(Westminster, SC March 26th) In a race that showcased a stellar field, Deleware double file restarts, and continuous side by side racing, Ron Parker emerged to capture Round 1 of the Heintz Performance Road Show at Westminster Speedway. Parker, who started from the outside pole position, claimed the lead on lap 31 and led the rest of the way to claim the season opener for the highly anticipated touring series.
Inman, South Carolina’s David Smith set fast time in GM Performance Qualifying with a lap of 17.160 around the 4/10 mile. Smith, Parker, Timbo Mangum, and David McCoy would post the top 4 times needed to enter the Gazzu Energy Top 4 redraw. The redraw, held at the autograph signing during intermission, moved Timbo Mangum to the pole position for the 35 lap feature.
Mangum immediately vaulted into the lead at the outset of the event. As Mangum opened up an early lead, the battle ensued between McCoy, Parker, and Dennis “Rambo” Franklin. Bill Morgan soon made his presence felt as he quickly joined the top three. At the halfway point, Morgan had made his way into the second position and began his pursuit of Mangum as Parker and Franklin dueled for third. Lap 23 would bring heartaches for both Smith (flat tire) and Morgan (mechanical failure) as they were forced to exit the speedway. At this point in the event, Jeff Cooke (started 17th) and Matt Long (started 10th) were making their move to the front of the field. Mangum remained at the top of the order with Franklin and Parker in tow. The lap 24 restart ignited a fierce battle between Timbo and Rambo. Mangum held his lead as Franklin looked to the inside of the race leader. Lap after lap passed with Franklin challenging on the inside, only to have Mangum pull ahead on the outside. With only a handful of laps remaining Franklin made his push for the lead coming off of turn four as he and Mangum raced side by side back to the first turn. Franklin grabbed the lead entering turn one only to have Mangum dive to the inside exiting turn two. With $3000 and The Road Show point lead on the line, the competitors touched exiting turn two with Mangum reassuming the lead. Franklin’s night would come to an unfortunate end on the next lap due to a turn 2 spin. Conflict between Mangum and Franklin ensued under the caution flag. Franklin was dismissed from the event and Mangum, with a heavily damaged car, was placed at the point. On the restart, Parker quickly capitalized on his opportunity to grab the race lead. Parker slid to the inside of Mangum and would lead the rest of the way holding off the hard charging Jeff Cooke, Stephan Segars, Magnum, and Greg Pilgrim.
Westminster provided the stage for an exciting opening act for The Road Show. In addition to our appreciation of Jimmy Franklin and the entire racing family at Westminster Speedway, the NDRA would like to thank Heintz Performance, Goodyear, City Chevrolet, GM Performance Parts, VP Racing Fuels, and Gazzu Energy Drinks for their continued support of the NDRA. Round 2 of the Heintz Performance Road Show is scheduled for April 24th at Antioch Speedway in Morganton, NC.
The Road Show - Round 1 Results From Westminster Speedway
1. Ron Parker 2. Jeff Cooke 3. Stephen Segars 4. Timbo Mangum 5. Greg Pilgrim 6. Brian Grumbles 7. George Reece Jr. 8. Tyler Harvey 9. Mitchell Coble 10. Hot Rod Lamance 11. Jody Farmer 12. Matt Long 13. Bill Morgan 14. David Smith 15. Hunter Peacock 16. David McCoy 17. Keith Freeman 18. Nick Sellars 19. Ryan Bryson 20. Jason Pack 21. Noel Tucker 22. Doug Sanders 23. Mike Davidson 24. Dennis Franklin (DQ)
