Lonesome Pine race notes 2003-05-24

Blevins continues Sportsman win streak

Coeburn, VA- Young Brian Blevins from Clintwood, VA, claimed his third victory of the season this Saturday during the Norton Press 260 at Lonesome Pine Raceway.

Undefeated, Blevins (40) seems to have picked up where his grandfather and competitor, Paul Shull (48) left off at the end of the 2002 season. Shull won the Double Kwik 2 Kwik Pole Award with Blevins starting the race outside the front row. Blevins overtook Shull early in the race and held on to a commanding lead throughout the feature.

A lengthy red flag was displayed after a hard spin by the 22 of Roger Neece damaged the backstretch guardrail. Neece was not injured in the accident and went on to run the Grand Stock race later in the evening. Brad Housewright (0) and Jack Wagner (7) were also involved in the spin.

Finishing behind Blevins to round out the top five were Shull, Tommy Spangler (29), Travis Watson (20) and Chris Tunnell (6).

In a special appearance at LPR, ten area pastors took to the track in the 2nd Annual Fastor Pastor Race. The pastors were driving Pure Stock 4 cars borrowed from the division drivers. Perhaps one of the most breath taking moments of the night was when the 99 car of Bobby Joe Spencer spun with the 65 truck of Lee Stidham. Spencer, from the Auxier Freewill Baptist Church and Stidham, from the Haven of Praise Church both walked away from the spin and were able to continue the race.

The event, which is also a fundraiser for the participating churches, brought fans to their feet as these rookie drivers completed 15 laps. Greg Baker of Trinity Life Church claimed his first victory at LPR. Following behind Baker were Danny Mullins (Davis Chapel of Norton), Ben Murphy (1st Church of God), Wayne Hagar (Zion Family Ministries), Lee Stidham (Haven of Praise), Don Musick (Cedar Creek Baptist), Quinten Scholtz (Pikeville Methodist Church), Bobby Joe Spencer (Auxier Freewill Baptist), John McCarroll (Trinity Life Church) and Ken LeMaster (Allen Christ United Methodist).

In the Pepsi of Norton Grand Stock race, Neece claimed victory after the original winner, Alan Woodruff, was disqualified during post race inspections. While contending for the lead, the 25 of Rob Austin sustained contact with the lap car of Ray Lester (3). Both cars were able to continue the race after some work. Rounding out the top five were the 5 of Jason Dockery, 05 of Tony Dockery, 4 of Darrell Hurley and the 29 of Chris Tunnell.

Coming back to his dominating ways was the 88 Vic's Decorating Modified 4 of Kirby Gobble. Gobble started the race on the Kidd Tire Pole position and maintained his lead throughout the 30 lap feature. Troy O'Quinn (37) battled behind Gobble, looking for a chance to take the lead. O'Quinn finished the event second with the 16 of Freddie Taylor Jr. in third. Rounding out the top five was Jack Osborne (33) and Joe White (26).

In other racing action, Larry McKnight (7) claimed the Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4 win. McKnight also won the NAPA of Pound and Wise Pole position. The 65 of Jamie "Moonshine" Mills battled with the 18 of Scotty McMurray for much of the race. After a four car spin, the restart gave McMurray the opportunity to pass Mills. McMurray claimed second a couple of laps after the restart. Finishing in the top five for the night were McKnight, McMurray, Mills, the 44 of Jake Broadwater and the 99 of Bobby Gobble.

Making their second race at LPR were the Legends cars. Jeff Jordan (99) claimed the victory and told the crowd he plans on returning to LPR for the great Legends racing. C.D. Candler (51) came in second with Jay Young (71) in third. The winner of the first Legends race at LPR, Greg Turner (64) came in fourth with Steve Price (70) in fifth. The Legends division returns to action on June 14th for the Pepsi 260.

The Morgan-McClure Late Model Stock Car results are not official at this time. Results and information will be posted as soon as available.

Lonesome Pine Raceway returns to action this Saturday, May 31st for the Holiday Inn & Whelen Engineering 265. On the slate for the evening are twin 50's for the Morgan-McClure Late Models, the Honda of Prestonsburg Limited Sportsman, Pepsi of Norton Grand Stocks, Vic's Decorating Modified 4's, Community Trust Bank Pure Stock 4's, and the Pro Challenge Series. Racing begins at 7 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Adult tickets are $10, students and seniors are $6 and children 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.lpraceway.com.

-lpr-