Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 24, 1995                   TAG: 9507240098
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER RADFORD
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MORRIS LEADS ALL THE WAY IN WINNING NRVS FEATURE

Phillip Morris was smoking Saturday night.

Morris sat on the pole and led all 100 laps to capture the Late Model Stock Car race in the New River Pontiac/GMC/Nissan 200 at New River Valley Speedway.

Morris, in his first full season of racing at NRVS, never was challenged while earning his first victory at the speedway.

``Its hard to describe,'' Morris said. ``To start on the pole and lead from start to finish is like a dream come true.''

The only thing that could have derailed the Ruckersville resident was a late-race caution, and that didn't occur.

``I was just praying there wouldn't be a caution,'' Morris said. ``I knew Michael [Ritch] was coming.''

Ritch, the season points leader, moved through the field after qualifying seventh, but he was unable to get past Jeff Agnew for second place. On lap 77 Ritch pulled alongside Agnew and stayed there for three laps, but Agnew was able to withstand the challenge.

``Phillip definitely had the fastest car on the track,'' Ritch said. ``Third place was the best we could do tonight. The car was just too loose, but we picked up some points on the second-place guy [Tony McGuire] and that is what we are really concentrating on.''

Ritch holds a 10-point lead over McGuire, a Roanoker who finished fourth.

For Agnew, the 1994 track champion, the second-place finish was another chapter in what has been a frustrating season. Agnew, who has won 23 races at NRVS during his career, including 11 last season, has yet to visit Victory Lane this season.

``We just haven't had anything for anybody all year,'' said Agnew, who has finished second twice and third six times this season. ``We just can't get the car to run through the corners. It is a pain'' not winning.

Morris' victory ended the domination of Ronnie Thomas, who had won the previous four races. The Christiansburg resident never was a factor after tangling with Ray Young, who finished fifth, on the first lap. Though neither car wrecked, Thomas' car suffered structural damage and he finished 14th, seven laps down.

Paul Davis started from the pole and cruised to victory in the 25-lap Classic Race Cars race. Jim Stover was second and Randall Akers finished third in the first Classic race held at NRVS.

Tommy Allie of Christiansburg won his sixth race of the season in a Pure Stock event that was extended to 28 laps because of a late-race accident. Radford's Dean Young finished second and Randy Taylor of Madison took third.

Mark Akers of Narrows sat on the pole and led every lap of the Limited Sportsman race, which was extended to 37 laps after a late-race accident. Christiansburg's Bo Howell was second ahead of Bruce Brown of Rocky Mount, N.C.

Radford's Wayne Moore held off his brother, Marty Moore, to earn his sixth victory of the season in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. Moore led throughout and defeated Marty by three car lengths. Ray Sowers of Floyd finished third.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING