HAMPTON, VA :: Six-time Langley Speedway Modified track champion Shawn Balluzzo had one of those nights when it’s your time to shine, it’s just your time to shine. In a 13 car field with Twin 30s on tap, series points leader Balluzzo only had a mere two point lead over Danny Harrell coming into Saturday’s race features. Jimmy Humblet, who, like Balluzzo, shares the series wins total at two a piece, fell behind to the leader a bit and was looking for a strong night taking advantage of the twin races. While it’s clear that the three drivers mentioned earlier are the class of the field right now. Make way for K&N East/ Late Model standout Brandon Gdovic who has a win of his own and potentially could shake up the leaders by nights end.
Action began with qualifying as thirteen cars took time with Shawn Balluzzo claiming pole with a best lap at 16.272 sec or 87.389 mph. Jimmy Humblet earned a share of the front row with his fast lap as Danny Harrell, Robbie Babb and Scott Lawerence were the five best. Green flag racing later ensued with Balluzzo jumping out to an early lead as Humblett, Harrell and the others battled for position. Meantime, the leader began his assault on the flat banked corners at Langley Speedway but not before a series of caution flags took place in the race. On the restarts, Balluzzo was a monster, powering his way to secure the point holding off several challenges from Humblett, Matt Slye and Danny Harrell. After the sixth and final caution of the race, lap 30 went up on the board and crossing the stripe first was Balluzzo for his third win of the year.
Starting grid for the second Modified feature would begin how the field ended from the first with Balluzzo once again on pole and, with a great run earlier, Matt Slye earning his spot on the front row. Harrell, Gdovic who made some good moves in the first feature would start from the second row as well. Green flag would wave for yet another 13 car field as Balluzzo dealt the field another impressive start. Going into turn one was good enough for Balluzzo to secure the point but the caution flag would wave on lap three before the leader could get into his groove and mount any size of a lead. Back to green and Balluzzo would find his groove this time in the night’s best green flag run. Before long, the leader was able put on demonstration sporting power, handling and the week’s hard work in the shop by displaying a backstretch length lead over the field.
With just a handful laps left in the event, the march for a second win came to a halt when the final caution flag waved. Once cleared, the field was given one last shot at the leader who at this point has lead every lap of both races so far. Green flag once again with this time, Brandon Gdovic looking to harass and steal a share of the night with Balluzzo. But the leader would have none of it en route to his second win on the night. Getting by Gdovic late finishing second was Jimmy Humblet leaving Gdovic to third. Danny Harrell along with Matt Slye would round out the races five best. Modified race action picks back up again at Langley Speedway next Saturday night for a 50 lap event.
Race Results
Twin Race #1
1. #48 Shawn Balluzzo
2. #33 Matt Slye
3 #95 Danny Harrell
4 #47 Brandon Gdovic
5 #11 Jimmy Humblet
6 #98 Taylor Sarkees
7 #88 Jack Sharkey
8 #37 Wayne Hartley
9 #10 Chris Humblet
10 #16 Eric McPhearson
11 #83 Scott Lawerence
12 #78 Matt Carter
13 #44 Robbie Babb
Twin Race#2
1 #48 Shawn Bulluzzo
2 #11 Jimmy Humblet
3 #47 Brandon Gdovic
4 #95 Danny Harrell
5 #33 Matt Slye
6 #83 Scott Lawerence
7 #44 Robbie Babb
8 #98 Taylor Sarkees
9 #88 Jack Sharkey
