In a reversal of Wednesday night, Friday night started on a down beat but ended on the upswing for TC. One night remains in the 2007 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
First on the schedule were the Super Late Models. In qualifying, Teddy was fourth fastest in the Cushman Competition #29. After the redraw he started the 30-lap feature from the outside of the front row, flanked by polesitter Mike Fritts. As the field took the green flag, the pair charged down the frontstretch. As they sailed into turn one Fritts pushed up into TC and the #29 made hard contact with the first turn wall. He was towed behind the pit wall, done for the night and bitterly disappointed.
“I don’t know what the guy (Fritts) was thinking,” said Teddy. “He was running me around on the pace lap. Then we took the green and drove into turn one. I had a half-car lead on him but he just drove into the side of me and put me in the wall. We’re torn up pretty bad. He wrecked his own car at the same time, so what did he prove? I just hope we can get the car fixed for tomorrow night.”
Later it was time for the Richie Evans Memorial 100 for the Modifieds. Eric Beers was on the pole and grabbed the early lead, but Jimmy Blewett took over on lap three and never looked back. TC started eighth in the Eddie Whelan #36 and quickly settled into seventh. He held his ground for the first 30 laps and then began to slowly move forward. At lap 40 he was fifth and he was up to fourth at the halfway mark. He remained there until a lap 74 restart when he moved past John Blewett for third. The red flag was displayed on lap 84 for a crash in turn one involving John Blewett and Bobby Holmes. The race went back to green on lap 90 and Teddy quickly disposed of Beers for second, but could not reel in Jimmy Blewett for the win.
“Ever since we put the Ford motor in the car a couple of nights ago,” explained TC, “the car has been flying. We were fast tonight. The car stayed good until I got past Beers for second, and then the front end would just push up after that. It wasn’t a win, but it was a very good run on a slick racetrack.”
The 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing ends tonight.
|
