Carl Cormier Wraps Up 2005 Season With His First Ever Win at Hickory Motor Speedway

By Adrian Sanders - toadtraxracing@yahoo.com

After a season full of runner up finishes, handling problems and pure tough luck, Carl Cormier finally capitalized and took his #58 Performance Center car to victory lane for the first time in his career Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Pete Silva led the 21 car field to the green flag in his #01 Blossman Propane car with #58 Carl Cormier on the outside pole. Silva jumped out to a really comfortable lead at the drop of the flag with #58 Carl Cormier, #32 Kevin Leicht, #95 Keith Bumgarner and #21 Brian Connor settling into the top 5 spots. On lap 6, #21 Brian Connor looks to the inside of #95 Keith Bumgarner and takes 4 th place.

Coleman Pressley who has come on strong late in the season moves into the top 5 on lap 9 when he puts his Kmart #59 into 5 th spot after passing Keith Bumgarner in turn 4. #21 Brian Connor looks to move forward by lap 20 as he looks to the inside of #32 Kevin Leicht in the Super 8 Motel sponsored car.

Connor and Leicht run side by side for 2 laps until lapped traffic comes into play and pinches Leicht to the outside giving the spot to Connor. #59 Coleman Pressley catches Leicht on lap 24 and tries to take his spot, however he is unable to do so, but the battle rages on for what turned out to be a 15 lap battle for position. Each lap, Pressley would take a look to the inside but was unable to seal the deal to take 4 th place. Upfront, Silva continues to lead but the battle heats up by lap 38 as Carl Cormier runs him down from about 5 car lengths.

Cormier is definitely there, but appears to be waiting for the right time to make his move. Cormier's bumper remains glued to the bumper of Silva for several laps and the two even make contact in turn 4 on lap 43. Cormier backs off to allow Silva to hang on, but he is definitely not finished with the battle. Cormier locks on to Silva's bumper again and on lap 46, Silva gets loose coming out of turn 4.

Cormier holding full steam is able to go to the outside and take the lead from Silva on lap 47. Meanwhile, a battle for 5 th heats up as #95 Keith Bumgarner looks to the outside of #59 Coleman Pressley as the field takes the white flag on lap 49. Cormier comes around to claim the checkered flag followed by #01 Pete Silva, #21 Brian Connor, #32 Kevin Leicht and #95 Keith Bumgarner who edged Coleman Pressley by a bumper.

After taking a Victory Lap with the checkered flag, a very excited Carl Cormier had this to say in Hooter's Victory Lane:

“The only thing I can think of right now is FINALLY! I have been working at this a long time and have been trying really hard, and finally I am here. All of these people here are great competitors and great people. I like Pete (Silva) and I'd like for him to have a great night for his sponsor. He got the pole and ran really well but his car got a little loose and I was a little bit better there in the end.

A lot of times it's been me on that end of the stick sitting second or third, but tonight I am number one. Thank you so much, I have to tell you guys it felt good to cross the finish line and get the checkered first. It was great to come by the stands and look out to see everybody wave. It feels great having everyone to come by and congratulate me. I enjoy being here, it's a great place. Ya know, I get so much help. Thanks to Performance Center, Jason Crouse, Mike Bettis, Dexter Canipe, Eric, Holly, Glen, Dan and my whole crew. Ronnie Prestwood gave me a great motor this year, Bill Lett built the one that is in it now. We had some trouble with the car at the Bobby Isaac Memorial and I worked on this car until 2:30 this afternoon.

This is what its all about for me, I've worked at this all my life. To be here talking to you, talking to everybody out there, it's awesome baby. Thank you very much, I've enjoyed being here this year. This has been a great field of competitors and it's been a lot of fun. Everyone has seen me grow up at Hickory and has said that this car is fast, but we just couldn't get it done. But tonight we got it done and thanks to everybody. Thanks to Image One, it's a good thing they are going to be with us next year because now they are on the car and we win. If we didn't have more races, I could talk all night, but I better let you all go. Thank you everybody!

Keith Bumgarner, driver of the #95 Country Chair Ford owned by Alex Little Motorsports took home the 2005 Late Model Championship.

Andy Mercer took his #10 Mercer Grading car to victory lane again in the Limited Late Model Division. Mercer was followed by #90 Chad Call, #44 Chris Chapman, #14 Matt DiBenedetto and #00 Lucas Ransone. Chris Chapman walked away with the 2005 Limited Late Model Champion after a great season in his #44 Conover Construction and Roofing car.

In the Super Trucks, Kevin Bumgarner came from the outside pole to claim another win in his #97 Paintball World truck. Bumgarner was followed by #12 Robin Harris, #45 Kenneth Pardue, #69 Trevor Hignutt and #77 Mike McIntosh. Robin Harris became the 2005 Super Truck Champion in his #12 Cheerwine Truck and joined the ranks of Craftsman Truck Series driver Dennis Setzer to become 1 of only 2 drivers to ever win a championship in the Late Model, Limited Late Model and Super Truck Divisions.

Jonathan Jennings became one of a couple drivers of the night who claimed their first wins at Hickory Motor Speedway. Jennings drove his #3 Camaro flag to flag in the street stock division to claim the win. Jennings was followed by #5 Blane Huffman, #03 Kevin Eby, #64 Marshall Sutton and #16 Jonathan Smith. Marshall Sutton was crowned the 2005 Street Stock Series Champion after a fierce battle with Jonathan Smith. The two came into the final event tied for the lead in points standings. After a 5 lap side by side battle in the closing laps, Marshall Sutton edged out Jonathan Smith for 4 th place by less than a bumper.

Last year's Pro-4 Champion, #21 Todd Harrington picked up the win in the Pro-4

Division followed by #16 Randy Freeze, #6 Zachary Chiz, #55 Rick Hale and #75 Allen Huffman. Matt DiBenedetto had accumulated enough points from his 15 wins that he didn't even start the race in the Pro-4 division, but was crowned the 2005 Pro-4 Series Champion.

David Hasson walked away with another win in the Hobby stock division after a first lap spin. Hasson recovered and thanks to a few cautions, he was able to work his way back to the top spot. Hasson was followed by #10 Wayne Reese, #12 Tim Reese and #11 Jimmy Whisnant. David Hasson was crowned the 2005 Hobby Stock Division Champion.

Paddy Rodenback took the pole and the win in his #129 car in the Legends Division. Rodenback was followed by #2 James Buescher, #4 Zane Hedrick, #17 Justin Morton and #51 Zack Stroupe. Justin Morton was crowned the first ever Legends Division Champion at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Join us Saturday September 24 th for the Outlaw Monster Trucks. The Street Stocks and Legends will also be featured in wheel to wheel action. Advanced discount tickets are on sale at Sig's Tire Center.

Also join us at Hickory Motor Speedway Sunday October 16 th for the Fall Brawl. Stay tuned to www.hickorymotorspeedway.com for more information.