7/21/2012
Wayne Helliwell Jr
It's in the Bag
This past Friday night the biggest small block supermodified race in division history was on the line with a $20,000 purse and a possible $5,000 going to winner; if they could complete the sweep of winning all three race segments.
Wayne Helliwell Jr. and the Witkum Brothers racing team were not sure what the night would bring them after poor performances leading up to the event. Coming off a 6th place and two 15th place finishes the team was ready for more. The team has had flashes brilliance but not shown the consistency they need to be at the front each week.
A three segment style race featuring two 35 lap races and one 30 lap event for a combined lowest averaging finish would take the overall purse for the inaugural Benson Lumber & Hardware Money Bags 100. A format made famous at the Thunder-Road Speedbowl in Vermont for their annual Milk Bowl event. Using a numbering system that adds to each position you finish the driver with the overall lowest score takes home the win.
Helliwell would start the night off right by winning the pole position for the first race event by taking down quick time in time trials with a lap of 13.769. Passing Peter Stergios back on lap 8 he would cruse to first segment win making $500 and earning a +1 for his overall total.
Segment two would see the lead lap cars inverted from the first feature finishing order. Helliwell would roll off from the 9th starting position. A caution free event would see the field get strung-out, as he worked the white 21 machine to the front. Taking over the 2nd place with 8 laps left in the segment, he would finish there as segment winner Mike Ordway Jr. was just too far ahead with the laps remaining.
Leading the field into the final 30 lap segment with a +3 Helliwell would start 7th. Battling his way to the 3rd spot as a caution with 4 laps to go would bunch the field. Allowing him to grab the runner up spot from Sparky Mcguiver to finish the 100 lap event with a +5 and pocket $4400 dollars for the Witkum Brothers Scherbon Consolidated, Inc. team.
Holding a big bag of cash in victory lane Helliwell said, “Its funny how life and this world of racing works out sometimes, isn’t it… I never would have thought we would be here tonight. The car was the best it’s been all year. It was a good money and point’s night for sure. We needed this on both accounts. I’m proud of these guys tonight. This is a great moment, a great achievement for everyone.
Our 2012 Proud SBS Partners ~ Scherbon Consolidated Inc / Locke Crane Service / Westford Glass / Witkum Flooring / Harrington Brothers Paving
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Photo's by: RG Design / https://www.facebook.com/RG.Design.2011
Article Credit: Jason Lubin
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
