Four Time NLMS Champion Lloyd Wins Super Late Feature Event
By Tera Gunter
Ivedent Lloyd and Roger Crouse lead a pack of late models through a turn at Putnam County Speedway.
Eighteen super late models showed up for the $3000 to win feature event to a packed house at Putnam County Speedway Park Saturday night. Fans were treated to an awesome example of power and speed as these dirt track giants roared onto the 3/8 mile banked clay oval.
Roger Crouse and Keith Nosbisch lined up in the front row with Nosbisch taking the lead out of turn 2. Marshall Austin Sr. and Ivedent Lloyd thrilled the fans with great side by side action before Lloyd passed Austin and took off after Bodine Massengill. Nosbisch held onto his lead through several cautions for wrecks and debris on the track.
By lap 4, Lloyd was challenging Crouse for the second position. After passing Crouse, Lloyd set his sights on Nosbisch, as Brandon Camerone challenged Johnny Collins and Austin. After dispatching both Austin and Collins, Camerone and Crouse dueled for third. Lloyd continued to pressure Nosbisch until on lap 9, Nosbisch got loose out of turn 2 and Lloyd dove low to take the lead.
Crouse pulled away from Camerone and on lap 10, Lloyd, Nosbisch, and Crouse had a good lead over the rest of the field and Lloyd lapped the rear of the field. Lloyd set his machine on warp speed and by lap 42, Lloyd had lapped Crouse, who was running in third place. Crouse passed Nosbisch to take the second position and by the end of the race, Lloyd was knocking on Crouse’s back door.
Early in the race Keith Nosbich was leading, and then along came Lloyd.
Lloyd, a four-time National Late Model Series Champion and current series point leader, led Crouse, Nosbisch, and Austin, and to the checkered flag.
Hobby stocks provided their usual entertaining feature event and fans were glad to see Mike Scranton back in action. Multiple lead changes ensued amongst William Martin, Ron Frank, David Miller, and Michael Tovet. Once the field settled down, Tovet was in the lead with Mike Scranton hotly challenging him.
A father-son duel took place as David Dowling Sr. challenged David Dowling Jr.’s position before Dave Sr. fell victim to car problems. Scranton also exited the track due to mechanical failure. Tovet continued to maintain his lead as Dave Jr. placed multiple challenges on Miller. Tovet led Miller, with Dowling Jr. hot on his rear, Martin, and Robert Hicks to the checkered flag.
Open-wheeled modifieds thundered onto the track with fans glad to see Ronnie Soltis back in action. Jamie Carter and Roger Crouse started in the front row and Crouse took the lead. Crouse dispatched Carter leaving Carter to hold off a hard charging Jason Lowe before Lowe passed Carter in turn 2.
Crouse had a good lead as Lowe set his sights on the race leader while holding off a hotly challenging Carter as he ticked off the laps closing in on Crouse. Point leader Owen challenged Mike Tripp for several entertaining laps with Tripp holding Owen off before Owen managed to get around Tripp on lap 17.
Lowe held off Carter as he continued to seek Crouse out. Crouse’s ride failed him on lap 19, handing the lead to Lowe. After dispatching Tripp, Owen and Soltis thoroughly entertained fans as they battled for third place. Owen passed Soltis on lap 20 and homed in on Carter. Carter held Owen off as Lowe led Carter, Owen, Soltis, and Tripp to the checkered flag.
Jay Farris proved he had the ride to beat tonight in the mini stock feature as Steve Bennett and Daniel Nasworthy line dup in the front row. Farris passed Nasworthy and honed in on Bennett. Farris snatched the lead from Bennett as point leader Blake Spencer moved thru the field.
Mechanical failure cost Bennett a good finish as he began losing positions by lap 4. Keith Briggs maintained a steady pace through the feature. Farris gained a good lead over the field as Spencer valiantly fought to catch up. Farris lead Spencer, Briggs, and Nasworthy to victory lane.
An entertaining battle broke out between Shawn Pawlak and Justin Dean in the box stock feature. Pawlak took the lead with Tallie Lewis falling into second. Dean, who started midway through the field began moving up to challenge Lewis for position. Dean and Pawlak entertained the fans before Dean’s ride failed and Pawlak took the feature over Wayne Pawlak, Lewis, Jack Miller, and John Stacy.
Racing resumes at 7:30pm at the speedway Saturday, August 5, with the first leg of a three race Modified Summer Shootout and a Kids Trophy Dash on the card. Visit the track’s website at www.putnamcountyspeedway.com for more information.
