The Open Wheel Modifieds hit the pavement at Sunshine Speedway on June 19 for the division's annual 50-lap championship race.
Mike Hinegardner, driver of the Accxx Communications No. 1 car, won the event and the prestigious Leo trophy.
Hinegardner drew the third-place pill for the start, pitting him alongside the No. 20 of Robert Crisp. Past track regular Chris Robbins, in the East Bay Jiffy Lube No. 88 machine, was on the pole position.
The top six cars quickly pulled ahead of the pack at the drop of the green flag. Robbins took the point, fighting off Tommy Bower's No. 51 until mechanical problems forced Bower to withdraw in Lap 17.
Hinegardner moved into second on the restart. He hounded Robbins, making the pass in Lap 33.
"I had (crew chief) Jason Keene on my radio saying, "Patience, patience, patience,' " Hinegardner said. "I've had a problem with patience this year, but this race, patience paid off."
Hinegardner held tight to Robbins after the Lap-17 restart, moving to the inside on Lap 33. Robbie McAuliffe (No. 56) attempted to follow in Hinegardner's wake but faltered and fell to fifth place.
With open road ahead, Hinegardner exploded from the group and never was challenged again.
"I saw the No. 88 get looser as we went along," Hinegardner said, "and I just said,"Take my time, be patient.' (Keene) has been pounding that home all season."
"My handling started going away as we went," Robbins said. "Hinegardner raced me really clean. When he got by, he got by. He's good."
Robbins finished second. He was followed by Crisp (No. 20), the points leader.
"Actually, it was a pretty calm race," Hinegardner said. "I let everybody settle. That's the key to these 50-lappers; you got to be there at the end. You've just got to survive."
In addition to Modifieds, Hinegardner, 29, races Late Models on Fridays at an Orlando track.
He thanked his wife, Heather, and crew.
"There was a lot of time getting ready for this. A lot of hours," Hinegardner said.
The win moved Hinegardner to the runner-up spot in the Modified standings.
SATURDAY'S NOTES: 0 J.R. Wade took the top position in the Modified feature, driving his No. 29 car.
Hinegardner rolled to second place, and Crisp claimed third.
Scott Holly (No. 1) posted the victory in the Outlaw Late Model class.
Rick Haugh (No. 77) was the runner-up, and Ricky Hoffman (No. 32) took third.
George Bartimac won the Street Stock feature in his No. 21 machine.
He was followed by points leade r Darryl Hage (No. 83) and Bill Hoffman (No. 7).
Art "The Master" Calkins (No. 11) came away with top honors in the Figure 8 division.
Junior Henson (No. 23) and Shane Grigsby (No. 28) crossed the line second and third, respectively.
Ronnie Larson recorded the Mini Stock victory in his No. 88 auto.
Trailing were Eric Cuchta (No. 12) and John Voss (No. 01).
James Crawford (No. 34) was first in Enduros.
Dave Davis (No. 6) and Andy Ballard (No. 93) placed second and third.
Cameron Hill, operator of No. 5, was tops in the monthly School Bus Figure 8 competition.
Trailing were Denny Neighbor Sr. (No. 83) and Philip Laroche (No. 15).
