Greenville-Pickens race notes 2004-04-17

Marty Ward cracks Victory Lane at Greenville-Pickens Speedway

GREENVILLE, SC (April 17, 2004)- Marty Ward's season finally got off on the right foot Saturday, but the defending track champion's first trip to victory lane of the 2004 season did not come without a struggle.

Ward jumped to a fast lead as the green flag was dropped, powering his Norris Ford with a crate engine to the point ahead of Kenneth Headen's Chevrolet, David Roberts' Dodge and Gene Morgan's Ford. An early spin by Headen dropped the co-points leader back to fifth, but he rapidly made his way back up through the field by overtaking first Morgan, then Roberts to move up on the bumper of leader Ward.

On lap 30, fast qualifier Morgan had mechanical problems with his Ford and spun into the turn three wall ending his night. That rebunched the field and set up a 10 lap shootout between Headen and Ward, but Headen's charge was quelled when his Chevrolet brushed the wall and he dropped back 3 car lengths. As the white flag fell, Headen had regained his momentum but it proved to be too little, too late, and Ward held on to score his first win of the new 2004 season.

"It has been a rough start for us this year, but hopefully we've got all the bugs out now and we're back on track," Ward said in victory lane after the race. "It has been some getting used to this new engine this year, but I think we are finally back to where we need to be."

Headen's second place showing gave him soul possession of the Late Model points lead. David Roberts of Simpsonville was third, with Greenville's Richie Croley finishing fourth. Blair Addis continued his strong early season showing by placing fifth.

It was a father-son double win for the Sams family Saturday at GPS, as father Tim Sams took the Super Charger checkers, and son Josh drove to victory in the Charger Two main event. Tim advanced his way to the front of the Super Charger pack, with Robbie Jackson placing season. Liberty's Chris Meinders was third.

Josh Sams scored the Charger Two victory by getting a quick jump from his front row starting spot. Sams held off Jeff Shiflett and Joel Cox in the closing laps to secure the win.

In the Charger One feature, Hendersonville, NC's Jason Morrow scored his second season win by leading from start to finish in the caution free event. Greenville's Robert Horton moved up from back of the pack to challenge Morrow but settled for a second place finish. Last week's winner Chris Black was third, with Jamie Altop placing fourth. Gary Stokes round out the top five.

Jeff Key got his second Renegade win of the season. Gary Greenwood, Sr. was second, with Rickey Mann placing third.

In the Renegade Two event, Trey Padgett took his first win of the season, with Nick Sears placing second. Points leader Chad Hunter placed third.

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