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

Hampton, VA(May 27, 2012) — After a trying week of disqualifications, reversals and finally a decision from Nascar themselves. Only racing itself could overshadow the events and misfortunes of CE Falk, Greg Edwards and Langley Speedway. That’s exactly what racing just did as 18 Late Models highlighted the Twin 50s that were on tap for the evening. Coming into tonight’s racing was new 2012 points leader Greg Edwards. With just two race wins so far at Langley, his string of runner up finishes easily recognizes Edwards as deserving to lead the points after CE Falk was DQed from last week. With that being said, no doubt Greg Edwards was smelling blood and winning was the only thing left on his mind. Likewise for CE Falk, he too was wanting to prove despite the ruling from last week that his rocket could still win without the truck arm bushings in question.

It was a hot afternoon at Langley Speedway with temps in the mid 80s and a track temp near 120 degrees. Humidity was up and that means a slick track. But that didn’t slow Greg Edwards for qualifying as he turned a lap worthy of a pole. Wesley Falk again qualified on the front row and would start beside Greg. Brother CE Falk claimed 3rd fastest with Danny Edwards Jr and Shayne Lockhart turning in fast laps respectfully. But soon news spread as it so rapidly does about Greg Edwards running low on tranny fluid thus giving up his starting pole position. Rule has it that a required amount of tranny fluid must measure up when inspected. Does running less give you a competitive advantage? Who knows but fortunately there’s no point value to it and Greg will have to start in the rear. Now the question is, will Greg save his tires and take what’s given or will he go after this first race to win.

Green flag will wave for now awarded pole sitter Wesley Falk and he will lead a field of 18 Late Models into turn 1. After a 2 lap battle with brother CE Falk, the older Falk brother will secure the lead and start to take off. Wesley will settle for 2nd while Shayne Lockhart tucks in behind for 3rd. Danny Edwards Jr and Mark Wertz make up the top five. After 20 laps complete there wasn’t much change in the running order except…Greg Edwards. Personally thinking Greg would save his stuff for them in the second race all of a sudden found Greg Edwards up to 9th on the charts. But would there be enough laps to get up there with the leaders? However on Lap 30 the caution would wave for spinning rocket of JT Jackson over in turn 2. With the cone rule in effect, going to the high side can yield results and that’s where Greg Edwards would go on this restart. But soon after just one lap the caution comes back out for the second time for debris in turn 2.

On that restart, CE Falk was able to clear and in the process, Greg Edwards picked another position and rests in 5th. Lap 31 restart, CE Falk clears but is momentarily harassed by Wesley Falk who had thoughts about taking the lead. While the leaders try to get away in the closing laps, Greg Edwards goes middle 3 wide into turn 3, makes slight contact with Lockhart. Holds his line and takes the 4th spot dropping Lockhart to 5th. Now Greg Edwards sets his sights on brother Danny for 3rd and easily distinguishes himself as the fastest car on the track. Its now lap 48 and Greg Edwards does away with Danny Edwards and now clears Wesley Falk for 2nd but time will run out and CE Falk win take the checkered flag in the first twin 50. Greg Edwards, Wesley Falk, Danny Edwards Jr and Casey Wyatt made up the top 5 for that feature.

As you know, the way they finished the first race is how the starting grid for the 2nd race will be. That puts CE Falk on pole and will lead 18 Late Models to battle for yet another 50 laps. With Greg Edwards on the outside the start is always a thriller for these two for sure. But like a shot from a canon and as the green waved to start the race, Greg Edwards made quick work of CE Falk and took the lead. By lap 5, Greg Edwards built a lead by about 5 lengths’ leaving the others to sort themselves out. CE Falk is running 2nd while Wes Falk, Danny Edwards and Casey Wyatt round out the top 5. Several laps would go by with little change in the running order with the exception of Shayne Lockhart who appears to be on the move. Lap 30 is now in the books and Edwards lead is now 10 lengths and just as he passes me, CE Falk goes by with an awful engine flutter coming from his ride.

With CE Falk having engine troubles, which moves Shayne Lockhart to second, Wesley Falk to 3rd, Danny Edwards rolls 4th and Casey Wyatt 5th. But with 10 laps left, the fastest car on the track was no longer Greg Edwards. It was the #95 of Shayne Lockhart and closing in to battle for the lead. Greg would fight for a half a lap before having to give in to the faster ride of Shayne Lockhart who would go on to win for the first time at Langley Speedway. Greg Edwards would have to settle for 2nd while Wes Falk turns in another good night finishing 3rd, Casey Wyatt crossed the line in 4th and Danny Edwards Jr 5th. It was later learned that for CE Falk, had a spark plug wire fall off and was not an engine failure. For Greg Edwards, he believed that he may have had a tire go down but again, crossing the stripe first was Shayne Lockhart in his first ever win at Langley Speedway.

Results ….
Race #1:
Fin. Pos. (Car #) Driver; Laps Compl.
1. (40) C.E. Falk; 50
2. (97) Greg Edwards; 50
3. (41) Wes Falk; 50
4. (26) Danny Edwards Jr.; 50
5. (29) Casey Wyatt; 50
6. (55) Mark Wertz; 50
7. (95) Shayne Lockhart; 50
8. (20) Gary Weeks; 50
9. (38) Duane Shreeves; 50
10. (61) Kevin Cunningham; 50
11. (67) J.T. Jackson; 50
12. (77) Bruce Livingston; 49
13. (83) Jeremy Grogg; 48
14. (01) Jeff Shiflett; 31
15. (6) Shawn Balluzzo; 29
16. (90) Terry Carroll; 29
17. (97a)Robbie Babb; 4
18. (55a)Todd VanGuilder; 4
Pole: W. Falk – 87.930 mph.

Race #2:
Fin. Pos. (Car #) Driver; Laps Compl.
1. (95) Shayne Lockhart; 50
2. (97) Greg Edwards; 50
3. (41) Wes Falk; 50
4. (29) Casey Wyatt; 50
5. (26) Danny Edwards Jr.; 50
6. (55) Mark Wertz; 50
7. (01) Jeff Shiflett; 50
8. (20) Gary Weeks; 50
9. (90) Terry Carroll; 49
10. (6) Shawn Balluzzo; 49
11. (38) Duane Shreeves; 49
12. (77) Bruce Livingston; 49
13. (61) Kevin Cunningham; 48
14. (83) Jeremy Grogg; 47
15. (40) C.E. Falk; 32
16. (55a)Todd VanGuilder; 3
17. (97a)Robbie Babb; 3
18. (67) J.T. Jackson; 2
Pole: C.E. Falk – via Race #1 finish.