InsideGroove - Race Report

FITZGERALD LEADS JUST FINAL 3 LAPS

Mohave Valley, AZ --

Leading just the final 3 laps and fighting off a stiff challenge from opening night winner Mike Johnson, Dan Fitzgerald from Las Vegas made it three wins in 2000 with his $300 victory in Saturday night's 20 lap IMCA Modified main event at Mohave Valley Raceway. Minnesota transplant Darrel Zweifel, who now lives in Bullhead City, paced the first 17 laps before Fitzgerald drove his Dirt Works mount around on the outside. Johnson, who changed motors after the heat action, was really hooked up in the outside groove with his Larkins Chassis, but his hopes for a last lap run at Fitzgerald were stymied by a lapped car. Zweifel fought off the challenge of Jim Perkins to finish third. Perkins was in the Don Wood Extreme for the first time at Mohave Valley.

There were 19 modifieds on hand for the track's 3rd year 2000 race, but Dan Cornelison broke in hot laps. Fitzgerald won the first heat ahead of Zweifel, Perkins edged out Wayne Francis in heat 2 and Steve Simpson Jr won heat 3 ahead of Johnson. The top 12 from the heat action were inverted at the front of the 18 car grid for the 20 lap main. Merced Speedway long tows Paul Stone and Troy Stone started 10th and 12th. Zweifel shared the front row with Steve Scholten with Fitzgerald and Perkins in row 4 ahead of Johnson. Zweifel led the opening lap over Simpson and Francis, but the came out after just one lap when Perkins and Francis tangled in turn 4. Las Vegas charger Mark Allison crashed and was done. Francis spun on lap 2 as Fitzgerald raced into third ahead of P Stone and Bill McIntosh. Rex McGuire stalled for a lap 3 yellow and factory stock graduate Chuck Kemp spun for a lap 4 yellow. Fitzgerald and P Stone had both passed Simpson on lap 4. P Stone took second from Fitzgerald on lap 5, but Fitzgerald forced him high in turn 2 on the next round and retook the spot with P Stone sliding back to 6th with his off track excursion. Simpson faded from contention when he had problems with the lapped car of Francis as Perkins charged into third ahead of Johnson and P Stone. Perkins briefly took 2nd from Fitzgerald on lap 12, but Fitzgerald regained his spot a lap later. On lap 14, Perkins slammed hard into Zweifel in turn 3 and Fitzgerald drove underneath both, but a caution for a tangle between Francis and Simpson forced a yellow flag that moved Zweifel back into the lead. P Stone had to restart in the rear after pitting. Johnson moved high to take third from Perkins on lap 15 and both Fitzgerald and Johnson drove around leader Zweifel when he slowed on lap 18. Johnson appeared ready to challenge Fitzgerald on the outside for the win, but found his groove blocked by Kemp. Fitzgerald and Johnson were followed at the checkered flag by Zweifel, Perkins, Randy Ahrns, San Diego's John Linn, Simpson, P Stone, Scholten and Phoenix's Craig Carrajat. A multi car tangle high in turn 4 on the final lap saw several cars racing to the flag long after the checkered flag fell and Fitzgerald's right front suspension was heavily damaged when he pulled to a stop of his trophy and was drilled by Clendennin.

Next action at the track is on March 11 when the dwarf cars make their 2000 debut to join the IMCA Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Mini Sports and Pure Stocks.

Summary Heat 1-Dan Fitzgerald, Darrel Zweifel, Paul Stone, Steve Scholten, John Linn. Heat 2-Jim Perkins, Wayne Francis, Randy Ahrns, Mark Allison, Chuck Kemp. Heat 3-Steve Simpson Jr, Mike Johnson, Troy Stone, Bill McIntosh, Rex McGuire. Main-Fitzgerald, Johnson, Zweifel, Perkins, Ahrns, Linn, Simpson, P Stone, Scholten, Craig Carrajat, Rick Grimes, McIntosh, McGuire, Phil Clendennin Jr, T Stone, Kemp, Francis, Allison.

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