Fitzgerald wins first LM feature at Eastside

By Robert Sisk

Published: September 21, 2008

The cool weather Saturday night gave the drivers at Eastside Speedway a fast and a sticky track, obviously to the liking of C.S. Fitzgerald, who won the Late Model feature in convincing fashion.
“It was a real pleasure to drive this car tonight,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve been sitting at home since 2001 not racing … feels real good to be back in a race car.”
CINTAS Quik Trip qualifying for the Late Models went yet again to Joe Leavell with a fast time of 17.716, edging R.E. Cubbage and Jon Painter.
On the Sportsman side, Chad Click tripped the clocks with a fast time of 19.26 in front of Jeremy Coffey and Derrick Rankin.
The Nu-Valley Fence Dash-for-Cash kicked off the night with a loud boom as R.E. Cubbage smacked the outside of the Turn 2 wall with a resounding thud. After track officials “righted” the car after flipping, the driver emerged okay, but the car was done for the night.
Once underway, Tommy Hoy led the opening lap before C.S. Fitzgerald took the point on the back chute. Fitzgerald went on to grab his first “dash” win, with Hoy and Leavell crossing the stripe next.
The Street Stock feature found Donald Hensley taking his first SS win of the year in flag-to-flag style over Charles Wyant, Chad Click, Kenny Gibson and Dave Click.
“I was a little concerned as the car started missing at the end there,” said Hensley.
Rookie driver Vincent Rexrode led the opening laps of the Eastside Auto & Machine Shop Mini-Modified feature, with Daniel Stickley in hot pursuit.
“I hate it for Daniel [Brown Jr.] to get tangled up like that, but not exactly sure what happened there,” said Keith. “I kinda like this thing. I may buy it over the winter.”
Click, Lee Jamerson and Tony Knicley capped off the top five finishers.
The initial start of the Delmar’s Body Shop Late Model feature saw a multi-car wreck in the first turn, involving Leavell, Danny Brown, Junior Humphreys and Ted Kehrer. All were able to drive away, albeit with bent sheet metal and more.
Polesitter Fitzgerald brought the field to green with Painter and Hoy in tow. As the field spread out, Fitzgerald was able to pull away by as much as a straightaway at the half. After a brief yellow, the ensuing restart saw Greg Roberson and Leavell move by Hoy for third and fourth behind Painter.
Fitzgerald went on to pick up his first win at the Waynesboro track this year, with the rest of the top four in place and Hoy in fifth.
Painter was very appreciative to his crew in salvaging the runner-up on the night after breaking in the dash. The crew had left the track, taken parts off another car, returned to the track and repaired the broken racer.
The Cohron Equipment U-CAR feature saw Ryan Wharam lead most of the race before Troy Breeden bumped his way into the lead with a pass on the bottom of Turn 3 with two to go. Wharam, Troy Blankenship, Eddie Lawhorne and A.R. Keys made up the rest of the top five.
“I didn’t want to hit Ryan [Wharam] like that as I know he’s in a points battle, but I slid up on the slippery bottom into him,” Breeden said.
The C&R Auto Service Grocery Getters wrapped up the night’s racing with R.W. Armstrong picking up his latest win after a spirited battle with runner-up Daniel Bowden. Randy Hunter, Owen Adelman and E.J. Campbell completed the top five.
“I have to give Daniel Bowden a lot of credit for running me clean. … That’s about the best race I’ve had all year,” said the six-time winner.
This week’s stock car schedule marks the final round of weekly competition with double points on the line for the Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stock, Grocery Getter, Mini-Modified and U-CAR divisions. As an added attraction, there will be a Sally Ann’s Plumbing She-Car race, with the ladies piloting the U-CARS.
Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstand gates at 5 p.m. with racing to start at 7 p.m. For further information go to http://www.eastsidespeedway.com.
— Information provided by Eastside Speedway