Lapped Traffic Helps Lilley Gain Auburndale Limited Late Model Win
By John Berti -Karnac.com
Winter Haven, FL -August 13, 2005- Lapped traffic can pose problems and a wrong decision in dealing with it can cost a driver a victory, just ask David Hartin.
Hartin was in control of his destiny leading the first 27 laps of the 35 lap Limited Late Model feature at Auburndale Motor Speedway, Saturday night.
All that changed when the leaders closed in on back runners Jamie Castleberry and Michael Seeright. Jamie Castleberry acknowledged the passing flag from flagman Tony Hill as he crossed the start-finish line. He immediately dropped to the bottom of the track.
Seeright, however, stayed up in the high groove heading into turn one. Hartin also stayed in the high groove assuming Seeright would drop to the bottom. Second place runner Keith Lilley shot under Hartin and Seeright to take the lead and held it to the checkers. [Editor's Note: Auburndale rules require slower cars to move over to the high side when the passing flag is displayed]
A dejected Hartin had to settle for second; Jimmy Castleberry was third, Dave Dunkin, fourth, and Ronnie Lofquist fifth.
Lofquist was the fastest qualifier from time trial qualifying. He completed a lap around the 1/4 mile asphalt oval at 14.142 seconds. Stangely only 11 Limited Late Models took time and participated in the feature.
Two of the eleven participants were female drivers: Alli Owens and Mykala White. Both did very well in qualifying with fans looking forward to good finishes from each of them in the feature. Ironicly they tangle together on lap ten in turn four putting an end to their respective nights.
Chuck Frazier wired the 50 lap Modified Mini feature leading from green to checker. Frazier so dominated the race that his margin of victory was a half lap over second place finisher Randy Storer. Brian Dorer was right on Storer's back bumper for third. Kevin Macey and Jason Rendell rounded out the top five.
The 20 lap Street Stock feature saw three lead changes. Edward Schultz led one lap from his pole starting position. Allen Tyson wrestled the lead from Schultz on the second circuit. David Holland dove under Tyson on a lap eight restart, but the yellow flag was displayed before the lap was completed for a mixup between Gary LaPlant and Ronnie Whitley in the fourth turn.
For the restart it was Tyson back in the lead followed by Holland, Brian Harbin and Daniel McClain.
Holland went back to work on Tyson getting under him on lap nine coming off turn four to become the new race leader.
Harbin, who started dead last on the starting grid also slipped by Tyson into second with no change in the running order over the duration of the race.
At the checkers it was Holland in for the win followed by Harbin, Tyson, McClain and Shane Bennett.
Ron Towles withstood four cautions to lead from green to checker winning the 20 lap Dwarf car feature. Mike Bellasar was second followed by Phil Ichiban, Rick Lundeen and Brian Gingras.
Modifed Mini Stocks: 1-#21 Chuck Frazier 2-#90 Randy Storer 3-#97 Brian Dorer 4-#19 Kevin Macey 5-#12x Jason Rendell
The Limited Late Models: 1-#8 Keith Lilley 2-#2 David Hartin 3-#88 Jimmy Castleberry 4-#71 Dave Dunkin 5-#49 Ron Lofquist
Fl. Suncoast Van Lines Street Stocks 1-#32 David Holland 2-#62 Brian Harbin 3-#75 Allan Tyson 4-#21 Daniel McClain 5-#2 Shane Bennett
Scramblers 1-#14 Donnie King 2-#18 Jason Bertsch 3-#13 Mark Mederios 4-#20 Mike Mosley 5-#55 Brent Burns
Dwarfs 1-#01 Ron Towles 2-#82 Mike Delassar 3-#2 Phil Ichiban 4-#04 Rick Lundeen 5-#1 Brian Gingras
Mini Stocks - 15 laps 1. Kevin Whitaker 2. Kenny Taylor 3. Donnie Guy 4. James Williams 5. Larry Chumney
