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Leaty Grabs Third in "Farmer's Pride
150" "I was trying to control the car, check my mirror, and miss the cones on the track apron. I was hoping the inside line of cars saw me coming," said Leaty. Given the bad luck that has plagued Branich Motorsports team this year and that has probably cost Leaty three top ten finishes in the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series events at Nazareth, Lake Erie and New Hampshire, it would seem fitting the off track excursion would end the team's night prematurely. But the racing gremlins weren't looking, and Leaty's night was just beginning. Thirty-five teams crowded the infield pits of the unique ½ mile oval for the inaugural NASCAR modified event. When time trials in race trim were completed, Leaty and his Pace Electronics/Heluva Good Foods Pontiac sat 16th on the starting grid of 32 cars. After the green flag flew to start the 150 lap event, he moved up from his starting position to 13th before a rain shower brought out the red flag on lap 43. The race resumed about an hour later. At the halfway point, Leaty swerved at the entrance of turn one to miss another car, and was launched across the infield. He was able to reenter the track at the exit of turn two, now in 21st position. From there the charge began. He methodically began picking off positions, and on lap 134 he was just out of the top ten. "Everyone was loose towards the end," commented Leaty, "but our car just seemed to turn better." He completed his charge to the front over the last ten laps, passing Chuck Hossfeld on the last lap to take third at the checkered flag. The race was won by Todd Szegedy with Ed Flemke second. Ted Christopher rounded out the top five. The Williamson-based team will make the short tow next weekend for the Race of Champions Qualifier at Oswego Speedway. For more information about Leaty, the Branich Motorsports asphalt modified effort, and the team's sponsors, visit the team website at www.speedwayad.com/BranichMod. |
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