FLOCKHART FLIES IN 50th GARDEN STATE CLASSIC
Boardwick, Cottrell Win Their First Features; McLaughlin Scores Again
by Walter Elliott

WALL TWP., N.J. -- Kevin Flockhart, of Jackson, held off Chas Okerson and current NASCAR Whelen All-American Series modified points leader Steve Reed to win his first 100-lap Garden State Classic at Wall Township Speedway Saturday night. Bob Boardwick, of Union Beach, and Francis Cottrell, of Lakewood, won their respective first career street stock and INEX Legends Cars features. Value Towing Factory Stock leader Vern McLaughlin III, of Whitehouse Station, spoiled Mike Bilello's first victory bid.
Flockhart came from fourth starting place to challenge polesitter Dave Cranmer within the race's first 24 laps and stayed on the leader's bumper until Cranmer suddenly faded to seventh on lap 49. The Crestwood Jewelers/Boardwick Engines No.12 Sisco- Chevrolet driver won his fourth WTS WAAS modified main of the year and 12th of his career.

Boardwick vaulted past front row men Joe Shelmet and Harry Schaefer on the street stock feature's opening lap.The B&B Paving No.18 Chevy Monte Carlo pilot went on to hold off 2001 champion John McCormack, reigning champ Bill Vanderveen and challenger Elliott Wohl by .213 sec. after 20 laps. Boardwick, a former NHRA drag racer, qualified sixth in his eight-lap heat to Rob Hyer; Gregg Miranda won the other heat.

Former WAAS modified man Cottrell used his pole position to win the 20-lap Legends Cars main by. .198 sec over heat winner Ron Poley and 2005 titlist Bryan Gardella. The 25-lap victory is the first for the Gist Racing/Tilton Body Works 600 Racing/Yamaha No. 44 driver, who started racing on the paved banked one-third mile oval in 2003. Don Neuls won the other heat.

McLaughlin split his heats with Ronald Lane, Sr. and charged from 14th starting spot to shadow poleman Bilello midway through the 20-lap feature. The Absolute Auto/Readington Diner No. 06 Monte Carlo driver ousted Bilello on lap 15 and held him off by .820 sec. for his fourth class win.

The Sportsman and RMP Modified Affordable Division classes rejoin the Whelen All American Series Modifieds, Legends, Street Stocks and Value Towing Factory Stocks on USG Night 6 p.m. Saturday, July 28th.

The Wall Sunday Series resumes Sunday, July 29th with the Four-Cylinder Supermodifieds, Van Wickle NAPA Bandoleros, Calabreeze Pools Legends and Kart-based racers at Noon Sunday.

On Saturday August 4th, Driver/crew chief Ray Evernham, of Hazlet, is to bring NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Bill Elliott , Kasey Kahne, and Elliott Sadler , as well as Erin Crocker for a Racing for a Reason charity race night. Contact wallspeedway.com or (732) 681-6400 for details.