Date: Sunday August 31, 5:40 AM
Fu rther Info: Larry Thomas: lthomas@concordmotorsportpark.com (704) 782 4221

Kevin Love claims second 2008 win, extends points lead.

CONCORD, N.C. – Kevin Love of Midland, driver of the #88 A Plus Auto Salvage / Sogo Japanese Steakhouse 2006 Ford Fusion claimed his second Town & Country Ford Late Model Stock Car win of the season Saturday night at Concord Motorsport Park.  Other winners of J R D Earthworks Night at the Races for the NASCAR All-American Series included Michael Van Wingerden of Concord in the #23 Metrolina Greenhouses / Dillon Products Thunder Car; Jeff Melton of Monroe was in the right place at the right time twice Saturday, winning the J R D Earthworks Limited Late Model event in the #6 Chevrolet and the Coca-Cola Pure Stock race in the #8 R M Machine Chevy Nova.  The Interstate Electric Southeast Mini Cup race was awarded to James Aurentz of Beckley, West Virginia and Chad Miller of Concord was victor in the Tim Marburger Honda Fast & Furious Fours.

Three-time Late Model Stock Car Champ Kevin Love led almost flag to flag in the 75-lap Late Model Stock run, having started from the outside front row beside pole-sitter Randy Burnett in the #14 Advance Payroll Services Chevy.  Love powered through the outside line of Turn One to emerge in the lead that he would not give up for the entire run.
”We’ve been struggling this year” said Love in Victory Lane.  “But, we’re really getting it together here at the end of the season.  Love win gave him a 20-point lead over Chuck Crump in the championship standings. Burnett, of Fenton, MO. Garnered a close second, last race-winner Terry Brooks, Jr. of Concord crossed in third; Chuck Crump, of Star, NC finished fourth and Justin Hill rounded out the top five.

The INEX Thunder Cars, formally known as Thunder Roadsters before the latest winged, aerodynamic body covered the tires, put on another tight show in their third appearance of the season.  Michael Van Wingerten posted his second victory of the season with Brandon Thompson of St. Cloud, FL second; Kyle Beattie of nearby Indian Trail third; Taylor Hull of Winston, GA fourth and Jim Fluharty of Concord fifth.

The most spirited event of the evening was easily the J R D Earthworks Limited Late Model affair.  The fireworks erupted in the closing laps when on lap 39 six-time 2008 winner Mike Terry of Charlotte’s first position was being hotly contested by four-time 2008 winner Jay Payne of Thomasville when the cars made contact in Turn Two and both wound up sliding to a smoking, bent-up stop. As a difference of opinion of who did what to whom on the track came to a boil in the spotter’s stand, third running Jeff Melton motored by to the lead.  A green-white-checkers finish was called for and on the closing lap, as Melton was taking the checkered flag, the #23 of Mike Terry and the #48 of Kenny Sigmon of Denver, NC wound up in another smoldering pile in Turn Three leading to yet another… uh…discussion, yeah that’s it… discussion… over who had the right of way.  Steve Ackerly of Medford, NY in the #66 Ford was second; Jerry Miracle, D.D.S. of Monroe picked up third; jay Payne crossed in fourth and Bobby Cooper of Burnsville finished fifth.

The Interstate Electric Southeast Mini Cup Cars contingent made their first-ever stop on the half-mile TriOval Saturday. These scale cars put on a great display with James Aurentz winning the contest.  Ed Peters of Elon, NC finished a close second; Doug Barnes of Burlington third; Zach Clifton fourth and Wade Fogleman of New River, NC fifth.

Jesse Bunnell of Monroe crossed the line first in the Coca-Cola Pure Stock tilt, but failed post-race scrutiny when his engine did not pull the required seventeen pounds of vacuum at idle.  Thus, Jeff Melton would claim another win on the night as his second-place finish was moved up.  Cooper Faassen of Monroe inherited second place in the #11 Wilburn Auto Body Chevy; Points leader Charles Hutto of Monroe finished third; Clinton Baker of Charleston, Illinois fourth and Patricia Markin of Toledo, Ohio fifth.

In Friday night’s Legends and Bandoleros action on the quarter mile the winners were:  In the RPM Pro-Formance Legends cars- Pros- Daniel Hemric of Kannapolis, NC #21 '34 Ford Coupe.  Masters- Charles Kiser Walnut Cove, NC #28 Clay Hair Motorsports / DSR '34 Ford Coupe.  Semi Pros- Brandon Lynn Charlotte, NC #97 Carolina Earthworks car. Charger Semi Pros- Jordan Stillwell Kannapolis, NC #57.  In the Bandoleros divisions: Outlaws- Brett Peppicelli York, SC #11; Young Guns- Noah Triplett Lexington, NC #70 Ace Homes / NASCAL Bandolero; Bandits- Jesse Little Sherrill's Ford, NC #03 Bandolero; Beginner Bandits- Carson Ferguson Charlotte, NC #10 Bandolero.

In the coming week, The USAC Ford Focus Midgets, WKA Go-Karts and Stadium Stocks race on the quarter-mile Tuesday (not Wednesday this week) beginning at 6:30 PM.

Friday September 5th and Saturday September 6th INEX Legends and Bandoleros compete on the quarter-mile asphalt oval.  Pit gates open at 5:30 PM both dates.  Heat races follow the driver’s meeting that is scheduled for approximately 7:20 and features follow the heat races after a short pre-race presentation.

The half-mile TriOval will not be operating Saturday as we defer to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

 Concord Motorsport Park is located on Highway 601 South of Concord.  For information call 704-782-4221 or visit the website at www.concordmotorsportpark.com

Points Standings effective August 30, 2008

Town & Country Ford Late Model Stock Cars

J R D Earthworks Limited Late Model

Coca-Cola Pure Stock

Tim Marburger Honda Fast & Furious Fours