TUCSON, Arizona -- The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series continued its' 2004 campaign with three divisions of NASCAR competition highlighted by the Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds and Mighty Compacts at Tucson Raceway Park. In addition, the always popular Tuff Trux and unpredictable Hornets filled out the racing card making it a full night of racing.
The Bud Five Star Series presented by ITT Technical Institute saw Chuck Wares top the field in the 30-lap NASCAR Super Late Model Main Event for his fourth straight win of the season.
Wares had the good fortune of a lucky pill draw and was on the outside of the front row when the green flag flew. It took Wares no time at all to go to the front of the pack and he seemed in complete control of the race, even with two yellow flags, one on lap five, the other on lap 27.
Turning in a strong showing was Mike Egurola, who started the race on the pole and was able to hold off the likes of Ron Norman and Joe Paladenic for second place and post his best finish in 2004. Egurola had posted two fourth place finishes prior to his week four effort.
Ron Norman, the winner of the Bud Pole Award (Fast Time Qualifier) had the misfortune of drawing a six pill and started on the outside of row three. With Chuck on the front row, Ron had his work cut out for him. He was able to close some of the gap, but finished behind both Wares and Egurola in third place, his second such finish in 2004.
On Norman's tail again was Sierra Vista's Joe Paladenic, who for the fourth time recorded a top five finish. Making his first showing in the top five was Matt Levin, who's fifth place finish marked his best effort so far this season.
In the NASCAR Grand American Modified 25-lap Main Event Billy Johanneck celebrated his birthday, with his third GAM Feature win. For the "Flying Bohemian" it marked his return to the GAM winner's circle for the first time since April 17.
Johanneck was able to make his way to the lead by lap four and was in complete control of his ride for the first time since his last GAM win.
The divisions' point leader coming into racing was the veteran Buddy Nelson, who made his way through the field and was able to finish second to Johanneck. It marked the second this year he had done that and fourth time overall he had to settle for second best.
In the NASCAR Mighty Compact Main Event Billy Johanneck made it two wins in a row, behind the wheel of Russell Bratka's number 11 car. It also made for a pretty special birthday as Johanneck's win came in back to back feature races.
Missing in action for the second straight week, Bratka gave his blessing to Johanneck once to command his defending championship chariot.
Johanneck took the lead on lap one and was never headed. He did have one moment of concern when the yellow came out on lap eight. The pack bunched up with the leader, but only Mike Vaughn could stay close.
Vaughn now has three straight bridesmaid finishes on the year and has been in the top five four times in five starts. Behind Vaughn was Wade Simmons, who now has three straight third place finishes to his credit on the campaign. Running fourth was Jim Bates, while Jason Neve was in fifth.
In the Hornets second tour of the Tucson Raceway Park interior race course, John Callans proved to be unstoppable in winning the 30-lap Main Event.
Callans made his way through heavy congestion and by lap three had taken the lead in the race for good. The closest competitor to Callans was Robert Davis, who after the dust had settled was a lap down, but still good enough for second place. Running third was Alan Hardesty, who bettered his finish from April 17, by three positions. Making it two straight fourth place efforts was Troy Turner, while Richard Jisko finished fifth.
In the Tuff Trux performance Ruben Federico survived a grueling qualifying round and took that momentum into the championship showdown and came away with his first series victory.
Federico had to top defending series champ and the winner of the first series match up in 2004, Grant Wilson, before he could stake his claim to top honors. With an aggressive effort in round two, Federico did pull off the upset sending Wilson home as only second best tonight. Filling out the post race podium was John Callans in third place.
The Bud Five Star Series continues next week as Sunoco Race Fuels presents NASCAR Super Late Models, NASCAR Late Models, Mighty Compacts, Factory Stocks and the Specialists' Spectacular Drags.
MAIN EVENT- 1. Chuck Wares, 2. Mike Egurola, 3. Ron Norman, 4. Joe Paladenic, 5. Matt Levin, 6. Bobby Collister, 7. John Sweeney, 8. Dusty Fielden, 9. Chad Bowden, 10. Buddy Nelson, 11, Brian Brown, 12. Van Knill, 13. Scott Walker TROPHY DASH- 1. Chuck Wares, 2. Ron Norman, 3. Mike Egurola, 4. Matt Levin, 5. Dusty Fielden, 6. John Sweeney HEAT TWO- 1. Joe Paladenic, 2. Brian Brown, 3. Van Knill, 4. Buddy Nelson, 5. Scott Walker, 6. Bobby Collister, 7. Chad Bowden FAST QUALIFYING TIME- Ron Norman - 15.788 Seconds
HEAT TWO- 1. Billy Johanneck, 2. Larry Kayton, 3. P. J. Megna, 4. Ron Brown, 5. Jerry Thitchener
