Late Models Return to Anderson

By Ken de la Bastide

(April 5, 2011) – For the first time in 13 years the Late Models returned to Anderson Speedway as a regular division and the racing action heated up a cool night for the fans.

Terry Cater worked his way up from the fifth starting position and took advantage of the new double-file restart rule on lap 19 to use the outside line to pass Bret Miles Jr. for the lead.

The two raced side by side for several laps before Cater gained a clear advantage over Miles and early leader John Heck.

On the third restart of the race, Cater selected the low groove and was able to pull away from Miles. A final restart came on lap 25, but with five laps remaining the field lined up single file.

Cater held off Miles to win by .348-seconds. William Mefford got inside of Heck on lap 27 going down the back straight to claim third followed by Heck and Brett Robinson, who started on the tail of the field.

Heck took the early lead chased by Miles, who eventually took the lead by getting inside entering turn four on the fifth lap and completing the pass at the start/finish line.

Miles claimed the first checkered flag of the 2011 season by getting underneath Rick Rinehart in turn four of the final lap to record the win. Rinehart grabbed the lead at the start and was challenged by Miles throughout the 10-lap heat race. Heck finished third followed by Cater and David Fox.

In the second heat race, William Mefford led from start to finish to beat Bob Sibila to the checkers by 1.485-seconds. Randy Hoppes finished third with Robinson coming home in fourth and Karl Webber rounding out the top five.

Cater set fast time during qualifying turning a lap of 13.578-seconds followed closely by Brandon Mefford and Miles.

Less than half-a-second separated the fastest nine drivers in the division.