Balluzzo makes late move for Langley win

Published 10:40 pm Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Shawn Baluzzo stands in Victory Lane with his No. 48 Modified and some of the youngsters involved in the “Racing For Hope Foundation/CHKD Night At The Races.” Baluzzo took the lead on Lap 44 of the 50-lap event and went on to a six-length win over teammate Todd VanGuilder.

After a scuffle with Anthony Kincaid on lap 45, Shawn Balluzzo emerged with the lead and rolled on to his third straight win in the Racing For Hope/CHKD 50 for the KeesVacations.com Modifieds, the featured event of Saturday evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Balluzzo claimed the pole, at 86.707 mph, but gave way to Kincaid as the initial green flag waved.

Kincaid showed the way for the first 44 circuits, extending his lead to as much as five car-lengths.

Email newsletter signup

Just past the halfway mark, though, Kincaid ran up on slower traffic, allowing Balluzzo to close in.

For the next dozen laps, Balluzzo tried everything in his bag of tricks to get around the leader.

After testing the outside line for several laps, Balluzzo suddenly switched lanes off Turn 4 on lap 44.

Reaching Turn 1 to begin lap 45, Balluzzo and Kincaid made contact, and Kincaid spun to bring out the first yellow flag.

After a video review, officials ruled that Kincaid was already spinning when he and Balluzzo came together, and Balluzzo kept the lead for the ensuing restart.

The race was slowed by two more caution flags, on the restart and on lap 46.

At the finish, Balluzzo was the winner by six lengths over Todd VanGuilder. Mike Rudy was third, followed by Matt Slye and Kincaid, who salvaged a fifth-place result.