By Chuck Corder

It takes 450 miles and approximately seven hours to reach Daytona Beach from Pensacola.

But for a Southern Vintage Racing Association driver like Ben Spears, Daytona International Speedway was in his backyard on Friday night.

Spears treated Five Flags Speedway as his personal Daytona on Friday, dominating the 20-lap feature for the 1934 Ford and Chevy coupes and sedans that make up the association.

Spears took the lead from Jerry Veneable on Lap 2 and never looked back despite eventual runner-up Thumper Grice mustering up a late rally.

“We put a lotta hard work and long nights into getting this ready,� Spears said. “Thankfully, it paid off. My adrenaline is still pumping.�

Two drivers that were expected to make a run at the feature win Friday, Matt Culbertson and Jay Dotson, were a part of multiple cars that broke in either practice or qualifying.

Culbertson, an U.S. Air Force captain who flew in from Tucson, Ariz., this week just for the race, suffered mechanical failure at the end of his qualifying run.

Dotson, who nearly lost his life in a car accident six years ago after a truck hydroplaned into him, lost oil pressure and spun a rod bearing during practice.

But for the six that started the race and the several others that joined the fray shortly after the opening green flag dropped, they wowed a full house for 20 laps.

Veneable started on pole thanks to his fast time of 20.828 seconds in qualifying. But Spears quickly darted to front and laid claim to the lead by Lap 2.

Veneable attempted a crossover maneuver after Spears took control, but the black No. 29 was having none of it.

A heck of a battle ensued between Veneable and Grice for the second position. Lapped traffic certainly helped, but Grice earned his way behind the leader thanks to a car that wasn’t even his.

Scooter Grice — Thumper’s father and a familiar name to Five Flags fans who most recently raced Modifieds at the famed half-mile asphalt oval — surrendered his seat to his son this week when the younger Grice’s broke following the association’s last race.

“He gave up his ride for me this week,� an emotional Thumper Grice said, choking back tears. “I can’t thank him enough.�

After passing Veneable just five laps in, Grice slowly began the journey of chasing down Spears, who was maintaining a healthy half-straightaway lead as the field approached the halfway mark of the 20 lapper.

Just as Grice charged, Spears slammed the throttle down to put some more distance between himself and the No. 83 of Grice.

Grice tried the outside on several occasions, going as far as to swap a little paint with Spears as the two entered Turn No. 2 for the final time Friday night.

Spears shut the door on Grice, though, and cruised across the finish line.

“I was trying to get up there. I wasn’t ready for the race to end so soon.�

Neither were the appreciative fans.

Home Depot Modifieds

Brandon Howell hadn’t raced at Five Flags Speedway all season.

Less than a year after losing the Home Depot Modifieds track championship at the season finale, the Lucedale, Miss., native was back Friday night to conquer some demons.

Howell started on the pole, after fast qualifier Donnie Hamrac rolled a four on the die, and led every single feature lap.

“The key here is track position,� Howell said. “If you can get good track position, get an early lead, you can do really good.

“As long as we didn’t have any pressure behind us, I thought we could do really good. They raced us really hard, I’m just happy we pulled through and got it.�

Howell had to navigate some lapped traffic late, but it proved to be relatively no issue.

“I stayed calm the whole race,� Howell said. “I kind of got a little nervous when we caught up to those lap cars there at the end, but I got around them and it was OK.�

Pro Trucks

Okie Mason didn’t get the two-feature sweep he was hoping for Friday night at Five Flags Speedway.

But he didn’t leave Pensacola empty-handed either.

The Eight Mile, Ala., driver overcame “Hollywood� Hodivsky Jr.’s charge on a late restart to capture the Pro Trucks feature victory.

“I don’t know what I got to do, but I’m going to keep fighting, believing, and I’m going to get it done,� Mason said.

Beef “O� Brady’s Sportsman

Brannon Fowler just cannot be stopped right now.

Fowler padded his Beef “O� Brady’s Sportsman’s series points lead after snatching his fourth win of the season at Five Flags Speedway from the jaws of defeat.

“That was a good race,� Fowler said. “I was giving it all I had and (they) were right there with me all 25 laps.�

Butler U-Pull-It Bombers

Robert Baulkum wasn’t sure what to do with himself

It had been eight years that he had wrapped his hands around a checkered flag at Five Flags Speedway.

So when he was presented with the spoils of winning Friday’s 20-lap Butler U-Pull-It Bombers feature, Balkum’s celebration was a little muted.

“It’s been since 2006 that I’ve seen a checkered flag here,� he said.

Balkum bested defending series champion Michael Nelson, who came into the night once again leading the points race, all around the track throughout the 20 lapper.

Nelson held a narrow lead with six laps to go with Balkum attached to his door. Baulkum was able to make the pass in Turn 1 on Lap 15 and never looked back.

“That’s just part of racing,� Nelson said following the race. “I needed to hold on to (the lead) and I couldn’t do it, but I’m so proud of Robert. He deserved it. He’s a good guy on and off the track.�