Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 5, 1993 TAG: 9309050255
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Thomas started his Ford Thunderbird from the pole in the Dooley Printing 200 and led all 100 laps en route to his New River Valley Speedway-record 12th victory of the season.
But more significantly, the Christiansburg driver pulled even with Paul Radford in the points race.
A broken spindle on the right front tire forced Radford out of the race on the 36th lap.
"I know it wasn't an exciting race for the fans," Thomas said. "But we did something tonight I didn't expect to do - catch him [Radford] in points. I never expected him to fall out. But people forget, we fell out of [four] races early in the season."
Thomas and Radford each have 448 points, with twin 75-lap Late Model races on Sept. 12 remaining to decide the points championship. Thomas has the advantage in the tie-breaker - 12 victories to two.
Radford started ninth, but began falling back by the eighth lap. He changed a tire during a caution flag on lap 26, thinking that was the problem. But the problem worsened. By the time Radford retired 10 laps later, his right front tire had all but fallen off.
"I knew something was wrong, I knew the tire wasn't right," Radford said. "We were losing too many positions. We changed the tire, but that wasn't it. Then the brakes started going and I was being passed by too many people who shouldn't be passing me."
With Thomas way ahead and Radford out of the race, the best battle on the track was for second place. Frankie Pennington claimed the runner-up spot, holding off Tink Reedy for the last 65 laps.
"Tink raced me as clean as anyone ever has," Pennington said. "He was faster than me. I had him on the straightaways, but he was quicker in the turns. But we ran the low groove. And he ended up bobbing [on the inside of the track]. That's what kept us out in front."
Points leader Kenny Montgomery of Parrott led from start to finish in the 35-lap Limited race for his ninth victory of the season. Mark Akers was second and Charles Miles third.
Pole-sitter Scott Brawley of Lenoir, N.C., ran away from the field to his ninth victory of the year in the 25-lap Modified Mini race. Points leader Charlie Smith finished second.
Eric Huff of Floyd inherited the lead midway through the 25-lap Mini Stock race, when pole-sitter Kevin Light slowed with mechanical problems and stayed in front to complete his first victory of the season. Kevin Kenley held off points leader Tony Howell for second place.
Tommy Allie of Christiansburg started on the pole and easily outdistanced Joey Lyons in the 25-lap Pure Stock race. It was the second consecutive victory and fourth overall for Allie, the division's points leader.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB