John Vallo
Feature Win (#281), Main Event Qualifier 100 Lap, Kil-Kare Speedway, Jul 21, 2000
MAARN; July 26, 2000; P-27
qt:13.39
"Vallo Kil-Kare's Main Event Qualifier Winner" XENIA, OH - July 21 - Fairborn's John Vallo continued his winning ways Friday night a Kil-Kare Speedway as he captured his fourth Main Event 100 lap Qualifier event. Vallo also won in '96, '97, and '99. Rich Rohrer, winner of the '98 event lowered the track record from 13.358 to 13.196 to earn the pole sarting position while Vallo started seventh. Rohrer quickly shot into the lead at the drop of the green and it was evident the fans were in for a thrilling event as points leader Gary Whipkey, Mack Gribble Jr., and Vallo set the stage for a 100 lap battle for the win. Vallo powered his way to second on lap 44 as Gribble got around Whipkey for third. Vallo sized up Rohrer as he looked for the moment to make his move which came on lap 52. Rohrer went just high enough exiting turn three to let Vallo surge under him to steal the lead. From then on Vallo pulled away, increaing his lead to ahalf a lap as he lapped cars, leaving the trio behind him to battle for positions and that they did. With Vallo taking the checker flag for the win Gribble got around Rohrer for runner-up money with Rohrer third, Whipkey fourth and John Cline nailing down fifth. A total of six cautions slowed the pace for minor incidents except one on lap 81 when Gary Estes heavily damaged his machine when he smacked the third turn concrete.
