Henry Carter Wins NLMS Feature as 32nd Annual Raceweeks Opens
by Steve A. Howell Barberville, Fla - 2002 NLMS Champion Henry Carter of Kite (GA) picked up the win as the 32nd Annual Raceweeks got underway at Volusia Speedway Park located just out- side Daytona Beach, Fla.
Raceweeks got underway on Friday night as better than 30 NLMS cars took advantage of an open practice session. On Saturday night as Jameson Inn Qualifying would get under- way a field of fifty-six National Late Models would take there time on the clock to claim there spot in the five heat races later than evening. Henry Carter who did not practice on Friday night would set fast-time and win the first heat to claim the front row starting spot in Sunday afternoon's feature. Carter would take the number one spot with 2001 NLMS Champion Ivedent Lloyd Jr. on the ouside after Lloyd would take the win in the second heat. Greg Ward would take the third heat with Dan Kirsey taking the fourth heat. Deewayne Johnson was dialed in to take the fifth heat race. As the heats were completed and the top three in each heat transferring into Sunday afternoons 100 lap main event several drivers took advantage of a last practice session with forty cars in three last chance races Sunday to gain their spot in the main event. The last chance races which are always very intense as tempers flare, frustration sets in leaving several drivers disappointed. Stacey Roberts of Sylvester (GA) who finished in the top 10 in points last year was one of those not making the show. "It's disappointing" said Roberts. "This is a race you want to be part of, and to be involved in a incident on the first lap of the first consi, I'm very disappointed" added Roberts. Hollywood FL's Joe Kump would take the first consi win with 2002 Bert's Transmission Rookie of the Year Bobby Padgett taking the second win with former Volusia Speed- way Park Track Champion Paul George taking the third win.
With the field set and drivers introduction completed the 26 NLMS cars would take the green flag. Henry Carter would wave on lap 15 when Ormond Beach Fla's Steve Lade and Dennis Hall would make contact. Carter would maintain the lead as he and Ivedent would run nose to tail. As they raced door handle to door handle thru turns one and two and down the back straight, Cafrter would stay on the high side as Ivedent would get by bringing the car of Greg Ward and Michael Lloyd by as Carter would drop in line in the fourth position. On lap 27 Dewayne Johnson who was running in the eight position would make contact with the front straight away wall to bring out the caution. Johnson would enter the pits to the attention of his crew who changed the right-rear tire and sent him back to the field. One driver who was making an impressive run was Michael Lloyd who would move into second behind the leader Ivedent. With Ivedent still at the point and Michael Lloyd in second, Greg Ward in third, veteran driver Tuck Trentham would move his machine into the fourth position. At lap 65 Dennis Hall would lose control of his mount taking out Jay Carpenter who had been running in the top ten after an impressive run on Saturday night. Cecil Eunice would enter the pit area on lap 84 ending his night. At lap 85 David Shugart who was running in the fifth position would slow with a right rear tire down. As crews began to scramble it appeared some cars were losing right rear tires with only a handful of laps remaining. As the green waived to restart the remaining 13 laps the second place car of Michael Lloyd would slow down the front straight with a right rear as well as the third place car of Greg Ward. With officials of VSP inspecting the track for reported debris in turn one, Trentham had made his way into second behind Ivedent with Carter now into third and a very impressive Terry Lumley of Swainsboro (GA) would make his return with the "Southern Dirt Tour" would be in the fourth position.
As the field would restart with 6 laps remaining Trentham would slow with a right rear down as well as fourth place runner of Lonnie Roberts. With just 3 laps remaining leader Ivedent Lloyd would slow turning the lead over to Henry Carter. Carter would hold off Lumley for the win with Johnny Collins in third. "This is great" said a happy Carter. "I hate it for Ivedent but I want to thank him for helping me this weekend" Carter added. "We had really struggled here and I talked to Ivedent during the week and he help me out with my car. We unloaded it was good, Saturday night during the heat it was good so we felt it would be good the later the feature got on Sunday evenings" also said Carter.
FINISH
1. Henry Carter 2. Terry Lumley 3. Johnny Collins 4. Tuck Trentham 5. Patrick Sheltra 6. Joe Kump 7. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. 8. Michael Lloyd 9. Greg Ward 10. David Shugart 11. Lonnie Roberts 12. Chuck Julien 13. Bobby Padgett 14. Jimmy Britts 15. Cecil Eunice 16. Dewayne Johnson 17. Brent Chilson 18. Jay Carpenter 19. Scott Singler 20. Dennis Hall 21. David Clegg 22. Bret Carlton 23. Paul George 24. Steve Lade 25. David Kirsey 26. Lawton Minchew
