Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 9, 1993 TAG: 9305090162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The Christiansburg driver never seriously was challenged as he won his second straight Late Model Stock Car race, the feature event in the Wade's/Campbell's Soup/Deli Mart/Food Time 200. The race was extended to 101 laps because of a late-race caution.
Thomas started from the pole and opened more than a five-second lead before four caution flags in the last 30 laps bunched up the field. However, even with the lead cut, Frankie Pennington never was able to gain ground.
"It's all a new deal for us," said Thomas, who dedicated the win to his mother and all mothers for Mother's Day. "The Ford is new to us. And just getting into a Ford, it's different. The engine is heavier. It handles differently. You have to drive it differently."
Still, Thomas won with his newly built Thunderbird for the second time in four races. And the race was run with an average speed of better than 73 mph.
"There was no way, Ronnie [Thomas] was too strong," said Pennington, who did not have engine problems for the first time this season. "He out-motored us. They've got that car dialed-in."
Pennington dueled with points leader Paul Radford for second most of the race. That helped Thomas build his lead.
Radford eventually finished third. Chris Diamond was fourth and Tink Reedy fifth.
In the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race, Junior Legans took the lead on the first lap and held off pole-sitter Kenny Montgomery for the entire race. It was Legans' first race in 11 months, and it marked the first time in four races this season that Montgomery did not win.
In the Mini Stock race, pole-sitter Tony Howell drew the first starting position and led the entire race. The race was extended to 27 laps because of an accident on lap 25. Robert Frost finished second.
The race was stopped for a half-hour when Gene Duncan hit the wall in turn 2 and was hit by Jerry Workman. Duncan had to be cut out of his car. He was transported to Radford Community Hospital for possible back injuries but did not lose consciousness, said Lynn Carroll, the track's chief steward.
In the 25-lap Pure Stock race, Grump Wills inherited the lead when Tommy Allie was sent to the end of the lead lap after an accident on lap 2. Wills stayed out in the front the rest of the way for his third straight win. Allie worked his way back up to finish second.
In the 25-lap Modified Mini race, Dale Sutphin took the lead after a red flag on the 21st lap and went on for his third victory of the season. Charlie Smith finished second. Scott Brawley dropped from first to third in the last five laps because of tire trouble.
The race was halted for about 20 minutes when Randolph Minnick hit the wall in turn 2. He suffered several minor injuries, Carroll said.
by CNB