11/30/2012
Five Flags Speedway
THURSDAY BOMBER AND SPORTSMEN RESULTS
Goodwin initially became the first champion of the 45th annual Snowball Derby on Thursday with a wire-to-wire finish in the 30 lapper.
That was before the cars headed into post-race technical inspection. Once the top three cars reached that point, Goodwin's car was disqualified and Marine Michael Nelson was awarded the win.
“I’ve been waiting 365 days to do this again,� he said. “This was my shot at redemption.�
The Pensacola driver twice achieved greatness by hoisting the winner’s trophy, plus setting a new track record during qualifying. But both milestones were wiped away with the disqualification.
Goodwin’s 21.670-second mark shattered the previous record of Jay Jay Day’s 21.804.
“That was my goal,� Goodwin said. “This is probably the last time for this Bomber car.�
What a way to go out. The silver No. 23 won seven feature races during the regular season and was the unparalleled class of the field Thursday night before he met an untimely end.
David Johnson of Irvington, Ala., seemed to be the only car that had a shot to chase Goodwin down.
But poor restarts on numerous cautions relegated Johnson to second once the official results became clear.
“Our transmission was going out all night,� Johnson said. “I think we might’ve had something for Gary if it wasn’t for that and the restarts.�
The race was marred by nearly a dozen cautions, none scarier than Rick Thompson’s crash with 18 complete.
The Molino driver sustained a violent crash when his red No. 77 was shattered between turn Nos. 1 and 2.
A car cut Thompson off entering the corner and he smacked into the inside wall before careening up the track and coming to a stop at the Turn 1 barrier.
Pieces littered the top of track as emergency vehicles and track officials raced to Thompson’s aid. After a few minutes, he was able to climb out of the demolished car despite being visibly shaken.
When the wrecker finally put the hook on Thompson’s car, it appeared the front end started just above the tires.
Earlier in the race, Jerry Goff Jr., who was battling Johnson for second at the time, had his quality night ended when a lapped car blew an engine.
While Johnson was able to navigate the chaos, Goff failed to avoid it and slammed into the wall on the backstretch.
Through it all, Goodwin’s attempt to maintain his focus was meeting a dead end.
“It was nerve wracking,� he admitted. “You hear every noise, smell every smell. I just wanted to hurry up and get back to green and get that checkered.�
Unfortunately, Goodwin's dream will have to wait another year.
Snowball Cubed: Buttrick Wins Third Straight Sportsmen Derby with Thrilling Finish
By Chuck Corder
Steve Buttrick completed the Snowball Derby hat trick.But of his three consecutive Sportsmen series Derby wins, this was by far his most challenging.
Instead of playing his usual hunted role, Buttrick became the hunter Thursday at Five Flags Speedway, passing James Patrick late in the 50 lapper to etch his name in Derby lore.
“That was great!� the Cantonment driver exclaimed. “I developed a real loose condition, something in corners. I was able to get underneath and get the lead.�
Buttrick, the fast qualifier (20.882 seconds), led for much of the first half of the race until Patrick passed him on Lap 22.
Buttrick fell back as far as third before rallying on a restart to get by Patrick on Lap 31 with a bonsai move for the ages. He held on for a wild win, as Patrick tried to take back the lead on the outside coming out of Turn 4.
Patrick might have finished as the feature’s runner-up, but it wasn’t before he spun Chad Robinson on the backstretch to get there.
Robinson did a complete 360 in the middle of the straightaway, yet managed to save it and the race stayed green.
“We had pretty good run tonight,� Patrick said.
The race, which had spotless for the first half, became marred by cautions. There was a huge crash with 29 complete when Marty White barreled into Rob McLendon between turn Nos. 1 and 2.
McLendon already was spinning after a car got into his side and White didn't have time to check up, slamming McLendon in the driver’s door at nearly full speed.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go,� White told trackside reporter Dave Pavlock.
The popular co-host of 102.7 WXBM’s morning show has been a vital part of this class for the last few years. But the bumps and bruises and repairs seem to have taken their toll on White.
“This was my last race,� he said. “I hate to go out like that; dadgum it.�
McLendon is well known at the famed half-mile oval for his exploits on a motorcycle. In his first race on four wheels, he paid a costly price.
“I was just driving along, learning how to drive these things and all hell broke loose,� McLendon said. “Now, I have a bunch of scrap metal to take home.�
Such is racing.
Moments later another group of cars careened into the outside wall going into Turn 1, igniting a chain reaction with the rest of the 24-car field.
Bubba Winslow and Jimmy Goodwin where involved with the former taking exception to the latter’s brand of driving. Winslow drove around the oval, pulled alongside Goodwin to exchange some unpleasantries before track officials stepped in.
On the restart, the leaders went three wide with Buttrick’s daring maneuver paying off to perfection, passing Patrick on the inside.
Patrick did not fade quietly, but his timing in the turns was off just a touch.
