11/08/2003
BLEWETT MAKES HISTORY WITH NSS 100 VICTORY
Concord, NC: The much anticipated inaugural North-South
Shootout presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon at Concord Motorsports Park
in Concord, NC, that pitted the best of the best in Modified racing,
came down to a thrilling last lap pass with John Blewett III of
Howell, NJ in the Curt Chase owned, Mastrobattisto Contractors
sponsored Pontiac claiming the inaugural win in the John Boy &
Billy Genuine Spring Water Modified 100 collecting over $5,000 for
his efforts plus and close to $2,000 in lap money and other prizes.
Following Blewett across the stripe was Jerry Marquis of Broad
Brook, CT in second, Ed Flemke, Jr. of Berlin, CT third, L.W. Miller
of Mooresville, NC fourth and Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT
fifth.
Donny Lia of Merrick, NY, was who earned the DMC
Auto Exchange Pole Award with a lap of 15.538 seconds, brought the
34-car field to green. Blewett lined up on the outside in
second with Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, CT third, Fred Vordermeier
of Bayside, NY fourth and Flemke fifth.
Working the outside groove, Blewett powered past Lia
for the lead on the first circuit while the front of the field
settled quickly into single file formation. The first caution
waved on lap eight after a multi car tangle in turn four with Mike
Andrews getting the worse of it, his Prestigious Properties of the
Hamptons machine towed to the infield. Rob Summers sustained
damage to the Joe Brady-owned #00 as well.
Blewett led the double file restart with Lia,
Szegedy, Flemke and Vordermeier the top five. While Lia
challenged for the lead on several occasions, Blewett held strong as
the pair broke from the pack during the long green run.
The first of several unique twists of the 100-green
flag lap event came on the 29th circuit when contact between the
leaders out of turn four, Blewett and Lia, sent the pair around.
When the smoke cleared, Flemke was the new leader followed by
Christopher, Szegedy, Marquis and Vordermeier. Blewett and Lia
continued, but from the back of the pack.
On lap 41, Bo Gunning tagged the inside wall out of
turn four after contact with another driver. Several cars
pitted under this yellow including Blewett who put on two fresh
Hoosiers.
Flemke continued to lead and at the half, it was the
Hill Enterprises Pontiac of Flemke still showing the way with
Christopher, Marquis, Szegedy and Nevin George the top five.
As the long green run continued, Marquis, who
started 12th, picked his way forward and by lap 79, after several
attempts, passed Flemke to become the third leader of the evening.
One circuit later, the field was gathered up again when Vordermeier
spun, bringing out the fourth caution of the event.
Leading the single file restart, Marquis was untouched by Flemke,
Christopher, Szegedy and George but was quickly reined in for a spin
out of turn four by Jeff Pearsall. Meanwhile, smoke for the
Haynes Materials Ford was the end for Szegedy who pulled behind the
wall, his trip to North Carolina coming up 17 laps short.
Marquis took instant command again, stretching his
lead in the Reynold's Auto Wrecking modified to as much as half a
straight away from Blewett, who had blistered his way back through
the field, firmly in second with less than ten to go.
Suddenly, Jimmy Blewett encountered problems on the frontstretch;
his machine finally came to a rest against the turn three wall. With
the yellow flag out, Marquis' lead just a memory as the field lined
up with 97 laps showing on the scoreboard.
Marquis was slow but steady at the green, but an
incident unfolding behind him brought out yet another yellow.
On the start, Nevin George who was running fifth was tagged by
another car, sending George hard into the front stretch wall hard
setting off a chain reaction as several cars bunched up with no
place to go.
Lined up one more time, Marquis came around for the
green with Blewett shadowing his bumper followed by Flemke,
Christopher and L.W. Miller. At the white flag, Marquis was
still in command, but when two cars in the turn four outside wall,
Marquis lifted and with the crowd on their feet, Blewett charged out
of turn four. They were even as they approached the stripe but
when the two streaked under the checkers it was Blewett by inches
over Marquis.
Flemke encountered problems with the checkers in the
air but managed to hold on to third place. L.W. Miller edged
Christopher at the line for fourth position, becoming the highest
finishing Southerner. Christopher rounded out the top five.
Jay Foley turned in a solid performance in sixth followed by veteran
Junior Miller. Impressive performances were turned in by Jim
Long, Jr. and Ronnie Silk. Jamie "the Jet" Tomaino
rounded out the top-ten.
In support division action it was Larry Gordon of
Brazelton, GA taking down the win in the LifeStinksWithoutACar.com
Pro Truck feature. Four-cylinder honors went to Randy Freeze.
In Vintage action, Larry Gordon, Brazelton, GA was the Flat Head
Modified winner; Rodney Cook aced the Vintage Modified division and
Sportsman honors went to Matt Faucett of Virginia.
Sources:
North vs. South Shootout PR
Posted: November 11, 2003
