Saturday was a historic event for Burt Myers at Bowman Gray Stadium. He claimed his 46th win, tying him for sixth on the all-time featured event list.
It was also a memorable night for Joseph “Bobo” Brown, who became the 119th driver on that list of featured event winners. Brown took the checkered in the second race for the GMAC Insurance Modified Series – his first Modified win ever at Bowman Gray.
Burt Myers, a resident of Walnut Cove, qualified on the pole for the first 25-lapper for the Modifieds. Right beside of him on the outside front row was Jonathan Brown of Winston-Salem.
As the green flag fell, Brown pushed hard on the outside, riding side-by-side with Myers for several laps. “I’ve been complaining all year about brakes,” said Brown. “I actually slowed up and tucked in behind Burt, because I was afraid I was going to wreck my car. I just could not slow the thing down.”
“We could run with Burt for a couple of laps but after that we were so loose I just couldn’t drive the car,” said Brown, who took advantage of those few laps after restarts to deliver some tough shots to the bumper of Myers.
“If you’re faster than the other guy, he can still get to you in the corner,” said Myers about the bumps from Jonathan. “It’s just tough Bowman Gray Stadium racing.”
Myers claimed victory in the first race. Brown finished second, and Brian Loftin of Lexington took third.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts “Madhouse Scramble” sent Joseph Brown, the brother of Jonathan Brown, to the pole for the start of the race.
Joseph “Bobo” Brown had to fight to hold his position in the initial start, but he emerged victorious 25 laps later – his first Modified win ever.
“Coming down the backstretch I was about in tears. I’ve won a bunch of stuff over here, but to win a Modified race - I still can’t believe that it happened,” said Joseph Brown, who comments that making the list of featured event winners is a thrill.
“Being there with Lee Petty and Ralph Earnhardt – even Tim Brown and Burt Myers and Jonathan Brown. In my eyes, this is the closest thing to the Sprint Cup. This track - it has so much history,” said Brown.
Dean Ward of Winston-Salem finished behind him in second. Austin Pack of Walkertown took third.
In the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series, Saturday was the Whelen 100 – the longest and most prestigious race of the season for the Sportsman cars. It was a family feud as Kevin Neal and uncle Tommy Neal battled for the lead.
Tommy “the Tiger” Neal of Walkertown looked hard to beat, but nephew Kevin Neal of Walkertown slipped inside of him with an aggressive move during a double-file restart. Kevin took the checkered, with Tommy Neal claiming second. Gary Ledbetter of Lexington came in third.
Brian Wall of Winston-Salem brought home the win in the 20-lapper for the 104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series. Donnie Martin of Winston-Salem and Matt Cotner of Rural Hall finished in second and third.
In the Freeman’s Auto Center Stadium Stock Series, Jimmy Absher of Rural Hall won the first 15-lapper, with Michael Wells of Walkertown taking victory in the second.
Race Results
GMAC Insurance Modified Series
1st Modified Race – 25 laps
1
1
Burt Myers
Walnut Cove, NC
2
53
Jonathan Brown
Winston-Salem, NC
3
23
Brian Loftin
Lexington, NC
4
4
Jason Myers
Walnut Cove, NC
5
13
Chris Fleming
Mount Airy, NC
6
25
John Smith
Mount Airy, NC
7
83
Tim Brown
Rural Hall, NC
8
66
Ronnie Clifton
Walkertown, NC
9
50
Michael Clifton
Walkertown, NC
10
81
Austin Pack
Walkertown, NC
11
69
Junior Miller
Danbury, NC
12
71
Dean Ward
Winston-Salem, NC
13
64
Steven Truell
Winston-Salem, NC
14
28
Joseph Brown
Winston-Salem, NC
15
5
Randy Butner
Pfafftown, NC
16
0
Greg Butcher
Mocksville, NC
17
48
Brad Robbins
Winston-Salem, NC
18
75
Lee Jeffreys
Wallburg, NC
2nd Modified Race – 25 laps
1
28
Joseph Brown
Winston-Salem, NC
2
71
Dean Ward
Winston-Salem, NC
3
81
Austin Pack
Walkertown, NC
4
69
Junior Miller
Danbury, NC
5
50
Michael Clifton
Walkertown, NC
6
66
Ronnie Clifton
Walkertown, NC
7
64
Steven Truell
Winston-Salem, NC
8
4
Jason Myers
Walnut Cove, NC
9
83
Tim Brown
Rural Hall, NC
10
53
Jonathan Brown
Winston-Salem, NC
11
25
John Smith
Mount Airy, NC
12
1
Burt Myers
Walnut Cove, NC
13
13
Chris Fleming
Mount Airy, NC
14
5
Randy Butner
Pfafftown, NC
15
23
Brian Loftin
Lexington, NC
16
0
Greg Butcher
Mocksville, NC
18
48
Brad Robbins
Winston-Salem, NC