Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Lucama, NC(June 26, 2012) — For most of the season at Southern National Motorsports Park, the 2012 Whelen All American Late Model Series for at least one has been a thrill. For others, not so much has even been fun. Just as the temperatures of the summer sun rises, so does the continued success of Deac McCaskill.
Though he hasn’t completely won all the events, McCaskill seems rather unfazed and just keeps digging harder. Though it’s clear that his driver talent should go unquestioned or even challenged, just 2 weeks ago a late race tire failure goes to show you that it can happen anytime to anyone. For Michael Rouse, it was fortune on a silver platter, for Deac it was a bit of a reality check. But then again, since when was 2nd place so bad when you’re competing for a championship anyways. Never the less, no time for the current Southern National points leader to lay down now.
Doug Godsey, second in points to McCaskill looked poised, ready to pounce and shrink that point’s lead between him and the leader. A couple of wrecks, a blown motor and the point’s battle would look much different then what it is now. But coming into tonight, Godsey needed to change his fortunes and create his own good luck. As mentioned earlier, Michael Rouse, third in points has been quietly consistent even though he capitalized off of McCaskill’s tire going down for a thrilling win and collecting the bounty from the speedway. Rouse will indeed, look forward to this 150 lap feature. Now you add some new faces to the scene at Southern National like Matt McCall, Greg Edwards and second in the 2012 National points race CE Falk. You knew these guys were not here just to visit and say hello. For Deac McCaskill, can he once again, take on Late Models best talent and beat them all at Southern National Motorsports Park?
Talk up and down pit road was more about the heat then anything else. Track temps soared to near 130 degrees and turning left was the problem for most during practice. With anticipation of much cooler temps come race time, most race teams worked on set ups for the race and going 150 laps around the 4/10s oval. While the rest were looking for speed to qualify up front and steer clear of any early race troubles. But to no surprise, two of the three practice sessions belonged to Deac McCaskill with the third going to Matt McCall. Both drivers laid down fast laps considering the afternoon heat on the track. But would it carry on over into qualifying against 16 other machines in the18 car field? Late Models took to the track for their time trials and saw some very good lap times considering the high temps. Out of 18 rockets, it was Deac McCaskill who showed the way with a fast lap of 15.405 to claim the pole.
Other notables of the days hard work was Michael Hardin who will line up to the outside of the pole. Matt McCall and CE Falk would make up row 2 and racing the only GM crate, Justin Snow was the top 5. Doug Godsey and Greg Edwards were 6th and 7th respectfully with Michael Rouse posting a 9th place start on the grid. Action got underway with the sun gone down and the lights turned on at a really great looking track called Southern National. Deac McCaskill would bring a full field of Late Models out of turn 4 to take the green flag for 150 laps of racing action. As soon as the green was shown, McCaskill wasted no time by motoring to the front and setting sail. Troubles came early just before the leaders were able to sort themselves out as Terry Dease brought out the first caution for a spin on lap 4. Misfortunes for Hardin as he is having troubles of his own and would visit pit road, he too was able to continue.
McCaskill once again would secure the lead after the restart to the race, Justin Snow in a bold move to outside of McCaskill ran second. Then it was McCall, Godsey and Falk now all single file and nose to tail. For the next several laps, not much change would go on other then Falk going by Godsey for forth. McCaskill was once again, headed in the right direction and leading laps. For the next 30 circuits saw some pretty good racing for the third spot between McCall, Godsey and Falk. Godsey and Falk would exchange places a few times before lap 45 would click and all the while, McCaskill and Snow had checked on out. By lap 50 and a third of the way complete, Falk was able to run down McCall and secure third as Godsey had cleared as well to forth and McCall now fifth. At this point in the 150 lap race, not much was going on as everyone appeared to have hit cruise control but then on lap 70 the caution would wave.
Tony Grady was reported dropping fluid and having no brakes, that was good news for many as Deac McCaskill was lapping cars one by one. So here we go, lap 75 restart and nothing new for McCaskill who jumps out to secure the point. Falk has a great restart too and takes second but just moments later the caution waves once again. Falk who too showed some muscle has engine failure that brings out the third yellow flag of the event. Racing would resume and once again the forth caution flies on lap 84 with Darrell Gilchrist and Doug Godsey involved as well. Both racers were able to return to the track and that sets up another restart. McCaskill is virtually unbeatable tonight on restarts and easily takes the point and by lap 95 has a sizable lead. Snow, McCall, now Greg Edwards and Brandon Brown are the top 5.
Deac McCaskill would go on a lead several more laps expanding his lead by as much a half a straightaway over the second place machine of Justin Snow. Then on lap 116, Ricky Jones engine goes up and were back under the yellow. After a few caution laps, the track red flagged the event because of the clean up that was necessary. The race got back going again and once again, Deac McCaskill was a killer. McCall and Snow would give chase, making some gains on the leader but it was not going to be on this night. Deac McCaskill was dominating in this feature as he led all 150 laps winning his 10th at Southern National. Matt McCall came home second, Justin Snow was third, Greg Edwards with a solid effort in forth and Doug Godsey who spun from an earlier caution, rebounded to finish out the top 5.
