(Fayetteville,NC July 18, 2010) Rekindling memories of previous battles throughout the 2010 season, Dennis Franklin and Timbo Mangum proved once again why they are two of the best in GM Performance Late Model competition. Mangum led the majority of the race only to see Franklin slip by late in the event and pick up his 4th Heintz Performance Road Show win of the season on a perfect racing surface that produced multiple side by side battles.
Franklin set fast time in GM Performance Qualifying and was joined by Kent Peckham, Josh Harwell, and Mangum for the traditional Top 4 redraw. Following the autograph session and GazZu Energy redraw, Mangum moved to the pole position and Franklin drew 4th as the other two positions remain unchanged. From the outset, Mangum flexed his muscle as he put the blue T1 at the point to the delight of many of the Lancaster faithful. Peckham and Franklin followed Mangum through the early laps of the event as attrition began to take its toll on some of the field. Jeff Cooke, Mitchell Coble, and Josh Harwell, who enetered the event in the top 7 in the point standings, each suffered their own misfortune forcing them trackside before halfway. Franklin moved past Peckham for the second position before halfway as Billy Thompson began mounting a charge. While Franklin reeled in Mangum, Thompson separated himself from the battle between Peckham, Matt Long, Ron Parker, and Steve Banal. Just past the midpoint of the race, the two leaders waged war for the top spot. Mangum continued to lead as Franklin looked to the inside but was initially unsuccessful in taking over the top spot. Lap after lap passed as the crowd stood on its feet watching one of the best battles the Road Show has ever seen as Mangum fought off Franklin’s relentless pursuit around the fast half mile. With just under ten laps remaining, Franklin slid by the race leader as Magnum regrouped to make one last run for the victory. Mangum closed back in as he attempted to slide back by Franklin. In the end, it was Franklin holding on for his record setting win. Thompson followed the duo to the line for 3rd followed by Ron Parker and Peckham.
With Cooke’s early race misfortune, Ron Parker extended his point lead to 66 over Cooke. Franklin, Long, and Coble, round out the top 5 in the overall point standings. Franklin, who earned the R2C Filters winner’s certificate, celebrated in City Chevrolet/Goodyear/VP Fuels Victory Lane as Mitchell Coble and Chris Fite picked up the FK Rod Ends Hard Luck and Hard Charger awards respectively. For more information, please visit www.ndraracing.com
Associates of the NDRA include City Chevrolet, Heintz Brothers Performance, Goodyear, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, GazZu Energy, Dirtwrap, R2C Filters, and Racing Electronics.
NDRA Road Show Results From Lancaster Speedway
1. Dennis Franklin
2. Timbo Mangum
3. Billy Thompson
4. Ron Parker
5. Kent Peckham
6. Steve Banal
7. Brandy Baker
8. Matt Long
9. Benji Knight
10. Chris Fite
11. Kevin Wilson
12. Steve Davis
13. Josh Harwell
14. Mitchell Coble
15. Matt Lawson
16. Jeff Cooke
