LMS Pole Night 10/11/07: Legends Racing Action
By Jason Buckley
STEVEN ROSS RACES LADYGA’S #48 TO SEMI-PRO VICTORY
Since the end of the Summer Shootout at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the Legends season has been filled with many ups and downs for Semi-Pro driver Steven Ross and Legends owner Tim Ladyga. Ross wrecked his primary car, spending most of the races since the last Shootout event in his brother’s car, and when his car was back on track it wasn’t fast like it used to be. Meanwhile, Ladyga parted ways with his driver Daniel Hemric while at Concord Motorsport Park before a feature race, which had the Legends world buzzing on what happened.
A chance meeting at a party changed the future of both driver and team owner as they hooked up together, winning the Semi-Pro Legends race Thursday evening.
Steven Ross made his debut behind the wheel of Tim Ladyga's #48 Legends car in style, taking the Semi-Pro division win. (LN Photo)
“Two days ago I was at a party friends of mine invited me to at Hendrick’s shop (Hendrick Motorsports) and I saw Tim there,” said Ross. “We got talking a little bit and he seemed interested in letting me drive the car. He got my number and called me back. Here I am, winning in my first race in this car.”
The partnership between the two started off on a good note on the draw for starting position. Starting Ladyga’s #48 from the pole, Ross took off and left the field. Ryan Blaney and Parker Hammons both had fast cars and solid runs, but it was Ross in his new ride that stole the show and the victory.
“The car drove good,” said Ross. “It is nice and solid. If we keep driving this car we are going to win a bunch of races. I am real thankful to have this opportunity.”
Ladyga was equally pleased with the performance of Ross behind the wheel of his race car.
“He (Ross) seems to be a pretty good driver and has a good head on his shoulders,” said Ladyga. “He seems like all he wants to do is win races. The car has a Devo setup, BDI tires and Chapman motor. I didn’t spare any expenses with it. I am going to spend the money to win.”
With the Ross-Ladyga combination going one for one, everyone’s eyes are on the future. While nothing is set in stone, both the driver and the owner are looking towards a long partnership.
“I am not sure when we will race his car again,” said Ross. “That is up to him. I am just driving the car. Whatever he wants to do is ok for me.”
It appears it will be sooner than later, according to Ladyga.
“I am probably going to talk to him about running the big race at Concord (“Mason-Dixon Meltdown” on November 16th),” said Ladyga. “If that goes good, we will talk about the Winter Heat and go from there.”
Top Three Finishers (unofficial)
1) #48 Steven Ross
2) #10 Ryan Blaney
3) #24 Parker Hammons
STOVER SNAGS FIRST PRO VICTORY IN HARD RACE WITH DANIELS
With the Legends Asphalt Nationals taking place in Las Vegas (NV) this weekend, many of the Pro division drivers were out of state and not available to race at Lowe’s. By noon on race day, only one Pro driver had registered to run the combined Pro-Masters event. However a few more drivers showed up to race, including Matthew Stover and Steven Daniels. That proved to be a good move for both drivers as they ran off from the rest of the field, Stover besting Daniels for his first Pro victory in his first Pro race.
Matthew Stover (#26) and Steven Daniels (#50) raced hard for the lead. (LN Photo)
Stover started the race from the third position, but quickly moved up to the lead with Daniels in tow. Both drivers took their turn at the lead, but Stover was more consistent during the race, which cost Daniels the victory.
“We had a good race back and forth,” said Daniels. “Me and Stover had a good breakaway. I just slipped one too many times. I wish I could have done it all over again and had more practice so we could make some changes with the car. I just wanted a little more.”
Stover, who started the season in Florida in the Chargers division and moved up to Semi-Pro, decided it was time to move up to Pro. The move appeared to be the right choice as he took the win.
“We worked on the car last weekend and got it set just right,” said Stover. “We were able take it out to the front. We had a pretty good starting spot. I wish there was a couple more cars, but other than that it came out pretty good.
“We did have a good race and raced each other clean. I hope he feels the same way about it. He got around me there, but he got a little loose and I was able to get back by him and keep the lead. It ended up a pretty good for us in our first start in Pro.”
The best thing for both drivers was where they put on the show – in front of the NASCAR contingent.
“It is real special they let us come out here on Pole night,” said Stover. “We had a lot of fun.”
Top Two Finishers (unofficial)
1) #26 Matthew Stover
2) #50 Steven Daniels
GURLEY WINS FIRST MASTERS RACE WHILE TEMPERS FLARE BEHIND
A driver always remembers their first win. Usually they hope it is because of something they did, not a controversy within the race.
For Jimmy Gurley, Thursday’s combined Pro-Masters race was something he will remember for a long time as he snagged his first Masters division victory while his teammate Eddie Harwell had an on-track shoving match with Tim Ladyga, causing some fireworks between the drivers.
The controversy started with Ladyga and Harwell, racing for the top-two positions in the Masters division spots on the track had a disagreement with who was going to race in what position.
“I got the lead in the Masters race,” said Ladyga. “I was running decent for my first time here at Lowe’s driving. He (Harwell) gave me a few shots and moved me up out of the way and vice versa back and forth. I don’t think anything was intentional. I don’t think we had problems anywhere else.”
Harwell saw the situation a bit different.
“He got loose and I got by him,” said Harwell. “He drilled me down in three and four to get back by me, then I shoved him a little bit going into one. He says I started it by pushing him in three and four. I never touched him. He just drives like that, way over his head. He uses you for the brakes and he doesn’t like anybody touch him.”
Jimmy Gurley steered clear of the controversy to win his first Legends race Thursday. (LN Photo)
Ladyga ended up looping his Legends car on the track, and then slowly got up to speed as Harwell approached him. Ladyga appeared to swerve at Harwell in an attempt to show displeasure.
“He was waiting for me,” said Harwell. “He turned on me one time and so I let him go. It worked out because our other car one, so I will settle with that. He bent the frame horns and bent the back end again. I have only raced with him twice and he has beaten the back end of the car off each time so I don’t know what his problem is.”
Ladyga, however, said the move on the track wasn’t intentional.
“The brakes faded real bad,” explained Ladyga. “I didn’t want to drive in there hard and slip up the track or take someone out or wreck my car myself. I played with the brake pedal and got it up to where it needed to be and moved on.”
Because of the on-track situation between Ladyga and Harwell, Gurley was able to drive his car to the Masters division victory, he first win of any kind in a Legends car since he started racing almost three years ago.
“It was a pretty good race I thought,” said Gurley. “It was my first win, so I am kind of enjoying it. I have to thank Eddie for all of his help. This is one of his cars. He has taught me a lot and I really appreciate it.”
Top Two Finishers (unofficial)
1) #41 Jimmy Gurley
2) #88.1 Eddie Harwell
