Story by: Gary Daughtery
Photo by: Bill Carr/Motorsports Photo News Service

Hampton, Va. (August 6, 2009) — Shawn Balluzzo dodged past a scuffle between the first and second place drivers at the end of lap 38 and rolled on to his second win of the season in the SYSCO of Hampton Roads 50 for the B&C Seafood Modifieds, the featured event of Saturday evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Gunning for his sixth victory, Chris Johnson claimed the pole position, qualifying at 83.475 mph. Michael Leech lined up second, while Balluzzo, a veteran of the Late Model Stock Car division and Jimmy Humblet occupied Row 2. Rusty Wood started fifth on the 14-car grid.

As the event got under way, Johnson jumped out front and took the lead into Turn 1. Balluzzo quickly filled the opening to the inside of Leech and came away with second, leaving Leech to battle door-to-door with Wood, who nabbed third on lap 2.

In the early going, Johnson established a three-length edge over Balluzzo and Wood, who were dueling nose-to-tail for second. He maintained that margin until the halfway mark.

On lap 27, Wood pulled to the outside of Balluzzo at the entrance to Turn 1 in a bid for second place. Wood nosed ahead at the end of lap 28 and cleared Balluzzo on lap 29.

The exchange allowed Johnson to pad his lead to five lengths. Within four laps, however, Wood had trimmed the deficit by more than half. He drew even closer on lap 36 as the leaders dealt with slower traffic.

Coming around to complete lap 38, Johnson and Wood made contact off the fourth corner. Johnson nearly spun and Wood backed off to allow him to straighten up. Seizing the opportunity, third-place Balluzzo raced past both drivers to take over the lead.

The only caution flag flew on lap 43. Lining up for the restart, Balluzzo and Wood ran 1-2, followed by Joe Scarbrough, Johnson and Leech.

Back under green, Balluzzo fashioned a slim advantage over Wood. Heading onto the backstretch, though, Scarbrough ducked under Wood in a bid for second. Scarbrough nosed ahead at the line and cleared Wood in Turns 3 and 4 on lap 44.

With his potential challengers tussling in his mirror, Balluzzo extended his margin to four lengths and went on to win by 0.647-second. Scarbrough was second to the checkers, followed by Wood, Johnson and Leech.