Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9509050106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-9 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Young was second in the chase for the coveted New River Valley Speedway championship, but he had yet to win a race.
On Saturday, any disappointment in Young's season was erased.
Young took the lead on lap 83 and cruised to victory in the 100-lap Late Model Stock Car portion of the Winston Select/Budweiser 200.
The victory was the second of Young's career and the most rewarding. The Bassett native had finished second in the past four races at the track and had been the runner-up a total of six times this season.
``We have been digging and digging all year,'' Young said. ``It feels better than the first one, because we really deserved this one. We have been running well the second half of the year. If you hang around the front you are going to win.''
For the first 82 laps it appeared Young might have to settle for yet another second-place finish. Pole-sitter Ronnie Thomas appeared to be in control, leading every lap until one of his tires lost air. Young, who was two car-lengths behind at the time, took over the lead and never looked back.
``When I got near Ronnie, I was able to get him loose,'' Young said. ``I might have been able to get by him anyway.''
Roanoke's Tony McGuire took over second place and remained within striking distance of Young, but was unable to mount a serious run for the lead.
``The car was pretty good tonight, but it was a little loose,'' McGuire said. ``I'm glad to see them [Young and his team] win. They deserved it. Since Ralph Wingfield came on as crew chief, they have run much better.''
Boones Mill's Rodney Cundiff stormed through the field for a third-place finish. Cundiff started the race 10th.
``Third place is just the second loser, but it's our best finish of the year,'' Cundiff said. ``We will take it.''
Jeff Agnew, the winner of the previous five races, finished sixth. Agnew saw his lead over Young in the battle for the track championship dwindle to 10 points.
In other races Saturday night:
Indian Valley's Hank Turman led every lap while rolling to victory in the 35-lap Limited Sportsman race.
The first-place finish was Turman's fourth of the year, but it was the first time he had taken the checkered flag. Turman's other victories had come on disqualifications and in a fog-shortened race.
Aaron Deplazes of Newport finished second, and Christiansburg's Bo Howell was third. Defending Limited champion Charlie Miles of Christiansburg finished fourth.
Riner's K.J.Bishop inherited the lead on lap 10 and cruised to victory in the 25-lap Modified Mini Stock race. Bishop took the lead when Charlie Smith dropped out of the race with engine problems.
Christiansburg's Jimmy Hinkley finished second, and Gene Duncan of Radford was third. Wayne Lawson of Indian Valley was the fourth driver to cross the start/finish line.
Radford's Wayne Moore continued his amazing season, winning his eighth consecutive 25-lap Mini Stock race.
For Moore, who sat on the pole, the victory was the 10th of the season. Moore has won more races than any other racer at the track this season.
Galax's Randy Bell held off Roanoke's Robert Cox for second place. Kevin Light, who started the race 11th, was fourth.
Pole-sitter Grump Wills of Bozoo, W.Va., led every lap en route to victory in the 25-lap Pure Stock race.
Madison's Randy Taylor, the season points leader, finished second, and Randy Custer of Christiansburg was third. Pembroke's Barry Williams crossed the line fourth.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB