May 10

Hutchens Takes Checkered in Wild Race at Bowman Gray 
New Double-File Restart Rule Shakes Things Up at “the Madhouse.”  
When asked to share his thoughts on winning the Carolina Wood Floors 100 on Saturday, Bobby Hutchens could sum it up well. 
  “Wow,” said Hutchens. 
  The Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series at Bowman Gray Stadium is using a new double-file “choice” restart rule for 100-lap races - giving competitors the chance to choose to take the inside or outside lane before the green is thrown after cautions. Fans and drivers knew it would create some interesting racing, but Saturday night’s Carolina Wood Floors 100 was the first chance to see the rule in action. 
  Luke Fleming of Mount Airy drew the pole as his starting position - and after a rough false start that took out several cars, Fleming found himself in the lead with Brad Robbins of Winston-Salem on his tail. It wasn’t long though before the more experienced Robbins took over the lead. 
  Meanwhile, the field was constantly being scrambled as cars shuffled positions back and forth. The #1 car of Burt Myers slowly worked towards the front. 
  On a double-file restart, Myers, a resident of Walnut Cove, moved up to the outside beside race leader Robbins. “I knew if I could get to the outside of the front row, I had a good enough car I could probably get on out there. And if not I could get in line in second again and just try to go from there,” said Myers. As the green fell, Myers beat Robbins into turn one to claim the lead. 
  Myers then found himself having to deal with the threat of an outside row car stealing the lead away from him, but he was able to fend off all challengers. After winning the championship last season and also winning the season-opening race last week, Myers looked to be in a commanding position to take the checkered yet again on Saturday. 
  Then disaster struck for Myers. With less than 15 laps to go, Myers sputtered to a stop due to motor problems. “We made all the right decisions; we made all the right calls. The car was perfect. We just got bit by bad luck tonight and there’s nothing you can do about that,” said Myers. 
  Bobby Hutchens of Lexington moved into the lead after Myers’ misfortune. Hutchens himself is no stranger to losing the lead due to last-minute motor problems. “I hate Burt had the trouble he had, but we lost two like that last year so we know how he feels,” said Hutchens. 
  Hutchens went on to take the checkered in what he says is the toughest race he’s ever run. “We may have lucked into this a little bit, but we worked for it. It wasn’t like somebody gave it to us. I was back to 4th or 5th at some point and worked my way back into second,” said Hutchens. 
  Brad Robbins of Winston-Salem finished in second with Lee Jeffreys of High Point taking third. 
  In the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series, Jim Shoaf of Lexington took the checkered for the first race with Derek Stoltz of Walkertown and Kenny Bost of Lexington finishing second and third. David Adams of Yadkinville won the second race, with Tommy Neal of Walkertown taking second and Barry Edwards of Pinnacle claiming third. 
  John McNeal of Winston-Salem took home the win in the 104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series after a wild last-lap pass for the lead. Matt Cotner of Rural Hall ended up in second. Ryan Nelson of Winston-Salem finished in third. 
  In the Time Warner Cable Stadium Stock Series, Kenny Dixon of Pfafftown and Matt Hill of Yadkinville split victories in the two 15-lap races.