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 LAKEVILLE,
IN -- It was the busiest weekend to date in the five NASCAR divisions
that Hoosier exclusively provides tires for with four of the series in
competition. In the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, Reggie
Ruggiero captured the win at Wall Township Speedway leading 97 of the
150 race laps. But it took a last-lap pass by Ruggiero of then race
leader Ken Barry to notch his 43rd series win and give new car owner
Dick Barney his first series victory. In the NASCAR Southwest Series,
David Gilliland became that series' seventh different winner in as
many events as the series hits the halfway point of their 14-race
season. Gilliland, with five wins last season, won at Infineon Raceway
in Sonoma, California on Saturday afternoon taking the lead from road
course expert Boris Said with six laps to go in the 71-lap race after
Said's motor gave out. In the NASCAR Northwest Series, Gary Lewis
captured his first win of the season winning the Evergreen 125 at
Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. The event was originally scheduled
as the season opener, but rain forced its postponement to Saturday.
Unlike Ruggiero, Gilliland and Lewis who each captured their first
wins of the year, Steve Carlson won his second race of the season when
he captured the Midwest 200, at Wisconsin International Raceway in the
NASCAR Midwest Series. The defending series champion led the race's
final 74 laps en route to the win.
NASCAR FEATHERLITE MODIFIED SERIES
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (June 26) -- Forty-three cars attempted to gain
entry into the 30-car field for Saturday afternoon's race at Wall
Township Speedway. Doug Coby, III earned his first career Bud Pole
Award as the field's fastest qualifier. The redraw had the Milford, CT
driver starting eighth with Donny Lia and Nevin George on the front
row.
The race began with Lia getting the jump on George to
lead the first lap before third starting Reggie Ruggiero powered his
way to the front to lead the second lap. The veteran driver from Rocky
Hill, CT led through lap 97, before giving way to Tony Ferrante, Jr.
Ferrante led through lap 122, before rookie Ken Barry took over the
race lead. Barry looked to be on his way to the win when on the final
lap, Ruggiero made a move to the inside of Barry resulting in contact
which sent Barry spinning while Ruggiero continued across the finish
line to take the win. It was Ruggiero's first win in three seasons and
the 43rd of his career. He also earned $5,400 for the top finish.
Tommy Cravenho, Jr. took second place after starting
28th. Tim Arre was third followed by Tony Ferrante and Eddie Flemke.
Ken Barry finished in eight place after his spin. The race had 10
caution flags for 70 laps.
In a telephone conversation with Hoosier Open Wheel
Asphalt Product Manager Irish Saunders, Ruggiero stated, "The
tires were awesome." He went on to thank Saunders for his part in
being selected to drive Dick Barney's Chevrolet. Ironically, Barney
also called Saunders afterward to thank him for guiding him toward
Ruggiero.
Eddie Flemke is atop the NASCAR Featherlite Modified
Series standings with 1270 points followed by Tony Hirschman, Jr. with
1200 points. Jerry Marquis, Ted Christopher and Rick Fuller round out
the top five.
The series resumes competition on July 17th, at Beech
Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME.
NASCAR SOUTHWEST SERIES
SONOMA, CA (June 26) -- A huge 42-car field took to the 1.99-mile
road course at California's Infineon Raceway in the NASCAR Southwest
Series on Saturday. Boris Said was the Bud Pole Award winner turning
in a qualifying lap of 77.853 seconds (92.020 mph). Said was joined in
the front row by David Gilliland.
Drivers leading during the event were Boris Said
(1-24), Burney Lamar (25-27), Darrell LaMoure (28-30), Auggie Vidovich
(31-33), Stan Silva, Jr. (35-36), Boris Said (37-65) and David
Gilliland (66-71).
It was Gilliland's first win of the season after
capturing five wins last year. Gilliland, who pocketed $7,500 for
the win, was followed by Burney Lamar, Bryan Germone, M.K. Kanke and
Jim Inglebright. Last year's winner Kevin Harvick finished in 23rd,
while Boris Said wound up finishing 25th. Harvick was involved in
the accident involving Said when Said's motor expired.
Craig Raudman is atop the NASCAR Southwest Series
standings after finishing 13th on Saturday. Raudman has 981 points
followed by Jim Pettit, II and Burney Lamar.
The NASCAR Southwest Series is back in action in three
weeks on July 17th, when they visit Madera (CA) Speedway for the
second time this season. Jim Pettit, II won the earlier race in March.
NASCAR NORTHWEST SERIES
MONROE, WA (June 26) -- Twenty-two cars started Saturday's
"Evergreen 125" at Evergreen Speedway with Gary Lewis
capturing his first win of the season. Lewis qualified ninth en route
to collecting the win and collecting the $2,300 prize money. Lewis was
followed to the line by Pete Harding, Jeff Jefferson, Travis Bennett
and Wes Rhodes. It was Lewis' 27th career win in the series.
Garrett Evans is on top of the NASCAR Northwest Series
driver standings with 810 points. Travis Bennett is in second place
with 777 points followed by Pete Harding (748), Wes Rhodes (733) and
Jason Jefferson (730). Gary Lewis is in sixth place just 92 points out
first.
The NASCAR Northwest Series is in action again this
weekend, July 3rd, at Wenatchee (WA) Valley's Super Oval.
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KAUKAUNA,
WI (June 27) -- Twenty-two cars were entered in Sunday's NASCAR
Midwest Series Midwest 200 race at Wisconsin International Raceway.
Brian Hoppe was the Bud Pole Award winner with a lap of 19.821 seconds
(90.813 mph).