June 18, 2005

Mexico driver wins in Tony White-built car

The Palladium Times, By Mike Leboeuf
For Mexico's Michael Barnes, Saturday's limited supermodified victory was special for a couple of reasons. It was his first win in the Bacc-Off Limited Supers, and he accomplished it in a car which was built by Tony White. White, of Oswego, died last Sunday at age 37 after competing at Oswego Speedway the night before. He was remembered in many ways Saturday at the track.

"This one's for him and all his family," Barnes, 21, said in victory lane. "This car is a rocket ship." That's real special that we could get one in a car that he built." The limited supermodifieds were brought out onto the track to line up for the start of the 25-lap feature. The fourth position was left vacant in recognition of White's #4 car.

Also, when the white flag was waved with one lap to go, cars were instructed to pull into the rear pit entrance so the checkered flag could wave one last time for Tony White.

The evening's program was sponsored by The Tobacco Free Network and The Rural Health Network of Oswego County. Barnes took advantage of sitting on the pole for both his heat race and the feature. He won his heat race, then took the lead at the start of the feature. He was never seriously challenged in the feature, although he had to expertly maneuver past lapped traffic.

Dave Cliff, who started in the third row, wound up second. Completing the top five were J.J. Andrews, Russ Brown, and Kevin Knopp.