Sellers, Pembelton Split Twins
by Jeff Bartlett
After two consecutive rain out weekends, the Geico Late Models rolled into Dominion Saturday for an out of the ordinary day race with twin 60 lap features on the schedule and saw a usual result with the Sellers Racing stable taking both victories.
Landon Pembelton was one of the fastest in practice and backed it up by taking the pole over Peyton Sellers with a 15.255 to Sellers 15.273. Following the invert, Pembelton rolled off fifth putting Mini Tyrell on the pole. Michael Hardin took the lead shortly after the start, but Doug Barnes saw that was short lived and took the lead only 6 laps in. After starting fourth, Sellers moved to the point only 18 laps in. Doug Barnes was able to stay right in his tire tracks for a while, but in true Sellers fashion, he was able to navigate multiple cautions and drive away for his fourth win on the year. Barnes came home second and Pembelton third. Davey Callihan, who started 14th, was the hard charger of the race coming home 4th.
The second feature saw Mason Bailey on the pole following the invert. It did not take long for Sellers, nine laps, to get back out front in his usual point position. However, this time he brought stable mate Pembelton with him and the two would have one of the best battles on the young season to see who would take the checkered flag. Sellers was able to lead till just past the halfway point when the two came upon a lap car. Sellers went to the outside with Pembelton to the inside creating a three wide situation in turns three and four. Pembelton was able to drive away with a car length lead. The two would swap the lead several more times over the last 20 laps until Pembelton bumped Sellers slightly to move him up the track just enough to drive by and away for his first victory of the year. Rounding out the top three were Sellers and Callihan.
Following the second feature, Sellers, Bailey and Pembelton boarded a helicopter and headed to South Boston Speedway to compete in twin 75 lap features and a possible bonus payout for winning features at two tracks in the same day. None of the three were able to complete the feat.
Other winners Saturday included Kris Kurtz in the Mini Stock division, Brian Rundstrom Jr in the INEX bando division, Alek Andrecs in the INEX Legends Division, Dan Rogers in the Dominion Stoc Division, and John Andrews in the Any Car 4/6 cylinder Division.
Dominion is off the 28th but will be back on Saturday the 4th with racing in the Modified, Virginia Racer Late Models, UCARS and Any Car divisions. Gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7 pm.
