Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407180157
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The lapped car of Scott Hill tapped McGuire with 25 laps to go in the 200-lap Late Model Stock feature of the Basham/F&L Oil/Pennzoil 300 on Saturday night at New River Valley Speedway.
Ritch then passed McGuire and went on to his fourth victory of the year and second in a 200-lap race at the track.
``We got lucky,'' said Ritch, who is from High Point, N.C. ``The car was as good as it's been. But it was a tad bit off [later in the race] and started getting loose. But we got help from a lapped car. That played a big part in the outcome. Right now, luck is on our side.''
Up to that point, luck seemed to be on the side of McGuire. The Roanoke driver took the lead from Ritch on lap 125 and three times held off attempted passes.
``I knew whoever had the lead late in the race was going to win it because everyone's tires were going away,'' McGuire said. ``I don't think he could have gotten past me without hitting me. But a lapped car took car of that.''
After making the pass, Ritch went on to win by about one second.
The late pass was the last lead swap between the two drivers who dominated the last two-thirds of the race.
Ritch led the first lap. Then pole-sitter Jeff Agnew moved back in front for more than 50 laps.
On lap 58, Ritch regained the lead. McGuire passed Ritch on lap 87, and Ritch moved back in front on lap 102.
Ray Young of Bassett finished third, followed by Tim McGuire of Roanoke and Rick Sigmon of Rocky Mount.
The top five finishers all drove General Motors cars: Ritch and the McGuire brothers racing Chevrolets, Young and Sigmon running Oldsmobiles.
In other races Saturday night:
Charlie Miles of Christiansburg started from the pole and held off the challenges of Rock Harris to win the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race. It was the third victory of the year for Miles. John Curtis was third and Terry Lawson finished fourth.
Tony Rogers of Cloverdale won for the first time this year in the Pure Stock class, finishing first in the 25-lap race. Rogers qualified eighth, then was put on the pole when the top eight qualifiers were inverted. Robbie Cundiff finished second, and Bub Tolley was third.
Gene Duncan of Radford took the lead with three laps to go and won the his sixth 25-lap Mini Stock race of the season. Robert Cox and Ray Sowers were second and third, respectively.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB