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Sam has great run at Lakeland
The weather was hot Saturday and everyone was hoping the racing would be as well!! The hooters Pro Cup cars were also running at Lakeland, so the Goodyear Series took the back burner with a very short practice and qualifying immediately following at 4:30.
Sam went out first and set the pace. He ran a 21.68 lap, but 4 cars later Brad May set the pole of 21.31. Sam ended up qualifying 4th—a great run for Sam. Brad pulled a #9 putting him back to the 9th spot, thus putting Sam in the 6th starting position.
All was well at the drop of the green flag, but coming out of turn 2, the 88 car of Justin Larson got loose and spun out, taking quite a few cars with him. Sam was on the outside of 88, which allowed him to pass without any problems. A red flag came out so that the track could be cleared, followed by a total restart.
Sam settled down well, running a cautious race when the 08 car of Warren hit him in the right rear tire. There appeared to be no damage at first, and the race continued. Sam climbed to 4th place, when the 26 car of Cope was called of the track for an oil leak, which had smothered the front of Sam’s car, causing him some problems. On long green flag runs, Sam was experiencing handling problems, battling with the car as it exited the corners.
With 15 laps to go, the 9 car of Clouser started to gain on Sam and his real loose race car, but it wasn’t until there were only 2 laps to go before Clouser managed to make a clean pass by Sam, who was in 3rd at that point. Sam just followed him home, ending up in 4th place.
Sam had a lot of reasons to be happy with this result. Earlier in the evening he was sick and we thought he wouldn't be able to drive at all. Further, the Lakeland race in June totaled Sam’s primary car. So all and all, it was a good night of racing for Sam and the VCR team.
Look out for Sam this weekend at New Smyrna Speedway for a 20 lap race as a practice run for next weekend’s Goodyear 100 lap event on the 16th. Come out and cheer Sam on for his last 2 races of the year!
OFFICIAL RESULTS - USA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
SEPTEMBER 2, 2006
1 10 Brad May Orlando,Fl
2 2 A.J. Curreli Daytona Beach,Fl
3 9 Rich Clouser Palm Bay,Fl
4 73 Sam Watts Winter Springs,Fl
5 05 Jeremy Colangelo Deland,Fl
6 53 Charles Kopach Clermont,Fl
7 21 Derrick Kelley Auburndale,Fl
8 51 Dustin Deschamps Brooksville,Fl
9 31 Greg Kaouk Penbroke Pines
10 26x Larry Osteen Clermont,Fl
11 30 Troy Hall Coral Springs,Fl
12 26 Travis Cope Bronson,Fl
13 54 Kevin Ingram Lakeland.FL
14 08 Bobby Beachiemen Clermont,Fl
15 99 Dean Ferri Deerfield,Fl
16 8 Jacob Warren Orlando,Fl
17 0 Ken Gerena
18 11 David Roberts Lakeland.FL
19 19 Chuck Abell Apopka,Fl
20 38 Paul Barnhill Crestview, Fl
21 3 John Coffman Live Oak,Fl
22 88 Justin Larson Safety Harbor,Fl
23 16 Daniel Keene Land O' Lakes
24 57 Joe Winchell Davie,Fl
25 52 Jason Bowser Clearwater, Fl
26 22 Alli Owens S. Daytona
DNS 33 Dewayne Barrus New Smyrna,Fl
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