Teenage Sensation Takes First Late Model Stock Car Win at ASA Franklin County Speedway
Callaway, VA-- Most folks who follow the regional racing scene knew it was just a matter of time before 14-year old Darrell Wallace, Jr. of Concord, NC took a trip to victory lane. Wallace, Jr. made it happen for the first time at ASA Franklin County Speedway on Saturday May 24th.
The youngster overcame an eighth place start to muscle his way past current track champion and point leader Jimmy Mullins near the 50-lap mark and never looked back in the 75-lap Pro-Line Trailer Sales Late Model Stock Car feature.
Mullins, who won the Family Pharmacy Pole Award in qualifying, drew a six for the ASA mandated inversion. Calvin Brooks jumped to the lead from his outside pole starting position early in the race.
The lead Brooks enjoyed eroded after Mullins and Nathan Wheat made contact to bring out the first caution. The field behind the spin scattered with many cars suffering damage. Wheat's night was all but finished after the contact caused electrical problems with his mount.
Contact between Brooks and Wallace, Jr. brought out the second caution and the aftermath left rookie points leader Travis Hurt sidelined for the rest of the event.
Wallace inherited the lead and on the next restart, Mullins got by Wallace, Jr. on the outside. Wallace, Jr. kept the pressure on Mullins and took the lead with a pass in turns three and four and went on for the win. Mullins finished second with Rick Sigmon, Timmy Hogan and Mike Dudley rounding out the top five.
Tommy Adams, Jr. returned to victory lane in the 30-lap Berglund Automotive Street Stock division race. Adams, Jr. bounced back after a technical infraction negated a win the week prior. He was followed closely the entire way by rookie point leader Kyle Dudley. Dudley crossed the finish line second with Wayne Wilson, Teddy Lawless and Danny Bush in tow.
Point leader Jonathan Smith took his first asphalt win ever when leaders Michael McGuire and Timmy Hogan crashed while battling for the lead early in the PMZ Group Mod4 30-lap feature. Both cars were done for the evening with the young third generation driver McGuire, suffering the worst damage after slamming the inside wall on the backstretch. The driver is fine but the crew will have a bunch of work to do this week to fix the damage.
Richard Doss, in his first appearance at FCS this season, took second with John David Helm, Douglas Morgan and Jeff Routt rounding out the top five.
Scott Foley took his second win in a row in Alan Mullins Automotive UCAR action. Foley started from the rear of the nineteen car field and charged his way to the win. Jerry Ramey, Chris Amos, Bill Lipes and Eddie Scott finished second through fifth.
Tyler Baird rallied from an early race altercation to take the 30-lap Sleep Safe Bed Super Mini Cup checkers. Rob Kuczmarski, Damien Inge, Jason Styron and Draven Harrison completed the top five.
Racing action continues Saturday May 31st at ASA Franklin County Speedway with the running of the Cannaday's Hobby/Cannaday's Sav-a-Bit 250. Late Model Stock Car, Street Stock, Mod4, UCAR and a $1,000-to-win Any Car race highlight the on track activities.
