CHRIS GABOURY DOMINATES FIELD

Source: Derrick Shannon
Date: 05/14/2000

On a night when we all mourned the loss of Adam Petty, a bright star of the future of NASCAR, we celebrated his life, his family, and his enthusiasm for racing. News of Adam Petty's death pierced the very soul of our sport and caused all to reflect on the darker side of racing. As the tearful crowd honored Adams life with a moment of silence, long time Petty family friend, Hershel McGriff Jr., drove a final victory lap around Portland Speedway to pay tribute to the first family of racing.

Nineteen NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars lined up to do battle for 50 laps on Portland Speedway's monster half mile, led by fast qualifier Pat Bliss. Bliss lined up eighth due to the invert and that put the #5 of Lance Lewallen on the pole. At the green flag, outside pole sitter Chris Gaboury grabbed the early lead and set sail on the field. Lewallens slow start caused cars at the back to bunch up, the jam left title contender Jody Tanner with a broken rear suspension for the second week in a row.Tanner was philosophical about the evening; "Darren Shaw wrecked in the first five races last year and then won 11 features to capture the region." stated Tanner. Two time winner this season, Brandon Riehl, was working his way to the front from his sixth starting position, when he was unable to slow for the spin of Jay Estes in turn 3. Riehl made contact with Lewallen which cut down a left front and left the #69 Ford in the wall. On the lap 22 restart, Gaboury again jumped to the lead, followed closely by the Chevy of Newbergs, Tony Schmidt. Schmidt dogged Gaboury over the last 25 laps, making several attempts to pass, but each time Gaboury slammed the door. Gaboury would not be denied, as he went on to claim his first career Late Model feature win. Schmidt finished in second, with last weeks winner C. J. Miller in third, followed by Christopher Kalsch in fourth and fast time qualifier Pat Bliss rounding out the top five. Riehls trouble tightened the point race, as he leads the standings by 6 markers over young J R Perrott. The rest of the top five are within 24 points of the lead, with Eric Sayre in third, Tony Schmidt in fourth, and C. J. Miller up to fifth.

Kenny Gummus says he's a lucky man, and Friday proved fortuitous, as he collected win number three of the season after a last lap crash involving race leaders Scott Winebarger and Brad Stanwood. Gummus was ready to finish third when Winebarger and Stanwood tangled out of turn 4 on the final lap of the first 15 lap feature for the Exide Shortrack Limited Sportsman. The wreck left Stanwood stalled on the infield grass and Winebarger against the front stretch wall. Winebarger still managed to finish second while Stanwood was credited with an eleventh place finish. The second main event for the Limited Sportsman saw 16 cars make to the grid. Ron Prevost started on the pole but the advantage quickly faded as Dale Holland out drove Prevost into the first turn. Holland led the first 6 circuits until Robert Eubanks Jr. claimed the top spot on lap 7. Eubanks led the final 13 laps to claim his first ever career win in racing. A jubilant Eubanks dedicated the win to Adam Petty and his entire crew. Kenny Gummus on the strength of a third place run jumps into the point lead by 12 over Scott Winebarger.

In Accel Street Stock action it was Brad Tanner taking the checkers in the "A" feature over Curt Nusom, last weeks winner Ray Elwess in third, Willy Thom in fourth, and Dave Cannon if fifth. Tanner and Nusom had the top two spots locked up but the battle for third through sixth was anybody's guess. Again a last lap melee dropped title contenders from a good finish as Don Jenner, Scott Puncochar, and Grant Baker all laid claim to the same real estate, third place, the result eliminated top five finishes for all, as they all finished out of the top ten. Ray Elwess adds to a 28-point lead over Scott Puncochar in second. Brad Tanner finds himself 34 points back in third, while Don Jenner and Brad Hanken round out the top five. Larry Gaylord picked up the win in the "C" main event transferring to the "B", only to loose a tire while battling for the last transfer spot to the "A". Andy Church claimed the "B" main and transferred to the "A" finishing the main event in eighth coming from the back of the 18-car field in quarter mile action.

The Fast Friday crowd was treated to one of the most exciting Figure 8 races the Speedway has seen in years with Joe Cherington picking up the win. Figure 8 Hotshoe, Dan Cherington received a black flag on lap 4 for rough driving and was assessed a stop and go. The field quickly fanned out all the way around the "busiest intersection" in Portland. The crowd gasped on every lap as the drivers narrowly missed disaster by inches every time through the intersection. Brent Beall, Kelly Nace, Tim Patrick, and Ray Perry rounded out the top five. Dan Cherington came back to finish eighth after the stop and go. Brent Beall jumps into the point lead by 2 markers over Joe Cherington, with Dan Cherington falling to third, closely followed by Ernie Fanterly in fourth and Kelly Nace in fifth.

The Roadmasters Car Club brought out 14 beautiful restored classic cars and paraded around the quarter mile displaying muscle cars of a bygone era. The club featured roadsters and coupes from the 1920's through the 1960's. The next event on the schedule is Friday, May 19 as Weston Pontiac/Buick/GMC host the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model's in twin main events and the Exide Shortrack Limited Sportsman on the half mile paved oval, plus Figure 8 and Bumpin Bombers in quarter mile action. Gates open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Log on to www.portlandspeedway.com for all the latest news and information about Portland Speedway.

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