White wins race; Gamblin places fourth

Friday’s Media Race at Five Flags Speedway kept fans wondering what would happen, as a caution on lap six led to a two-lap shootout.

When the caution flag flew, White saw his straightaway length lead disappear as the running order was Marty White, Scott McKinney, Brent Lane, Jamie Secola, Cynthia Schelmeta, and Bill Gamblin.

Gamblin had to go to the rear of the field as he brought out the caution flag trying to avoid hitting the car driven by Lane while battling for third.

When the race resumed, White and McKinney were bumper to bumper when McKinney spun out and came to rest along the back stretch wall.

When the checkered flag flew, White won his third media race in the last four years followed by Lane, Secola, Gamblin, Schelmeta, and McKinney.

After the race White was all smiles in victory lane.

“I really had a great time out there tonight,” said White. “This is always a fun race and a very competitive field. But the real winner tonight is United Cerebral Palsy, as well as the fans.”

Gamblin, who started the race in third position fell to fourth when he came upon the slower car driven by Schelmeta and was passed by Lane.

“I could have moved around Cynthia, but possibly would have caused a wreck on the front stretch,” said Gamblin. “So I waited to get around her and go back after Brent. Coming out of turn one, Brent came down and I checked up just a little so we wouldn’t collide and ended up spinning out.”

But the race itself was something Gamblin is hoping he can do again, if he gets the invite.

“It was an awesome race,” said Gamblin. “I just have to thank Daryl Lynchard for letting me use his race car and Tim Bryant for letting me be a part of tonight at Five Flags Speedway.”

Following the race the drivers and Five Flags Speedway presented a check to United Cerebral Palsy.

In other news from Five Flags Speedway Friday night Johanna Long became the first woman to win a feature race at Five Flags Speedway since Tammy Jo Kirk won the 1994 Snowball Derby.

Long, who has two runner-up finishes, posted her first win at her home track following a win earlier this season in Opp, Ala.

Milton’s Keith Thorpe started from the pole and held the lead for the first 12 laps until Long was able to catch him and make the pass on lap 13 as she went low in Turn three.

A couple of laps later Brandon Odom managed to get by Thorpe, but he was not able to catch Long who checked out on the field as the 40-lap race was caution free for the nine drivers.

Thorpe would end up finishing seventh.

Other feature winners on Friday night were Allen Pierce (Super Stock), Thomas Warren Jr. (Sportsman), and Tim Holland (Bomber).