Butch Miller won the 250-lap Slinger Nationals late model feature at
Slinger Speedway. Miller also claimed the two-event series’ overall
championship. – Russ Lake Photo
Slinger, Wis. (July 12, 1988) – Butch Miller netted himself a long-awaited Slinger Nationals title, Tuesday night at Slinger Speedway as he topped the 250-lap headliner, to go with his sweep of the first-round events.
Polesitter Andy Wendt led the first lap of the main event before Alan Kulwicki powered in front on round two. Rich Bickle Jr., dropped Wendt from second on the next lap.
Kulwicki set a blistering pace for the next 15 laps, opening up a nine-car-length advantage over Bickle, Jim Weber, Joe Shear, and Miller. Bickle brought a yellow on lap 19 when he spun.
When the race resumed, Kulwicki continued to lead until another yellow flew for a Bob Miller spin on lap 27.
Kulwicki again retained the lead on the restart and opened up a five-car-length lead a hard-charging Miller, while fast qualifier Davey Allison, who set a record 11.487-second lap in qualifying, retired his car after losing a cylinder.
Kulwicki thrashed his way through traffic, putting a third of the field one lap down before another caution appeared on lap 41.
Kulwicki paced the field on the restart while Weber and Shear traded the runner-up spot until shear took command on lap 44. Miller quickly got around Weber to gain third three laps later.
Miller dogged Shear for the next 18 circuits before snatching the runner-up position away. Kulwicki held a quarter-lap lead over Miller until lap 79 when Bob Miller spun again.
On the restart, Kulwicki still led but Miller remained within five-car-lengths of the leader. Miller closed the gap and by lap 102 was filling Kulwicki’s mirror.
Kulwicki managed to hold on until the mandatory pit stop at the halfway point of the race. Miller changed outside tires while Kulwicki made chassis adjustments.
When the green waved, Miller closed in on Kulwicki before taking the lead on lap 129. Once in front, Miller pulled away from the field and began to put lapped traffic between himself and Kulwicki. On lap 178, the yellow appeared bring the field together for the restart but Miller again outdistanced Kulwicki and Shear.
By the 200th round, Miller had opened up an eight-car-length lead and expanded that to 12 lengths by lap 207. The final caution of the race flew on lap 242, setting up a dash to the wire.
Miller again set the pace on the restart while Kulwicki and Shear battled for second. Shear snared second from Kulwicki with three laps left.
Miller took the checkered followed by Shear, Kulwicki, Conrad Morgan and Al Schill.
Miller easily won the Nationals title with 8,005 points. Shear placed second with 3,165 points while Morgan took third with 3,000.
Results –
1. Butch Miller, Coopersville, Mich.
2. Joe Shear, Clinton
3. Alan Kulwicki, Concord, N.C.
4. Conrad Morgan, Dousman
5. Al Schill, Franklin
6. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton
7. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
8. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
9. Ken Schrader, Concord, N.C.
10.Dave Klein, Madison
No comments:
Post a Comment