Brownstown Speedway
Tell-tale smoke robs Hines of ILMS victory
BROWNSTOWN, Ind. (April 10) — Reigning series champion Steven Godsey of Bedford, Ind., captured the Indiana Late Model Series opener at Brownstown Speedway after Jeremy Hines of Williams, Ind., was penalized for leaking fluids during a late-race battle.
The smoking car of Hines actually took the checkers inches ahead of Godsey on a last-lap pass, but because Hines had been told by race officials via one-way radio to pull to the infield two laps earlier, Godsey was scored as the winner of the Crate Late Model event.
Zak Blackwood, who finished just behind the frontrunners, was moved up to second while Kevin Hardin, Alan Magner and Edgar Godsey rounded out the top five. Hines was listed 13th in the final rundown.
Hines led from the outset and was working lapped traffic by the ninth lap. Godsey, Blackwood and Mark Barber battled for second behind him, but after a series of cautions on lap 13, Godsey grabbed second and set his sights on Hines, taking the lead on lap 16 and holding a three-length advantage at lap 20. Smoke began to show behind the Hines car as he moved in to challenge late in the 25-lapper, setting up the dramatic conclusion.
ILMS @ Brownstown: (1) Steven Godsey, (2) Zak Blackwood, (3) Kevin Hardin, (4) Alan Magner, (5) Edgar Godsey, (6) Steve Davis, (7) Mark Barber, (8) Eric Varner, (9) John Mulligan, (10) Shannon Reed, (11) Jason Shipp, (12) Tyler Allen, (13) Jeremy Hines, (14) Chris Wilson, (15) Greg Kendall, (16) Lindsay Wade, (17) Mike Bechelli, (18) Zane Powell, (19) Jon Gilstrap, (20) Shannon Allen. Heat race winners (among 25 cars): Varner, Hines, Powell. Consolation winner: Gilstrap.