THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260155
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN J. FRENCH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 56 lines
For all the out-of-the-ordinary happenings in Sunday night's Late Model feature, one constant found his way back into victory lane.
Greg Edwards, whose four-race winning streak was broken last weekend by bad luck on qualifying and a mid-race spinout, picked up where he left off in winning the 100-lap race wire-to-wire.
By winning his seventh race of the season - tops in Late Model - Edwards is two points behind Mike Buffkin in the season standings with four points races left.
``Things are back to normal,'' Edwards said. ``Some funny things happened to us last race, but we're over that now.''
Edwards was again dominant, his only competition coming in the early laps with brother Danny Edwards Jr. But a flat front right tire on Lap 44 knocked him out of contention, and brother Greg rolled.
``My crew was serious about getting a fast car out on the track,'' Greg Edwards said, ``and if it isn't faster than before, it's close.''
Co-starring with Edwards for the Late Model limelight was the yellow flag. 11 cautions were called during the race. Two flags flew on multiple-car crashes before the first lap was completed, affecting 13 of the 25 drivers.
The final caution set up a three-lap shootout between first-time Late Model driver Joe Gaita and Craig Eastep, with Gaita holding on for second.
``I didn't know how close Craig was to me,'' said Gaita, who usually runs in the Craftsman Supertrucks series. ``I just ran my line.''
``Joe used up all of the track in front of me,'' Eastep said, ``and I would rather finish third than take an unnecessary chance and wreck my car.''
Roger Sawyer placed fourth, followed by Buffkin.
Buffkin's fifth-place finish was remarkable, considering he spun out twice in the race before coming back, allowing him to retain a slim lead on Greg Edwards.
``I try not to think about the points race,'' Edwards said, ``but it's hard to completely block it out.''
In other races Sunday:
GRAND STOCK: Kevin Wagner won his first Grand Stock race of the season in the 40-lap feature. Wagner took the lead after Rhett Bussler spun out on turn 2 of Lap 33 and finished four car lengths ahead of Jimmy Kenney.
LIMITED STOCK: The Paul Lubno-Jerry Scott duel was interrupted by Jammie Goode, who got his first-ever win in a 25-lap race. Lubno finished second, while Scott placed third.
MINI STOCK:Joe Lupton led the whole way, but fought off rival Glenn Smith II to win his third series race of the season.
PURE STOCK:Points leader Sam Zoellener took the lead on lap 3 and never looked back as he won the 25-lap event. It is Zoellner's fifth Pure Stock win of the season. Woody Vance - second in the points standings - finished second in Sunday's race, as well.
LEGENDS: Dale Lemonds led the 25-lap feature wire-to-wire to pick up the win. Jimmy Adams made a turn 3 pass of Mike Anderson on the final lap to place second. by CNB