RGeeProductions
07-22-2009, 12:50 PM
A little luck keeps Myers from suffering major damage to his championship hopes.
At Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday night, the racing action in the Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series was a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs.
At first, it seemed like Tim Brown of Cana , VA and Burt Myers of Walnut Cove – both contenders for champion – were as evenly matched as you can get. They tied for the fastest lap in qualifying, each turning a lap of 13.302 seconds. They started the race side by side on the front row.
But as they entered turn one, Myers’ night took a turn for the worse. As the two fought for position, they collided briefly – and Myers was knocked into the guard rail.
As the crowd cheered and booed, fans of Tim Brown were sure that he would be able to gain enough ground on Myers to end Myers’ championship hopes in one night. Myers fans looked on in horror as the #1 car of Myers went from the front row to the rear of the field in one lap.
Brown took the checkered in the first race, while Myers finished 14th. Chances were that the “Madhouse Scramble” would place Brown far in front of Myers for the start of the second race, allowing him to gain 20 or more points on Myers.
Instead, a lucky draw in the “Madhouse Scramble” sent Myers to the pole. Myers and his team knew that they had a shot at redemption, and they didn’t falter. Myers took the checkered for the second race. Brown finished in 11th.
What could have been a disaster for Myers ended up being only a very minor loss in points. Brown earned 40 points, while Myers earned 37.
Brown stays in the points lead, reinforcing his position with a slightly wider points margin. Myers’ win keeps him second in the points, 49 points behind Brown.
Randy Butner of Pfafftown finishes right behind Brown in each race, maintaining third place in the points. Butner, who was two points behind Myers entering the event, moved up to only one point under Myers. Jonathan Brown of Kernersville finished sixth and seventh to stay in the fourth place spot on the points ladder.
The opening lap incident between Myers and Brown caused a stir among fans and drivers. Myers was angered at Brown’s aggressive move, and Brown became upset at fans who thought that he drove Myers into the guard rail intentionally. In Victory Lane after Brown’s victory, Brown was riled by the booing fans and launched into a verbal tirade against his critics.
Officials have penalized Tim Brown as a result of his comments made on the P.A. system. Brown has been placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season at Bowman Gray Stadium as per Section 12-4 A of the NASCAR Rule book, which allows for penalties for “Any Member who performs an act or participates in actions deemed by Track Officials as detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR.” The probation will apply only to comments and public addresses made by Brown and not to actions in the midst of on-track racing competition.
“We strive to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, and we hope this penalty sends a message to drivers and crews that we are serious about doing so,” said Gray Garrison, promoter of Bowman Gray Stadium, who adds that this one incident should not overshadow a decades-long legacy of family-friendly entertainment.
This Saturday is Bowman Gray Gear One Dollar Ladies’ Night, where all female fans get in to see the racing action for only one dollar. There will be racing for all four divisions, plus the season’s final 109 U-Pull-It Chain Race. Gates open at 6:00 for practice, qualifying begins at 7:20, and the first race begins at 8:00 PM – this Saturday night. Ticket prices, directions, and more information can be found online at www.bowmangrayracing.comor by calling (336) 723-1819.
Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series Current Points Standings
1. 83 Tim Brown 583
2. 1 Burt Myers 534
3. 5 Randy Butner 533
4. 53 Jonathan Brown 521
5. 4 Jason Myers 479
6. 13 Chris Fleming 437
7. 50 Michael Clifton 433
7. 70 Alfred Hill 433
9. 40 Brad Robbins 425
10. 69 Junior Miller 412
11. 75 Robert Jeffreys 387
12. 77 Lee Jeffreys 370
12. 72 Brent Elliott 370
14. 31 Gene Pack 355
15. 45 Lee Stimpson 235
Loren Pinilis
NOTE: Edited to modifieds only by RGee
At Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday night, the racing action in the Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series was a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs.
At first, it seemed like Tim Brown of Cana , VA and Burt Myers of Walnut Cove – both contenders for champion – were as evenly matched as you can get. They tied for the fastest lap in qualifying, each turning a lap of 13.302 seconds. They started the race side by side on the front row.
But as they entered turn one, Myers’ night took a turn for the worse. As the two fought for position, they collided briefly – and Myers was knocked into the guard rail.
As the crowd cheered and booed, fans of Tim Brown were sure that he would be able to gain enough ground on Myers to end Myers’ championship hopes in one night. Myers fans looked on in horror as the #1 car of Myers went from the front row to the rear of the field in one lap.
Brown took the checkered in the first race, while Myers finished 14th. Chances were that the “Madhouse Scramble” would place Brown far in front of Myers for the start of the second race, allowing him to gain 20 or more points on Myers.
Instead, a lucky draw in the “Madhouse Scramble” sent Myers to the pole. Myers and his team knew that they had a shot at redemption, and they didn’t falter. Myers took the checkered for the second race. Brown finished in 11th.
What could have been a disaster for Myers ended up being only a very minor loss in points. Brown earned 40 points, while Myers earned 37.
Brown stays in the points lead, reinforcing his position with a slightly wider points margin. Myers’ win keeps him second in the points, 49 points behind Brown.
Randy Butner of Pfafftown finishes right behind Brown in each race, maintaining third place in the points. Butner, who was two points behind Myers entering the event, moved up to only one point under Myers. Jonathan Brown of Kernersville finished sixth and seventh to stay in the fourth place spot on the points ladder.
The opening lap incident between Myers and Brown caused a stir among fans and drivers. Myers was angered at Brown’s aggressive move, and Brown became upset at fans who thought that he drove Myers into the guard rail intentionally. In Victory Lane after Brown’s victory, Brown was riled by the booing fans and launched into a verbal tirade against his critics.
Officials have penalized Tim Brown as a result of his comments made on the P.A. system. Brown has been placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season at Bowman Gray Stadium as per Section 12-4 A of the NASCAR Rule book, which allows for penalties for “Any Member who performs an act or participates in actions deemed by Track Officials as detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR.” The probation will apply only to comments and public addresses made by Brown and not to actions in the midst of on-track racing competition.
“We strive to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, and we hope this penalty sends a message to drivers and crews that we are serious about doing so,” said Gray Garrison, promoter of Bowman Gray Stadium, who adds that this one incident should not overshadow a decades-long legacy of family-friendly entertainment.
This Saturday is Bowman Gray Gear One Dollar Ladies’ Night, where all female fans get in to see the racing action for only one dollar. There will be racing for all four divisions, plus the season’s final 109 U-Pull-It Chain Race. Gates open at 6:00 for practice, qualifying begins at 7:20, and the first race begins at 8:00 PM – this Saturday night. Ticket prices, directions, and more information can be found online at www.bowmangrayracing.comor by calling (336) 723-1819.
Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series Current Points Standings
1. 83 Tim Brown 583
2. 1 Burt Myers 534
3. 5 Randy Butner 533
4. 53 Jonathan Brown 521
5. 4 Jason Myers 479
6. 13 Chris Fleming 437
7. 50 Michael Clifton 433
7. 70 Alfred Hill 433
9. 40 Brad Robbins 425
10. 69 Junior Miller 412
11. 75 Robert Jeffreys 387
12. 77 Lee Jeffreys 370
12. 72 Brent Elliott 370
14. 31 Gene Pack 355
15. 45 Lee Stimpson 235
Loren Pinilis
NOTE: Edited to modifieds only by RGee