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
