Howard Payne Wins World Series ARTS Feature
Howard Payne of Shelton, CT driving the #0 sponsored by Big Boys Toys won the 25 lap feature event at Thompson Int’l Speedway on Saturday, October 18, 2008.
After retiring 10 years ago from ARTS an opportunity arose for him to get back into the truck one more time at the very track that he won his last truck race at. It wasn’t out of the question that Payne could return to victory lane. He left the series a very good racer and he teamed up with a top running team from last year in ARTS which made a good combination. A couple of things did make it a bit easier for him. Three teams had engine troubles on Friday which had all three missing the heat race and returning to their shops Friday and repairing their trucks over night to return to the track on Saturday for the feature. The were current points leader Andy Lindeman of Poestenkill, NY who drives the #3 sponsored by Thorpe Electric Supply Company; Derek Chriss of Averill Park, NY who drives the #12 sponsored by Dan Engwer Wholesale Florist; and Chris Correll of Old Lyme, CT who drives the #7 sponsored by Hooters of America.
With the unusual amount of trucks with problems it was decided that only one heat race would be run, which was the second break that Payne got. The current rules and handicap system allowed Payne to remain where he qualified for the feature and required that Lindeman, Chriss, and Correll would start after the trucks participating in the heat race. And finally due to an illegal move by Bill Leonard of Wood River Junction, RI driving the #8 sponsored by Holmes Garage in the heat, which resulted in him being black flagged from the event, left another point contender, Gee Perry of Granby, CT who drives the #83 sponsored by FEB Construction, repairing the entire right front suspension of his truck Friday night and finishing Saturday morning.
Sitting on the pole for the feature was Tom Smith of Hope Valley, RI driving the #64 sponsored by TLS Design & Mfg. with team mate Richard Brooks of Groton, CT driving the #46 sponsored by TK Auto on the outside. In the second row was Rookie leader Greg Butler of East Hampton driving the #85 sponsored by East Hampton Auto Pars with Tony Naglieri of Island Park, NY driving the #03 sponsored by Eveready Motorsports alongside. At the drop of the green Brooks got the jump ahead of Smith with Butler on his bumper putting Smith in 3rd and Naglieri following. Brooks, Butler, and Smith battled closely for several laps with Payne catching up and getting in on the battle. With the other points contenders Perry, Lindeman, and Correll moving up through the field made for a very exciting race. The ARTS regulars up front did all that they could to hold off the returning Payne. But not to be denied, Payne showed why he was so successful 10 years ago as he worked his way to the lead. The rough weekend closed up the point standings for the upcoming season finale next weekend at Twin State Speedway. Lindeman is leading with 2034, Perry is 82 points behind him with 1952; Correll moved up to 3rd with 114 points behind Lindeman with 1920; and Butler went to 4th with 116 points behind Lindeman with 1918.
Finishing order: H. Payne, R. Brooks, G. Perry, C. Correll, M. Powers, M. Anzalone, T. Smith, A. Lindeman, G. Butler, T. Naglieri, D. Butler, S. Senerchia, C. Austill, M. Carrigg, J. Zoller, K. Chapman, D. Chriss.
The next and final race of the 2008 season is next Saturday at Twin State Speedway.
Sources: Debbie DuVilla/ARTS PR