Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]
Hampton, VA(April 25, 2012) — If you thought it couldn’t get any better then two weeks ago at Langley Speedway for The Whelen All American Late Model Division. You should have seen what went down this week as 17 machines came together and lit up an excellent crowd on the 4/10’s mile oval.
This time on tap was Twin 50 lap races and for someone, chances to either extend their point’s leads or fall way on back. For CE Falk and Greg Edwards, the possibility was there thanks to an already heated and emotional duel after the season opener. You would figure, that the 2 week break between races would cool things down but not hardly. While the 2 drivers consume much of the track gossip, others were looking to make a move in the standings in case Falk and Edwards decided to destroy each others cars.
Wesley Falk was able to do just that last week by winning and came into tonight’s race as the current point’s leader. For others like Brandon Gdovic, Danny Edwards Jr and Casey Wyatt, a couple of strong finishes could really shake the points up. No doubt the stage was set, for everyone down in the infield and everyone who bought a ticket, this was going to be a wild night tonight! CE Falk claimed honors in practice earlier in the day pacing the way for the others but lap times suggested a slick track at the time. After being disappointed in qualifying last week, CE Falk was looking to improve this week and so he did but not quite enough as Greg Edwards snatched the pole away with a quick lap at 16.099. CE Falk would line up 2nd on the grid while Mark Wertz and Danny Edwards Jr made up row 2. Then further on back in the grid was Casey Wyatt, Wesley Falk, Chris Hopkins, Brandon Gdovic, Shayne Lockhart and Duane Shreeves would make up the top 10.
The rest of the field was Gary Weeks, Jeff Shiflett, Kevin Cunningham and JT Jackson. Rick Gdovic had carburetor issues and settled to start in the rear along with Terry Carrolls machine which Shawn Balluzzo will run in the first race. Robbie Babb was the lone S&P in the field. Pole sitter Greg Edwards would lead the field to the green flag to start the first 50 lap race and drive off to a commanding lead thanks in part to Mark Wertz. The #55 machine of Wertz who started 3rd fought with CE Falk for that 2nd spot before Wertz gave way to the faster ride of Falk. So after 5 complete it was Greg Edwards, CE Falk, Mark Wertz, Danny Edwards and Casey Wyatt the top 5. In fact, Greg Edwards carried that lead up until the first caution on Lap 26 when Gary Weeks helps Wesley Falk get around turn 4 as both go spinning.
But a big hit came for both Danny Edwards and Brandon Gdovic just prior to the caution. Danny loses a motor and Brandon breaks a rear end, both cars were done for the night. On the ensuing restart, fans stood up to see if CE Falk had anything for Greg Edwards as prior to the 1st caution, Greg had about a 12 car length lead over Falk. Edwards would bring the field into turn 1 and suddenly drifts high. That opens the door for Falk who would dive low underneath Edwards and takes the lead. But in a sweet move of his own, Edwards crosses back in front of the leader and retakes the lead. The two would put on a display of side by side, door to door banging racing to the thrill of yelling fans. But the caution waves for the 2nd time tonight for Wesley Falk who’s pointed in the wrong direction. Here we go again, another CE Falk and Greg Edwards restart.
Lap 33 restart and no sooner the action begins the yellow is back out. Gary Weeks gets turned and the rest is history. After the smoke cleared, current point’s leader Wesley Falk is leaning on Chris Hopkins car and both would be done for race #1. On point now for this restart, CE Falk is the leader, followed by Greg Edwards, Mark Wertz just waiting for something to happen. In 4th were Shayne Lockhart and Casey Wyatt running solidly in 5th. On the next restart, Falk got the jump he needed with Greg Edwards in tow. Edwards hung with Falk but appears to have used up his stuff as Falk built up a small lead. It was all that Falk needed to capture his first win of the 2012 season at Langley Speedway. Following Falk was Greg Edwards 2nd, Mark Wertz in 3rd, Shayne Lockhart with a good run 4th and Casey Wyatt solid with a 5th place performance.
As always on scheduled twin races, the finishing order from the first race decides the starting grid for the second race. Danny Edwards Jr will run the backup car of brother Greg Edwards and start at the rear of the field and gets to collect the points. Green flag waves and CE Falk will clear by turn 1. Greg Edwards runs 2nd but is being harassed by Mark Wertz in 3rd! Several laps would go by and Falk’s lead is now grown to at least 3 lengths. Were on lap 25 and at the halfway, Greg Edwards has closed the gap and wants to challenge for the lead. Wertz stays on the bumper of Edwards for 3rd. Sweet job of racing by Danny Edwards Jr as he comes from the rear of the field and is in 4th, Casey Wyatt seals the top 5 at this point. By lap 27, the frontrunners engage slower traffic, CE Falk has gotten through better and extends his lead over Greg Edwards.
CE Falk seems to have hit cruise control and Mark Wertz is all over Greg Edwards. By lap 35 Wertz will clear and take the 2nd spot from Edwards, Danny Edwards remains 4th and Casey Wyatt maintains 5th respectfully. But as mentioned earlier, while Falk sets the cruise control, Mark Wertz was on a mission and wiped out the lead Falk had on him. With just 5 laps remaining, Wertz was able to make one stab at the leader and stuck a fender in there but Falk flexed his muscle for the final circuits to hold off Wertz. That was that as CE Falk crosses the strip first and wins the second feature. Mark Wertz with an impressive night 2nd, Greg Edwards 3rd, Danny Edwards 4th and Casey Wyatt with another top 5. So CE Falk will claim the victories and the night at Langley Speedway. The next event won’t be until May 5th when they will do Twin 50’s once again.
