Roberson Victorious in Steel Block Bandit Special

            Thirty six late models signed into the pit area to compete in the first of two Steel Block Bandits special events scheduled for Natural Bridge Speedway in 2010.  Drivers from Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania were on hand to via for the $2,000 winner’s check.  Though the series brought a strong contingent of the best steel block late model drivers in our region, at the end of the night the top four finishers were all local drivers.           
Preliminary heat races were held for the late model drivers to set the starting line up for the feature event.  Action in the heat races was fierce, intense, and downright thrilling as only the top four drivers from each heat race transferred to the main event.  Heat race winners were Gerald Davis, Greg Roberson, Walker Arthur, and Joey Levell.  Drivers not transferring to the main event had one last shot at making the starting line up by competing in one of two last chance races.  Timmy Stalnaker and Eddie Groome were victorious in the last chance races. 
Greg Roberson of Waynesboro, VA and Walker Arthur of Forest, VA brought the field to the green flag with Roberson flashing to the lead heading into turn one.  Arthur fell into the second position but immediately engaged in a battle with Gerald Davis for the spot.  Davis would take the spot from Arthur and hold until lap six when Arthur blasted back past David.  C.S. Fitzgerald then started flexing his muscle as he moved past Davis for third on lap seven.  Davis and Fitzgerald battled for third with Fitzgerald eventually claiming the spot.  Davis settled into fourth as Bruce Kane moved into the top five. 
There was action all over the 3/8 mile oval as there were plenty of “comers and goers”.  A number of drivers found themselves in trouble early but rebounded to have a solid finish while others experienced misfortune and dropped from contention early in the event.  Roberson, one of the hottest late model drivers in our area, was on a rail at the front of the field.  Arthur kept Roberson in his sights throughout the 40-lap feature event but never seriously challenged Roberson until the two began to encounter lap traffic in the closing laps.  While the two front runners were negotiating lapped traffic, Arthur was able to pull a fender alongside Roberson.  Roberson would not be denied as he went on to claim his second straight Steel Block Bandit series win.  Arthur, the series point leader, had another solid race finishing second.  David Watts, who started mid-pack and was involved in an early caution, rallied to pass C.S. Fitzgerald in the closing laps to finish third.  Fitzgerald settled for fourth and Bruce Kane rounded out the top five.
For the second time this season, one of the seasoned veterans went to victory lane in the street stock division.  Earlier in the season, Lester Lyons won his first race at Natural Bridge Speedway in 41 years.  Saturday night it was Tom Guthie claiming his first win in 2010.  Yet again fans were treated to a photo finish as Stephen Campbell pulled along side Guthrie coming to the checked flag.  The finish was so close Guthrie had no idea he won the feature until his pit crew told him on pit road.  The margin of victory was eight one-thousandths of a second. Following Guthrie and Campbell across the stripe were Michael Taylor, David Brogan, and Terry Dame.
Lexington’s Shad Cooper took advantage of his front row starting position to race to victory lane in the sportsman feature.  Cooper, determined to challenge for the track championship for car owner Carl Vest, led from flag to flag to pick up his first victory of the season.  Clifton Mays, who started deep in the field, patiently worked his was to the front of the field.  Mays moved into second position on lap fifteen and started closing in on Cooper.  Cooper kept Mays at bay in the closing laps and crossed the stripe over a second ahead of Mays.  Michael Alderman, Daniel Snead, and Mike Bryant rounded out the top five positions.  Current point leader, Eric Groah, experienced a mechanical problem on his machine during warm-ups.  Groah jumped into Randy Gardner’s car for the feature and came home with a sixth place finish. 
Unofficially, Justin Williams and Ronnie Martin are now tied atop the point standings in the pure stock division.  Justin Williams started third and was able to move past Ronnie Martin on lap three for the second position.  Two laps later, Williams made his move on Howard Hall for the lead and cruised to his fourth victory of the season.  Martin held on for second, followed by Howard Hall, Derrick Ayers, and Ricky Mayberry. 
The All-American cars finished out the night’s racing program with a 15-lap feature event.  Fans were treated to an exciting feature event as three drivers were engage in a battle for the lead throughout the entire race.  Brian Newton led flag to flag to claim the victory but Ryan Kassab and Jeff Mays raced door to door with Newton lap after lap for the top spot.  On the final lap, Newton slipped high in turn four and opened the door for Kassab to make one last charge to the checkered flag.  At the stripe it was Newton by 0.068 seconds over Kassab.  Mays came home third, followed by current point leader Jeremy Pooley in fourth and Jeremy Boxler in fifth.
Racing will resume at Natural Bridge Speedway next Saturday night with a regular show for all five divisions.  Gates are scheduled to open at 4PM with on-track activities beginning at 6:15PM.