3/22/2008

L.W. MILLER KICKS OFF 2008 WHELEN SOUTHERN MODIFIED TOUR SEASON
ON SATURDAY NIGHT WITH WIN AT CARAWAY SPEEDWAY

    The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour kicked off the 2008 racing season on Saturday night at Caraway Speedway with defending champion L.W. Miller scoring the victory.
    Miller scored the victory in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150 with a thrilling dash to the checked flag over second-place finisher Ted Christopher. Miller, a native of Dushore , Pa. , has a knack of winning at Caraway – winning there on four different occasions last year en route to the title.
    “This was a great way to start the season,” Miller said. “We didn’t have the dominant car, so we had to do a little bit of blocking there towards the end of the race. I just have to take my hat off to Ted Christopher, because he raced me clean and could have spun me out. But he didn’t. Ted knows we’re racing for the Whelen Southern Modified Tour championship and I would race him the same way if it was a Whelen Modified Tour race.
    “I think we’re going to have another great season ahead of us. I love Caraway Speedway and all (owner) Russell Hackett does for the Whelen Southern Modified Tour.”
    Christopher, who won at the opener at Caraway in 2005 and 2006, settled for second.
    “We had a real good car, but we just needed to gain one more spot,” Christopher said. “(L.W.) used up about all the lanes on the track and I couldn’t get around him.”
    Rounding out the top-five were Brian Loftin, Tim Brown and Bobby Grigas III.
    Tim Brown got his season off to a solid start, earning the Coors Light Pole Award with a lap at 103.481 mph, but the Cana, Va. native started sixth following the redraw. Frank Fleming started at the front to lead the 26-car field to the green flag alongside Miller.
    Miller got alongside of Fleming for the top spot on Lap 30 to lead a lap, but slipped a bit which allowed Fleming to retake the lead until the race’s second caution on Lap 59.
    On the ensuing Lap 64 restart, Miller made a break for himself when he was able to beat Fleming to the start-finish line. Miller led the rest of the way.
    The Whelen Southern Modified Tour returns to action next Saturday night at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C.

Race Results

  1. 36 L.W. Miller, John Baker Plumbing Utilities 150 -
  2. 00 Ted Christopher, Sherm's Towing 150 +0.213
  3. 23 Robert Loftin, L & R Transmission 150 +0.475
  4. 83 Tim Brown, Hayes Jewelers 150 +0.735
  5. 09 Robert Grigas, Triple G Scaffold Services 150 +1.928
  6. 79 Ronnie Silk, Sunoco/LaBleu Water/Tilton 150 +2.372
  7.  4 Jason Myers, 150 +2.605
  8. 59 Matthew Hirschman, Bennett Properties 150 +2.846
  9. 07 Gary Fleming, Patterson Automotive Group 150 +4.125
10. 47 Andrew Suess, Advance Auto 150 +4.309
11. 93 Rowan Pennink, Monk Mechanics Hand Cleaner 150 +6.076
12. 17 Brian King Adams, Towing & Recovery 150 +6.870
13.  7 Thomas Stinson, Jenkins Towing 150 +10.523
14. 58 Kevin Goodale, Riverhead Building Supply 150 +10.524
15. 44 Brandon Hire, Smith Jenkins/Clemmons Speed 150 +13.602
16. 02 Bernard Emory, * RCS Construction 150 +13.602
17. 10 John Sutton, Monster 149 1 Lap
18. 18 Zachary Brewer, Mainline Supply Co. 148 2 Laps
19. 25 John Smith, Tutterow Surveying/Ricks Home 144 6 Laps
20. 74 J.R. Bertucclo, 139 11 Laps
21. 57 Jay Foley, 138 12 Laps
22. 26 James Civali, Ramar-Holl Inc./Genesis Shocks 138 12 laps
23. 14 Robert Hutchens, Trim USA/Motorsports Design 134 16 Laps
24. 69 Junior Miller, Express Auto of Kernesville 128 22 Laps
25.  1 Burt Myers, 104 46 Laps
26. 28 George Brunnhoelzl III, Oval Speed 100 50 Laps

Source:  Jason Mitchell / NASCAR PR
Posted:  March 22, 2008