Night number two of the Late Model portion of the Winter Nationals at Volusia Raceway Park was held on Tuesday night, with an increased car count for the Late Models while the UMP Modifieds wrapped up their long stand at the track.
Before we move on to cover Tuesday night's happenings, I forgot to mention a couple of extra thoughts formed from Monday night's action. VSP has got it right when it comes to being "fan friendly" for this Winter experience. They allow the spectators to come into the pits until 3 p.m. each day without charge and wander all they want until that time at which they clear the pits and everyone must have an armband. But by doing so, it gives plenty of time for anyone who wants to see the race cars and talk to the drivers before they have to pay an extra charge for the pit pass. It already costs plenty to see these shows, but at least this way it allows people to see the cars up close and watch the crews in action while perhaps meeting a driver or two that they wouldn't get the chance to otherwise until after the races are over, when many people have to leave or don't want to hang around until a late hour to get the same chance. To me, it's just smart business sense to allow the fans the opportunity to mingle with the drivers and form a "bond" with them, something they can't do if all they ever see is the cars on the track. Plus, I'll bet it sure helps the T-Shirt sales for the drivers!
The real cool thing I forgot to mention from my opening night experience was the action at the "Gator Pond" in the lower pit area. For those that haven't been to VSP, there is a pit area that rings corners one and two and a lower pit set back behind and below the back chute. The pit surrounds a pond that indeed does hold two alligators, one of which I did see several times on Monday. He's a big one too, reported to be in the seven foot range and I saw some pictures of him lounging along the edge of the pond and he, indeed, looks at least that long. It is quite entertaining watching the gator as he glides around the pond, looking for a meal. There is a posted sign reminding folks not to feed the gator, as if anyone would be so foolish to do so. You can bet the race teams keep an eye out for him though, as they frequently use water from the pond to clean tires etc. I'm told that five to seven pound Bass have also been pulled from the pond and while I thought the people fishing in the pond were wasting their time, I did see one fisherman pull out a Bass while I was watching.
A few more drivers in the Late Model class rolled out their cars on Tuesday as they chose to get some laps in as the prepared for the bigger money shows as the week progresses. Fifty one Late Models signed in for Tuesday, the largest car count of the Late Model action so far with a couple more still expected. Jimmy Owens and Joey Coulter still haven't hit the track while Vic Coffey chose not to race while focusing on his big block Modified which ran some practice laps Tuesday night.
Chase Junghans wrecked his car on Monday, and with only one car left and him chasing World of Outlaws points, he will probably not run until their points start on Thursday night.
Richards dominated as he was both fast and lucky as he drew the pole and stepped away from the field quickly. The only potential challenge appeared to be when Jonathan Davenport used the high side to move into second and then was on Richards' bumper for a restart. However, on this night at least, Davenport had nothing for Josh and indeed fell back a spot to Tim McCreadie while still trying to work the top side of the track. Greg Satterlee ran second for a long time and looked to be ready for his best finish when he shockingly dropped like a rock following a couple of late yellows, eventually limping home well back in the field.
The starting lineup was a real mixture of drivers like Billy Ogle Jr, Steve Casebolt, Mark Whitener, Austin Rettig and Dale McDowell starting in the top five rows when none had shown much strength earlier. Rick Eckert probably got the Hard Charger award if one were offered as he started twenty fourth and finished fifth, a combination of hard charging and cars dropping out of the race.
The Modifieds have been on hand here racing every night since the Sprints started Winter Nationals way last week and many are starting to look a little used up. A number left after last night's big finale that paid five grand to win, but for those that chose to stick around for one more night, they were rewarded with an interesting final night of racing. Everyone on hand was divided into three groups with everyone allowed to run a feature race. The groups were bunched by points earned over the course of the week with all the high point cars in one race, the lower point cars in anotherj and the final feature was the lowest in points, with all being bunched together rather than being staggered. And to top it off, the top ten in each feature were inverted, so the top point driver in each race started tenth. The novel idea resulted in the three Modified winners starting eighth, tenth and fourth, not like the Late Models were the winners since I have been down here are mostly coming from the front two rows in their "heads up" starts. Kind of makes you wonder, right?
Illinois's Ray Bollinger, who has been running down here in Florida since the Sunshine State Mod Tour started what seems like months ago, concluded his racing in grand fashion, winning the feature for the high point cars.
As you might expect, Ken Schrader topped off the night with the quote of the week so far. Schrader drove Austin Dillon's car tonight when Dillon wasn't available and after having an awful racing week where Schrader didn't get a single top five finish, he finished third in one of the features Tuesday. When asked about it, Schrader responded by saying, "when you run like shit like I have all week, eventually someone will give you a fast car to drive." Leave it to racing's best ambassador to call a spade a spade.
The University of Northwestern Ohio has an awesome presence here at VSP with three semi trucks and four race cars, cared for by a flotilla of students outfitted in bright orange that nearly blinds you as you pass through their area of the pits. Unfortunately, in the two days I have seen them in action, they aren't racing near as well as they look.
After heavy over night rains, the track has some nasty bumps in the corners tonight as they rolled the track with the stream roller several times to try and smooth things out.
The biggest cheer(or groan) of the night, depending on your point of view, occurred early in the evening when only one lap into his heat race, Scott Bloomquist slowed with a cloud of smoke trailing from his car and his evening was done. I can't say for sure but I believe I saw Bloomquist exiting the grounds later after the program was concluded, perhaps heading home or possibly looking for a private place to change a motor away from interested eyes.
With the Modified program concluded Tuesday, big block Modifieds practiced several times over the course of the evening and the "ground pounders" already have thirty five cars on hand.
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