ROUGEMONT, NC :: Chuck Lawson survived a late race challenge from Tripp Massengill and Terry Dease to win a wild 100-lap late model stock car at Orange County Speedway , Saturday night.
The shootout amongst the trio was set up when race leader Craig Moore blistered a tire and spun out with seven laps to go. Moore had passed polesitter Massengill on the first lap and had led every lap up to that point. On the ensuing green flag Lawson and Massengill began a side by side duel that lasted the remainder of the race. Dease closed on the two as the event neared its conclusion and the three crossed the finish line under a virtual blanket. The crowd pleasing duel came in the final race of a five event card that opened the 2013 season for the three-eighths mile paved oval.
A field of 13 late models took the green flag. Among those who failed to finish was third starting Thomas Scott who blew an engine in spectacular fashion in the race’s final quarter. A multi-car crash in turn three at the halfway point eliminated the cars of Mason Hudson , Mike Chambers , and Ben Peterson.
Other winners for the night included Jerry Hinesley over Donald Brace and Justin Newlin in a 35 lap limited late model race , Stuart Crews over Jake Brown and Jared Gillis in a 25 lap pure stock four tilt , Ray Chriscoe over Jake Brown and David Winehart in the super mini truck 25 lap battle , and Jason Warsing over Richard Hayden and Michael Smith in a 20 lap test for street stocks.
Racing resumes at Orange County Speedway on April 27 with all five local divisions running along with races for legend cars , bandoleros , and mini cup machines.
