SAMSULA, FLORIDA - David Rogers drove a low racing line using his track championship experience posting victory in FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model 125 racing Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway leading the final eight laps on the one-half mile oval.
Tires in the waning laps also proved to be a problem for both Rogers and second place finisher Aric Almirola, but it was a quick moving Rogers at the right time, driving a Dodge, who had absolute control at the end finishing with a 10 car margin of victory.
It was Rogers first 2003 Sunbelt victory after being denied several times this season with mechanical problems while holding a comfortable lead.
"It has been a long time since I won a Sunbelt race and this feels great," said Rogers. "My car was never good as Aric's and I knew if I was going to pass him, he would have to slip up just a little."
Almirola led for 78 laps, but finally succumbed to Rogers in lap 117 on the backstretch after both opened a 25-car lead over third place finisher David Froelich.
"I hate losing to anybody, but if I'm going to lose I'm glad it's to someone like David Rogers, because he really knows his way around this place," said Almirola, who is fighting off the flu. "The car kind of went away on us but, it was great at the beginning of the run."
An early quick Froelich led for 21 laps, but he just didn't have the car for the long haul. Froelich seemed pleased with his run even after finishing a distant third.
"We finally got the monkey off are back," said Froelich. "We set fast time here back in July."
Almirola was awarded fast time turning New Smyrna in 18.202 seconds or 98.89 mph after Dick Anderson was disqualified for a carburetor infraction. Twenty-three drivers qualified. After the No. 9 pill was drawn, it was Eric Black on the pole.
A fourth place finishing Black led for 18 laps and was one of four race leaders. Jay Middleton after two early pit stops manages a fifth place finish.
Anderson departed after several racing laps after joining the starting field during warm up.
Black held the lead over Wayne Anderson, Froelich, Bruce Lawrence, Sr., and Justin Drawdy. Just as Anderson pulled off, Barry Willoughby found his car loose after a nick and he spun coming off turn two. Middleton and Fain Skinner both were also involved. Middleton and Skinner were able to make pit repairs, but Willoughby retired from the race.
Black, Froelich, Lawrence, Sr., Drawdy and Almirola were in the top five in lap seven. On lap nine, FASCAR point leader Wayne Anderson retired from the race.
On a lap 24 restart it's Froelich, Black, Almirola, Lawrence, Sr., and Rogers. By lap 29, Almirola had moved past Black for second with Rogers passing Lawrence, Sr., for fourth. Now it is Froelich, Almirola, Black, Rogers, and Lawrence, Sr.
In lap 48, the new leader is Almirola followed by Froelich, Rogers, Black and Lawrence, Sr.
Froelich had some extra company as Rogers makes ready to take over second spot. Rogers took over second from Froelich.
A lap 89 caution turned red as Mac Johnson and Jacob Warren got together in turns one and two. Both drivers are not injured, but there's fluid on the track stopping the race. James Powell III retired from the race.
In lap 90, Almirola, Rogers, Froelich, Black and Good are the top five. Good is challenged for fifth by a quick moving Brian Finney.
In lap 94, Lawrence, Sr. spins coming down the front straightaway and his fender sails into the fence, but no one is injured.
On another restart, Almirola still holds the lead. By lap 102, eight cars out of the 23-car starting field are left racing.
During lap 115, Rogers had his tires lose their bite during an effort to pass a tough Almirola after some tough side-by-side racing.
Almirola now finds Rogers lining him up once again trying to make a pass for the lead. Rogers is finally able to negotiate a pass in lap-117 as Almirola's car begins to fade.
Rogers takes the checkered flag followed by Almirola, Froelich, Black and Middleton.
The next race for the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series race will be October 18 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland.
