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2001
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| Thursday, February 15, 2001 | |
| The Winged Late Model and The Fendered Sprint | East Bay WinterNationals
By Bill Green
I have to go back a ways to give you some understanding as to what we are about to talk about. See a 'Run What Ya Brung' Race is just that; anything goes. Anything, as long as it fits two basic rules. Rule one; it must be able to start and drive under it's own power. Rule two; it must be a FENDERED vehicle. Now there are some other safety and subtle rules, but time does not allow for a full run down.
So, all makes and models, types and sizes of vehicles are eligible for this race. For this year, one young man chose to start his 2001-driving career in the RWYB race, in a V-8 bomber style, street stock. He finished 11th two nights in a row, many laps down to the leader, but $900 richer for the two day effort.
Walking through the pits, it caught your eye as soon as you spotted it. It was the B12 Late Model of Kevin Weaver, but with a sprint wing on top of it. The Weaver machine is normally found in STARS Late Model lineups or HAV-A-TAMPA features, but this two night, 'Run What Ya Brung' event, was paying $4000 one night, and 25% more the second night if you ran both nights. Even with a mix of mini-stocks, street-stocks, limited late models, late models, and a limited sprint, what could you lose? I soon found out that when Weaver finished second on Monday, that is when he had mentioned, "Wish I had a wing to help me through the corners." Jack Hewitt heard him, and loaned him one. The back-up wing from the two-seater designed sprint, was at the track the next night, and it helped.
 The next wild looking thing that came into view was purple with yellow numbers. It also had the traditional sprint car wing on top, but was it really a sprint car. Yes, it was. It was the Limited Sprint of 1998 East Bay Limited Sprint Track Champion, Clyde Poole, but it had rear fenders. Yes, fenders. Fabricated from aluminum, a very simple sets of fender panels were attached over the rear fuel tank. They fit the letter of the rules, extending out to the edge of the rear wheels. They were designed so they helped create down force, but no drag, as they were open, front and rear. A well thought out, freaky looking sprint if there has ever been one.
The #17 Late Model of Mike Gault added some left side, 3 foot high side-boards, and was the class of the field the first night and $4000 richer. This second night of action would see these three cars, Gault, Weaver and Poole, joined by the #32 of Roger Crouse, with side boards a plenty, out class the rest of the field. The #17 of Gault was on rails as he eclipsed the Late Model track record by half a second, lap after lap. Weaver's B12 was up to the task and remained on the Gault bumper throughout the race. Only problem was the lapped traffic that they all had to steer clear of. Several times the B12 would get alongside of the 17, but bottom groove slower cars, were always be in just the right spot to save him from loosing the lead.
Poole was the only one of these top runners to have problems, as he slowed through turn 2 and stopped against the outside wall. Meanwhile the other three late models were the only cars on the lead lap at the end, and so they cruised to a 1-2-3 finish. Gault would pocket $5000, to add to his $4000 from the previous night. Weaver would be runner up for a second night, and local driver Crouse, would be third.
Next year, when the "Run What Ya Brung" shows up on the schedule, I bet more raceteams look at this race a little differently. The prize is so big, you can't help but keep your eye on it. See you here next year for another great "RUN WHAT YA BRUNG" Event.
-Bill Green
[Bill Green is heard worldwide on SHORT TRACK USA via ShortTrackUSA.Com and TheAutoChannel.Com. Tune in every Monday night from 8-10PM (EST).]
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