Always the bridesmaid, never the bride is one way you could sum up Doug Paasch’s racing career as of late. Arguably the hardest working team on the tour, Paasch Motorsports has always managed to be consistent in their racing efforts, collecting several top-5 finishes including many 2nd and 3rd place finishes as well as finishing 2nd place overall in the 2007 season point standings. However that notch in the win column had remained elusive. That was until this past Saturday’s race at Motor Mile Speedway where Paasch’s patience and hard work finally paid off with a big win at the 4th race of the 2008 season.
His win did not come easy though as he and series points leader, A.J. Winstead were inverted on the start. By virtue of qualifying on the pole Doug was forced to start 6th. A.J. who qualified 2nd was relegated to a 7th place starting position due RTM rules since he won the previous round at Southern National Speedway. Aubrey Thurston took the lead from the beginning from visiting Lanier Speedway track champion Charlie Barrett who travelled from GA to make his first start with the RTM. Paasch battled the lead away from Thurston who had been leading the first 15 laps. Thurston in the Strutmaster’s sponsored car was feeling the heat from the #99 SunTrust Mortgage/Commonwealth Environmental Associates car of Winstead. Winstead worked to the outside of Thurston and headed after Paasch, who had opened a 3 car length lead. A caution on lap 58 bunched the leaders back together. On the restart, Winstead got the jump and took the lead, but the yellow again waved causing another restart which lined Winstead behind Paasch again. The two cars battled to the end as Paasch felt the heat being applied by Winstead, but Paasch was able to work lapped traffic to his advantage and take home the win.
Paasch’s victory marks the 4th different winner in the 4 races run so far in the 2008 season. Will the tour go 5-for-5? Or will one of the winners from this season become the first repeat winner? We will all find out on May 31st as the RTM tour visits the other side of Virginia as they travel to Langley Speedway.
Official Results:
1) #2 Doug Paasch
2) #99 AJ Winstead
3) #21 Aubrey Thurston
4) #09 Charlie Barrett
5) #14 Ronnie Davis
6) #77 Hunter Slayton
7) #66 Marlin Gunter 
#9 Tony Ingram
9) #06 Gary Wheaton
10) #11 Kevin Barrett Jr.
11) #27 Andy Kemp
12) #7 Tony Ingram II
13) #19 Johnny Davis
14) #2x Larry Penny
15) #80 Damian Jenks
16) #26 Kenny Wilson
Sunoco Pole Award: Doug Paasch
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PAASCH VICTORIOUS, WINSTEAD 2nd – Motor Mile Speedway
May 12, 2008 by WinsteadCategory: Motor Mile Speedway, RacesComments (0)
