeks – 338; 7 - Ricky Johnson – 316; 8 - Bret Hamilton – 312; 9 - Johnny Gratz – 298; 10 - Page Harrison – 293. (Winners: Claar – 3; Bordeaux – 2; Jamerson – 1; Hamilton – 1)

 

AL’S AUTO PARTS CHARGERS:

1 - Brian Maxey – 500; 2 - Shawn Otey – 493; 3 - Bob Terry – 472; 4 - Davis Lipscombe – 470; 5 - Matt Ingram – 443; 6 - Mark Cunningham – 436; 7 - Keith Hubbard – 433; 8 - John James, Jr. – 419; 9 - John Imler – 410; 10 - Ben Dunkum – 400. (Winners: Lipscombe – 4; Cunningham – 4; Terry – 1; Otey – 1)

 

H+M PERFORMANCE ALL AMERICANS:

1 - Davis Lipscombe – 442; 2 - Mitch Smith – 416; 3 - Bret Adkins – 388; 4 - Johnny Brooks – 385; 5 - Donald Payne – 376; 6 - Ronnie Keith – 370; 7 - Darrell Shrewsbury – 345; 8 - Ronnie Bridges – 337; 9 - D.J. Beedle – 329; 10 - Dave Savage – 323. (Winners: Lipscombe – 2; Smith – 1; Adkins – 1; Brooks – 1; Keith – 1; Mosby – 1; Cunningham – 1)