Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510090085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jay Foley stole the show at Franklin County Speedway on Saturday night, then track owner Whitey Taylor stole the season on Sunday.
Taylor decided to cancel the rest of the racing season at FCS one day after Foley's victory in the Southern Modifieds Auto Racing Teams race in the Miller Genuine Draft/J.93 350.
The racing season was scheduled through the last Saturday in October.
``I would like to leave the season on a high note, after the great race and a packed house,'' said Taylor, who estimated 4,000 fans were in attendance for the SMART feature and what turned out to be the final points races of the 1995 season. He said racing will resume at the Callaway track in mid-April.
``Most of the titles already had been decided. We got rained out nine times this year, and I just wanted to end on a high note. [Saturday] was perfect weather. We had them back out in the road trying to get into the speedway. I said this was a good way to end the season.''
Foley would agree. The Stuart resident notched his first career Southern Modifieds victory after starting seventh in the 21-car field. Foley entered the race fifth in the points standings and was third by night's end behind leader Junior Miller and second-place Bobby Hutchens.
``I've been telling the other SMART drivers that when we get to my home track [Franklin County Speedway], things are going to be different,'' Foley said.
The Southern Modifieds tour makes stops at several tracks in the Southeast and features open-wheel cars as opposed to conventional-bodied cars.
Early in the race, Martinsville's Kenny Minter, the only other Virginian in the field, looked like he would drive to the victory. Racing in honor of his father and crew chief Bernard Minter, who died Tuesday, Kenny Minter won the pole and led the first 81 laps.
But a pit stop for two tires dropped him back in the field, and he finished 14th in the 150-lap race.
When Minter pitted, Foley assumed the lead for the rest of the race.
Billy Middleton of Germantown, N.C., was second, followed by Johnny Johnson of Kernersville, N.C., in third; Alfred Hill of Jonesville, N.C., in fourth; and Miller in fifth. Hutchens finished sixth.
In FCS points races, Todd Philpott of Henry picked up his first Late Model Stock victory. John Hall was second in the 35-lap race, followed by Eric Bishop in third, Jerry Godby in fourth and George Spangler in fifth.
Mike Elkins won his 16th Street Stock race of the season and clinched the points championship. Mike Dudley was second, with David Smith third, Freddie Goff fourth and David Stout fifth.
In the Mini Stocks, Gary Joyce won after battling with Dennis Sloan most of the race. Travis Sharpe was third with Jimmy Cox fourth and Rodney Campbell fifth.
Kelly Kingery won his sixth Pure Stock race of the season. Tommy Dooley was second, followed by Jay Peery in third, Danny Wickham in fourth and Kevin Ransome in fifth.
In the Rookie division, Ricky Ferguson won the 15-lap feature with Bobby Davis second, Scott Foley third, Mark Stoner fourth and Scott Spradlin fifth.
Frankie Kelly won the Any Car race.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB