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SARVER, P.A. – Billy Moyer continued his dominance of the World of Outlaw Late Models Series on Tuesday night at the Lernerville Speedway by winning the 50-lap ‘Showdown in Sarvertown.’
Moyer, of Batesville, Ark., is off to one of the best stars of his career. The win was his second career Lernerville win, his fourth World of Outlaw win in six tries and his 35th career win with the series that dates back to 1988.
“We all know that you can’t win them all,” stated the 50-year-old driver after a flat tire slowed him at Virginia Motor Speedway while he was battling for the lead. “We chalked it up as one of those nights. We went back to work and tweaked on the car a little bit before coming here.”
The tweaking was all the car needed as Moyer, who started third, took the lead on lap three from Shane Clanton and pulled away to claim the $10,000 winner’s prize while adding to his overall points lead with the WoO Late Models.
“We said we’d come out here and run this swing before making a decision,” stated Moyer after being questioned about the point lead and the chances he’ll chase the tour title in 2008. “It’s too early in the year to make a decision like that. I’m going to leave it up to the guys that work for me to make that decision.”
Clanton, of Locust Grove Ga., finished second to Moyer after starting the race from the pole. Chub Frank challenged Clanton in the closing laps but was unable to pull of the pass for the runner-up position forcing him to settle for third.
Steve Francis, of Ashland, KY., set the fast time of the night and scored a fourth place finish while Rick Eckert, of York, Pa., completed the top five.
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SHORT LEAD: At the drop of the green, 26 cars came to life with Clanton taking the early lead into turn one. The lead was short lived, however, as with just three laps complete, Mike Knight slowed in turn two.
DIDN’T TAKE LONG: Action resumed with Clanton again assuming the race lead into turn one, but that wouldn’t last long. Clanton ran down low in turn three opening the top for Moyer to make his move. As they raced off the corner, Moyer powered by and assumed command of the event.
MODIFIED PROBLEMS: The second caution of the feature came out when part-time Modified driver Billy Decker’s John Wight owned Late Model slowed into turn one. Then, on lap 33, Tim Fuller was running inside the top ten when he spun all by himself in turn three. Three laps later Fuller brought out the final caution when he made contact with Dave Hess Jr. on the back straightaway. It ended his night.
HOLDING STRONG: Through all the restarts and the several laps of racing, Moyer easily was able to stay out in front and hold his advantage as Clanton, Frank and Francis battled for the opportunity to take the second position and a chance at racing for the lead. None of them could mount a charge as Moyer was strong enough to stay out in front without working the car more than he had to.
“The car was good enough that I could run around there at 70 and 80 percent and still have something left if somebody got to pressuring me with 10 to 15 laps to go,” said Moyer. “I didn’t want to run too hard and have my tires all sealed up if somebody challenged me. I was trying to keep that in mind.”
NO CATCHING HIM: At the checkered it was Moyer easily grabbing the victory with Clanton holding off Frank in the closing laps to finish second.
“He’s (Moyer) in a zone right now and he’s tough to beat,” commented Clanton about Moyer’s domination. “When I changed my line and started driving it in as hard as he was it didn’t seem like he pulled me that bad. But he was a little bit better than I was.”
ALMOST LOSING SECOND: On two separate occasions Clanton almost gave up the runner-up spot. The first came on lap 23 when he got into the outside wall and bent the spindle on the car and the second came in the closing laps as Frank made up a lot of ground running around the bottom of the speedway.
“I felt him (Frank) down there and then I saw the full racecar,” said Clanton. “I thought the one time he had gotten by me but he didn’t”
COSTLY BOBBLE: Frank, of Bear Lake, Pa., made a run in the final circuits to get by Clanton, at one point he was able to get right along side him but a bobble in turn two cost him his opportunity.
“I thought I had a chance to pass him (Clanton) but I got the left front into the infield and I bounced the car,” stated Frank. “It took me a few laps to get back to him but by that then I had run out of time.”
QUALIFYING: Francis set quick time with a lap of 15.433 around the lightening quick half-mile oval. Four ten lap heats were held with Moyer, Matt Lux, Clanton and Vic Coffey securing wins. A pair of B-Mains were run with Hess and John Blankenship taking the victories.
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Feature (50 Laps):
1. (21) Billy Moyer, Batesville AR.
2. (25) Shane Clanton, Locust Grove GA.
3. (1*) Chub Frank, Bear Lake
4. (19) Steve Francis, Ashland KY.
5. (24) Rick Eckert, York
6. (29) Darrell Lanigan, Union KY.
7. (1) Josh Richards, Shinnston WV.
8. (3S) Brian Shirley, Chatham IL.
9. (E1) Mike Balzano, Parkersburg WV.
10. (55) Jeep Von Wormer, Pinconning MI.
11. (39) Vic Coffey, Leicester NY.
12. (44) Clint Smith, Senola GA.
13. (44H) Dave Hess Jr., Waterford
14. (9K) Mike Knight, Ripley NY.
15. (21L) Matt Lux, Franklin
16. (18) Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL.
17. (23) John Blankenship, Williamson WV.
18. (46) Doug Horton, Bruceton Mills WV.
19. (10) Gary Lyle, Hyde Park
20. (27J) Danny Johnson, Phelps NY.
21. (4) Alex Feree, Saxonburg
22. (19T) Tim Fuller, Watertown
23. (3) David Scott, Garland
24. (7J) Joe Isabell, Pennellville NY.
25. (1J) Davey Johnson, Latrobe
26. (91) Billy Decker, Unadilla NY.
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