Date Posted:  June 22, 2010

Stewart Shines in Second Main Event

The Ed Stewart's Equipment car was missing it's normal orange flare as the team had worked on preparing the car to be race ready right to the last minute the car went on the trailer, leaving no time for fancy paint schemes.  The stock white panels were decorated with duct-tape numbers; what was under the hood was far more impressive.

In the early laps Stewart pulled away from his pursuers, and at the front of the this chase was #05 Brad Corcoran.  Shortly into the event Corcoran was replaced by the Bentley Motorsports #29, as Mike Bentley moved into attack position behind the Stewart driven Chevrolet.

In the mid-pack top point earning cars were trying to weave through the gaps to make their way into the top five.  Jason Shaw lead the way in the National Fire Equipment #82 Ford, with Shawn Chenoweth in tow close behind driving the Automotive Truck & Tire #89 Chevrolet.

Between the leaders and the high-average competitors was a ferocious battle for racing real estate between Kenny Forth in the Midnight Sun Tanning Salon #86, and the defending division champion Paul Howse in the Truck Town #8.  The two had met just a couple weeks earlier in a battle for a top spot, when Howse slammed down the race track across the nose of Forth's car.  This week the two were at it again, and this time it was Howse who was fooled after contact in corner two.  Wheel to wheel contact was enough to get Paul Howse out of shape as the car turned to the back straight away, and with the infield sopping after the mid-event rain shower he quickly lost control.  The Richie Bros. Auctions #8 slid four wheels through the grass, across the infield, coming back under control in the middle and attempted to rejoin the field on the front straightaway.  Unfortunately for the #8 team, the infield rule was in effect and their driver was shown the black flag.  Once two or more wheels touch the wet grass a driver is no longer permitted to continue in the race.

Forth maintained his running order and would give up a position to the Iron Man Gary Elliott late in the race, unable to keep pace with the hard driving Quaker State #36.

In the final 10 laps the show was at the front of the field where the Dark Knight Shane Maginnis - who earlier in the night   had earned his first trip to victory lane in over a year - was returned to the top three looking for back to back main event victories.  There was still a large gap to close to chase down the speedy Stewart, but Maginnis first had to get around the defensive Mike Bentley.

On a late race restart Bentley, running second, was put to the outside of Jeff Stewart under the new double-file restarts for the Grisdale Late Models.  Maginnis started on the inside lane and tried to keep Bentley out of the top order by running close to the bumper of Stewart's Jerico Industrial Maintenance #56.  But heading into the corner Bentley pushed his way left, across the front bumper of Maginnis, forcing his way into the lower groove.  Bentley was lucky that no accident occurred.

As the race neared a close the battle in the top three neared boiling point as the two drivers were visibly growing agitated with each other's refusal to concede.  In the final turns of the final lap Maginnis raced to the inside lane in turn three and had the lower groove advantage as the two turned to the front straightaway.  Bentley was in the middle lane, squeezing Maginnis low in an effort to break his momentum and hold off for the runner up position, but the fantastic race turned to a furious accident in the blink of an eye.

A couple laps down and struggling with his race car, Trevor Monaghan in the #28 was limping around the bottom of the track after slowing to a crawl entering turn three a lap earlier.  He pulled to the bottom of the track just short of the start/finish line on the final lap.  With the leaders barreling out of corner four and racing to the finish Monaghan dropped his window net and proceeded to scramble out of the cockpit of his #28.  As he made his way to the ground he caught the attention of Maginnis who - seeing the unprotected driver and car ahead in his path - veered hard right into the side of the Bentley driven #29.

It was discovered later that Monaghan was fighting an electrical issue in the car and that as he slowed the cockpit filled with smoke, blurring his vision and obstructing his breathing.  He was gasping for fresh air and was disoriented as he climbed out of the car, seemingly unaware of the racing battle closing in on his position by the second.

Following a post race review the decision of the race officials was that the Maginnis-Bentley accident occurred after the completion of the race, that was declared finished when the caution flag dropped since the white flag had already been shown.  Shawn Chenoweth had passed the two car battle for position and finished in second behind Stewart, Bentley and Maginnis were to be listed next.  However penalties were issued to both Monaghan and Bentley that would disqualify both drivers from the official finish.  Monaghan was disqualified for exiting his race car under racing conditions while so close to the track, and Bentley was disqualified for a post-race altercation involving a crew member.  Officials said, "It's a tough call to make in both cases.  We're happy to see Trevor [Monaghan] is okay and we understand the reasons for his exit, but ultimately his poor judgment put himself in serious danger and caused a major accident.  And Mike [Bentley] wasn't the one involved, but as the driver you are responsible for the actions of your crew.  It's unfortunate that it cost him a top three finish."  Bentley will also serve a one-week suspension from competition.

A much happier driver arrived in the winner's circle, climbing from his car in victory to greet the fans and pose for Dave Franks Photos.  Said Stewart, "I have to give huge thanks and recognition to Bruce Bennett Jr. for all his efforts to keep this car running and making it work.  We've been strong, we were lucky to get out front early.  This is a tough group to race against and every win means a lot.  Big thanks to all our sponsors and fans for all their support to keep this team going."

Grisdale Late Model racing continues every Saturday night all summer long at Hamilton's asphalt arena!

The next 75-lap round of the Grisdale Triple Crown tournament is Saturday, July 3rd, see schedule for details.