When
the 2012 season began, most people figured it would take Lee Gill some time to
adapt to running a 358 Modified again after several years away from the
division, running pavement Late Models, and then more recently running the
Crate Late Models on dirt the past few seasons. It didn’t take long to prove to everyone upon his return that he
hasn’t missed a beat, entering the final weekend of the regular season sitting
at the top of the point standings after posting three feature wins and finished
every race that he entered in the top ten.
Going
into the night, Gill carried an eight point lead in his favor, and after he and
his next competitor both finished third in their respective heat races, the
slim advantage remained in tact at the start of the 30 lap main event. With Gill’s win the previous week, he would
have to come from deep in the field, rolling off the starting grid from 13th
out of the 18 car field. During the
first 10 laps, Gill had moved up inside the top ten, but the progress was
slow. With Gill’s nearest championship
rival sitting in second place, Gill had to get into the top five in order to
win the championship, but it was a struggle, and Gill crossed the line just one
position out of the top five, missing the championship by just two points.
“It
is a little disappointing, but overall we had a great season with three wins in
our first year back”, says Gill.
“Congratulations to Kyle on his great season as well, he was strong all
year, and a tough competitor”.
Prior
to the races getting underway, Gill used the opening practice session as an
opportunity to try out his brand new 2012 Troyer car for the first time. The car is wrapped almost identical to the
primary car, with a little more fluorescent orange on the car like the number.
The
rest of the 2012 schedule is up in the air at this time. Gill hopes to possibly run some Mr. DIRTcar
358 Modified events, and will certainly return to Brockville for the 1000
Islands RV Centre DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals in October.
