Patient Takes Late Model Season Opener!

Gene Patient unloaded his Florida Gators Taurus at Mesa Marin and was immediately the man to beat.  Patient was quickest in practice, and then went on to get the pole with a blistering lap of 16.866 seconds.  He then led 66 laps of the 100 lap event to take the season-opening win, but the victory was not easy...

The race saw a green flag stop around mid-way and Patient's stop was not as good as Alan Johnson's.  Johnson had worked his way up from a last place qualifying position, and suddenly found himself in the lead after the stops cycled through.  But Patient gradually reeled in his Microspeed teammate, and was on his bumper with only a few laps remaining.  At that point, the race saw its only caution when teammates Eric Brundies and Nick Hansen touched while fighting for the 3rd position.  The yellow flag came out and Patient and Johnson raced back.  Patient got the inside line and edged out Johnson by a nose at the stripe.  

"Whew that was fun!", said Patient.  "This is a great start to our Late Model season."

Johnson finished in second place, while Nick Hansen came in third.  Bill Schneider was able to get around Bill Fuller and Eric Brundies after the late-race caution to take the 4th spot, and Eric Brundies salvaged a top five finish.

The series now moves on to two classic tracks in the month of March... the South Boston Speedway on the 6th, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway on the 20th.  

Gene Patient will be looking to keep the top spot in points following those two tough venues.