PAYNE TRAVELS TO WISCONSIN FOR MASTERS

6/25,26/99

Murphy, (N.C.) ö David Payne and crew traveled to New Richmond, Wisconsin this past weekend for the invitation only Masters.

After qualifying on Friday night, Payne found himself 30th out of the 72 competitors that showed for the elite event. With so many cars at this event the field was split into six heats and Payne found himself in the last heat. Starting from the fifth position, the #8 Monte Carlo, held its position until about five laps to go. With a little pinch into the wall by the "Southern Gentleman" Payne would fall back one position and lose all hopes of advancing forward after losing his momentum down the straightaway.

The team would return Saturday night for the consolation race. Payne would have to be ready because only two cars advanced from the consi, and Payne started off in the eighth spot. At the drop of the green flag, Payne immediately passed two cars and on the second lap while running on the bumper of another competitor, several cars in front of him made contact and clogging up the track. Payne had nowhere to go and his hopes of making the feature were gone.

Payne and the crew immediately loaded the car up and started their 21 hour trek back home to Murphy.