Gulf South Thunder Valley results 2005-05-28

Hafertepe Love's ASCS Gulf South Action at Thunder Valley

UNION HILL, Tex. (May 28, 2005) -- Sam Hafertepe, Jr., made a late pass of Michael Herrington to record his first feature triumph of the year in Saturday night's 25-lap Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region feature at Thunder Valley Speedway.

The 19-year-old Texas racer rode the rim throughout to capture the checkered flag aboard the Wells-powered G-H Plumbing/Smiley's Race Products No. 15. Hafertepe's second career victory came at the same track at which he picked up win number one in March 2004.

It was Herrington who led the way early on, while Hafertepe challenged throughout on the high side. The pair battled side-by-side much of the way before Hafertepe finally took command with just a few laps remaining.

Soon after surrendering the lead, Herrington looped his machine and lost several positions. Defending ASCS Gulf South Region champion Jerry Bell took quick advantage to snare the runner-up slot in his first sprint start of 2005. Lane Whittington claimed the show position with Kent Lewis, Jr., in fourth. David Kulhanek recovered from an opening lap spin to round out the top five.

Herrington crossed the stripe sixth, with Stephen Chevallier, Tracy Knighton, Richard Holt and Scottie McDonald completing the top ten.

Hafertepe, Herring and Lewis topped heat race action, with rookie pilot Ty Johnson winning the B Main.

After a heat race flip, Greg Rilat surrendered the series point lead when he was unable to transfer from the B Main. Rilat slipped to eighth in points, while Whittington and McDonald are tied for series point lead entering tonight's action at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, LA, which is set to get under way at 7:30 p.m.

Results:

Heat Winners: Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Michael Herrington, Kent Lewis, Jr.

B Feature: 1. Ty Johnson, 2. Brad Stokes, 3. Rod Craddock, 4. Josh Lofton, 5. Terry Monroe, 6. Chris Sweeney, 7. Greg Rilat, 8. Larry Hartwell, 9. Cody Chisholm, 10. David Forbis, 11. Neil McCarl.

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 2. Jerry Bell, 3. Lane Whittington, 4. Kent Lewis, Jr., 5. David Kulhanek, 6. Michael Herrington, 7. Stephen Chevallier, 8. Tracy Knighton, 9. Richard Holt, 10. Scottie McDonald, 11. Greg Coleman, 12. Terry Monroe, 13. Ty Johnson, 14. Brad Stokes, 16. Chris Sweeney, 17. Bo Alexander, 18. Ray Allen Kulhanek, 19. Darryl Wills, 20. Josh Lofton.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. (tie) Lane Whittington and Scottie McDonald 818, 3. David Kulhanek 816, 4. Stephen Chevallier 806, 5. (tie) Ray Allen Kulhanek and Darryl Wills 800, 7. Chris Sweeney 798, 8. Greg Rilat 777, 9. Richard Holt 774, 10. Terry Monroe 660.

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