Green Flag Drops on 2010 Natural Bridge Speedway Season

            The green flag finally fell on the 2010 Natural Bridge Speedway season Saturday night.  After a long, cold, and snowy winter, fans eagerly anticipated the start of the new season.  One of the largest crowds in recent memory would not be disappointed as some 65 competitors signed into the pit area to compete in the season opener.

            The first event on the night’s racing program was the Break Time Convenience Store Street Stock division.  Neil Murray took advantage of his front row starting position to jump into the lead at the drop of the green flag.  Stephen Campbell would drop in behind Murray on the opening lap.  Campbell stayed within a car length or two throughout the entire 25 lap feature event but he would never seriously challenge Murray for the top spot.  Murray held on to win the first feature of the 2010 season.  Though Murray would find himself in victory lane on opening night, his season did not start off as he had hoped.  Murray backed his number 18 machine hard into the turn one guardrail in the first practice of the season just two weeks prior.  The Buchanan, Virginia driver was followed across the finish line by Campbell, Earl Brooks, Lester Lyons, and Charles Wyatt.

            A green, white, checker finish would be needed to settle the Lee’s Auto Repair Sportsman division feature event.  Buena Vista’s Michael Alderman would be the second driver of the night to capitalize on his front row starting position.  Alderman started on the outside pole and quickly took command of the race.  The best battle on the speedway would be for second position.  Daniel Snead, Lexington’s Shad Cooper, Mike Bryant, and Eric Groah would all take turns holding down the second position.  Eric Groah would stake claim to the second position on the final lap in what could be the closest finish in speedway history.  A late race caution bunched the field up behind Alderman but he would not be denied.  Alderman picked up the victory, followed by Groah, Bryant, Cooper, and Toby Stalnaker.

            Some 16 late models would take the green flag in the Spencer Home Center Late Model feature event.  Mark Parks found himself in the outside pole position after fast qualifier, Walker Arthur drew the number five pill for the inversion.  The top five qualifiers were inverted for the 35 lap feature event.  As the green flag waved, Parks would jump into the lead and never look back.  J.R. Overstreet held down the second position throughout the event.  Overstreet stayed within striking distance of Parks and on the final lap had fans on their feet as he pulled along side Parks coming to the checkered flag.  Overstreet would come up just short in his effort to overtake Parks coming off turn four. 

            Parks, of Forest, was driving the number 12 late model owned by Ricky Wells.  Wells, recovering from a hand injury, decided to place Parks in the car for opening night.  Parks took advantage of the opportunity and made his return to victory lane at Natural Bridge Speedway.  Parks is no stranger to victory lane as he won the steel block late model portion of the 2007 Fall Classic.  Wells is expected to take back the controls of the car this Saturday night.  Following Parks across the finish line were J.R. Overstreet, David Watts, Greg Roberson, and Walker Arthur.

            It took just over 11 minutes for Ricky Mayberry to claim his first victory of the season in the Pure Stock feature event.  Mayberry, a second generation driver, would lead flag to flag in the caution free event.  The defending champion, Justin Williams, would start deep in the field and rally to finish a distant second.  Ronnie Martin, Jr. would cross the line in third after a race-long battle with Williams for the runner-up position.  Glen Almond and Seth Whorley would round out the top five. 

            Opening night came to a close with the BB & T All American feature event.  Some 16 cars would take the green flag with Jeff Mays and Brian Newton on the front row.  Mays would lead the first nine laps of the 20 lap event before giving up the lead to eventual race winner Jeremy Pooley.  Mays would retake control of the top spot on lap 11 but Pooley came roaring back to the lead on lap 12 and would not be challenged the final 8 laps.  Pooley was victorious, followed by Mays, Rich Zowaski, Brian Newton, and James Campbell. 

            Racing will resume at Natural Bridge Speedway with a regular show for all five divisions.  Gates are scheduled to open at 4PM with on-track activities beginning at 6:15PM.