Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406260142
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The victory was McGuire's second of the season, but it was a long time in the making. After winning the season's second event, the Roanoke driver went through a nine-race drought.
"The week after we won our first race we had a bad wreck," McGuire said. "It took awhile to get the car back after that. It seemed like every week we were a little bit off and tonight we found that little bit."
McGuire's victory denied second-place finisher Michael Ritch of High Point, N.C., his third consecutive victory.
"We caught a bad push," said Ritch who came from a lap down to win last week's race. "We were struggling and then the car seemed to come through, but then it was all downhill. The tires went away. Things just didn't go our way."
"Mike drives the wheels off that car," McGuire said. "He's a fierce competitor, but for whatever reason his car was a bit off tonight."
The outcome of the race was never in any real doubt as McGuire, the pole-sitter, took command and never was challenged. A caution flag on lap 67 temporarily brought the field back together and allowed Ritch to pass Jeff Agnew for second place, but he was unable to mount a serious run at McGuire.
After winning nine of the season's first 11 races, Agnew has not visited Victory Lane in three weeks. The Floyd resident still maintains a comfortable lead in the points standings over McGuire and has not finished worse than sixth all season.
"This is a very competitive track," McGuire said. "Look at Ronnie Thomas. He is a former track champion and he is having trouble running in the top 10."
Lexington's Frankie Pennington finished fourth and Kenny Prillaman of Salem completed the top five.
In other races Saturday night:
Radford's Gene Duncan led wire to wire in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. The victory was Duncan's fourth of the year at the track.
Randy Bell finished second, and Jay McCray, Tommy Burgess and Ray Sowers completed the top five.
Tommy Allie of Christiansburg overtook pole-sitter Aaron Deplazes on lap 6 to capture his fourth consecutive 25-lap Pure Stock race.
Ronnie Vaught slipped by Deplazes for second place. Duckie Phillips and Barry Nolen finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Rock Harris led all the way in the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race. The victory was Harris' fifth of the season and second in as many weeks.
Pole-sitter Dave Blessing finished second, Tam Topham was third and Charlie Miles finished fourth.
Tony Howell of Riner won the 25-lap Mod Mini race, his third victory of the season. Dale Sutphin finished second, and Wayne Lawson was third.
\ NEWMAN WINS TURNER AWARD: Ronnie Newman of Salem earned the Curtis Turner Memorial Hard Charger award for the second consecutive week with his performance June 18 in the Shelor Chevrolet 200-lap Late Model Stock Car race.
Newman received the award from Bunny Turner, widow of the racing legend, during prerace ceremonies Saturday night. Newman started 22 and finished 12th in the 25-car field. This marks the first time this season a driver has won the award more than once.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB