Denny Burton best in HMP’s NASCAR Cricket Modified “Cricket 40” event

May 5, 2009

Fifteen of the fastest asphalt Modifieds in the South lined up at Houston Motorsports Park Saturday night for the NASCAR Modified “Cricket 40” and veteran racer Denny Burton proved that he still has what it takes and took home the trophy, the prize money and the bragging rights after running a smart, clean race.

Ironically, Burton’s night almost ended before it began as the low-slung, fire-breathing Modifieds took their wide-open “hot laps” at the well-maintained 3/8-mile HMP oval immediately before the race. Pole-sitter Brent Seeley suddenly slowed on the back straight without warning and Burton slammed into the rear of Seeley’s ride and ended up sideways in the infield. In spite of the hard contact both cars and their drivers were OK and they took their positions at the front of the field for the green flag.

Immediately after the start, Seeley made contact with another car and slid up the track a bit and Burton scooted by to take the lead and took Chrudimsky and Chris Davidson with him before Seeley could recover and settle into fourth place.

Although he had a car capable of contending for the win, Davidson’s night would end prematurely after smoke began to pour from the rear of his car from the second lap on. Davidson pulled into the smoking car into the pits with 25 laps remaining.

Chris Davidson's Modified (41) shows smoke as he races between Mark Chrudimsky and Brent Seeley in the early going

After that, it was just a matter of how long Burton would be able to hold off the always-aggressive Chrudimsky as the rest of the field seemed to have nothing for the two leaders.

Denny Burton (007) held off hard-charging Mark Chrudimsky to claim the win

The race for the lead at wasn’t the only race to watch, however, as the battle for third between Tuffy Hudson and Seeley was shaping up to become a barnburner by mid-race. And it was just that for a few laps, but eventually Seeley was able to open up and maintain a two car length lead on the Corpus Christi hotshoe for the remainder of the race.

Chrudimsky, meanwhile, gave Burton fits for most of the race, but the anticipated showdown at the finish never materialized when Chrudimsky got caught in lapped traffic with a couple laps remaining allowing Burton to take the checkered with room to spare.

Seeley, Hudson and steady Ian Webster rounded out the top five.

Unofficial results:

1. 007 Denny Burton
2. 39 Mark Chrudimsky
3. 5 Brent Seeley
4. 7 Tuffy Hudson
5. 9 Ian Webster
6. 2 Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. 04 Brad Hudak
8. 42 Justin Long
9. 1 Carl Smith
10. 33 Jason Morman
11. 8 Jim Nides
12. 28 Hannah Baker
13. 82 Pat Kinsey
14. 11 Kalie Sellier
15. 41 Chris Davidson

by Nick Holt
Photos by Chris David

« Veteran Greg Davidson overcomes adversity, bides time, wins in NASCAR Late Model “Fiesta 50″ at HMP | The “Young Guns” of the TSRS Late Model Series took the “Old Timers” to school at Houston Motorsports Park »

Posted by NickHolt · Filed Under Paved Tracks, Uncategorized
Tagged: Brent Seeley, Chris Davidson, Denny Burton, Houston Motorsports Park, Mark Chrudimsky, modifieds, NASCAR, Tuffy Hudson