By John Berti, Editor
Karnac.com Southern Short Track News

Tampa, FL -May 10, 2008- Rich Pratt became the 84th different winner in National Late Model Series competition, over the fourteen year history of the series, as he took the checkers in the prestigious third annual Airgas “Scott Thompson Memorial Race” at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday night. The win earned Pratt $3,000 plus $800 in bonus money for leading lap 38. The significance of lap 38 being it was the car number of the Late Model Thompson raced.

The “Scott Thompson Memorial Race” is run as a tribute to Scott Thompson, the 2005 Late Model champion at Volusia (FL) Speedway Park, who was running for the 2006 Bert Transmission Rookie of the Year title with the National Late Model Series when his life was cut short in a highway automobile accident.

Mark Whitener was the fastest qualifier from time trials with a circuit around the “Clay by the Bay” in 15.932 seconds. The top ten qualifiers from time trials earned automatic, heads up births in the feature race. Joining Mark Whitener were Patrick Williams driving the #38 car from the same racing stable as Thompson raced, Jay Johnson; Steve Mathis; Tyler Ivey; Josh Peacock; Jackie Nosbisch, Jr.; Pratt; David Whitener; and Keith Nosbisch.

The remainder of the field qualified through three heats which were won by Shane Williams, Jeff Mathews and Shan Smith.

After an emotional pre-race ceremony the 27 car field was now set for the 50 lap A Main event. Flagman, Julian Mullis, dropped the green flag and Mark Whitener immediately dashed out into the lead. At lap ten the running order of the top ten was Mark Whitener; Mathis; Patrick Williams; Ivey; Josh Peacock; Johnson; Jackie Nosbisch, Jr.; Pratt; Smith; and David Whitener.

The first caution of the night came out for Kent Corbin who had a flat tire on lap 16.

On the restart Mathis got the better of Mark Whitener to become the second race leader. Josh Peacock dropped out of the competition on lap 20. Ivey spun out on lap 23 while running fourth and picked up the rear of the field.

As the field went back to green the top ten were Mathis; Mark Whitener; Patrick Williams; Jackie Nosbisch, Jr.; Pratt; Mathews; Keith Nosbisch; Johnson; Smith and Bill Howard. Pratt was the man on the move.

The half way point of the race saw Mathis still in charge with Pratt passing Mark Whitener for second, Patrick Williams was fourth with Mathews moving into the top five.

Pratt wrestled the lead away from Mathis on lap 29. With 20 laps to go the top five were Pratt, Mathis, Mathews, Keith Nosbisch and Patrick Williams.

Mathews got by Mathis for second on lap 32 with Keith Nosbisch taking over the third spot from Mathis on lap 39.

With ten laps to go Pratt still had a healthy lead over Mathews with Keith Nosbisch, Mathis, and Patrick Williams in tow.

Mark Whitener got by both Patrick Williams and Mathis on lap 41 to move up into fourth. Jackie Nosbisch, Jr. followed Mark Whitener through to gain the fifth spot dropping Mathis and Patrick Williams to sixth and seventh respectively.

As the checkered flag waved it was victory for Pratt followed by Mathews, Keith Nosbisch, Mark Whitener and Jackie Nosbisch, Jr.

Pratt admitted, in the post race interview that “I concentrated as much as I could.” Pratt added, “I raced against the Thompson family for many years. I'm fortunate and honored to win this race.”

Ray Miller, NLMS Director, capped off victory lane ceremonies when he appropriately said, “There's never a bad race at East Bay.”


Results:
National Late Model Series Airgas "Scott Thompson Memorial Race"
May 10, 2008
East Bay Raceway Park
Tampa, FL


1. Rich Pratt

2. Jeff Mathews

3. Keith Nosbisch

4. Mark Whitener

5. Jackie Nosbisch, Jr.

6. Steve Mathis

7. Patrick Williams

8. Tyler Ivey

9. Jay Johnson

10. Travis Varnadore

11. Shan Smith

12. Clay Bedenbaugh

13. Matt Miller

14. JR Prather Jr.

15. Brandon Cameron

16. Bo Allen

17. Cheryl Cochran

18. Tim Gay

19. Wallace Peacock

20. Bill Howard

21. Jimmy Waldrop

22. Shane Williams

23. Kent Corbin

24. Josh Peacock

25. David Whitener

26. Dan Darnell

27. Al Larson

Support division results: Top 5

20 lap Street Stock Main: 1. Danny Hill, 2. Matthew Grissom, Donnie Reed, Buck Skinner, Buck Woodhouse

20 lap Limited Sprint Main: 1. Greg Leonard, 2. Paulie Milum, Tim George, Travis Bliemeister, David Jones

20 lap 4 Cylinder Bomber Main: 1. Collin Cruse, 2. Colonel Miller, 3.George Christenson, 4. Paul Huffstutler 5. Roberto Morfin



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