ORCA East: Dean Schmall Avoids Trouble Captures Third Win At Bristol!
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- Online Racing Championship Association
Dean Schmall became the first three time winner in the ORCA East Series by winning the Bash in the Bowl 250. Schmall, in the No. 09 Service Tire Truck Centers Dodge, was in the lead pack much of the day and was able to avoid any trouble. It seemed that Schmall’s patience and experience at the half mile track paid off with his third ORCA East victory in 5 starts.
Following Schmall, was Wayne Hunter in second for his third second place finish in as many races. Dwayne Vincent rallied to finish third. Del Oliver, Chad Williams and Ed Courteau were the rest of the drivers who managed to finish on the lead lap.
“Well it is great to get the third win so early in the season with some of the new guys that have come into the league. Del was tough in the early part of the race until he received damage in a crash,” Schmall said in Victory Lane. “Del was involved in a crash and Alan got a black flag. I would like to say that running with those two in the middle of the race was great. We stayed nose to tail and never pushed it to get up through the field. Wayne came on real strong at the end and when he beat me out of the pits the final time I did not know if I could get around him and still hold him off. I feel blessed to win this race; I for sure was not the only good car out there.”
Hunter finished second for the third consecutive time this year -- he was also second at Atlanta and Darlington. Hunter started third and battled back from being a lap down. He tried to give Schmall a run for his money at the end, but Hunter’s tires were worn out from the harsh Bristol surface.
There were eight different lead changes among six drivers. The caution flag was waved sixteen times for a total of sixty-four laps. Next week is a week off for ORCA East before they head off to Texas.
Interview with Dean Schmall
Winner of the Bash in the Bowl 250 at Bristol
Richard: Tell me about the win? It is your third win this year, any different from your others?
Dean: Well Rich it is great to get the third win so early in the season with some of the new guys that have came into the league. Del was tough in the early part of the race until he received damage in a crash.
Richard: Did you make any adjustments to car?
Dean: Yeah, I adjusted it quite a few times during the race but my crew never touched the car. I adjusted it while driving you knows that wall can do wonders to a chassis.
Richard: What was your strategy going in to the race, did it change?
Dean: My strategy stayed the same throughout the race. Qualify well fall inline and run some laps. With 50 to go then start working back up to the front and if I had the car try for the lead.
Richard: How was your car in traffic? How was the traffic?
Dean: Car was great in traffic as long as I did not run into the turns to hard. Traffic was pretty good as long as you picked your pass and did not push the issue with anyone. Like I always say you can’t win if you don’t finish.
Richard: Talk about how hard it was to beat the competition?
Dean: Well it seems that the hardest two guys in the early going were Del and Alan who both ran into trouble of one type or another. Del was involved in a crash and Alan got a black flag. I would like to say that running with those two in the middle of the race was great. We stayed nose to tail and never pushed it to get up through the field. Wayne came on real strong at the end and when he beat me out of the pits the final time I did not know if I could get around him and still hold off. Dwayne at the same time who also showed a lot of muscle at the end.