ORCA East: Dean Schmall Builds Points Lead In Crazy Finish At Atlanta
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Dean Schmall kept the racing and his car clean and needed a little bad luck to befall on one of his competitors to win the ORCA Georgia 250.
Schmall, driver of the No. 09 Service Tire Truck Centers Dodge, had been the story at the finish in the first race of this year. However, this performance was far more different then his domination at “The Rock”.
Schmall led the last 4 laps after passing Dwayne Vincent in the No. 88 CSI Ford after a late-race restart. For much of the race, it looked like Dwayne Vincent had the car to beat. Vincent, was the dominate one, winning the pole and leading 94 laps in total, he appeared to be cruising to an easy victory, but lost fourth gear after a restart with only 4 laps to go.
After Vincent lost fourth gear on the restart Schmall and newcomer Wayne Hunter, driving the No. 125 Dodge, shot to the front where Schmall held on to win by .62. Hunter was second, followed by Chad Williams, Paige Gamble and Ed Courteau to round out the top five.
Vincent had this to say after the race, “It was a heartbreaker I thought I had a good shot at winning that race but I shifted into 4th way to early I think that’s what caused me to lose my 4th gear. But I had a long talk with the transmission guy and he said we shouldn’t have that problem again. But the number 88 CSI Ford was strong and we should have something to say at Darlington.
Schmall brimming after the win had this to say about Vincent’s bad luck. “Today’s win was just being in the right place to take advantage of Dwayne's misfortune. Then again the way he has run the last two weeks I guess I will take the win anyway I can get it.”
Early on in the race a couple accidents forced 5 drivers to retire, which shortened the field to allow for the shootout at the end. Only seven of the thirteen cars remained on the lead lap at the end, with Schmall pulling it out in the end to stretch his lead to 30 points over John Kostick for the OCRA EAST Championship.
Interview with Dean Schmall, Winner of the ORCA Georgia 250
Conducted by Richard Goldsmith
Richard: Congratulations on winning the ORCA Georgia 250. This is your second win in three races, you got to be doing something right?
Dean: Thanks Rich, but last nights win was just being in the right place to take advantage of Dwayne's misfortune. Then again the way he has run the last two weeks I guess I will take the win anyway I can get it.
Richard: What was your strategy going in and did you make any changes to your strategy? Your race setup?
Dean: The strategy I have going into every race is the same. Qualify up front and try to stay there. Unfortunately that did not work out and had to work back up through the field several times. As far as the setup goes I basically left it untouched other than putting a little wedge in.
Richard: You got to feel for the No. 88, he was dominating the race and lost 4th gear, with 4 laps left. Your comments on that.
Dean: Yes, I hate to win under those circumstances, when you have one driver dominate the way Dwayne did and have a mechanical failure that close to the end.
Richard: This race was filled with cautions. It seemed to take many contenders out of the race. What did you see out there and were you involved in any?
Dean: Well I was one of the unfortunate ones who were involved in at least two cautions. One I spun trying to avoid a slower car and the other was a connection issue. Both incidents damaged the car but the crew did a great job knocking the fenders back out and keeping me in the hunt.
Richard: Well Dean, it has been nice talking with you and congratulations on winning this week’s race. Next weeks race will take place at Darlington and I wish all the racers the best of luck.
Reporting for ORCA: Richard Goldsmith