images/s5_nd_8.jpgFlorence, Kentucky- The Mississippi Missile VLR_JW showed up with one thing on his mind this weekend at the North/South 60 season opener of VLR, and that was to leave with the max points that he could, which would mean he'd have to top the 20 other dtr2 racers to do it. 20 laps in it didn't look like he was going to get it done, as VLR_18 and VLR_Shock were side by side for the lead for much of the first third of the event...with 18 representing the North, and Shock representing the South. The fans stood on their feet watching these two put on a thrilling show, as they came out side by side at the line lap after lap. Another person was enjoying the show was JW, who was calmly sitting in third and quickly closing in on the dueling duo

 

By lap 25 the top 5 were VLR_Shock, VLR_18, VLR_JW, WFO_Rainman, and VLRJsn! The race up front quickly became a three car affair as VLR_18 decided it was time to go as he saw the #70 machine closing in quickly behind he and Shock. He pushed Shock up the track to take the lead half way through the race. JW inched ever so closer to the leaders after that move...and a couple laps later Shock decided he wasn't done leading the race. In turn four with about 20 to go he pushed up into 18 and they both slid up. Out of nowhere the fans rose to their feet as JW saw his chance and zoomed under both of them as they went three wide for a moment. Just like that, however, JW took control with VLR_18 staying right on his bumper. The three were still right together and would stay that way for a few laps until 18 and JW would gradually pull away from Shock. 18 made a couple passes for the lead on JW but with three to go the two were side by side on the front straight and 18 clipped the wall and fell back 3 tenths off the lead and it was JW who used this to pick up his second career win at VLR. 18 made a hard effort in the three laps to catch JW but came up a few tenths short after trying to drive in deep in the final corner.

Shock ended up cruising home three tenths behind 18 to take third, with WFO_Rainman getting a strong fourth place finish less than a second behind. The track wetness early in the show made for some interesting racing, but the track was nice and fast come race time and multiple groove as hoped. WFO_Blaze had a very good run to pick up a top five. Next week VLR heads north of Kentucky to Attica Raceway Park to sling some more dirt. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll have another great show. Once again congratulations to JW for winning the season opener at VLR and picking himself up a mousepad, along with x34 who won a mousepad in a random drawing. The south has risen again...if only for one night as it was JW who hoisted the trophy high, and beat out some of the toughest drivers in the business to get the season started off right.