Ross Furr Steals the Show in Concord Speedway Opener

Track PR Report
Photos by: Laura Ward

CONCORD, N.C. (March 31, 2012) – Opening Night Sponsored by Pepsi proved to be a night full of action-packed racing excitement as the stands filled up for the first race back in just over three months. However, the feature winners of tonight’s events appeared to have never taken more than a day off as they drove hard battles to secure the top positions in their divisions. Ross Furr, of Concord, N.C., Charles Faassen, of Monroe, N.C., and Eric Harrington, of Kannapolis, N.C., all took home trophies.

“This is the Concord Speedway that I remember,” said a prideful Furr after securing the victory in the Wilburn Auto Body Late Model Stock Car division Pepsi 100 season-opener on Saturday, March 31.

The Concord, N.C. native, Furr, was not the favorite to win as the pole sitter, Kenny Brooks, lead 75 of the 100-lap feature event. After a caution came out on lap 75, the field went green for a 25-lap shootout. Jerry Miracle, of Indian Trail, N.C., was the first to steal the lead from Brooks, but only for a moment before Furr spun Miracle exiting turn three. Brooks suffered heavy damage in the bottle-up and Miracle was given his position back at the restart. Miracle and Furr swapped back and forth for the lead, but Furr slammed into the back of Miracle coming to the checkered flag bringing out the caution and creating a green, white, checkered finish. The three-lap shootout left Furr as the winner with Bobby Measmer Jr., of Concord, N.C., and Brian Conforth, of Concord, N.C., following behind in second and third positions.

“First race back and we win at Concord Speedway,” said Furr. “You can’t beat that, boy. I’ve just got to thank the Laton family for all of their hard work over the off-season and the updates and money they put back into this track.”

Faassen took the checkered flag in the Pepsi Street Stocks division 40-lap feature event. Faassen took an early lead only seven laps into the race, but he had pole sitter, Brian Love, of Mount Pleasant, N.C., trailing close behind him in second. Love had a strong run coming out of the dog leg, but he spun exiting turn three and made a very narrow save to keep his car out of the wall as the half-way flag flew.

Love tried to battle back, but Faassen’s lead after the restart had stretched to nearly half a track allowing him to stroll into victory lane with Love and Sonny Schoffen, of Mint Hill, N.C, settling for second and third positions.

Harrington piloted his No. 8 car to victory lane in the 25-lap Town and Country Ford Fast and Furious Fours division feature event. Early on in the race, it looked as if Chris Parham, of China Grove, N.C., would take the victory in the Opening Night event by leading the first 17 laps before Harrington passed for the lead at the start/finish line. Even after Harrington took the lead, he had to weave his way strategically through heavy lap traffic for the remaining eight laps. Harrington powered to victory while the pole sitter, Adam Morgan, and Parham came across the line for a photo-finish battle for second and third place.

Next Saturday night, April 7, is Kid’s Night at the Races Sponsored by Town and Country Ford at Concord Speedway. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free! There will be racecar ride for the kids, bounce houses, face painting and a balloon artist. The racing show will feature 100 laps for the Wilburn Auto Body Late Model division, 40 laps for the Pepsi Street Stocks, 25 laps for the Town and Country Ford Fast & Furious Fours and 25 laps for our Vintage Sportsman division!

Grandstand admission is just 15 dollars and kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Also new for this year, the speedway will be offering a Senior, Teen and Military discount admission of 10 dollars. Don’t miss the racing excitement at the track where grassroots racing lives, Concord Speedway!

Please contact the speedway office at 704-782-4221 or visit our website at www.concordspeedway.net with any questions.
Connect with Concord Speedway and stay up to speed with all of the action at both the Quarter and Half-Mile tracks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcordSpeedway and by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/concordspeedway.