Rodney Wood Story...
After two nights of qualifying races Rodney was joint top point scorer with the American professional, Jonathan Allard, closely followed by fellow American Ricky Logan and defending Champion Dean Brindle and former champion Jamie McDonald. Allard won the toss and chose the inside running but at the green flag Rodney beat the American into turn one and led every lap of the 25 lap race to claim the very popular victory. It wasn't all easy going. Rodney would get into lapped traffic and Allard would close, almost taking the lead before a caution allowed for a clear run for Rodney on the restart. This happened twice more but Rodney was able to claim the front running at each restart.
Ricky Logan gained the runner-up spot in lapped traffic but he was unable to make any ground on the flying Wood who seemed every bit as fast and strong in the final laps as he was at the start. Logan was second, followed by Allard. Finishing fourth was defending Champion Dean Brindle followed by Palmerston North youngster Nelson Hartley.
Rodney was the star of the show and he showed that he is as fast as any in the business. He drove a very, very, very smart and smooth race and he is a fitting Champion worthy of carrying out the NZ#1 with pride.
Rodney will defend his title here at Baypark in the Tyrrell Nissan New Zealand Sprint Car Championship on January 7th and 8th 2011.
Congratulations are definitely in order from all of us at Baypark Speedway.
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