04/07/11 – Sharon Speedway- The National Late Model Series is at Sharon Speedway in Sharon Ohio for the 13th race of the points chase. A quick search of the pit area and there is still no ERL_BLKJAK. With BLKJAK a no-show, IFRT_14 relieves him of his 2nd place points position and BLS_34 makes a huge gain to protect his 1st place points lead.
In fact ERL_BLKJAK has slipped all the way to 6th place with no sign of recovery. The current top 5 in points is BLS_34 with 403, IFRT_14 with 344, Simon with 342, VLR_Shock with 325, and rounding out the top 5 is IFRT_Jim with 318.
The evening starts out with calm skies and 80° weather. The track is a little wet but otherwise perfect. As the drivers roll out for hot laps they are introduced and their sponsors listed. The crowd is a little antsy as this is the season opener at Sharon Speedway and the fans are ready for the action to start. Hot laps are over, the prayer has been read.
Everyone is standing at attention as a local trio begins to sing the National Anthem. As they finish the crowd remains standing looking over each car that enters the track. Heat 1 is lined up and ready to roll. Heat one lines up with Simon on the pole and IFRT_14 outside. BLS_Jsn would start 3rd with XCR_AX outside. On the tail starts BLS_34 our current points leader.
As they take the green Simon shoots out in front and takes a commanding lead. BLS_34 works his way through the pack to a 2nd place finish with Simon taking the checkered flag. XCR_AX, a rookie this year, is showing great promise as he finishes 3rd followed by IFRT_14 and BLS_Jsn!.
Heat two lines up with Squirrel on the pole with VLR_Shock outside. IFRT_Jim starts in the 3rd spot with ERL_Turbo outside. BLS_Deadbolt is slated to start pole but chooses to start on the back as he is having some engine issues and just needs to protect his points position. They roll around the track and Squirrel leads them to the green flag.
VLR_Shock takes advantage right away and charges for the lead. IFRT_Jim makes a bold move that lands him the win for the heat race with VLR_Shock finishing 2nd. ERL_Turbo squeaks out a 3rd place finish followed by Squirrel and BLS_Deadbolt.
After a long intermission as the flagman is presented an award for 20 yrs service, we line up the Dash. On the pole is Simon. Outside is IFRT_Jim who has been laying down some of the fastest laps this evening. Lining up 3rd is BLS_34 with VLR_Shock outside. XCR_AX is joined by ERL_Turbo on the 3rd row. As the race starts Simon and IFRT_Jim jump out front followed closely by VLR_Shock.
BLS_34 and XCR_AX join the battle. ERL_Turbo finds the wall in turn 3 and if off the pace. After a 10 lap shootout, IFRT_Jim picks up the win and is awarded 2 bonus points. Second is Simon followed by VLR_Shock, BLS_34, XCR_AX, and ERL_Turbo. The B-Main has a late arrival tagging the rear. ERL_Bulldog shows up after his hauler left him stranded for two hours this afternoon.
But repairs were made and they rolled in as the heat races started. Lining up on the pole for the B-Main is IFRT_14 with Squirrel outside. Row two has BLS_Jsn! with BLS_Deadbolt outside. And on the rear is ERL_Bulldog.
IFRT_14 jumps out to an early lead. IFRT_14 wins the B-Main with BLS_Jsn! coming in 2nd followed by Squirrel, BLS_Deadbolt, and ERL_Bulldog, who’s evening is cut short as only 4 would transfer to the A-Main. The A-Main lines up for the 45 lap race.
The wind has picked up a little and the track is starting to fade. As the night progessed the track started to slick off. Teams take a best guess at tire compound and head to the main event. They line up with a 5 position invert.
That put the up and coming rookie XCR_AX on the pole. BLS_34 starts outside row one. VLR_Shock fills XCR_AX’s mirror from inside second row with Simon starting outside. Third row has IFRT_Jim inside and ERL_Turbo outside. IFRT_14 starts inside row four with BLS_Jsn! outside. Row 5 starts Squirrel inside with BLS_Deadbolt outside.
The lineup is good and they roll around for the pace lap and the crowd is on their feet. As they get to turn 4 the green flag drops and we are racing! And early incident sends BLS_34 and VLR_Shock to the rear fighting to get back to the pack. They work together and eventually make their way to XCR_AX but they are running out of laps.
BLS_Deadbolt’s engine troubles force him to retire early. The same goes for IFRT_Jim who may have been caught up in the earlier crash. Simon is running 4th with 4 laps to go when a tie rod failure parks him in the infield. XCR_AX still has the lead but he sees VLR_Shock’s car getting bigger in his mirror.
Shock catches AX and they battle for the lead. Shock tries to pull along side but AX shuts the door. Shock resumes 2nd but is virtually attached to AX’s rear bumper. The battle allows the points leader BLS_34 to join the fight. AX pushes on run his car as hard as it will go, praying there is no failure, no mistakes.
He crosses the finish line and the crowd goes wild! Before tonight Sharon Ohio had expected to see a close battle between VLR_Shock, BLS_34, IFRT_14, and BLS_Jsn! But everyone’s asking, “Who is the new kid?” A voice comes over the intercom, “Well folks, his name is XCR_AX. Remember it because you will be hearing it a lot more in the future!."
XCR_AX takes the win with VLR_Shock second and BLS_34 3rd. Squirrel finishes 4th followed by IFRT_14 who takes over 2nd place in the National Late Model Series points chase. Coming in 6th is BLS_Jsn! followed by ERL_Turbo, Simon, IFRT_Jim, and BLS_Deadbolt.
A big congratulations goes out to XCR_AX from all of us at the National Late Model Series. Join us next week when the NLMS goes to KC Raceway for the 14th race of the season. Will BLKJAK make it back? How about ERL_Goat? And if they show, will it be too late to change their points status? See you all there!
Written By: ERL_Turbo