(Auburndale, FL; 8/12/2000) Wayne Morris drove a perfect short track typical fender-bending race by winning the SARA Late Model Sportsman BMD Title Loans 100 Saturday night at Auburndale Speedway.

Morris of Mulberry, FL, negotiated lapped traffic in his Race Car Engineering Chevrolet Monte Carlo with a stellar racing performance. Morris took the lead in lap 54 for good and worked stubborn lapped traffic to perfection once on the point.

"It was fortunate for us and a big break when we got up front and were able to hold the lead," said Morris. "Then you have to pick and choose the lapped cars and I was able to guess right."

Mike McCrary, Jr. of Orlando, FL, set fast time in the Big Daddy's BBQ Chevrolet, turning the one-quarter mile paved oval in 14.083 seconds or 63.91 mph. McCrary would finish fifth following a tough turn of events.

Robbie Storer of Zephyrhills, FL, driving the Storer Racing Chevrolet, started on the pole after the inversion of the 25-car field. Storer came out of turn four to take the green for the race start, but he slowed, and McCrary went by the flagstand to take the apparent lead. SARA officials sent McCrary to the rear for jumping the start and Storer would lead the first 26 laps.

In lap 26, Michael Faulk of High Springs, FL, took his Pierce Motorsports Chevrolet to the inside passing Storer bringing Bobby Beauchemin of Davie in the Dent Wizard Chevrolet with him along with Morris.

"We were trying to save everything we could until the end," said Beauchemin. "We were getting pretty good at the end, but the lapped cars kind of spoiled it. Wayne Morris had a good car and we had a pretty decent car."

In lap 30, McCrary would be sent to the rear the second time after running a strong outside line and moving into the 10th spot as two cars spun in front of his ride. Trying to avoid a wreck, McCrary spun his car into the infield by the flagstand as the others involved managed to continue on the track after righting their race cars.

Faulk was still the leader at lap 50 with Beauchemin and Morris following. Morris took the lead in lap 54 moving to the outside of Beauchemin and Faulk out of turn two during a multi-car skirmish. Faulk had a right rear tire go down and went to the pits having to relinquish the lead following the caution.

"There's controversy when lapped cars come up," said Morris. "I just had to be aggressive and take advantage of the opportunity. I just got under a couple of cars, because lapped traffic got in their way, that's the bottom line."

By lap 83 Morris and Beauchemin had opened a five car length lead with SARA point leader Jeff Scofield running a strong third in his Mobil Connection Network Chevrolet. Edward Howell of Lakeland, FL, driving the Acme Racing Engines Chevrolet was fourth.

"Yes, traffic held everybody up," said Scofield of Riverview, FL. "It caused a lot of position changes that shouldn't have happened. Inexperienced drivers really didn't know what line to take."

Howell now in a full-time SARA Late Model Sportsman ride for car owner Don Robinson was elated about running a Late Model once again and put lapped traffic in veteran perspective.

"You're going to have that when you have that many cars on a track this size," said Howell. "That's probably the most fun I've had in a race car in two years. It's a lot of fun. Just plain short track racing at its best."

A lap 99 caution turned to a red flag, setting up a green, white and checkered for a final charge. McCrary closed to fifth, but that was as far as his charge would take him.

"I felt like I didn't do anything right tonight, but that's the way it is," said McCrary. "It's just another race, but I sure appreciated the crowd support."

Morris crossed the stripe followed by Beauchemin and Scofield. Rounding out the top five were Howell and McCrary.

-John Barker-


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