Judges go to video, King triumphs in
Holland feature
By Larry Ott / Buffalo News
When the LAMOT Late Models entered the final turn of their 25-lap season opener
Saturday night at Holland NASCAR Motorsports Complex, Eldon King III thought
that he was destined to finish third. Within seconds the seas parted and King
went on to win the bizarre affair.
The dramatic scene began during a caution period with just two laps
remaining. Dave Whittaker was leading T. J. Johnson followed by Nick Crassi and
King. When the green flag flew, Whittaker and Johnson began an intense
side-by-side duel as King moved to third.
With a lap to go, Whittaker, who was riding in the low groove, and Johnson,
on the high line, bumped doors in Turn Four approaching the white flag. It was a
foreshadowing of things to come.
On the final circuit, as the pair entered Turn Four in the same situation,
they banged doors again but this time the consequences were much greater.
Johnson went spinning down the front stretch crossing the finish line
backwards and Whittaker also slid down the track across the line. King split the
pair and got to the finish line just as Johnson did.
At first, Johnson was declared the winner by officials and was allowed to
enter the front stretch Victory Lane box where he was interviewed in front of
the grandstand crowd. King was awarded second and was sent to the tech building
for technical inspection.
About five minutes later, using video replay, Holland officials reversed
their decision and awarded King the victory by about 6 inches.
“I guess you got to get lucky sometimes,” said King. “We didn’t have the
fastest car but I put ourselves in a spot where if anything happened I could
take advantage. As we came to the white flag I saw that they had bumped pretty
good and I was thinking that it could happen again on the final lap and it did.”
King‘s victory came after he was sent to the back of the pack with 23 laps to
go after he ran into the back of Mike Ticco, spinning Ticco out.
“It was just one of those deals,” King said. “It was hard racing.”
King joined the LAMOT ranks this season driving the No. 0 entry he purchased
during the winter from former Holland NASCAR Late Model champion Mark Bliss, who
has retired.
Johnson and Whittaker had no hard feelings after the race.
“It was just intense racing and Dave and I have talked since the race and we
even shared a beer together already,” said Johnson.
The LAMOT Late Models began their second season at Holland Saturday and
although the Web site lists 12 drivers, only eight showed up. Drivers Joe
Carbone and Marty Hughes are still completing their cars. Alan Fisher is
recovering from off-season back surgery and Bryce Davis was preparing for a BRP
Can-Am 360 Late Model Series event.
The NASCAR/SST Pro Modified 40-lapper had its share of late-race drama as
well. With two laps to go, defending Holland NASCAR/SST champion Jonathon Price
was leading Mike Fiebelkorn and rookie Patrick Emerling. Emerling was putting on
an amazing drive in his first-ever race in this division but his night would end
in controversy.
Emerling worked by Fiebelkorn and with two laps to go was racing hard with
Price for the win. As the pair exited Turn Four, Emerling drove into Price
causing both cars to crash hard on the front stretch. The field scattered behind
them to avoid the carnage. While not intentional, Emerling’s mistake was large.
When two more yellow flag incidents ensued on the subsequent restarts,
officials decided to call the race complete on lap 38 and John Barber was
declared the victor without actually leading a lap.
Barber, who won two races earlier this spring at Wyoming County International
Speedway, is having a fine early season. His win at Holland capped a special and
emotional evening for the Barber family. Earlier in the evening, Barber’s
nephew, Camden Barber, won the 20- lap Casey’s TQ Midget Series event.
“This is for my grandfather,” said Camden. “I also have to thank my dad [Joe]
because he has given up a lot of his money to let me race.”
Camden Barber’s No. 01 TQ Midget is the same number and has the same paint
scheme as the car of his late grandfather, Gail. Camden is a fourth generation
driver following in the footsteps of Floyd, Gail and Joe Barber.
Holland defending NASCAR Charger champion Mark Hoch is honoring retired
Holland racing legend Art Clark by painting his car in a retro Clark paint
scheme. Hoch finished second to Dave Krawczyk Saturday.
Elsewhere, veteran Al Brewer is enjoying his finest season in quite a while.
His E-Mod win at Arcade International Raceway Friday night was his third in a
row there. Todd Burley won his third consecutive 358 Modified race at
Ransomville Speedway Friday.
Rick Thurnherr Sr. won the Quick 16 class Friday night during the IHRA drag
racing program at Dunn Tire Raceway Park. Thurnherr is currently enjoying his
31st season as a drag racer.
Source:
Larry Ott / Buffalo News
Posted: May 25, 2009
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