Goldsworthy claims $1000-to-win Street Stock Feature win

Cameron Goldsworthy

In 2003 Cameron Goldsworthy of Crestview was struck by a lose tire in the pit area of Southern Raceway. The accident nearly took the racecar driver's life. Goldsworthy has since returned to racing and won the biggest race of his career Saturday night.

Street Stock was Southern Raceway's spotlight division Saturday with a $1000 payday on the line. Goldsworthy lead every lap to claim the win and the money.

The win didn't come easy for Goldsworthy as eighth starting Brandon Harris closed in late in the race. Harris used contact to pass Goldsworthy down the back stretch on the last lap, but Goldsworthy returned the favor in the final turn, bumping and then passing Harris coming to the finish line.

"I thought I had given it away there on the last lap," Said Goldsworthy. "I normally wouldn't use my bumper to get by someone, but when you're racing hard like that, you sometimes have to."

"When the big money is on the line, you do what you got to do to win," said Harris, a senior at West Florida High School. "We both raced hard and put on a good show for the fans. That's what counts."

The win was Goldsworthy's first on the season and just the second of his career. Charlie White also snuck by Harris after the last lap contact to finish second. Harris held on to finish third with Jeff Colona and Luther Fletcher rounded out the top five.

Points leader Jonathan Joiner dominated the Late Model feature leading every lap in route to claiming his second win of the season. Craig Turner followed Joiner to the finish with Jason Phillips in third. Joiner's younger brother, 14-year-old rookie Joseph Joiner, ran fourth followed in fifth by last year's Modified champion, Matt Miley in his debut in the Late Model division.

"I'm really happy we got the win tonight," said Joiner, 21, a student at the University of West Florida. "My crew chief's dad was in from Pennsylvania, and my mom was here tonight. It's really special to win for her with Mother's Day being tomorrow."

Tim Fowler took home his second straight win in the Hobby division, inheriting the lead on lap 12 when leader Ryan Fowler was spun out by second place running Stuart Wilson. Wilson was black flagged for the incident. Howie Reeves and Dale Bush finished second and third respectively.

Aaron Perritt won a caution filled Modified feature in just his second start of the season. Buddy White finished second with Josh Kimmons coming in third. The race was cut to ten laps after passing the 20 minute time limit.

Chris Bayhi won another Vintage division feature, his fifth of the season. Bayhi passed third place finisher Bill Blum mid way through the race. Jay Jones finished second.

Robert Balkum won the Bomber feature while Robert Garret took the win in the Stinger division.

Racing returns to Southern Raceway next Saturday night with double points in all divisions.