Post Race Update #5, New Smyrna Speedway Florida February 16, 2011
The #38 crew went over the motor and what they found was that when they had the earlier problem with the distributer rotor, it was not set back in place the same and the timing was off eight degrees. Once the timing was reset to where it belonged, the motor sounded much better and the crew felt that they now had a better chance of running at the front with their progression throughout the week in the cars handling.
Only nine Late Models showed up for the show, led by the #33, #11 & #38 as the top three, however the #33 decided to start at the back of the pack allowing Kirk to move up into the pole position. The #38 Imperial Paper Chevy took the green flag first with the #11 on the outside and when the #11 did not get on it hard at the line, it opened up the outside lane allowing the cars directly behind Kirk to quickly jump outside and get a run on the first lap.
The #20 and #36 were the two that quickly reacted and held Kirk to the bottom as they put the #38 into 3rd by the end of the first lap. An early caution for the #4 who spun in the back, regrouped the field and put Kirk on the inside lane behind the #36 and beside the #119. The #119 got a better run on the restart and after two laps of side by side racing, took over 3rd followed by the #26 who put the Chrysler Shillington Chartered Accountants Chevy into 5th on lap 5.
The #20 and # 36 battled nose to tail for the lead well ahead of the #26 and #119 who were having their own battle for 3rd at the half way mark followed closely by the #38. The #26 moved up to join the #20 and #30 leaving the #119 behind with the #38 still on his tail. With ten laps remaining, the #36 won the battle with the #20 and with the #26 catching the leaders, there was now a nose to tail pack looking for the win.
The order was unchanged with 5 laps remaining with the #38 Race Time Radio Chevy pushing hard to get the 4th position away from the #119. The final laps clicked off and neither of the top three or the #38 could make a move to change the finishing order giving the win to the #36 followed by the #26, #119 and then Kirk in the #38.
From Ken Spira
