Story by: Mark Rogers, Jr. ~ [email protected]

Hampton, VA(September 17, 2012) — Not since August 18th had the NASCAR Whelen All American Series, Late Model Stock Cars took to the flat banked oval called Langley Speedway.

Known to be a tricky track to say the least, but one that presents its challenges on every tenth of her historic 4/10 mile layout. Rain, like everywhere else has played havoc on area race tracks throughout the Virginia and Carolina region’s with Langley Speedway being no exception. There would be Late Model racing tonight in the form of Twin 50’s to close out a drama filled season and the crowning of a 2012 Champion. With that being said, Greg Edwards came into Saturday nights race with a 20 point lead over 2nd place Wesley Falk.

Mathematically, with the possibility of misfortunes for Greg Edwards, Wes Falk could surpass him and become the track champion himself. Though many things would have to go Wes Falk’s way, Greg Edwards, already being a two-time track champion knew what must be done. Qualify up front, stay out of trouble, take only what’s given and finish the race. While much attention to the championship was given, one couldn’t help but notice that last years champion, and the year before that, and the year before that, three-time defending champion,  CE Falk was not a factor in this years points race. However, he would be a player in the final two races of the season.

Making a return from a month long injury was Mark Wertz who was looking to close out his race season and spoil the show by picking up a couple of wins. Others making a return back to Langley was Woody Howard, Chris Hopkins (Southside), Doug Godsey (Southern National) and Megan Creech looking to be competitive on the tricky track.  Add in the Langley regulars and the stage is set for a thrilling night of Late Model racing. Would there be any surprises?  Is the CE Falk and Greg Edwards feud over?  Would another Late Model race driver make a name for himself and steal the show?

Practice was lead twice by Greg Edwards and once by CE Falk turning in some relatively fast laps, but of course, neither willing to show their hand in what they had. Most talk up and down pit road was about the cooler temps in the area.  Knowing that the track can tighten up for some, its known to loosen up for others. Qualifying issued for 20 Late Models who took time but only one can claim the pole as CE Falk blistered a lap at 15.900 seconds to grab the pole honors and starting to his outside was brother, Wes Falk making an all Falk front row. Mark Wertz, Greg Edwards and Woody Howard made up the top five in the starting grid.

Green flag flies once again at Langley Speedway as CE Falk will lead a field of 22 Late Models into turn one and by the time CE Falk exits turn two, he’ll clear his brother to leave him to battle Wertz for second. While that battle develops for a few laps, CE Falk is getting away. Wes Falk will eventually out last Wertz and take position of 2nd place, Wertz, Howard, Greg Edwards would be the top five for now. Several laps go by without much change in the field. CE Falk’s lead is by a half a straight as lap 15 clicks on the board, Howard begins his march to the front as he gets by Wertz for 3rd.

Halfway point now and the leader has checked out, several cars are now lapped with the leaders all content in this long green flag run. While the Falk show up front was going on, Greg Edwards decided it was time to go as he found himself in 3rd as Howards ride fell out of the top 5. Making moves as well was Shayne Lockhart who finds himself running 5th in the field. Race action came to a halt as the yellow comes out for Jeremy Grogg and Meagan Creech. Grogg’s machine shows heavy damage to the front and would not return. Creech was able to fire back up her ride and make it back to pit road before calling her race done.

Lap 37 cone restart and now’s the time if you can! CE Falk, who is an absolute monster throughout the year on restarts will grab the lead by the time they enter into turn one. Wes Falk tucks in and rides 2nd as Wertz, Lockhart, Greg Edwards secures the top 5. Further back, its Casey Wyatt and Doug Godsey wanting in on the action as well. Closing laps now and CE Falk is just to much for this 22 car field. Lockhart would fall off and make way for a hard charging Greg Edwards who grabs 3rd in a matters of laps. Casey Wyatt would break into the top five for the first time of the evening.

Coming out of turn four and its CE Falk seeing checkers, brother Wes Falk comes home 2nd in a great run of his own. Greg Edwards finishes strong in third but will not win the track title just yet. Mark Wertz after a long one month off from an ankle injury is fourth and Casey Wyatt is there showing fifth. Other notables from race 1 was Doug Godsey in sixth, Danny Edwards Jr seventh, Shayne Lockhart ended up in 9th. Woody Howard, after running third for much of the race, fell off pace and salvaged a top 10 run. Rookie of the year honors were concluded as the Carolina Blue #67 of JT Jackson wins that award for the 2012 race season.

Though nothing new, the field for the second feature is set according to how they finished the first. Being said, CE Falk is on pole along with brother Wes to his side. Megan Creech and her race team was able to make repairs to start the 2nd feature but Jeremy Grogg is out from a wreck in race one. So 21 Late Models will see the green flag drop for 50 laps in Langley Speedways season finale for The Whelen All American Late Model Series. Still lots of questions and all sorts of thing that can go down regarding the championship. Greg Edwards will need to finish 19th or better to claim the 2012 track championship.

Green flag waves and were racing once again. Not even a lap into this feature and the caution comes out as Megan Creech, Bruce Livingston and Kevin Cunningham are all pointed the wrong way. Cunningham got the worst of it and had to park his ride. Green flag once again and CE Falk quickly to the point. Wes Falk is there for 2nd but bringing a crowd to its feet was some 3 wide racing going into turn 3. Casey Wyatt had a run on Greg Edwards who was battling Mark Wertz to his outside. All 3 held there lines and made little if any contact in the racing.

Greg Edwards, who’s much involved in a track title wisely backs off and gives way. So as lap 5 clicks finds the Falk’s out in front with Wertz, Wyatt and Greg Edwards making up the top 5. Just a few laps later though, Mark Wertz closes in on the bumper of Wes Falk for second. Wes Falk will hold off Wertz’s charge for the spot but the damage is done as CE Falk sets sail. Halfway point in the race and since the early laps, the race has been fairly uneventful. CE Falk’s lead at this point is near a full straight and clicking off cars one by one. Battle for 2nd heats back up as Mark Wertz makes another run on Wes Falk and takes the spot this go around.

Lap 40 shows on the board now and CE Falk continues to hammer down. Mark Wertz secures 2nd, Wes Falk settles in for 3rd, Casey Wyatt remains 4th and Greg Edwards, counting down the laps in 5th. With the final few laps remaining in the 2012 season, checkers was in the hands of the flagman. Coming out of turn 4 the checkers was waving and with it was CE Falk who crosses the stripe firstst and easily bests a field of 21 Late Models. Mark Wertz, in a motivational performance from a month long injury comes home 2nd with Wesley Falk, Casey Wyatt and Greg Edwards completing the top five finishers.

For CE Falk, that’s wins 9 and 10 for the season at Langley Speedway. Though he comes up 17 points short, great race season for Wesley Falk in 2012. But its Greg Edwards and the #97 race team that pops the cork on the champagne bottle and celebrates as Langley Speedways 2012 Late Model Track Champion.

Race 1:
1 #40 CE Falk
2 #41 Wesley Falk
3 #97 Greg Edwards
4 #55 Mark Wertz
5 #29 Casey Wyatt
6 #05 Doug Godsey
7 #26 Danny Edwards Jr
8 #38 Duane Shreeves
9 #95 Shayne Lockhart
10 #10 Woody Howard
11 #01 Jeff Shifflett
12 #90 Terry Carroll
13 #45 Doug Warren
14 #67 JT Jackson
15 #99 Chris Hopkins
16 #33 Joe Scarbrough
17 #61 Kevin Cunningham
18 #77 Bruce Livingston
19 #83 Jeremy Grogg
20 #13 Megan Creech
21 #95BU Hudson Hall
22 #48 Shawn Balluzzo

Race 2:
1 #40 CE Falk
2 #55 Mark Wertz
3 #41 Wesley Falk
4 #29 Casey Wyatt
5 #97 Greg Edwards
6 #05 Doug Godsey
7 #95 Shayne Lockhart
8 #26 Danny Edwards Jr
9 #10 Woody Howard
10 #01 Jeff Shifflett
11 #90 Terry Carroll
12 #38 Duane Shreeves
13 #67 JT Jackson
14 #33 Joe Scarbrough
15 #99 Chris Hopkins
16 #45 Doug Warren
17 #77 Bruce Livingston
18 #13 Megan Creech
19 #95BU Hudson Hall
20 #48 Shawn Balluzzo
21 #61 Kevin Cunningham