SOUTH BOSTON --
By: | GoDanRiver
While C.E. Falk III was being showered with praise by his fellow drivers after last Octobers season finale at South Boston Speedway, he still knew he could have easily won and been the driver celebrating in Victory Lane.
Coming off of Turn 4 on Lap 300 to the checkered flag Saturday, Falks fist pump out of the car signified that he was finally heading back to Victory Lane at SoBo.
Falk, the three-time defending Langley Speedway track champion, led the final 110 laps and pulled away to win the Danville Toyota 300 and the $10,000 check that comes with winning the first leg of the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown Series.
It feels incredible. Its up there with the Denny Hamlin [Short Track Showdown] win, our first Hampton Heat and our first track championship, Falk said. This was a huge win for us. Man, we built this new car and had Sammy [Houston, crew chief] come on board and man, hes absolutely great. Hes made me a better driver and a better mechanic. Im really pumped about the season. This is so cool.
The victory is vindication for Falk, who has not won at the 0.4-mile oval since 2009 and had come close to victory countless times during the two-year stretch, despite several of the top Late Model stars not being in the 22-car field.
Falk, who has provided plenty of star power over the past three years, was able to get back by pole sitter Nick Smith on Lap 191 and never looked back as the second half of the race only had one brief caution on Lap 182 for a three-car wreck in Turn 1.
Falk led three times for a race-high 154 laps and is the clubhouse leader in the Triple Crown standings, which resumes July 28 with the Hampton Heat at Langley. The 24-year-old Virginia Beach native has won the past two Hampton Heats, which also pays $10,000 to win.
Youve just got to be prepared. All these guys, theyre going to work hard and theyre really tough competitors, Falk said. We had a good car today and the second half just really fell our way. I feel really confident going to Langley; weve got a great car. Im really confident we can go to these races up here in South Boston and continue to win.
Smith, the dominant car during the first 154 laps, finished second ahead of the hard-charging Eddie Johnson. Johnson was as far back as 14th with 80 laps to go before slicing and dicing his way through the field.
Its kind of frustrating to finish second the longer I think about it, but overall, it was a great day for the team, Smith said. For me, Im kind of frustrated because I want to be in Victory Lane, but I cant say enough about the guys. They worked their butts off. The car drove really well and they got the setup dialed in right off the bat; we didnt get hardly any practice for that to be like that. I think we did great.
Falk, Smith and Johnson have all had success at Langley, a 0.395-mile flat oval, and figure to now be the favorites to add to their Triple Crown totals.
When they first come out with the Triple Crown, I looked at it and said, Well, I might not have the car or the money that other people have and win it, but second and third sure looks good and thats some decent bonus money for you at the end of the year, Johnson said. Well surely be looking forward to it. The main thing is to be able to go down to Langley, be able to finish that race and then the third thing is qualify for Martinsville. Thats probably the toughest of the whole Triple Crown deal.
Matt Bowling and Dennis Holdren finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Bowling was among three drivers Falk and Smith included who broke away from the field for the better part of the final 140 laps as the 22-car field was quickly spaced out.
Michael Hardin, who showed up early Saturday morning to race, finished sixth. Peyton Sellers, who led twice for 25 laps, finished seventh as nine cars finished on the lead lap.
Without stars Philip Morris and Lee Pulliam as the showcase attraction, which had become commonplace the past two seasons, Falk shined during this 300-lap event.
Its cool, especially now that they renamed it Philips Victory Lane and I get to be the first one in it, Falk said, referring to the speedway naming Victory Lane after Philip Morris, who has won the most Late Model races at the track. Thats really cool. I dont know, any win up here is tough. To get this 300-lapper and a big check to start the year, its huge. Its really cool.
updated by @stars-radio: 11/27/20 01:36:29PM
