ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CALLAWAY
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
The featured Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams (SMART) and their 13-second laps made their first of four scheduled appearances Saturday night at Franklin County Speedway.
Frank Fleming of Mount Airy, N.C., came from fifth place to win the 150-lap feature race. (Results in Scoreboard)
Fleming, who drives for Speedy Thomas of Fieldale, said, ``I love this fast track. If we were back next Saturday, I'd be happy. This track gives the flexibility of choosing a high or low route.''
Gary Myers of Walnut Cove, N.C., the SMART points leader, finished second and Melvin Swisher of Kernersville, N.C., was third.
* In the Late Model Stock race, Jimmy Mullins of Collinsville took the pole and refused to give up the lead. Todd Philpott of Henry was the only other contender for first place, finishing a car-length behind Mullins. Eddie Wells of Hillsville held on for third place.
``My crew is the reason we won,'' Mullins said.
* In the Pure Stocks, the Red Hartman/Fay Peery rivalry continued as Peery shoved Hartman into the wall on lap 18, knocking Hartman from first to fifth place. Peery went on to win the 25-lap race, holding off Kevin Ransom, the previous week's winner.
* The April 13 Mini Stock winner, Gary Joyce, made a late rush toward the checkered flag, but it wasn't enough to finish ahead of Chris Martin.
* The Rookie class lived up to its name once again with a crash-filled 25-lap feature. The 12-car field piled up on the second lap. On lap 8, James Markum of Ferrum met the wall in the front straightaway and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
The car driven by Bob Creggor of Vinton took a spark-showered slide down the straight stretch on its roof. Incredibly, Creggor was able to continue in the race and finished second after the original first- and second-place finishers were disqualified for using illegal parts.
James Carr took home his first winner's trophy.
* The Legends winner was Fred Brown of Wytheville, and the Mini Cup winner was Ron Ratcliff of Vansant.
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB