John Vallo
Feature Win (#283), 40 Lap, Columbus Motor Speedway, July 14, 2001
COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY:NEWS ARCHIVE;July 14, 2001
"Vallo Back in the Columbus Saddle"
COLUMBUS, OH - July 15, 200l - Seven time track champion John Vallo scored his first NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model victory since 1996 Saturday at Columbus Motor Speedway. The Miamisburg, OH veteran stepped back into competition mid-way through the 2001 season and took little time to get up to speed, winning in only his fifth appearance this year.
Jerry Mitchell and Skip Thornton made up the front row for the strt of the 40 lap event with contact between the two on the initial start sending Thornton spinning. The ensuing melee collected Dominic Bando, Tim Ice and Robbie Deqn ending their evening early. Scott Stevens controlled the 23 car field on the restart with Dean Fusco and Donnie Renner in hot pursuit. Vallo started ninth and moved to fourth by the races mid-point. He took advantage of a lap 25 caution for a spin by Dick Dunlevy, bypassing third place Fusco on the restart. Renner then began to pressure leader Fusco whild the eventural winner duck inside of last week's feature victor. Renner and Vallo battled side-by-side as Stevens looked for his first career Late Model winl Vallo took sole possession of the runner-up spot on lap 34 pulling to the outside fo Stevens for the lead one lap later. He went on to the victory as Stevens held on for second followed by Renner, Chris Moore and Mitchell.
