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Sam's best time still leaves him without a finish
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Sam standing next to the newly designed 73 car.
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Qualifying went well this weekend as Sam debuted the new design of the 73 car. He had his fastest lap ever at New Smyrna with a 18.474. Unfortunately it wasn't enough, as the 10 car of Brad May ran a 18.375, putting him on pole. He drew a #9 pill, which inverted the field and placed Sam in the 8th starting position.
He started out well, working his way through the field, when the 48 car went high and slammed Sam into the front stretch wall, right under the flag man. Sam was called to the pits to inspect the car. Everything checked out, but the pit delay caused him to work his way from the rear of the field.
Sam very patiently worked his way back toward the front. This car was the fastest it had ever been. Then the 53 car, not realizing Sam was under him, turned down and caught Sam’s front left corner, doing damage to the fender area. Sam ran another lap but the damage from the bump caused the tire to go flat, forcing Sam to the pits again. This was enough for the team to call it a night. The damage to the car wasn’t too major but it was enough to cause yet another DNF for Sam and the VCR 73 car. It was a very disappointing evening, considering how well he qualified and how fast the car ran.
Be sure to watch Sam in action on May 6th at Columbia. Hopefully Sam’s luck will change and he will take the checker. He is keeping is head and spirits high knowing things can only get better!
GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL BUNNY HOP 100
OFFICIAL RESULTS - NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY, APRIL 15
1. #10 Brad May, Orlando
2. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay
3. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont
4. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville
5. #48 Jonny Kay, Deerfield Beach
6. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach
7. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie
8. #19x Chad Pierce, Orlando
9. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor
10. #37 Redd Vann, Wesley Chapel
11. #4k Amanda Gogel, New Smyrna
12. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines
13. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples
14. #53 Charles Kopach, Clermont
15. #83 Joe Strehle, Deland
16. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson
17. #32z Ali Zargaran, Pompano
18. #00 John Ripley, Sanford
19. #30 Troy Hall, Coral Springs
20. #46 Doug Moff, Fort Myers
21. #73 Sam Watts, Winter Springs
22. #47 Robert Kayse, Eustis
23. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka
24. #22 Alli Owens, South Daytona
25. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland
26. #99 Dean Ferri, Deerfield
27. #4b Alan Bruns, Clermont DNS
28. #8 Jacob Warren, Orlando DNS
29. #21 Charlie Vest, Orlando DNS
30. #191 Mike Greenwell, Alva DQ'D (unsportsmanship conduct)
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