ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 15, 1996 TAG: 9607150158
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Tony McGuire of Roanoke made it two victories in a row Saturday at New River Valley Speedway, winning the Pennzoil/Basham Oil 200.
McGuire joined Jeff Agnew as the only drivers to win consecutive races in the Late Model Stock division in 1996. (Results in Scoreboard.)
``This win gives us a lot of momentum,'' McGuire said, looking ahead to the Kroger/WDBJ-7 250 on July 27, which pays $15,000 to the winner. ``We haven't had a bad season here and it's only gotten better in the last two weeks.''
McGuire led the final 71 laps after getting by Philip Morris, the leader since the first lap. McGuire held an inside line on Morris for a dozen circuits before making the decisive pass in turn 4.
Agnew, the Late Model points leader, finished third and maintained an 88-point lead on McGuire. Pole-sitter and Curtis Turner Memorial Hard Charger Award winner Chad Harris placed fourth, with Tim McGuire crossing the line fifth.
In other racing:
* Tam Topham of Wytheville, the Limited Sportsman division points leader, returned to Victory Lane for the first time since June 15. Topham captured the pole and led flag to flag in the 35-lap race. Kenny Montgomery finished second and Rob Fain took third.
Topham, who had seen Jay McCray cut his lead to just 16 points in the last three races, pushed his division lead to 28 points with the win and McCray's seventh-place finish. The win was Topham's seventh of the season.
* In the Pure Stock division, Christiansburg's Tommy Allie led all 25 laps in winning his ninth consecutive race and 11th overall. Randy Taylor was second and Tony Giles third.
* Ray Sowers of Floyd took home the trophy in the 25-lap Mini Stock race when apparent winner Kevin Snyder was disqualified during post-race inspections. The win was Sowers' fourth. Robert Cox finished second and Gene Duncan placed third.
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB