By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

Instead of the originally scheduled 150-lapper, Langley Speedway’s late-model Stock Cars will run Twin-75s on Saturday, as the track continues its 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series campaign.

With Saturday’s feature being split into two separate races, drivers who race exclusively at Langley will now have a chance to reach 18 starts for the season, helping them to maximize their NASCAR points totals.

The sanctioning body bases its state and national standings on each driver’s top 18 finishes. To date, weather woes have claimed four Langley Late Model races.

In addition to the Late Model Twins, Saturday’s nine-race lineup includes INEX Legends (Twin 20s); Grand Stocks (40 laps); Super Trucks (25 laps); Pro Sixes (30 laps); INEX Bandoleros (20 laps); and HRKC Pro Winged Champ Karts (20 laps).

The “Stuff the Bus” drive wraps up this Saturday. Fans are encouraged to fill the track’s “Boogity-Boogity-Boogity” hot rod school bus with backpacks and other school supplies. Donated items will be distributed to children in Hampton, Newport News and Appalachia.

With 20 wins in 29 starts, Lee Pulliam easily retained the top spot in this week’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series top 500 as he continues an inexorable charge to his first national title. Nate Monteith is second in the rundown, 57 points behind the leader.

Despite his disqualification from the second of last Saturday’s late-model Twins at Langley, C.E. Falk jumped from fourth to third in the standings. Northeastern Modified pilot Ryan Preece is fourth, only one point behind Falk, while Keith Rocco is fifth, just one point behind Preece.

Other drivers of local interest include: Hampton Heat 200 winner Matt Bowling (12th); Langley Late Model points leader Greg Edwards (58th); Wes Falk (97th); Shayne Lockhart (161st); Casey Wyatt (164th); Mark Wertz (210th); Danny Edwards Jr. (214th); Terry Carroll (216th); Jeff Shiflett (266th); Duane Shreeves (415th); and, J.T. Jackson (431st).

In the Virginia state rankings, Pulliam, C.E. Falk, Bowling and Tommy Lemons Jr. maintained the top four spots, while former national champ Peyton Sellers climbed to fifth. Greg Edwards is eighth, while Wes Falk is 11th. Lockhart and Wyatt check in at 14th and 15th, respectively, and Danny Edwards Jr. rejoins the listing, at 19th.

In the Langley Late Model standings, Greg Edwards holds a 20-point lead over Wes Falk, 336-316. Shayne Lockhart (293), Casey Wyatt (285) and C.E. Falk (268) complete the top five. Danny Edwards Jr. is sixth, only one point behind C.E. Falk.

Ricky Derrick regained the Grand Stock points lead with his win last weekend. He holds a slim two-point advantage over Tommy Sweeney, 235-233.

Nick Smith will try to extend his five-race unbeaten streak in the INEX Legends Twin 20s. He holds a 12-point lead over defending titlist Brad Hancock, 130-118, in the standings.

Robbie Davis enjoys a 14-point lead over Troy Turnage in the current Super Truck standings, 231-217.

Rookie contender Landon Florian has closed to within one point of Steve Williams in the Pro Six title chase, 168-167. Florian, the 2011 UCAR champ, brings a two-race winning streak into Saturday’s 30-lapper.

Not to be overlooked, Bobby Hall is third in the current rankings, one behind Florian. Nelson Moody (155) and three-time race winner Casey Sipe (144) are fourth and fifth, respectively.

INEX Bandolero points leader Ryleigh Lemonds will try to get back on the winning track on Saturday. After three straight victories, she saw her unbeaten streak come to a halt on Aug. 4 as Cameron Bowen snagged the checkers. Lemonds owns a seven-point lead over Bowen, 103-96. Madyson Mulligan (93) is third, followed by Evan Horne (71) and Lexi Perry (63).

Washed out on July 21 and Aug. 11, the Champ Karts will see their first action in nearly two months on Saturday evening. Charlie-Ray Lorah leads the points parade by 30 over Aaron Leach, 151-121. Matthew Dail (120), Matthew Leach (116) and Sparky West (110) make up the rest of the top five.