Waycross Motor Speedway
Collins derails foes with dominating Waycross victory
WAYCROSS, Ga. (Aug. 8) — Johnny Collins of Jacksonville, Fla., led all 50 laps at Waycross Motor Speedway for his first victory of the season on the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series. Collins earned $3,000 for winning the second annual Scotbilt Classic.
"The car got loose about 16 laps in," Collins said, "but I was able to pick my line because I was up front."
Fellow Jacksonville driver Jason Fitzgerald finished second, good enough to take the UDLMCS points lead from Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., who lose second when he was penalized by series officials. Whitener held the second spot through the first half of the race, but officials ruled he went below the restart cone on lap 23 and sent him to the rear. He rallied to finish fifth.
Mark Carter of Blackshear, Ga., was third followed by Dillon Wood of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Dusty Cone of Jennings, Fla., last year's UDLMCS winner at Waycross, was running third when mechanical problems forced him to retire. Ten of 17 starters were running at the finish.
Next up for UDLMCS competitors is the second annual Battle on the Blacktop on Aug. 22 at Charlotte County Motorsports Park in Punta Gorda, Fla.
UDLMCS @ Waycross: (1) Johnny Collins, (2) Jason Fitzgerald, (3) Mark Carter, (4) Dillon Wood, (5) Mark Whitener, (6) Scott Johnson, (7) Russell Brown Jr., (8) Keith Tuten, (9) Jody Rodgers, (10) Mike Carter, (11) Chuck Chitty, (12) Tyler Ivey, (13) Troy Walker, (14) Bo Johns, (15) Tom Jones, (16) Dusty Cone, (17) Rhett Carter. Scratched: Jamie Bowen. Fast qualifier (among 18 cars): Collins. Heat race winners: Wood, Cone.
