THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280617
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 53 lines
Shawn Balluzzo has broken out of his slump at Langley in a big way.
The Hampton driver, who had not won at his hometown track since 1989, has won the last two 100-lap Late Model Stock features and is fourth in the points standings.
``It's been great,'' said Balluzzo of his recent success. ``We knew we could do it all along. It took a lot of work. I don't believe in luck at all.''
Luck hasn't been on Balluzzo's side since he began racing Grand Stock in 1985. He has bounced around to several different tracks and has had most of his seasons cut short because of money problems. And last year he did well early in the season before running into mechanical difficulties.
``If we run this full season at Langley, it will be the first,'' said Balluzzo. ``We've always had to quit half-way into the season because of money. This year we decided to concentrate on Langley and try to stay all year.''
Balluzzo's concentration at Langley has paid big dividends so far this season. After opening with a 14th place finish and two ninths, Balluzzo recorded a sixth, a third and two seconds before his last two wins.
``I've finally learned enough to beat some of these guys who have tons of experience,'' Balluzzo said. ``My driving is really the same it's been all my career. Now I have the knowledge of getting into the car, taking two laps and knowing if it needs shocks or what else it needs.''
Balluzzo said his desire for competition has helped keep him in the driver's seat for 10 years.
``I race for the competition,'' he said. ``It fulfills that part of me. And I hate to lose.''
Balluzzo trails points leader Mike Buffkin of Tabb by 24 points. Norfolk's Phil Warren is second; third is Hampton's Jody McCormick.
BAD BREAK?: Ginger Freeman drove Saturday's 25-lap Pure Stock feature at Langley with a broken right wrist, finishing seventh. The Hampton driver, who ran her streak of top 10 finishes to six, had to avoid six cautions in the race, which lasted nearly 45 minutes.
LOTS OF HORSEPOWER: Tonight's Southern Virginia 300 Tractor and Truck Pull at Southampton Speedway at 7:30 features seven divisions: 9500 Super Stock/10300 Pro Stock Tractors, 7200 Modified Multi-engine Tractors, 6200 Modified 4x4 Trucks, 6200 Modified Two-wheel-drive trucks, 4000 Light 4x4 Trucks, 1800 Mini Modified Tractors and 6200 Factory Stock 4x4 Trucks. Last year's pull attracted entrants from Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York and Indiana.
AUTOGRAPH SESSION: Geoff Bodine, 1994 Winston Select Champion and driver of the NASCAR Winston Cup No. 7 QVC Ford Thunderbird, will sign autographs at the grand opening of Virginia Beach's first QVC retail outlet, 4000 Virginia Beach Blvd., Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. Bodine's car will also be on display. by CNB