MAARN;September 5, 2001;P4
"John Vallo Victorious at Columbus Speedway"
COLUMBUS, OH-Sept. 1- John Vallo captured his third NASCAR Weekly Racing Series feature of the season Saturday night at Columbus Motor Speedway. The Fairborn, OH, driver led from stem to stern in the 75 lap Labor Day Championship feature event holding off a determined Robbie Dean near the end. It was Dean, however, collecting the $2,000 Autoville USA Holiday Series bonus by collecting the most points in that three race series.
Mike Holland started first in the 25 car field but it was Vallo outracing him in the 25 car field but it was Vallo outracing him into turn one. Holland dropped into the runner up spot as the seven time track champion built his margin through the races mid-point. Dean started tenth in the extended affair and was up to fifth by lap 50 when he began his charge. He drove around Jerry Mitchell, Mike Rush and the second running Holland before 58 laps went up on the NASCAR scoreboard and set out after Vallo.
With the later holding a straight-away margin at that juncture it appeared that Dean's hopes were dashed. Dean, nonetheless, went to work and tracked down Vallo with five circuits remaining. He drew alongside the race long leader as they approached lapped traffic. The pair, running side-by-side, swung to the outside of Burgess White and Scott Stevens with Dean forced to fall in behind Vallo who tip toed around the lappers. Once clear of the traffic it was Vallo holding court over ensuing two laps for the victory.