Scott James tracks early leader Tyler Reddick at Florence Speedway before capturing the lead and the win in the annual "Fall 50" at the Cincinnati area track. (Robert Sell)

James Reels In Reddick For "Fall 50" Win at Florence

James Essex

UNION, Ky. - Oct. 22. Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind. closed the 2011 racing season at Florence Speedway by winning the "Fall 50" on Saturday. James took the lead from Tyler Reddick on a lap 29 restart after Reddick had dominated the first 28 laps of the race. It was James’ fourth win of the season at the half-mile facility.

Pole sitter Reddick took the lead at the start of the $5,000 to win main event. The 15-year-old runner-up in this year’s "Rookie of the Year" chase on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour immediately opened up a wide gap between himself and the rest of the fieldand started to pick-up the tail end of the field by lap seven.

Illinois teenager Bobby Pierce races #5 Jarrod Breeding before making the pass and rolling to ninth place in a stout field at Florence. (Robert Sell)

Reddick’s early momentum was halted briefly on lap ten when a caution appeared for Cody Mahoney, who had stopped on the track. On the restart, Reddick again pulled away from James, Kent Robinson, Greg Johnson and Darrell Lanigan, opening up another large margin.

Reddick again started to encounter heavy traffic by the 19th circuit, but James was unable to take advantage. Reddick kept widening his lead through lapped traffic as James tried to stay within striking distance. After splitting two cars, his margin would increase to nearly a straightaway margin over James.

Reddick would put at least six lapped cars between himself and James as a tight battle for third was starting to heat up between Robinson, Lanigan, and Johnson. But Reddick’s huge lead would go away as Frank Heckenast, Jr. slowed up against the wall in turn two with 28 laps complete.

Josh McGuire battles #7 Kent Robinson for second as the pair pursue leader Scott James at Florence. (Robert Sell) 

The caution would severely cripple Reddick’s chance at his second career victory in a Late Model, because on the restart both James and Lanigan went past him as an exciting three-car battle for the lead ensued. Reddick fell to third and two laps after the restart, he hooked the inside burm in turn four which caused him to lose control of the car. Reddick headed pitside out of the race after having led the first 28 laps unchallenged.

On lap 32, a caution would come out for the cars of Mahoney and Jarrod Breeding, who had come together in turn number one. Lanigan, who was running second at the time, called it a night. Josh McGuire then picked up the second spot behind James on the restart, where he stayed.

James would go unchallenged the rest of the way to take a comfortable win. McGuire, of Grayson, Ky., would claim the second spot, followed by Robinson of Bloomington, Ind. Eddie Carrier, Jr. of Salt Rock, W.V. finished fourth, earning hard charger of the race honors after he started 19th.

Scott James and his team at Florence Speedway. (Robert Sell)

In victory lane beside the Scott Riggs-owned Clearwave Communications-sponsored Rocket, James commented that his tire choice is what led to his victory. “He (Reddick) went with a softer combination than we did. We bolted on the hardest tire you can run here, and the car was good all night. Hewas real good in the early going, but after that one restart, I think his tires started going away. We built up a good lead there and my guys in the infield were telling me to change my line, because there was somebody gaining on me,” added the 40-year-old driver.

Eddie Carrier races #41 Josh McGiure for position before settling for fifth at Florence. (Robert Sell) 

“I have to thank all the fans that came out tonight, we tried to put on a quality show for them and I think we did that, it’s always good to end the season on a winning note, and I have to thank Scott Riggs for giving me a chance to drive his cars this year, it’s been a pretty good year for us, the Rocket Chassis and Jay Dickens Engines were spot on this year.”

Oct. 22 - Florence Speedway "Fall 50" 1) Scott James, 2) Josh McGuire, 3) Kent Robinson, 4) Eddie Carrier Jr., 5) Greg Johnson, 6) Rod Conley, 7) Jason Montgomery, 8) Joe Janowski, 9) Bobby Pierce, 10) R.J. Conley, 11) Frank Heckenast Jr., 12) Chad Smith, 13) Jarrod Breeding, 14) Dustin Linville, 15) Steve Casebolt, 16) Mike Jewell, 17) Darrell Lanigan, 18) Tyler Reddick, 19) Jesse Lay, 20) Cody Mahoney, 21) Josh Williams, 22) Kevin Weaver, 23) John Gill, 24) Tim Prince, 25) Kenny Christy Heat winners (38 entries): Reddick, Jewell, McGuire, Robinson; B-Main winners: Conley
Robert Sell photo