Dave Darling said he was forced to use his backup car for the evening but the circumstances proved it was no handicap, as he easily led the 40 lap feature from lap 14 to the checkers. The older car was not showing its age as Darling moved easily from starting in fourth into third behind Dick Houlihan on lap two and then second behind Rocket Ryan Vanasse on lap ten.
Fast Freddy Astle was also on top of things, starting ninth, and moving to eighth, then passing Ryan Lineham for seventh as Lineham’s car struggled on the evening.Astle moved into fifth behind Bobby Pelland III on lap four, then past on lap nine. Pelland had been fading, but this was the end of it, as he began moving forward once again, getting by Houlihan onto Astle’s bumper on lap 13.
Lineham’s problems continued, as lap 15 saw him spin in turn two. This set the field for the restart with Darling on the pole and Vanasse on his shoulder. Astle and Pelland were row two, followed by Houlihan and Kenny Spencer. Darling nosed out and had the lead to himself in turn one. Freddy went under Vanasse and took second while Tom Scully, Jr. made a masteful move to get by both Houli and Spencer.
The race’s only restart was passed and the field set to high speed work for the remainder. Astle attempted to move in on Darling, but he was too fast. Behind them, Pelland and Vanasse were now debating over position while Scully was side-by-side with Spencer. Mike Brightman followed with Kevin Folan now battling alongside Houlihan.
Lap 19 saw more of the same, while Brightman went to work underneath Spencer. Kyle Casper suffered mechanical problems and retired to the pits. Last week’s winner, Angelo Belsito, was also struggling with his car, but managed to get under Folan for position. He followed up by running to Rick Martin’s bumper.
Scully had been running fifth and now was all over Vanasse, looking to improve his lot, but finding the going difficult. Though he nosed under, Vanasse was able to pull ahead and drop into the groove. Scully replied by locking on to Vanasse’s rear end and continuing to try to cross under. Vanasse, meanwhile was still battling Pelland over third spot, who in turn wanted to deprive Astle of second.
Darling, meanwhile, was having a night for himself. He led Astle by fifteen cars and the four-car battle behind him was playing into his hands and keeping his challengers tied up with each other.
Belsito was still trying, but could not crack Kenny Spencer. He dropped in behind and the field now formed a pace line. The leading 12 cars held position from lap 27 to the finish.
Darling was under the checkers 3 seconds up on Astle. Pelland had solved his argument with Vanasse with a third place and Vanasse grabbed fourth. Scully was fifth, ahead of Brightman, Spencer, Belsito, Houlihan and Kevin Casper.
PRO STOCKS
BACKUP CAR IS THE CHARM AS DARLING WINS PRO STOCKS
DARLING DUMPS THE FORD AND DRIVES THE CHEVY TO VICTORY LANE