Date: Sunday May 11, 2008 3:00 AM
Further Info: Larry Thomas (704) 782-4221 or lthomas@concordmotorsportpark.com 

JEFF MELTON CLAIMS FIRST 2008 LATE MODEL TROPHY

CONCORD, N.C. –  Jeff Melton of Concord, in the A-1 Automotive - W. D. Wade     2008 Chevrolet Impala SS picked up his first Town & Country Ford Late Model Stock Car Victory of the 2008 Season Saturday night during Whelen Engineering Night at the Races at Concord Motorsport Park.  Other winners of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events were: Michael Van Wingerten in the Metrolina Greenhouses / Dillon Products Thunder Roadsters; Mike Terry of Charlotte, driving the J R D Earthworks / Truck Service of Charlotte / Maaco Paint & Body / Racing Electronics 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the 40-lap JRD Earthworks limited late model feature; Todd Bradburry of Rialto, CA in the Bench Built Transmissions Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola Pure Stock feature and Tracy Mullis of Indian Trail, NC driving the Miracle Dental Center / Spencer Morgan (Autism Foundation) "THE ENFORCER" Honda Prelude in the 20-lap fast and furious fours feature.

The front of the pack wasn’t the best place to be in the Town & Country Ford Late Model Stock Cars main event.  Shaun Mangum led early in his #25 Chevy, but lost a cylinder on lap 42 of the 75-lap event, drooping quickly to third as Chuck Crump in his #8 Ford  grabbed the lead when Mangum’s mount faltered.  Melton showed plenty of patience and in lap 62 went to the high side of Crump going into the treacherous Turn Three and made it stick while everyone held their breath waiting on the slide that didn’t happen.  Crump held on to claim second with new p[oints leader Kevin Love in the #88 Chevy finishing third, Concord’s Justin Hill fourth and Monroe’s Andrew Thomas claming fifth.

“That was good racing.” Melton said in the Independent Tribune Victory Lane.  “I love racing with Chuck Crump. When I went outside, he didn’t crowd me… gave me room. Yes, that was good racing!”

The INEX Thunder Roadsters put on a fine display of car control as the field ran for several opening laps in the same formation they came to the green in.  The Thunder Roadsters always put on a close event and Saturday was no exception.  This event was the debut of the new “Thunder Car” version of the spec racer, complete with full fenders and a very Sprint-Cup looking rear wing on the car.  The new body appears futuristic compared to the rest of the very retro-looking roadsters.  The new body paid off for Michael van Wingerten as he was able to take a one-car length lead over Adam Welch and hold off the very determined Welch, of Hinesburg, VT to the checkers.  Third went to Taylor Hull from Winston, GA.  Finishing fourth was Jim Fluharty of Concord and fifth was Brandon Thompson of St. Cloud, FL.

Asked how the race went, Van Wingerden stated “liked it a lot… the new body really makes the car settle down here… This track allows good clean racing.”

Mike Terry took the win in the J R D Earthworks Limited Late Models after he and Jay Payne of Thomasville, winner of the opening two Limited races of the season, cane together while lapping a slower car in Turn Three during lap 20.  Terry was able to pull up before making contact with the inside wall on the front straight but Payne wasn’t so lucky, giving the concrete a solid thwack before his car came to rest facing the field on the straight.  Payne was able to limp to the pits and get repairs while the safety crew tidied up the track.  Remember, caution laps don’t count.  Payne was able to bring his Ford Fusion back to fifth at the checkers.  Steve Ackerly of Medford, NY brought his #66 home in second, Sam McAulay of Huntersville finished third and David Miller of Concord came in fourth in the #74 Chevy. 

Charles Hutto of Monroe in the #1 Monte Carlo and Todd Bradburry of Rialto, CA in the #5 Chevy tangled in Turn One of lap one of the Coca-Cola Pure Stock race, setting up a come from behind bid by both drivers.  Bradburry went on the claim the win while Hutto’s effort ended when he and the #96 of Jesse Bunnell made heavy contact as Hutto was trying to pass in Turn Three during the 20th lap.  The resultant damage took Hutto out of the running. Bradburry was awarded the win after Clinton Baker’s #2 Chevy was found to have front suspension components that weren’t in compliance with the rules. Mike Southwell of Stanfield crossed in second and thus garnered enough points to put him in a tie with Hutto for the points lead.  Hutto’s higher finishes lets him keep the first spot on the points table. Luke Nickles of Owego, NY finished third, Cooper Faasson of Monroe fourth and david Good of Gastonia came in fifth.

The Tim Marburger Honda Fast & Furious Fours continues to be the most popular division judging by the number of entries as 21 cars took the green flag.  At the finish Tracy Mullis claimed the top prize with Wayne Harrington of Salisbury in the “Superman” themed car second, Bradley Kimrey of Norwood third, Chad Miller of Concord fourth and Estus White IV of Kannapolis fifth.

Friday night’s Legends and Bandoleros races were rained out by the only thunderstorm in the state.  The storm sat over the track from 7:20 until 9:45 PM and didn’t allow enough time to run the features before the midnight curfew.  Those events have been moved to Sunday April 18th.  There’s no racing on the half-mile TriOval next Saturday in deference to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star event across town at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but Legends and Bandoleros Friday night and Sunday afternoon will make for a good weekend of speed.

Concord Motorsport Park is located on highway 601 north of Midland and southof Concord. More information is available by calling (704) 782-4221 or at www.concordmotorsportpark.com.

Saturday May 10, 2008 Results>>