The day started with a frown as it seems that the economy has got a lot of teams in a pinch. 2006 UARA-STARS champion Brandon Ward, who was 7th in points and only 75 out of second, was unable to make the trip because of team finances. He was able to secure a "start and park" ride from Jay Fogleman, but that went sour in the first practice as Fogleman blew an engine and

Caraway Speedway - Mack Little scores another win at Caraway.

Concord Motorsport Park - Chuck Crump collected his seventh trophy of the season after Terry Brooks, Jr. collected the win on the track, but didn't pass post race tech when a fuel sample was taken from his car. Crump was given the win with Kevin Love second followed by Justin Hill, Bob Saville and Larry

needed the one out of the backup. Mike Hampton, who is 8th in points wasn't there and the one that really lets you know how bad it is has to be A.J. Frank.  Frank qualified his Mac Hill Motorsports entry in the 4th position, but as the green waved he pulled to the outside and after 2 laps parked, sticking to the original plan of the day.

Mark McFarland set fast time in qualifying, and Ray Love Jr. stepped it up to get the outside pole. The field was set and the green was in the air, but it wouldn't be for long. 19 laps into the event we have the biggest pile-up of the evening. Allen Purkhiser and Tyler Young get hung up off turn 2 and spin. Joe Harrison Jr., whose son got his first win last weekened in the Super Cup Stock Car Series at Lonesome Pine International Raceway, spins to avoid and the cars of Mart Nesbit and Brett Butler pile in hard ending their night. It was this caution that the cat and mouse game of pitting would begin, as the entire field heads to pit road,

without one noticeable car, Benny Gordon.

After Gordon inherited the lead, it looked like smooth sailing. Short track ace, Jeff Agnew, moved comfortably into second and the front 2 were gone. The best battle of the evening was far behind them, with Jason Sarvis, McFarland, and Derek Kale running very hard for over 150 laps at one point. After a few more single car cautions the field was narrowed greatly, as only 14 cars were running competitively with 100 to go.

The race got single file, and as the laps clicked off, everybody wondered what Gordon's game plan was. All cars in Pro Cup races must change 2 tires, at some point in the race. And if they take fuel, it can't be in that same stop or same caution. So, with all the cars besides Gordon having already gotten fuel and tires on

previous cautions, it was a given that Gordon was getting tires and trying to run the whole race on fuel. But, he needed a caution, and as the field was strung out,it looked as if he could possibly have to do it under green, ruining his chances for victory. But alas, luck would be on his side when Ray Love Jr, spins into the turn 3 wall on lap 196, and Gordon and all the other leaders come down pit road a final time for tires and fuel, well for Gordon the fuel wasn't an option.

Derek Kale stayed out inheriting the lead, and Jason Sarvis beat everyone off pit road with a 2 tire stop. As the green waved with 50 laps to go, Sarvis goes on the attack and muscles under Kale to take the lead. Behind them, Gordon is picking them off after starting 5th, and at lap 206 he slams into the side of the Kale machine and takes the second spot. We all knew it wouldn't be long, and the inevitable came on lap 211 as Gordon once again takes the lead. But behind him the bullring master was coming, Jeff Agnew was mowing them down as well.

We move to lap 220, and Agnew has walked down Gordon. 6 laps later, they make contact off turn 4 but Gordon hangs on. The leaders approach lapped traffic, and Gordon catches them just right, on the straights, as Agnew isn't as lucky and makes many passes on the high side of the turns, killing his momentum. It looked as if Gordon had it in the bag, until Allen Purkhiser spins off turn 4 setting up a green-white-checkered.

The leaders tried to play each other on the start, Agnew up on Gordon, Sarvis hanging back for the great run, but it didn't matter. Gordon takes the green and sails off into the night, Agnew never gets close enough to rattle him and Gordon claims his 4th victory of the year. And to make it even sweeter, with Gary St. Amant finishing 5th, Gordon is the 2008 Northern division champion heading into the championship series. Pretty good night I'd say.

Benz.

Franklin County Speedway - Rodney Cook and Jimmy Mullins split wins this week as Mullins in the final race of the night dumped UARA-STARS regular, Darrell Wallace, Jr. for the lead. Too bad for Wallace he won't have a chance to return the favor this week as the UARA tour rolls into Callaway, VA as Mullins can't run with the big dogs and will keep his car at the shop.

Greenville Pickens Speedway - Anthony Anders took his second win of the season at GPS followed by Marty Ward, Coleman Pressley, David Roberts and Kenneth Headen. GPS had another great field of Late Model Stock Cars starting 28 cars.

Hickory Motor Speedway - Andy Mercer scored another victory at Hickory Motor Speedway as he has gotten down right dominant at the historic 3/8 mile track. Mercer was followed to the line by Lucas Ransone, David Latour, Grant Wimbish and Andy Loden.

Langley Speedway - Nick Smith somehow amazingly found a way to pass tech for the second time this season to collect the victory at Langley Speedway. Smith was followed to the finish by brothers, Greg and Danny Edwards, CE Faulk and Paul DeBolt.

Lonesome Pine Raceway - No Late Models this week. Chargers(Limited Late Model of sorts) were in Bristol

Motor Speedway where Caleb Roark scored his first career win, but had the win stripped from him when confusion at the end of the race had the officials give the win to Kevin Wolfe, who Roark passed coming to the checkered flag. Not sure what explanation they were given, but Roark's father, Jeff was visibly upset when they rolled Wolfe's car into victory lane.

Motor Mile Speedway - Surprise, Surprise .... Philip Morris took yet another win in at Motor Mile. Morris was followed to the finish by Jerame Donley, who was making his first start of the season at MMS. Kelly Kingery was third with Forrest Reynolds fourth and Chad Harris fifth. UARA-STARS regulars Alex

Yontz(11th) and Curtis Truex, Jr.(9th) were in action at MMS. Butch Hamlet had his car out this weekend and after qualifying 12th he had to settle for a 25th place finish and Tommy Lemons, Jr.'s bad luck continued as he qualified 10th and finished a dismal 24th out of the 29 Late Models.

Music City Motorplex - Results Not Available at Press Time.

Myrtle Beach Speedway - No Late Models this week.

Newport Speedway - Results Not Available at Press Time.

Orange County Speedway - No Late Models this week.

Southern National Raceway Park - The Late Model Stock Cars had the week off, but the Super Late Models took to the track for a $4,000 to win affair and Dean Clattenburg took home the win over a field of 16 cars.

South Boston Speedway - Feature story above on Hooters Pro-Cup Series race.

Tri-County Motor Speedway - Jesse LeFevers doubled up on his career victories last night as he came in a two-time winner and left a four time winner. Lefevers was followed to the line in race one by Andy Loden, RA Brown, Monty Cox and JR Allen and in race number two he was chased by Lee Tissot, Loden, Grant Wimbish and Brown.