Widdis Takes First Feature Checkered Flag!

June 28, 2002
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Don Erickson
WiddisRacing.com

Bret Widdis was able to fulfill the dream that every young driver yearns for in his or her early career. As Widdis took the checkered flag this past Friday your humble correspondent nearly fell off the bleachers in pure ecstasy! Widdis was to start in the rear of the field because he was the night’s fast qualifier with a time of 16.74.

A caution flag would fly early because the #29 car driven by Ray Cottle spun uncontrollably going into turn two. With two laps completed in the Pure Stock feature race, Widdis made six passes! In only two laps around the ¼ mile track Widdis was able to wave at six different drivers as he left them in the dust!!! A lap later Widdis would choose the high side of the track for his next victim #28 Ben Huyck. Widdis, then, would take turn two three wide with point’s leader Norman Miller and Ben Huyck.

The #28 car would ride a little too high and clobber Widdis sending him sideways in front of oncoming traffic! The 28 car also spun out and was victim to the same fate of the #16 car driven by everyone’s favorite driver!After the caution was complete the #16 car resided in 4th but would soon overtake Ray Golladay in the U.S.A. #1 car on turn two. For three laps Widdis would stay glued to Larry Young Jr.’s back bumper.

Widdis would make a few failed attempts at passing the #25 car, but would finally overtake the youngster on turn two using the low groove allowing Widdis to snatch the lead. From that moment on, the Widdis Racing team 1986 Buick Regal would literally remain untouchable! Widdis would eventually build a full straightaway lead on Young Jr. as he also fought lapped traffic!

With a few laps remaining the #29 car ended up in the infield sending the yellow caution flag out for a last time over the Speedway. The field would be bunched up providing Young Jr. with one last chance to overtake Widdis for the lead. Widdis, though, had other plans for the #25 car. With a tremendous leap on the restart Widdis would again gain an enormous lead sending him into victory lane for the first time in his young illustrious career!