9/20/2004

DOUG REAUME WIRES RACE OF CHAMPIONS LIMITED SUPERMODIFIED FEATURE

Oswego, NY: It was Syracusan Doug Reaume's day at the Race of Champions on Friday, Sept. 17 as he not only won his heat but continued on to lead every lap of the NORA Limited Supermodified feature. Reaume, by luck of the draw, started in the front row alongside Gregg Davis, and took the lead never to relinquish it. It was Reaume's first win in a Race of Champions weekend event. The race, originally slated for 50 laps, was shortened to 35 due to the threat of rain. 

Mayhem broke out on the first flap with Guard Nearbin's 78 receiving the worst of the damage as cars scattered all over the speedway. On the second attempt, more cars did the same as the knowledge of rain all around may of played a role setting up a get-to-the front-quick attitude. In any case Chris Natoli and Mark Regan were hooked in this incident and unable to resume racing. 

When the green flew for good, Reaume took off in the lead trailed by Mike Bond and Gregg Davis. A short delay for raindrops left the limiteds circling the track for a while around lap 4 but the race was able to resume and when it did, it went green most of the way with Reaume the winner, but not without heavy challenge. With Bond, Davis, J.J. Andrews, Dave Cliff and Tim Barbeau in tight racing formation behind, Reaume tried to leave the pack behind. 

Yellow flew on lap 10 when the 95, driven by newcomer Rich Murtaugh spun and restarted at the rear. Another quick yellow came three laps later when the 95 came around again and parked the car in the pits. 

Mike Bond made a charge at Reaume on both of these restarts, but settled into second closely behind after each attempt. The duo left Davis, and now Russ Brown, Andrews and Dave Cliff several car lengths behind. ,

With ten to go Brown was all over Bond in second as the front three were pulling away from the pack still led by Davis in third, Andrews and Dave Cliff. Just behind were Doug Cliff and Tim Proud, driving his brother Chris' number 3 for the day. 

The front row battle continued into the last laps and on the final circuit, Brown's number 13 tapped the 90 of Bond causing him to bobble, lose ground and lose second place. Reaume crossed the line in first trailed now by Brown, Davis, Andrews and Dave Cliff. In post-race inspections NORA officials disqualified Davis due to an illegal carburetor in his 89, moving everyone up a spot, making Proud the last car in the top five. Doug Cliff, Kevin Knopp, Bill Moore, George Knight and Guard Nearbin rounded out the top ten as the standings shuffled Davis to the rear. 

Summary: 

Heats won by Reaume, Brown and Proud 

NORA OSWEGO LIMITED SUPERMODIFIEDS ROC 35/50 

1 (1) DOUG REAUME #14 
2 (12) Russ Brown #13 
3 (4) J.J. Andrews #93 
4 (16) Dave Cliff #06 
5 (9) Tim Proud #3 
6 (15) Doug Cliff #61 
7 (5) Kevin Knopp #94 
8 (23) Bill Moore #7 
9 (20) George Knight #88 
10 (8) Guard Nearbin #78 
11 (3) Mike Bond #90 
12 (17) Steve Austin #66 
13 (19) Ed "Pitt" Watson #46 
14 (18) Pat Mullen #32 
15 (10) Tim Barbeau #50 
16 (6) Ryan Coleman #29 
17 (25) Terry Solazzo #25 
18 (24) Tom Culeton #1 
19 (26) Rich Murtaugh #95 
20 (21) Sam Bradford #0 
21 (13) Rob Pullen #2 
22 (22) Ed Lawton #5 
23 (7) Shawn Walker #68 
24 (14) Chris Natoli #33 
25 (11) Mark Regan #69 
26 (2) Gregg Davis #89* - finished 3rd on track, DQ with illegal carb 

DNS: 
Lou LeVea #96 
Dave Danzer #53 
Terry Vezzose #02 

Source:  Carol Haynes/Oswego PR
Additions: Mark Southcott/NYRaceZone.com PR
Posted:  September 20, 2004; updated September 23, 2004