PADUCAH, Ky. -- Dave Davidson maneuvered past Mark Moore on the eighth lap and went on to victory in the 10-lap Kentucky Vintage Racing Association feature at Paducah International Raceway Friday night.
Brian Steele nipped Moore for second at the checkered flag, with Rex Rutter fourth and Chad Fritsche fifth.
Moore led from the outset, beating pole starter Davidson to the first turn. He maintained the advantage for the first five laps before Davidson made a bid to take the lead by diving low in Turn 1. He pulled alongside, but Moore powered off the corner and maintained the advantage.
The only yellow flag of the race waved the next circuit, when Johnny Moran spun coming off Turn 2. He ended up facing the wrong way on the backstretch with the cars of Moore and Davidson approaching. Moore went high and Davidson low to clear the stalled car.
On the restart, Davidson again made a bid on the low side, and again Moore held him off. But the next lap, the challenger prevailed.
Moore chased him and made a last-lap attempt to retake the lead. But Davidson's maroon No. 16 1933 Plymouth protected the low groove and Moore lost momentum. That enabled Steele to challenge for second, and as Davidson pulled away, the two raced side by side to the finish, with Steele taking the runner-up spot by a nose.
Davidson won his ninth career victory as a KVRA competitor.
He said it appeared that the handling faded on Moore's 1934 Chevy coupe, enablling him to finally get past. "I think he was getting looser," he said.
"I didn't have any brakes," Moore said. "I couldn't get into the corners like I needed to."
Davidson noted the close call in a conversation with Moran, a rookie from Athens, Ala., making his first start. "Did you see me coming?" the winner asked.
"Oh, yeah," Moran said. "I saw you."
Jason Bailey was sixth, followed by James Scott, Pat Halvorson and Matt Moore, all on the lead lap. Moran rounded out the top 10, one lap off the pace.
Matt Moore won the first heat and Davidson won the second heat.
SUMMARY:
PADUCAH, Ky. -- Results of KVRA Race No. 1, April 3, 2009, Paducah International Raceway, with driver's name and hometown, car, laps completed and reason out:
FEATURE (10 laps)
- Dave Davidson, Henderson, Ky., 1933 Plymouth, 10, running.
- Brian Steele, Sturgis, Ky., 1947 Plymouth, 10, running.
- Mark Moore, Murray, Ky., 1934 Chevrolet, 10, runing.
- Rex Rutter, Madisonville, Ky., 1947 Chevrolet, 10, running.
- Chad Fritsche, Puryear, Tenn., 1940 Chevrolet, 10, running.
- Jason Bailey, Athens, Ala., 1929 Ford, 10, running.
- James Scott, Murray, Ky., 1936 Chevrolet, 10, running.
- Pat Halvorson, Paducah, Ky., 1939 Pontiac, 10, running.
- Matt Moore, Murray, Ky., 1937 Pontiac, 10, running.
- Johnny Moran, Athens, Ala., 1933 Chevrolet, 9, running.
- Richard Cook, Paducah, Ky., 1941 Buick, 9, running.
- Jamie Hilton, Benton, Ky., 1932 Chevrolet, 9, running.
- Roger Brewer, Tuscumbia, Ala., 1935 Plymouth, 9, running.
- Heath Watson, Hardin, Ky., 1935 Plymouth, 8, flat tire.
- Joe Beard, Newburgh, Ind., 1938 Chevrolet, 1, flat tire.
Margin of victory: 3 car lengths.
Leaders: Davidson pole, Moore 1-7, Davidson 8-10.
Caution flags: 1 (lap 8, 89 spin, T2).
FIRST HEAT (6 laps)
1. Matt Moore; 2. Roger Brewer; 3. James Scott; 4. Johnny Moran; 5. Jamie Hilton; 6. Kenny Brannon, Paducah, Ky., 1939 Pontiac; 7. Richard Cook; 8. Heath Watson.
SECOND HEAT (6 laps)
1. Dave Davidson; 2. Mark Moore; 3. Joe Beard; 4. Brian Steele; 5. Chad Fritsche; 6. Rex Rutter; 7. Dennis English, Palma, Ky., 1936 Ford; 8. Jason Bailey.
NEXT RACE: Friday, April 17, Camden (Tenn.) Speedway
Thank you for the news this is the only way I can keep up on my brother Pat if he is telling me a fib were he placed in the big race. All we got in Missoula is your web site. No racing here! Keep it coming Kentucky sure wish I could get a video of your race. Be happy to pay somebody. For anybody who reads this, Pats nickname used to be "Walter NO-NECK" A visual profile and you will understand.
Mike, glad to hear you're keeping up with Pat's adventures on kentuckyvintageracing.com. Come see us sometime and get in on the fun.
Dear David Green Thank you for the response. I want to more than anything see Pat race someday. If you know anybody who tapes the race please let me know. Please tell Pat I emailed you as he is not an emailer. thank you Mike Halvorson
Mike: DVDs of KVRA races at Paducah International Raceway are available. I will post information on how to obtain one as soon as I confirm the details with the videographer.