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NASCAR-FMT: Bobby Fuller Racing at First Union 100

20 May 1998

Nazareth PA: It was back to work for the Kerry Malone and the Independent Truck Service Racing Team as the Bobby Fuller owned Chevrolet was in action at Nazareth Speedway for the running of the First Union 100 for the teams of the Featherlite Modified Series. It's been a tough season to date for the Needham MA resident in his first season back in the touring series of NASCAR's Oldest Division, but Kerry Malone steered the #18 to the 20th best time of the 40 cars on hand for qualifying. Malone began the 100 lap event with a fast pace, and reached as high as 13th place following a lap 35 restart. In a bizarre incident under caution following a lap 60 yellow, Malone was hit from behind by Bruce Taylor, sending the #18 into the car ahead of him, breaking the left front brake off of the spindle. Malone came into the pits for a quick repair, and then was caught up in a backstretch incident bending a wheel. Officials ruled to keep the #18 in the pits due to the previous brake problem, ending the day with 29th place finish going into the books in the race won by Mike Stafanik. Following the race Malone said, "We had a pretty good car. We were running up through the field taking our time. The car was a little bit loose on the first set of tires. We pitted and made some adjustments. I thought the car was going to be good, but we got driven over during the caution. When we went back out, the car didn't feel too bad. We thought we were running as fast as the leaders and since we were down a lap, we were looking for maybe a top fifteen. I went to pass Pat Deponte and Bruce Driver, and they got crossed up. I turned the car and hit the wall with my right front. When we came in to change the wheel, NASCAR saw the broken brake and kept us in." Car owner Bobby Fuller said, "It's a shame to get knocked out of the race during a yellow. If it wasn't for that, we would have been okay. The car was running good all day long, and now we're looking ahead to Friday night at Stafford."

Up Next: The Featherlite Modified Series will be back in action on Friday night, May 22 at Stafford Motor Speedway. For more information on the activities at Jack Arute's half mile facility, contact the track at (860) 684-6236.