02/27/2012
Davis Does It in I-Stock
Eunice, New Mexico’s Cory Davis didn’t lead much of the 20-car, 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature, but he led the most important part, the last lap. Shane Priddy grabbed the lead early and looked like he might use his home track advantage for the win. Davis battled with Jason Batt before taking over second and closing up on Priddy under caution. Davis tried the top side several times and got the bumper ahead at one point only to be spoiled by a late caution. Davis again jumped outside of Priddy, while Keith White lurked in third. It was door to door the final lap for the lead with White looking to go three wide coming off turn 4 it was Davis edging out Priddy and White at the line.
As green flew on the IMCA Stock Car feature it was Priddy getting a good jump out front trailed by Killen, Damon Murty, Jason Batt and Angel Munoz. Killen slipped high in the corner allowing Batt and Murty to get past. Davis was making his charge to the front getting fifth from Munoz on lap 2. Killen went around in turn 4 and stopped on the front straight for a lap 3 caution.
Back under green Batt, Davis and Murty were three wide for second with Davis getting the position on lap 6. Jeff Turner caught Munoz for sixth and after a brief side by side battle took the spot. Munoz tried to come back as he, Murty and Turner went three abreast for fourth. Munoz and Turner were still side by side on lap 8 while White made his way up to sixth.
Batt and Davis were battling for second coming to halfway when yellow waved for a spin by JC Howell in turn 4. Priddy got a four car length advantage on the restart, while Davis retook second from Batt. At halfway it was Priddy, Davis, Batt, Munoz and Murty in the top five. Davis began looking outside on Priddy for the lead on lap 12, but fell back in line. Davis took the high road again on lap 14, while White and Murty ran door to door for fifth.
Lap 15 saw White, Murty and Munoz three wide for fourth with White getting the spot. Davis, on the top, got along side Priddy on lap 16 with a dead heat at the line on lap 17. As the leaders scrapped it out, White got under Batt for third. Davis got the nose out front on lap 18, but caution for spins by Murty and David Phillips negated the pass.
When green waved again Davis was back up top, and running side by side with Priddy, with White waiting to pounce on any mistake. Coming to take the white flag it was anyone’s call on who was leading as the two continue to run together. Behind them Howell was charging back, with positions changing nearly every turn. Coming to the checkers it was Davis in the Davis Repair Service, Mendoza Motorsports, 5 Star Inn, Cardinal Hardware, Valentine Auto, Victory Services, Centex Motorsports, Medieval Chassis edging out Priddy for the win.
“It was a lot of hard work to get that win,” explained Davis. “We committed to running the top before the race and try to run them down. That’s what I did all night long, was stay up there and passed him(Priddy) at the end.”
“After having that first pass negated because of the caution I was even more determined to get back by him. We knew we had a real fast car and I knew if I did before, that I could do it again. You just have the tires heated up again, I made the move, it stuck and I was able to win the race.”
