CORDELE, Ga. – Florida driver Michael Hinde scored the biggest win of his career by capturing the pro late model feature during the annual SpeedFest event Saturday in his first visit to Watermelon Capital Speedway.
Hinde, who was competing with support from veteran racer Stephan Nasse, started seventh in the 27-car field and was running in the top five after 15 laps.
“This was my first time at this track,” Hinde said in the winner’s circle. “I was hoping for a solid top five. I didn’t expect this.”
Hinde is in his second season of pro late model and super late model competition.
“We’re hoping for a strong year,” he said.
Jake Bollman took the lead at the start from outside the front row and surrendered the point to Massachusetts driver Giovanni Ruggerio on lap five with an inside move on the front straight.
Ruggerio stayed on the point until lap 29 when local competitor Cody Hall claimed the lead on the front straight.
Hall who won a Legends race earlier in the day remained out front until lap 57 when Hinde made an outside move on the back straight.
Nasse’s day ended on lap 44 with an engine problem.
Following the last of four caution flags there were problems for Derek Griffith after climbing up to third after starting eighth when the engine lost power and Christopher Tullis running in the top ten was forced to pit after the hood popped up.
The two drivers on the move late in the race were Cole Williams and fast qualifier Dylan Fetcho starting ninth and tenth after the draw.
Williams moved into second on lap 92 when he passed Hall and Fetcho made the pass a lap later.
Hinde went on to win by 1.6-seconds over Williams, Fetcho, Hall and Ruggerio.
The finish:
1) Michael Hinde; 2) Cole Williams; 3) Dylan Fetcho; 4) Cody Hall; 5) Giovanni Ruggerio; 6) Cody King; 7) Graham Campbell; 8) Jake Bollman; 9) Cale Hall; 10) Tanner Carter; 11) William Sawalich; 12) Spencer Bragg; 13) Zach Johnson; 14) Madison Bragg; 15) Jody Strode; 16) Dave Killian; 17) Zach Dixon; 18) Christopher Tullis; 19) Derek Griffith; 20) Jerry Artuso; 21) Jim Wall; 22) Hunter Wright; 23) Stephen Nasse; 24) Brandon Sager; 25) Jordan McCallum; 26) Dustin Smith; 27) Cody Coughlin