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by Donnie Helmly
(March 28, 2001) Jax Raceway's Late Model action saw a former division champion better his last three finishes by one position last week on the half-mile NASCAR sanctioned dirt track.
David Browning had finished second in his last three outings and wasn't to be held back any longer. The 30-lap event started out well for the 2000 defending division champion Michael Murrer, as he took off to an early lead, and held back the challenges of the competition for 19 laps, before being sidelined by a blown engine. Browning had worked his way to second on the 15th lap after passing Eric Platt, and took over the front spot after Murrer went to the pits, and would lead the remaining laps. Last weeks winner Steve Whitener followed Browning across the stripe to finish second with Chuck Chitty holding off Jeff Godbee to finish fourth.
The Grand American Modified division drivers couldn't get their act together, causing track officials to single file the start of the 20-lap feature after three false starts. When the green flag finally flew it was Kevin Bayless and Steve Whitener taking off to the front of the field. Whitener ran a close second until lap four, when he lost an engine and pitted for the night. His brother Kenny then joined Kevin Bayless, as he took over the second spot, in hopes of challenging for the lead. Kenny Bayless found himself sidelined a short time later with rear end trouble, and Doodle Pipken took up the battle for the lead. Pipken took the top position on lap 18 after Bayless pitted with a flat tire. The lead was Pipken's to keep as he held on to lay claim to his first win of the new season. Former St. Augustine Speedway Champion George Thrift crossed the line in second with Mark Whitener finishing in third.
Chad Grogan made his first visit to the winner circle in the 2001 season. Grogan took the lead from Tim Nolan on lap five and pulled away to a convincing lead. Joey Miller moved up to the second spot on the final lap, but was unable to mount a charge to the lead, and settled for the runner up spot with Marty Kelly finishing third in his first start of the season.
Six caution flags plagued the 15-lap Pure Stock feature, but it wasn't enough to keep Brian Smith out of the winner circle for the second time this season. Smith took the lead on lap one, and never relinquished it, with Ray Pruett and Bill Burkhart in tow.
The ever-competitive Powder Puff division saw three lead changes before the winner would be determined in the 10-lap feature event for the ladies of Jax. Tammy Stone was up front for the first lap when Shelly Meyers overtook her. Meyers would lead for the next three laps when she lost the spot to Kim Lester, who would hold on to win her first race of the season. Maudie Baker and Shelly Meyers crossed the line in second and third.
-Donnie Helmly
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