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Hello again!
This Friday Features edition is loaded, checking in on some developments through the field at last weekend's pavement Late Model events.
The headliner at the Alabama 200 at Montgomery Motor Speedway was the statement victory made by Jake Finch (cover image from David Kranak/ Impact Zone Photos). There were a couple of less-experienced racers who had their moments in the big Pro Late Model show: fourth-place finisher Presley Johnson and fifth-best qualifier and first-time Montgomery visitor Cody Martell.
Martell skipped a closer event, the UARA Pro Late Model official debut at Auburndale Speedway in Winter Haven, Fla. The 'Dale saw a breakthrough outing by second-generation driver Dylan Williams, plus a modest surprise in time trials in Canadian veteran Wayne Smith.
Hickory Motor Speedway's first Late Model Stock Car event of the year saw the returns of Nick Tucker and Lucas Ransone to the division after a decade-plus away from the seat. Tucker has built his empire in the karting world and then in the ARCA Menards Series, while Ransone has been away completely, but they were excited to be back at the historic oval.
There was also LMSC action at Southern National Motorsports Park, including the latest adventure of 14-year-old Florida native Matthew Laprade. Click on the cover image, or scroll down to the large-type underlined link near the bottom of this email, to read this week's Friday Features release!
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We hope everyone has a great weekend. Thank you for your support of Late Model Digest!
First, there's one piece of business from Hickory. Carson Ware was not fully disqualified from his Carolina Pro Late Model Series season-opening victory which went to T.J. Moon; instead he was penalized to the end of the lead lap which meant a seventh-place finish. His team, Rick Ware Racing, put out this statement after the race:
We have decided not to contest the 6 position deduction assest to our team after the first round Carolina Pro Late Model Series event at Hickory this past weekend.
Our car was prepared to participate in UARA alliance events such as CARS Tour, ASA, Five Flags, and others. When entering the car into the CPLMS event we didn't realize there was a series specific rule regarding axel sizes. We appreciate CPLMS handling this oversight with clear discussion and honest balance. We accept the deduction in finish position and look forward to competing with this tour again.
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