David cops first ever O'Reilly SUPR Sprint Car victory

David cops first ever SUPR Sprint show!

D’Lo, Mississippi – (April 5, 2002) Butch David and Michael Herrington, long-time sprint car competitors in the gulf south, waged a battle all night long at Simpson County Motorsports Park that saw Herrington win the prelims but David rose to the top in the 25-lap feature in the first-ever O’Reilly SUPR Sprint Car event. David emerged with the lead after an early three-car battle between David, Herrington and pole sitter Cassidy Lejeune. And once David was up front, he was able to hold a late charge by Herrington and Lejeune with Herman Carrier and Glynn LeBlanc rounding out the top 5.

Herrington won the early battles with David as he claimed the second heat and the Top Qualifier award. Just behind Herrington and David was second-year competitor, Cassidy Lejeune. When Herrington returned for the 6-car dash he once again topped David, charging from 6^th to 2nd. But he was not able to best Lejeune, who started from the pole in the inverted dash.

As 14-car feature rolled to the line, it was Lejeune on the pole with Herrington to the outside with David and Carey Farmer on row 2. Lejeune got the early jump, but a slip exiting turn 4 allowed David and Herrington to pull even down the front stretch with David at the bottom, Herrington in the middle and Lejeune on the outside. David was able slid in front of Herrington as they entered turn one and he then began to ease away for the historic first victory.

David credited the win to an adjustment made prior to the feature. “The track was fast and slick so we ended up running a lot more gear to keep it hooked up.” David stated his intention for running for the O’Reilly SUPR Sprint Car Championship in 2002. “We wanted to do this and to defend the Louisiana State Championship at Baton Rouge Raceway.” And David is ready with two new Gambler chassis’s on hand.

As for Mike Herrington, he feels the early decision to try the high side may have hurt his chances at a victory. “Early on I tried to go high and it just didn’t pan out. As the race went on the car started running better and I closed in on David but I wasn’t able to get a good run on him. We’ll get Butch tomorrow night!”

Lejeune was happy with his showing and the pole starting spot. “It’s nice to start on the pole, its not something I get to do too often but it’s tough to beat these guys. Still we’re happy to be able to run with them and I really like this racetrack. It has plenty of room to race and has real nice facilities.”

And while all eyes were on the battle up front, the drivers had their eyes on the #24 of Glynn LeBlanc as he was the only competitor utilizing the SUPR spec motor package. LeBlanc finished 5^th after starting 6^th and he battled side-by-side with Herman Carrier for 4^th. LeBlanc was very happy with the spec motor combination. “It was good, I was right there with ‘em. I really like the package and the way it helps the car handle.” As for Carrier he summed his night up as “a good run. We’re satisfied, satisfied. We were good on the restarts but then the tires started to go away.”

Darrel Hyde topped the first heat of the night but the veteran racer returning to action after taking off the last two years had his night end early as he made contact with the turn one wall, breaking his front suspension.

Michael Willis had the misfortune of rolling his car after contact with Terry Vidrine in turn two. Willis was disappointed but frustrated to roll the car. Carey Farmer also had misfortune as the front axle broke on the car and the steering linkage entered the cockpit, making contact with Carey, who fortunately emerged with only minor soreness.

Terry Vidrine survived his early contact with Michael Willis and claimed the first Wynn’s Hard Charger award. Vidrine passed 5 cars en route to a 7^th place finish.

Official Results:

1. Butch David

2. Michael Herrington

3. Cassidy Lejeune

4. Herman Carrier

5. Glynn LeBlanc

6. Harold Henderson Jr.

7. Terry Vidrine

8. Wendell Magnon

9. David Bryant

10. Mark Tate

11. Carey Farmer

12. Michael Willis

13. Darrell Hyde

14. Harry Ferguson

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