East Bay Raceway Park
Whitener wins East Bay's Thompson Memorial
Mark Whitener (58) duels Doug Horton (11). (ricksdarkroom.com)
GIBSONTON, Fla. (Sept. 7) — Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., claimed a $4,000 payday Saturday night in winning East Bay Raceway Park’s Scott Thompson Memorial for the second straight year.
Whitener led the second half of the 50-lap race, crossing the finish line ahead of Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., Keith Nosbisch of Valrico, Fla., and Devin Dixon of Apollo Beach, Fla. | Slideshow
After two failed attempts to start the race, the polesitting Nosbisch led the way through the early laps and quickly caught the tail of the field. The first caution came out on lap nine when Shan Smith spun in turn three directly in front of Nosbisch with the leader making contact with Smith but with no damage.
On the restart, Nosbisch continued to lead as Whitener attempted to use the high side to reel in Nosbisch before another caution waved on lap 13 for Hammond spinning in turn two.
Nosbisch again had Whitener on his back bumper with Kyle Bronson and Doug Horton in tow. After the green waved it was Horton on the move as he made it by Bronson and Whitener and moved up to second spot.
On lap 22, Nosbisch had to put on the brakes for a lapped car, allowing Horton to take over the lead heading into turn one with Whitener hanging grabbing second to shuffle Nosbisch back to third.
But Horton’s time out front didn’t last long, as Whitener took over the lead by the halfway point. Caution came out as Steven Mathis, Jr. and Doug Watson spun in turn four, giving second-running Nosbisch a chance to challenge Whitener. But he was unable to make the pass, and Whitener successfully negotiated lapped traffic on his way to the victory.
“I knew Scott and we raced together so this means a great deal to me for me to be able to win this back to back,” Whitener said. “It takes a team effort to win this race and to make it here in Victory Lane. I have to thank Mark Rey for making the right call on the tires because if it was me I would have guessed wrong.”
Notes: Whitener’s sponsors include Dave’s Towing and B&B Produce. ... The event was sponsored by Airgas with Selective Environmental Services, Inc. putting up an extra $200 to make it $4,000 to the winner. ... Dave Schmauss, Travis Varnadore and Steven Mathis, Jr. also picked up bonus pay of $100 each courtesy of Selective Environmental Services, Inc. for their seventh-, ninth- and 11th-place finishes. ... Previous winners of the Scott Thompson Memorial: Keith Nosbisch, Rich Pratt, Doug Horton, Travis Varnadore, and Mark Whitener.
Scott Thompson Memorial: (1) Mark Whitener, (2) Doug Horton, (3) Kyle Bronson, (4) Keith Nosbisch, (5) Devin Dixon, (6) Phillip Cobb, (7) David Schmauss, (8) Rich Prat, (9) Travis Varnadore, (10) Doug Watson, (11) Steven Mathis Jr., (12) Josh Peacock, (13) Wayne Hammond, (14) Steve Miller, (15) Matt Miller, (16) Kyle Musselman, (17) Jeff Mathews, (18) Austin Kirkpatrick, (19) Shan Smith, (20) Roger Crouse, (21) Dalton Myers, (22) Tommy Prince, (23) Mavrick Varnadore, (24) Mark Haase. Heat race winners (among 30 cars): Bronson, Whitener, Pratt, Nosbisch. Consolation winner: Miller.
