(Gainesville, GA; 7/8/2000) Kenny Adams of Malabar, FL led the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) 40-lap main event across the finish line Saturday night at Lanier National Speedway, but not before doing battle with Georgia's own pole-sitter Pete Walton of Fayetteville.

The flying Walton streaked to nearly a straightaway lead before scorching his right rear tire and having the fleet Adams start to reel him in.

"I saw him just pulling away from me, and I said man, Petey's really going and I was gettin' a little worried" said quick qualifier Adams. "Then I just tried to play it cool and not overdrive my setup while watching that old number 10 start to give smoke signals from the right rear and I said, he's coming back to me now. "

Adams passed Walton on lap 16, but Walton held onto second until lap 38. "I just couldn't go fast enough with that blistered tire to get the finish we should have had. It felt like I had a football on my right rear, being kicked end over end. I really thought it was going to shake all the teeth out of my head," said Walton. "I can't wait to have another shot at these guys next weekend."

Red Stauffer passed Walton for second on lap 38 and Chris Rogers moved by on lap 40 for third leaving Walton, Jim Raptis, Doug Day, rookie Chris Hall, Randy Helton, Wesley Hale, and Mike Love to complete the top ten.

Adams started the evening by setting fast time of 11.82 seconds (118 mph) and won the Power Dash from the pole. He then chased down Tampa's Nick Manikis on lap 9 to win his heat. The win was No. 11 in USCS competition, and he leads teammate Stauffer in the National points chase by a mere 2 points after the Lanier event.

Raptis won the other heat and the second place Red Stauffer took the Huggins Cams "Hardcharger" award after blowing an engine in hot laps and starting last.

The All Star Motorsports/Hart Racing top rookie award went to British native, Chris Hall, for his seventh place finish. Hall was in his first sprint car race ever, after years of sports car and stock car racing.

Another bright spot was Doug Day, who made his first asphalt appearance in over 10 years and qualified third quick and finished 6th in the main. C&R Racing Radiators "I'm Cool" awards went to Wesley Hale and Kenny Hart.

-Jimmy Jeep-

==A Main Results==

1. Kenny Adams
2. Red Stauffer
3. Chris Rogers
4. Pete Walton
5. Jim Raptis
6. Doug Day
7. Chris Hall
8. Randy Helton
9. Wesley Hale
10. Mike Love

Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!