5 2008 Wins for Jimmy Lang….Crew chief Rich Lushes Back to Victory Lane Again

ASA Late Model Series PR
9/14/2008 (Cecil, GA):
ASA Late Model Series Southern Division drivers took to the track on September 13th for the first time in nearly 6 weeks for the running of the South Georgia 100. Under scorching Georgia skies, many in attendance asked themselves the question of the week. Will Jimmy Lang and Colt James be able to forget the past?

It wouldn’t take long for an opportunity to get an answer. It appeared momentarily as if Lang and James would hold down positions 1 and 2 in ARP Bodies qualifying; however Georgia hot-shoe Beau Slocumb decided differently. Slocumb was able to best Lang’s time by a mere .007 seconds to capture the quick qualifier award. After drawing an inversion of 10, the field was set. Colt James would start on the inside of row 4, and Lang’s Chevrolet would follow immediately behind him.

Chad Pierce led the field to the green flag with Kyle Eastham immediately to his outside. Eastham was able to get the early jump sailed into the lead as the race began. The fastest and equally matched cars of James, Lang, and Slocumb certainly had their work cut out for them as they began their march through the field. 17 circuits were completed before Kris Stump’s spinning machine brought out the evening’s first caution. Stump was in attendance driving the familiar Allen-Hock Motorsports’ #66 typically wheeled by Cody Smith. Smith, a Texas native, was unable to make his way to Georgia in time for the event due to the inclement Texas weather.

With the green silk once again waving, dejavu struck the Georgia crowd. As lap 18 clicked by, Jimmy Lang was once again leading in his Lang’s Heating and Air Chevrolet. Lang had methodically passed 8 cars in only 18 laps to inherit the lead while David Odell, Colt James, Beau Slocumb and Kyle Eastham battled for position behind him, the South Carolina driver set sail and opened up a healthy lead. Stump also began his charge through the field after adjustments were made during his post spin pit stop.

50 laps sailed by before Blake Lehr’s spinning Chevrolet brought out the second caution of the event. With multiple teams taking advantage of an opportunity to make adjustments, pit road was a busy place. Lang would again pull away on the restart with James and Odell in tow. With a twist of bad luck, Beau Slocumb made contact with the outside wall after the restart ending his chances of competing for a win.

82 laps were complete with only two caution flags; however that would soon change. Cautions 3-6 were all displayed between lap 82 and lap 84. The Fountain Motorsports team of Blake Lehr found themselves on the worst end of the deal as their night ended due to mechanical failure after being involved in 4 of the 6 incidents on the track.

Having had multiple opportunities on the restart, James made his move to the lead on lap 87 and cleared Lang down the front stretch. Holding the lead for a handful of laps, the Magnum Trailers Ford Fusion of James lost grip in turn 3 on lap 91 allowing Lang to once again regain the top spot. Kris Stump also utilized the opportunity to clear James and pushed his #66 into the second spot. The final 2 cautions of the night were displayed on laps 92 and 97 for incidents involving Kurt Jett, Chad Pierce, and Kyle Eastham. Despite receiving intense pressure from behind during the closing laps, Jimmy Lang was able to fend off all challengers and win his 5th ASA LMS Southern Division start of 2008.

“Coming up through the field wasn’t as bad as I had thought it would be”, stated Lang in victory lane. “I knew Beau (Slocumb) would be really fast as well as Colt (James), Justin (Larson) and David (Odell). I just concentrated on picking off one car at a time and once we got up front I pretty much just rode”.

Lang’s Chevrolet clocked the fastest laps of the race in the closing circuits. When questioned about this fact, the young driver was quick to point out the unusual mirror positioning in his car.

“I always drive with my mirror facing straight up so I can’t see behind me. If they didn’t make me put one in the car I wouldn’t even want it”, Lang commented. I don’t concentrate on looking back I always just keep my attention focused straight ahead. All I can do is hit my marks and let my car and spotters do the rest”.

With this win, Jimmy Lang is tied for the career win lead in the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division with Beau Slocumb.