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| Rahman Leads One Lap - Takes Second Cars Win At New Smyrna Speedway | RAHMAN LEADS ONE LAP - TAKES SECOND CARS WIN AT NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
Clermont's Jim Rahman led the lap that counted and won his second consecutive Classic Auto Racing Series feature as the drivers tackled the high banks of New Smyrna Speedway Saturday night. Rookie drivers topped the evening's heat race action as Patrick Sanders took the win in heat one over Rahman and Ed Yates while Mike Samples beat Al Hagan in a photo finish to get the victory in heat two.
Samples, who finally got his machine running up to par, took the lead in the 20-lap main event with Hagan all over him. Hagan finally powered past on lap four to grab the lead just before the field was slowed by the race's only caution flag when Frank Conrad spun in turn four. Rahman and Eddie Thornton were on the charge, getting past Samples and taking off after Hagan as the remainder of the field battled for position behind them.
Hagan looked to be on his way to his first career win after winning the Rookie of the Year title last year, but it wasn't to be. Hagan's machine slipped badly out of turn four coming down for the white flag and he nearly spun. Rahman and Thornton seized the opportunity and zoomed by while Hagan made a geat recovery but saw his chance at victory dashed. Thornton made a desperate attempt to pass Rahman as they came to the checker, but Rahman held his ground and backed up his win last week at Orlando Speedworld with another one here.
For Rahman, the 1998 Champion, it marked the first time he'd won two features in a year, much less back to back. Making the win even sweeter for Rahman is he now owns a somewhat commanding points lead. He came into the evening tied with Ed Yates in the points battle, but Yates suffered engine problems and finished last in the 19-car field.
Bud Spencer, third in points going into this race, also had trouble and finished 18th. Rahman's win came in his Allen's Drywall/West Orange Lumber/Hugh Cotton Insurance/Westmont Homes sponsored coupe. Defending Series Champion Thornton was second followed by Hagan and Samples, who earned the Door Operating Systems Rookie of the Race award, but considered his fourth place a victory of sorts after finally solving a myriad of mechanical problems. Mike Albert did the passing job of the night, coming from 13th on the grid to finish fifth and making a significant move forward in the point standings as well.
Simeon Spagnuolo drove a steady race to finish sixth tailed by Patrick Sanders, Harvey Ewing, E.T. McGhee, and the Blackjack Mulligan Special of Keith Roberts. The Classic Auto Racing Series has a week off before making its second appearance of the year at Ocala Speedway on May 11th.
OFFICIAL FINISH - NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY - 4/2702:
1) Jim Rahman, Clermont #5
2) Eddie Thornton, Orlando #4
3) Al Hagan, Merritt Island #6
4) Mike Samples, Orlando #0
5) Mike Albert, Winter Springs #24
6) Simeon Spagnuolo, Vero Beach #21
7) Patrick Sanders, Winter Garden #8
8) Harvey Ewing, Brooksville #17
9) E.T. McGhee, Deland #3
10) Keith Roberts, Groveland #31
11) E.B. Carr, Okeechobee #90
12) Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11
13) George Hall, Jr., St. Petersburg #32
14) George Hall III, St. Petersburg #9
15) Dan Rowan, Deland #2
16) Ray Frazee, Oak Hill #43
17) Wayne Ashton, Ft. Pierce #78
18) Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7
19) Ed Yates, Orlando #74
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