By Ken de la Bastide

(July 7, 2013) - Ronnie Rose led all but one lap to capture the Thompson Builders 75 for the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models on Herald Bulletin night at Anderson Speedway.

But to record his first win of the year, Rose had to survive a green-white-checker finish when Jack Oliver brought out the fourth caution flag by spinning coming off the fourth corner.

On the final restart Rose got the jump on K.C. Spillers to record the win with Jason Atkinson and Fred Hopkins coming back from eventful nights to claim third and fourth with Joe Woodring finishing fifth.

Rose started from the pole position after the fastest seven qualifiers were inverted for the start and was chased through the early laps by Rob Allman.

Hopkins spun on the third lap in turn one and fell all the way back to the tail, working his way back into contention by lap 34.

Fort Wayne driver Spillers passed Allman on the front straight on lap 18.

The Thompson Builders 75 was red-flagged on lap 33 when Jason Atkinson and Billy VanMeter spun in turn four while battling for the third position. With the track momentarily blocked the car of Jacob Garrgus ended up on the roof of Chris Hacker’s mount in turn four. Neither driver was injured.

On the restart Spillers grabbed the lead from Rose with an outside pass on the back straight, bit on the next circuit he went high in turn four and lost three positions.

“I knew he (Spillers) would be real strong,” Rose said after collecting the $1,500 winner’s share of the purse. “The first time he drove into turn three a little hard. At the end I wasn’t going to let him inside.”

Spillers started ninth in the field, beginning his march to the front on lap eight when he passed Jeff Marcum for fifth. He moved inside of Jeff Williams on lap 16 and two laps later found himself running second after Allman and Atkinson temporarily locked bumpers coming off turn four.

Spillers got back to the second spot on lap 47 by passing Hopkins coming off the fourth corner with an inside pass.

VanMeter and Atkinson were involved in the third caution when the two drivers spun in turn four on lap 48 and collected the car of Rob Allman.