ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 15, 1996 TAG: 9604150132
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CALLAWAY
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
DUDLEY LAWHORN picks up a Late Model win during Saturday's season opener.
The thunderstorm that rolled through Callaway Saturday night left the Late Model Stock trophy claimed earlier than expected at Franklin County Speedway's Rainbo Bread/Cable 6 300.
The 100-lap race was called on the 39th lap. Because track owner Whitey Taylor and the drivers agreed to call the third race of the night completed, no rain checks will be given.
The Late Model race started with three-time track champion Bobby Radford on the pole, but it took only one lap for Dudley Lawhorn's Camaro to take over the lead position in the 18-car field. Lawhorn felt good about winning the first race of the season.
``Everything was with us for the first few laps, and that gave us the edge we needed,'' he said. ``Tonight was our night.''
Jimmy Mullins in a Monte Carlo was second, followed by Don Pollock in third, Todd Philpott in fourth and Orville Reedy in fifth.
Kevin Ransom won the 25-lap Pure Stock race after Jay Perry and Red Hartman tangled their way out of the first- and second-place positions. The wreck in turn 2 of the 14th lap ended their chances of a run at Victory Lane.
Perry still managed to finish second, and Hartman was third. Tommy Hall came in fourth, and Ashley Wimmer placed fifth.
Gary Joyce dominated the Mini Stock race from the start.
``We knew to expect a lot of good competition and a big field,'' he said. ``We did our homework and prepared to get out front and stay there.''
Dennis Sloan came in second, and Jimmy Cox was third.
The two remaining races - the Rookie and Any Car - were not held Saturday due to the rain. Both divisions will run 35-lap features next Saturday instead of the usual 25-lap and will be racing for a double payoff.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB