Truck
racing kicked off in Victoria BC with cloudy skies hanging over the
brand new racetrack. Tony Pizzaro set the pace stealing the pole from
Frank Womack. After the green fell it wasn't 10 laps in when the #33 of
Ken Joynt and #29 of Ben Geer made contact giving the #29 engine damage.
Geer would manage to complete a few more laps before the damage got the
better of him and the engine expired. Shortly
after the green flew for the 2nd time the caution would be returned to
the track as the rains started to fall just 31 laps into the event.
Trucks were ushered down pit road and tarped as officials worked
feverishly checking the radars. Fortunately it was only a quick shower
lasting only about 5 minutes. Track drying wouldn't take very long as
FDTS officials had brought the Air Titan to assist in this situation.
After track drying trucks would be moved back to the racing surface and
after a quick caution period that found JT Armstrong moving to the point
we were back to racing. Unfortunately J.T. would bring out the first
caution on the green racetrack when he spun leading collecting a few
trucks including TEX Perry's #7. Perry's truck would sustain engine
damage but he would be able to limp it to a 10th place finish. Battles
would ensue up front between series winners Pizzaro and Daniels along
with Frank Womack, Alex Crapser, Tim McDonnell, and Rod Weston making up
the lead pack. As the final green flag pit stops approached Pizzaro
would find himself in the lead when the final caution flew trapping many
trucks a lap down. Crapser would find himself in the hotseat as he was
exiting the pits as the caution flew keeping him on the lead lap with
Pizzaro. McDonnell would be the lucky dog and many other trucks would
take the wave around since they had already completed thier pit stops.
Final green would fly as Pizzaro jumped out to the lead with McDonnell
and Crapser in tow. Pizzaro would ultimately pull away by 1.43 seconds
over McDonnell to take the win uncontested. Trucks
move back to the states this week as preparations for FDTS' first
contest on the Dirts of Eldora on 11-25 for a non-points exhibition race
for Ohio dirt track fans. Tony Stewart has assured FDTS officials a
perfect racing surface for our first trip to the dirt. Although this is
just an exhibition race, racers should be able to enjoy themselves and
relax a little and let the track come to them. Watch for the underdogs
as no one can be counted out for this race. If all goes well Eldora could
end up on future schedules as a points paying event.
