Gumout Series Terra Haute finale

Meyers Wins Season Finale
By Kendra Jacobs

TERRE HAUTE, IN (Oct. 14)- Jason Meyers came into the 2000 season as a rookie. Racing primarily in California, Meyers had never seen over half of the venues scheduled for the Gumout Racing Series inaugural season. It doesn't take him long to catch on though. Meyers win at the Terre Haute Action Track was his second win of the season, with the first at Lernerville Speedway. Meyers knows when to make a move and what lap counts. He has only led four laps of his two wins combined. His consistency during the season landed him a fourth place finish in the Gumout Racing Series Point Standings. This being higher than any other rookie candidate, earned him the Brodix Rookie of the Year title.

"This is a great way to finish out the year. My guys [Preston Cross, Darren Carter] did a heck of a job all year long and especially tonight," Meyers stated. "This series gave me a chance to get out on the road and prove what we can do, and I think we did a good job of that this year. I'd like to come back and win the championship next year."

While he did not find himself in Victory Lane, Craig Dollansky had his own celebration in the Terre Haute pit area. By starting the "A" Feature, Dollansky wrapped up the 2000 Gumout Racing Series point championship. Dollansky's second place finish found him ending the season 94 points ahead of Paul McMahan.

Kenny Jacobs and Paul McMahan made up the front row of the "A" Feature, with Dollansky starting in fourth position and Meyers starting in fifth. Jacobs jumped out into the early lead with McMahan, Dollansky, Meyers and Kelly Kinser filing in behind. With just one lap completed, Greg Wilson in the Hampshire owned #63 stopped on the frontstretch, bringing out the yellow. Wilson did not restart.

Jacobs held onto his lead, as McMahan succumbed to both Dollansky and Meyers. Dollansky began to reel in the leader before taking the lead from Jacobs on lap seven. Meyers moved forward to battle Jacobs for the second position, but Jacobs managed to hold on. As Dollansky entered lapped traffic he managed to put a straightaway between he and Jacobs. Randy Kinser moved into the top five as he passed McMahan in turn three. Two laps later, on lap 12, Meyers dove low in turn three to take over the second position.

Meyers began to battle Dollansky for the lead on lap 15, but couldn't make a move. Meyers moved to the highside of the track, but couldn't gain momentum over the leader. Three laps later, the top five were equally separated on the racing surface.

Lap 22 saw the second caution of the evening as Jeff Shepard in the York Excavating/CAT Construction #4J stopped with a flat right rear tire. Danny Smith also pulled into the work area. Both men were able to restart the race. On the restart, Dollansky dove to the bottom as Meyers charged to the high side. Exiting turn two, Meyers barely edged out the 2000 Champion for the lead. Meyers held on to win the 25-lap feature event by ½ straightaway over Dollansky, Jacobs, Kelly Kinser and Randy Kinser.

Jeff Shepard won his ninth Huggins Fast Time Award with a time of 16.851. Terry McCarl in his self-owned #24 passed seven cars en route to winning his first KSE Hard Charger Award.

The Gumout Racing Series is now looking toward its sophomore year in action. A 2001 schedule is expected to be released near the end of October.