Premier Series driver TJ Woodhall went on to win his first main event of the season at the Magic Valley Speedway after capturing the lead on lap one of the 50-lap main. A long green flag run in the early stages of the race gave Woodhall the chance to stretch out his lead as championship contenders Steve Jones and Rob Vest struggled to get through the pack that Woodhall had left far behind.
The number 9 late-model of Bobby Latham presented some contention to Woodhall’s modified vehicle later in the race, but Woodhall’s biggest challenge of the night came on lap 45 after a caution erased his fairly comfortable lead. After the five-lap sprint to the finish, however, it was Woodhall who was able to hold off the field and take the win.
“I was happier than heck to have the car react they way it did out there tonight after we wrecked last weekend,” Woodhall said. Woodhall and his crew had put in some long hours during the week to make repairs after his vehicle received substantial damage in its previous race. “We’ve all worked so hard this season and this win should move me up in the points - so we’re still in the chase,” he said. With a third place finish, Rob Vest looks to have narrowly taken over the lead for the championship. And with only two races left in the season, the stage is set for some intense racing upcoming at the Magic Valley Speedway. “It’s going to be a hard-fought battle,” Vest said. “The last two races will be tough.”
Louis Lopez became the first repeat winner in a division since the Chase for the Championship began on July 30. The Grand National driver took the lead from Jeff Pohlman on a restart midway through the 40-lap event after a caution had eliminated Pohlman’s large lead. Jerry Rice then became Lopez’ biggest concern and a long caution on lap 30 gave the drivers plenty of time to think about each other for the final ten laps.
In the end it was Lopez who put in a convincing win. “I’m going to be very nervous going into these last few races,” Lopez said. “The points are so close, and with that guy (Rice) who is second in points always finishing right behind me, it’s really got me nervous.”
Fans witnessed Pony Stock division driver Josh Pitz have a perfect night by leading every lap in both the qualifying and main event races. Contact in turns three and four at lap 13 in the main event left point contender Kristi Fehringer with mechanical problems while the ride of Cory Keher had to be removed from the track. Jason Whited made a strong run late in the race after coming from the rear of the field to challenge Pitz, but had to settle for a second place finish for the night. Each of the four local NASCAR divisions have only two races left in which to contend for the championship this season.
RESULTS:
Premier: 1. TJ Woodhall; 2. Bobby Latham; 3. Rob Vest; 4. Harold Wartluft; 5. Steve Jones.
Grand National: 1. Louis Lopez; 2. Jerry Rice; 3. Jeff Pohlman; 4. Randy Price: 5. Cory Malcolm.
Pony Stock: 1. Josh Pitz; 2. Jason Whited; 3. John Urie; 4. Lou
Andersen;
5. Rick Van Vooren.
