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Watts Takes 2nd in Final Race of the Season

by Samwatts.com

There were no heats Saturday night, so Sam Watts had to start at the rear of the pack due to winning the last race (Nov. 13th). At the drop of the green flag, Don Roberts (#91) hit the wall resulting in a total restart of the race. Chuck Burkhalter (#1x) took the lead, followed by Brian Bellaw (#23), Tim Clark (#8), Mark Smith (#48), follwed by Watts.

As the race progressed, Sam passed Smith (#48) and Clark (#8), putting him in 3rd. Slowly he gained ground on Bellaw (#23), eventually passing him going into turn 1 on lap 9. Sam was then in pursuit of Burkalter (1x) who got tied up behind the backmarker of John Ripley (#002). As he tried to pass him, Ripley got loose causing him to get in the path of Sam, causing right front fender and hood damage to the 73 car.

The race restarted with Sam on Chuck's tail, but the damage to sam's car allowed Chuck to pull away from the 73 machine. There were 2 more cautions but Sam was unable to challenge Burkhalter until the last restart with 2 laps to go. Sam tried one last effort but Chuck managed to fend off his attack. Chuck went on to win with Sam finishing 2nd.

Now finished for the season, Sam can get his car ready for the challenges of a new year. He displayed exceptional driving skills in his late model debut. Even though he started so late in the season, he still managed to place 4th in points.

Look out next year—Sam will be running in the Goodyear Challenge 100 lap races!

Official Late Model Results
New Smyrna Speedway - December 4, 2004

1. #1x Chuck Burkhalter
2. #73 Sam Watts
3. #23 Brian Bellaw
4. #8 Tim Clark
5. #53 Charles Kopach
6. #48 Mark Smith
7. #40 Dan Esposito Jr.
8. #17 Phillip Bessette
9. #002 John Ripley
10. #40x Rich Cordis
11. #07 Chad Ashley
12. #3 Jeff Colburn
13. #91 Donald Roberts

Click here to see the results as posted at Karnac.
Article reproduced with permission.