Lee Rockets to Victory at Flat Rock

9/15/2007

              The O’Reilly USA Modified Series made their first ever visit to the fast and furious Flat Rock Speedway in Flat Rock, MI. 20 open wheel stars made the trek with each team looking to put a win in the books.  Eric Lee of Macomb, MI  made his second appearance of the year in the series by taking fast time for the afternoon with  a 12.691.  When qualifications were over only ¾ of a second would separate the entire field.  Scott Coe of Fort Wayne, IN took home a win in the 6 Fast Dash with Indianapolis, IN native Mike Hadley Jr. winning the Heat Race. 

            Eric Lee drew the #1 chip out of the bag to give him the pole position for the Main Event with Johnny Belott of Mount Morris, MI on the outside.  When the green flag flew Lee coasted into the lead with Belott following close behind.  Hadley Jr. had his hands full with Brian Nester of Edon, OH and Coe for the third spot.  Nester looked to the inside in turn 3 with Coe right behind and able to make their way around Hadley.  Coe would make a bold move and cruise around Nester for third on lap 17.  The front two cars broke away from the field and the battle was for third through sixth as the pack was bumper to bumper.  Coe made up some ground as the rest of the pack battled and was only a few car lengths away from the front two cars.  As the laps wound down and with only 10 laps to go a wreck in turn one involving a few of the top competitors including Nester, Hadley, Bob Curry of Plainwell, MI and Damon Breedlove of Greenfield,IN resulted in Nester spinning and go to the tail of the field.  The yellow bunched the pack up for a great 10 lap shootout with Lee, Belott and Coe the top 3.  Belott looked to have saved his tires for the end as he looked to the inside of Lee while Coe sailed to the outside.  As the leaders approached lapped traffic again Lee used his experience to move around the slower cars and grab his first ever O’Reilly USA Modified Feature Win.  Belott held on for second with Coe, Hadley and Breedlove rounding out the top 5.  Vandalia, MI driver, Tom Jewell was the highest finishing driver to advance 8 positions, giving him the AllStar Performance Hard Charger Award.  Tim Burkett of North Manchester, IN was awarded the LEAF Racewear Hard Luck Award for the event.

            The next event for the O’Reilly USA Modifieds will be next weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN for the first ever Circle Track Nationals.  This event will be one of the most prestigious events of the season paying $2500 to the winner.  Practice begins on Thursday with Qualifying and Heat Races on Friday and the Main Event on Saturday.  For a complete schedule of events and more information on the O’Reilly USA Modified Series log on to www.usamodifieds.com.