Post by Admin on Nov 18, 2019 14:37:31 GMT -8
WHITWELL HITS IMCA MODIFIED JACKPOT AT 22ND ANNUAL DUEL IN THE DESERT
R.C. Whitwell added his name to the LVMS Dirt Track record books
(Photo Credit: Instant Images)
Thompson takes Northern SportMods feature
R.C. Whitwell put a big check mark on his IMCA Modified bucket list Saturday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track.
Whitwell led the last 11 of 40 laps in the Duel in the Desert main event, holding off fellow Tucson, Ariz., ace Jake O'Neil following a re-start with four circuits left.
The Duel win paid $7,777.77 and put Whitwell on the 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. More than 300 cars, including an event-record 102 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods, saw action in the biggest event of the season in IMCA's Shaw Race Cars Western Region.
Whitwell had chased Tom Berry Jr. the first 29 times around the half-mile dirt oval before the leader got caught up with a lapped car and got turned around.
"The car has been great since we unloaded," said Whitwell, a second-and-a-half ahead of O'Neil at the checkers. "It was kind of nerve-wracking during the last caution, knowing the zero car (O'Neil) was back there, but I figured if he was able to go around me on the outside, he deserved it."
Cody Laney, Tim Ward and defending race winner Jason Hughes completed the top five.
Berry and Whitwell had both won opening night qualifying features on Thursday. Berry started from the pole, with Whitwell lined up right behind him in the main event.
The front pair got out to a half straightaway lead over the rest of the 28-car field just eight laps in. Berry led by the width of his bumper when Lap 11 was scored, then moved to a lower line and was able to put some distance on Whitwell.
Whitwell reeled Berry back in, then took over the front spot after the leader tangled with the lapped car on the back straight.
"We've come close here before. It feels good to get one here," said Whitwell, third at Duels in 2014 and 2015. "There's an awesome caliber of drivers here, and I was excited to go up against them. There was a lot of talent out there."
Cody Thompson also started third, ran second much of the way and then finished first in the Northern SportMod 25-lapper.
Thompson stayed committed to the higher line and motored by past race-long leader Michael Johnson with seven laps to go.
"I knew he would get out there a ways, but we had a pretty decent car to reel him in," said Thompson, runner-up to Johnson in their Thursday qualifier after starting deep in the field. "This win ranks up with the best of them, especially being able to race up top."
Thompson took the $1,777.77 win ahead of Johnson, Brandon Schmitt and Kevin Johnson. Matt Looft raced from a 12th starting spot to fifth.
Dylan Thornton led the last eight of 10 laps in the Young Guns feature for IMCA Modifieds, while Christy Barnett led the last 10 of 12 circuits in the IMCA Modified Legends race.
Zane DeVilbiss started last and finished first in the 15-lap Wild West Modified Shootout. Casey Delp and Michael Hale completed the top three.
And Slade Pitt was in, out and back in the lead at the finish of the 10-lap Wild West Northern SportMod Shootout, besting Rex Higgins and Kendra Vollmer in what became a tightly contested three-car battle.
For more information and complete results, please visit LVMS online at www.lvms.com
