Falk, Lockhart split wins
Published 9:33 pm Tuesday, August 21, 2012
![IMG_7193 Balluzzo w GFletcher-tp prstr](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2012/08/IMG_7193-Balluzzo-w-GFletcher-tp-prstr.jpg)
Shawn Balluzzo, center, celebrates in Victory Lane with a Marriott Courtyard trophy presenter, left, and longtime crewman and Suffolk resident Gary Fletcher after Balluzzo captured his sixth and seventh wins of the season to retake the points lead in the Modifieds class at Langley Speedway on Saturday. Bill Carr | Motor Sports Photo News Service
C.E. Falk and Shayne Lockhart divided the checkered flags in the Twin 75s for the late-model stock cars featured events Saturday in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.
In the opener, Falk started on the pole, at 88.942 mph, and cruised to the victory, leading all the way in an event that was slowed by two caution flags. At the finish, Falk was the winner by nearly a full straightaway over his brother, Wes Falk, who held off points leader Greg Edwards by half a car-length for second. Woody Howard and Shayne Lockhart were fourth and fifth to the line, respectively.
Due to start the nightcap from the pole, C.E. Falk was chased to the pits during the parade laps when lead weights became dislodged from his machine. Returning at the rear of the 18-car lineup, Falk sliced his way back to the front and took the lead from his brother on lap 53. He led the rest of the way to finish off an apparent sweep.
![IMG_7081CEF w Marit TPrstr](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2012/08/IMG_7081CEF-w-Marit-TPrstr.jpg)
C.E. Falk stands in Victory Lane with Marriott Courtyard trophy presenters after his twin-75-lap victories at Langley Speedway on Saturday. The two wins were Falk’s 50th and 51st Late Model Stock Car wins in his career, but due to a weight being dislodged in the second race of the night, his 51st win was taken away by disqualification due to an underweight condition. Bill Carr | Motor Sports Photo News Service
In the post-race inspection, however, Falk’s car came up underweight by an amount that was in line with the weight that was lost prior to the initial green flag. With Falk’s disqualification, Lockhart moved up to first place in the official rundown. Danny Edwards Jr., subbing for Mark Wertz, was second, followed by Dude Gibbs, Wes Falk and Greg Edwards.
In the Late Model title chase, Wes Falk trimmed two points from Greg Edwards’ advantage and now trails by 20 points, 336-316.
Shawn Balluzzo posted his sixth and seventh victories, taking both ends of the Twin 30s in the Modifieds class.
In the first event, Balluzzo claimed the pole, at 85.063 mph, and scored the wire-to-wire victory. Robbie Babb reclaimed second place on the last restart, with three to go, and finished three lengths behind Balluzzo. Anthony Kincaid, Cameron Patrick and Matt Slye rounded out the top five.
In the finale, Balluzzo snagged another wire-to-wire win, holding off Mike Rudy by a car-length at the finish. Babb, Tanner Rumburg and Russ Ellis were third, fourth and fifth, in that order.
With the pair of wins, Balluzzo leapfrogged Rudy to retake the division lead.
Rudy struggled to a 10th-place finish in the first Mod race after scuffling with Kincaid on lap 19.