Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends
Notes: Bloomquist car peps Compton after DQ
Kenny Compton Jr.
Kenny Compton Jr.'s most recent would-be victory ended without a trip to victory lane after an unusual postrace disqualification. But the Bland, Va., driver is putting that behind him in looking ahead to racing his new Bloomquist Race Car.
The 28-year-old Compton, a veteran driver who formerly raced out of Beckley, W.Va., is among fewer than 20 drivers piloting cars built by Scott Bloomquist, the Hall of Fame driver and chassis builder from Mooresburg, Tenn. Compton recently tested his new car with Bloomquist and is anxious to run more Super Late Model events after running primarily in Limited and Crate Late Model events.
"It's one of the best cars I've probably ever driven in my life," Compton said of the black and green No. 10. "It's just phenomenal the way they drive and the way they turn."
Compton hopes to someday take his Bloomquist-designed chassis to victory lane at 311 Speedway in Madison, N.C. He thought he'd earned such a trip at the track's March 27 event for NDRA-sanctioned Crate Late Models, but he was disqualified for taking an extra lap after taking the checkered flag.
Track rules require drivers to pull off the track and head straight the scales, and Compton got the bad news after outrunning Larry Blankenship in his first trip to the half-mile oval. Blankenship inherited the victory.
"Anywhere I've been for the last 20 years in racing, you always make an extra lap," Compton said. "Common sense tells you not to hit the binders and turn hard left.
"I might've been in the wrong, I don't know. ... I'm just going to come back one day and do it over. That's all I can do."
Compton, who earned $2,500 for winning the Crate Late Model portion of Green Valley Speedway's Bama Bash in February, hopes to run some Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Southern All Star and Carolina Clash events the rest of the season. He plans on putting his crate engine aside "and focusing on the Super (Late Model) cars, full steam ahead." — Todd Turner
JOHNSON ENDS DROUGHT AT PITTSBURGH: Mike Johnson of Imperial, Pa., held off sixth-row starters Jared Miley and Steve Baker for an April 10 feature victory at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, his first Late Model feature victory at PPMS since Aug. 6, 2006. Jason Rider led early but departed with engine woes after four laps, and Keith Barbara was set to inherit the lead. But Barbara jumped the ensuing restart and officials moved Johnson to the front. Miley and Baker charged up to challenge Johnson late, but he held on for the victory. Barbara ended up fourth. — From track reports
MANN COLLECTS FIRST VICTORY AT POTOMAC: While it originally didn't look like it was his night, Matt Quade of Mechanicsville, Md., benefitted from two faltering leaders to capture his first career Late Model feature victory at Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek, Md., on April 9. "It’s taken us a while to finally get here," Mann said in victory lane, "and I can't thank all my sponsors and my crew (enough) for sticking with me." Roland Mann led 18 laps before a flat tire knocked him from contention, then Jeff Pilkerton inherited the lead in search of his first Potomac victory since '99. But Pilkerton and Dale Hollidge tangled on the final lap, and on the final restart, Quade held off David Williams for the victory. — Doug Watson
DEVIL'S BOWL REGULAR DIES AFTER HEART ATTACK: Long-time Devil's Bowl Speedway regular Britt Ables, a Late Model racer whose first victory came July 19, 2003, died Saturday after suffering a heart attack April 3 at the track in Mesquite, Texas. He was 49. The mechanic at Ables Auto Service in Garland, Texas, is survived by his parents, a brother and girlfriend Deborah Martin. The funeral was April 8. The track planned to remember the late driver of the No. 51 on April 10. His most recent feature victory at Devil's Bowl was April 26, 2008. — From track reports
CLINTON COUNTY DRIVERS GET SHOT AT BONUSES: Late Model drivers who earn Friday night victories at Clinton County Raceway in Mackeyville, Pa., this season can earn $500 bonuses if they can win at any other track on Saturday night in the same car. Promoters Vern Wasson, Kyle Lefelhoc and Carol Houssock recently announced the multi-division bonus program, which requires the drivers return to Clinton County the following Friday to pick up their cash. "We always support drivers who want to race more than one night, and this will provide them with that added incentive," Wasson said. "The potential is there for drivers to win lots of extra money this year, and that could very well happen." Clinton County's season opener is April 16. — From track reports
ODDS AND ENDS: Boys and girls wearing youth softball or baseball shirts will be admitted free to April 17 racing at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. For details, call marketing director Amanda Buckingham at (423) 817-0925. ... North Alabama Speedway near Tuscumbia announced it has returned Super Late Models to its weekly program beginning April 16. ... Conway County Super Speedway in Plumerville, Ark., is hosting a Crate Late Model event on April 24 to gauge the possibility of adding occasional races for the division to its regular program.
