(Asheboro, NC): L. W. Miller slipped past the dueling cars of Junior Miller and Jay Hedgecock with thirty laps to go and then held off repeated charges by Hedgecock to win the S.M.A.R.T. Modified Tour event at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC.
Jay Foley from Stuart, VA edged Hedgecock for the S & R Motors Pole Award. Foley’s lap of 16.418 seconds bested Hedgecock by .022 of a second. Gary Myers was third quickest followed by Jr. Miller, Rupert Sink, Brian Crammer and Frank Fleming. Jeff Pearsall, Earl Baker and Danny Baker rounded out the top ten in qualifying. Foley pulled the 10 pill from the inversion bag putting the "Baker Boys" on the front row for the start.
Earl Baker jumped to an early lead over brother Danny as the field began to sort itself out behind. Caution flew early as Chris Fleming looped his Jerry Hunt Auto Sales Pontiac in turn two. The caution period was extended for several laps as the track crew cleaned up oil dropped by Bobby Hinkle during the caution and attended to a badly leaking track. Water seeping through the asphalt in several places was a serious problem throughout the entire nights program and the Caraway clean-up crew did a good job considering the problems caused by several days of heavy rains.
Earl baker would pull away again on the restart while Danny Baker had his hands full with Frank Fleming. Fleming kept the pressure on D. Baker but couldn’t make the pass due to pressure from behind from Jr. Miller and Hedgecock. Caution flew again on lap 49 for spins in both ends of the speedway. The cars of Kevin Eckerich and Brian Pack Spun in turn one while John DeMenick did a solo spin in turn three.
E. Baker again pulled away from the field on the restart but Fleming was on the charge getting by D. Baker on the restart. Caution flew again on lap 60 for a spin by Bob Park, Brian Pack and Jeff Pearsall. Fleming made his way past E. Baker on the restart for a 30 lap stay at the front of the pack while the Baker brothers slowly slipped back in the field. Jr. Miller drove his Advance Auto Chevy past Fleming on lap 96 for a 23 lap stay at the point with heavy pressure form Hedgecock with Fleming, L. W. Miller and Gary Myers close behind.
Miller made his way past Fleming and then Hedgecock and Miller as that duo mixed it up for the lead. Miller was able to hold off Hedgecock and the rest of the pack through three brief caution periods to secure the win.
Hedgecock held off Foley and Fleming to finish third. Jr. Miller rounded out the top five with Gary Myers sixth followed by Burt Myers, Brian Pack, Gene Pack and Danny Baker.
