| (Lehighton, PA 7-31-99) One of the premier veterans of eastern asphalt racing, Chip Santee of Walnutport, raced this first feature win of '99 Saturday night at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Santee started 10th in the 20-car field and worked ahead of Chris Clemens for the lead on lap six.
After attaining the top spot, he began to flex his muscle and pull away from the pack by a very comfortable margin.
Point's leader Rod Snyder moved to second with just a few laps remaining but could not mount a challenge as time ran out and Santee cruised to victory.
"It feels pretty good. All season long I had a fairly good year and mid-season I ran into a little bad luck but in the last few weeks things got better and tonight I had luck go my way and I won," said Santee.
On a very hot and humid day with the temperature nearing 100 degrees, Santee was able to keep his cool and never let the heat play on him.
"The track seems to me the same way all the time and the heat never really got to me," he added.
The win, his 11th in a Modified, helped him continue a yearly-winning streak of at least one win over the last eight seasons.
"Thats the only streak I really like to keep going. Its nice to come here year in and year out and win."
Rookie Chaz Surman jumped out to the early lead but the young up-start ran into trouble on lap three when he lost control and went into a spin off turn four. As he did it caused a chain reaction that afterwards gobbled up 11 other cars, with seven, including Surman, unable to return. Among the most significant being sidelined was top-five point man Jason Arthofer.
When the smoke had settled and the race went back to green Clemens was the leader but not for long as Santee worked inside of him on lap five and was out front the next time around.
While Santee headed the field, Snyder heavily pressured Clemens. It wasn't until five laps where left that Snyder got by him but that would be as far as he would advance as there was no denying who was the strongest here tonight as Santee took top honors.
"I want to thank my pit crew. My mom and dad for supplying me with the tires all year long and my wife. I have a good crew and they stay behind me 100%. I only have a couple guys but their dedicated each week," Santee said.
Sat 8/31/99
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