Joey Jones and Danny Bagwell Snag Dillon’s Checkered Flags

Joey Jones and Danny Bagwell Snag Dillon’s Checkered Flags

Joey Jones and Danny Bagwell Snag Dillon’s Checkered Flags

Timmy Hutson/ISCARS PR
June 21, 2010

Jones pictured with family and Brad Queen (Photo courtesy of Dale Roberts)

DILLON,SC - Entering the fourth and fifth races of the 2010 ISCARS DASH Touring, Sanctioned by ASA, at Dillon Motor Speedway, points leader Danny Bagwell had a huge target on his back with being undefeated in the first three races of the 2010 ISCARS season.

None of the wins have necessarily come easy. The competition has been the toughest for Bagwell in recent memory. With the new Stock Car Tuner body and wing modifications, it has created a handling challenge for those who were easily dialed in based on many years of set up notes. Some of the tough competition that Bagwell has been facing has come from an impressive rookie Todd Hawkes along with veterans Eric Gerchak, and Joey Jones.

Bagwell and Gerchak brought the field to the green flag and the battle was underway. Gerchak got the jump and took command exiting turn two and led the first three laps. Gerchak moved to slam the door on a hard charging Joey Jones. Jones got into the back of Gerchak sending the #3 Carolina Alarms car into a spin. Gerchak got his car moving quickly enough to remain on the lead lap.

After a brief caution the race would go green until the final lap, with Bagwell and Jones racing door handle to door handle, making for a crowd pleasing race. It was clear that Bagwell was fighting a loose handling car. He could get to Jones in the corner, but his rear would fishtail on exit of the corner. This gave Jones some breathing room on the final lap and allowed Gerchak and Hawkes to work on Bagwell. The field took the white flag with Bagwell trying even harder to catch Jones. Bagwell spun coming out of turn four as Jones took the checkered flag. Rookie of the year contender Todd Hawkes and Gerchak scrambled to miss Bagwell and raced side by side to the line with Gerchak leading by a nose to grab second place.

“Man I can’t believe this. I knew that Bagwell was tough, but man, every lap he was right there, and during the ending laps, I didn’t know whether to look in my mirrors or my windshield to see where Danny was at. It was an incredible race. Glad to be back in victory lane, and looking forward to the next 40 lapper,” said an excited Jones.

This is Jones’ third win in his ISCARS career, as he scored two victories when the series visited New Senoia Speedway in Senoia, GA in 2008.

After two hours of local racing ISCARS took to the track for the second 40 Lap feature. As the field fired at the drop of the green, pole sitter Jones spun his tires causing him to fight the wheel. Jones spun at the start/finish line and collected the #83 of Robert Tighe the III (RT3). Jones was able to continue, but Tighe had to spend a few laps on pit road while the team removed the damaged nose.

The race returned to green with Bagwell and Gerchak battling for the top position. At times Bagwell pulled away only to have Gerchak close back in. But Gerchak’s car slipped giving Bagwell’s Ford enough room to easily take the checkered for his fourth win of the season. Gerchak finished second with Jones battling back from the first lap accident to take third.

“Racing used to be easier, but with Eric Gurchak, Joey Jones, and the rest of the drivers learning a lot, it is forcing me to find ways to step up my game. I had a blast out there, the car handled great, after the changes that we made in between the races. Thanks to Tommy Torbert and the rest of the 5 Brothers Produce guys for all of their support,” said Bagwell.

The next stop for ISCARS DASH Touring will be July 3rd at Hickory Motor Speedway.