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| THORNTON AND SOUTH 40 CLASSICS OUTLAST THE RAIN AT JAX | by Dave Westerman
Mother nature tried to put a damper on things Saturday night at JAX Raceways, but eventually the off and on drizzle went away and Orlando's Eddie Thornton picked up his second consecutive South 40 Motorsports Classic Auto Racing Series win.
A season-low count of only nine cars was on hand as engine rebuilds, business trips and Father's Day weekend commitments took their toll on the South 40 Classic racers, but the fans were treated to one of the best races of the year. After a third rain delay, track officials decided to opt for a features-only format due to the lateness of the hour.
The South 40 Classics inverted the field for the 20-lap feature according to points putting rookie Al Hagan on the pole with points leader Ed Yates gridding eighth. Hagan showed his dirt-track experience by grabbing the lead only to see Frank Conrad loop in turn two and hit one of the big tires guarding the inside "groove" of the race track. The force of the spin broke the rear end in Conrad's car and he was towed to the pits. Hagan again set the pace on the second start but he was battling a loose racecar. On lap four, Dan Hammerbeck slipped under Hagan for the lead only to see the caution flag fly for a turn one tangle between E.B. Carr and E.T. McGhee. Both of the "initial" drivers were able to continue. With the line-up reverting back to the last completed lap, Hagan had the lead back for the restart and was able to watch in his rear view mirror as Eddie Thornton got by Hammerbeck for second and set his sights on Hagan. Thornton caught and passed Hagan on lap nine only to see the caution fly immediately as McGhee's car stalled in turn three. Again, Hagan was placed back at the point, but Thornton was not to be denied as he made the pass for the lead at the completion of lap ten as the half-way signal came out. Hagan drifted high allowing Hammerbeck and steady Bud Spencer to get by. Thornton kept Hammerbeck at bay and looked to be on his way to victory, but the race was slowed again on lap 16 as Hagan got loose in turn two and spun. Ed Yates clipped Hagan's car and spun off the top of the turn two banking with two flat tires. The point leader's car had to go off on a rollback and he was unable to return. Despite a badly mangled front bumper, Hagan was able to re-join the fray. Thornton held off Hammerbeck over the final four laps to claim his second consecutive South 40 Classics win and second career win at JAX. Hammerbeck was second ahead of Spencer with Danny Shearer turning in another solid performance for fourth. Hagan drove back up to fifth by the time the checker fell. Although he dropped from the event, the small field of cars worked to Ed Yates' advantage as he held onto the point lead by 13 markers over Hammerbeck.
Hagan earned the Fastwax Rookie of the Race honors once again while Hammerbeck won the Action Performance Hard Charger Award coming from seventh on the original line-up to finish second. Action moves south next week as the South 40 Classics head for Charlotte County Speedway for the first time this year.
NOTES: South 40 Classic Auto Racing Series Race Director Randall Grief underwent a quadruple bypass on Monday, June 11th. The operation went well but he'll be on the "shelf" for awhile. Fans and racers can get a behind the scenes look at South 40 Motorsports on this week's edition of the Classic Auto Racing TV program on Action 27 TV out of Orlando. The program airs Monday night (Tues morning) at 12:30 AM.
1. Eddie Thornton, Orlando #4
2. Dan Hammerbeck, Clermont #2
3. Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7
4. Danny Shearer, Melbourne #77
5. Al Hagan, Merritt Island #6
6. E.B. Carr, Okeechobee #90
7. Ed Yates, Orlando #74
8. E.T. McGhee, Deland #3
9. Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11
Lap Leaders: Hagan 1-9
Thornton 10-20
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