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| JAX'S RACEWAYS KICKS OFF 2001 NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SEASON | By Donnie Helmly
The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series kicked off its 2001 season off last weekend at Jax Raceways last Saturday night and a packed grandstand saw a full night of racing activities in four speedway divisions.
The premiere division Late Models saw a very familiar face in victory lane as former division champion Steve Whitener took the lead from the outside pole position to lead all 30 laps and held off a very determined David Browning for the win. Browning made a pass on Whitener on lap 19 but the yellow flag was displayed before the lap could be completed, and field restarted as they crossed the line on the last completed lap. Whitener would not be denied the victory as he held off every other attempt to regain the lead. Whitener said, "our car isn't perfect yet, but we will take the win and go home and try to make it better. This is my old car, but I have a brand new one at the shop, which I will be bringing out soon. The track is the best shape that I have ever seen it, I hope it stays like this all season long." Browning crossed the line second with Chuck Chitty Jeff Godbee and defending champion Michael Murrer making up the top five.
The Grand American Modified feature event saw a few fire works during its 20-lap feature event. Former St. Augustine Modified Champion changed his asphalt Open Wheel car over to race on the dirt, and found himself on the pole position, with Marty Whitener along his side for the initial start of the event. Thrift took the lead but it was short lived as Whitener made contact with Thrift exiting turn four, and Thrift lost control and rode the front stretch wall all the way to turn one. Thrift's night was finished, with Whitener in the lead. Whitener lead would also be a short one as National Late Model Sportsmen stand out Johnny Collins took the top spot and held off Kevin Bayless to notch his first win of the young season. Bobby Padgett driving in two divisions found his way to third from his eighth place starting spot with Steve Whitener in fourth and Marty Whitener making up the top five.
The Sportsmen division saw a caution free 20-lap feature event, as Bobby Padgett logged his first win of the new season. Padgett had a bad finish in the heat race, but rallied back to win the feature. Padgett won the most features events in the Sportsmen division in the 2000 season and is set to match that feat in the 2001 season. Joey Miller crossed the stripe in second, but could only mount a charge on Padgett while they were in lapped traffic. Randy Clark SR. crossed the stripe in third with Terry Jones and Chad Grogan rounding out the top five.
Ron Doan took an early lead in the Pure Stock Division but could only hold for five laps when Chad Grogan took the front spot and held Doan in the second spot for the remaining laps. Ray Pruett came from the ninth starting position to finish in third with Joey Meyers and Bill Burkhart crossing the line in fifth.
Tomorrow night racing action will resume with the Powder Puff division making their debut for the first time this season, along with all the other speedway divisions.
-Donnie Helmly
(Donnie Helmly can be heard as the host of The Race Report, Monday nights at 8:00 PM on 1320 AM WJGR)
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