Civali Grabs Unexpected Win at Bowman Gray

Civali Grabs Unexpected Win at Bowman Gray

Story By: Loren Pinillis/Bowman Gray Stadium

Photos By: Eric Hylton/Bowman Gray Stadium

(Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC) Thursday night James Civali got a surprise call to hop in a car at Bowman Gray Stadium. Saturday night, he won.
James Civali of Davidson enjoyed a strong season last year – finishing second in the points standings for the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series with one victory and ten top-five finishes. He stepped away from the driver’s seat for the first part of 2018. Car owner David Hill put George Brunnhoelzl III behind the wheel. But when Brunnhoelzl and the Hills parted ways a few days ago, Civali was offered another chance to pilot the Hills’ #79 car in Saturday night’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 100.
“We showed up today and didn’t get much practice. I think we only got like four laps,” said Civali. “Went out qualifying for the first time, and I haven’t been in the car since last September.”
When the Modifieds drew for starting lineup, Civali plucked the outside front row as his start. Zack Brewer of Winston-Salem started on the pole but was quickly pressured by Civali. The first caution just two laps into the race gave Civali a chance to challenge from the outside, and he capitalized to steal away the lead.
In short order, Chris Fleming of Mount Airy moved up from fifth to right on the bumper of Civali. John Smith of Mount Airy took over third. Over nine double-file restarts, Civali battled off Fleming and Smith – although Fleming and Smith had a few run-ins with each other.
After Smith and Fleming spun, Jonathan Brown of Winston-Salem took over second place. With four 2018 wins under his belt and a strong car, Jonathan Brown was primed and ready to chase down the checkered. But with only five laps left, Brown’s time was running short.
Civali’s rear bumper was hammered from behind by Jonathan Brown’s #22 car. Brown ran out of time and couldn’t complete a pass – finishing second while Civali grabbed the win.
“At the end there I was just protecting my spot, slowing down in the corner and letting them push me if they wanted to,” said Civali. “But I knew I could drive away from them on the straight-away if I kept them right on my bumper in the middle of the corner.”
“You know how it is with Bowman Gray Racing. If someone can reach your bumper with three or four laps to go, they’re going to move you to win the race. I would do the same thing,” said Civali. “I expected no less – And that’s why I drove defensively those last few laps.”
The caution-filled race delivered a dose of bad luck to many of the points contenders – a sure blow since double points were on the line on Saturday. Fastest qualifier Tim Brown of Tobaccoville had an emotional day as he remembered his recently deceased grandfather and resolved to win in his honor. Brown, however, was involved in a wreck with Lee Jeffreys of Wallburg and was sent to the pits.
Points leader Burt Myers of Walnut Cove spun after a run-in with John Smith. Myers was sent to the rear but battled back to a fourth place finish.
In the Texas Steak & Tap House Sportsman Series, Dylan Ward of Winston-Salem and John Holleman of Winston-Salem each won. Spencer Martin of Winston-Salem took the checkered in the Law Offices of John Barrow Street Stock Series. And in the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series, both Chris Allison of Mocksville and Jason Everhart of Lexington brought home a victory trophy.

Race Results

Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series
O’Reilly Auto Parts 100: 100 laps completed

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 79 James Civali Davidson, NC
2 22 Jonathan Brown Winston-Salem, NC
3 14 Bobby Measmer Jr. Concord, NC
4 1 Burt Myers Walnut Cove, NC
5 27 Danny Bohn Huntersville, NC
6 44 Daniel Beeson Kernersville, NC
7 31 Zach Brewer Winston-Salem, NC
8 18 Daniel Yates Lexington, NC
9 5 Randy Butner Pfafftown, NC
10 2 Joseph Brown Winston-Salem, NC
11 4 Jason Myers Walnut Cove, NC
12 16 Chris Fleming Mount Airy, NC
13 83 Tim Brown Tobaccoville, NC
14 53 John Smith Mount Airy, NC
15 8 Darin Redmon Walnut Cove, NC
16 75 Lee Jeffreys Wallburg, NC
17 10 Brian Loftin Winston-Salem, NC
18 24 Andrew Harrah Greensboro, NC
19 7 Derrik Hill Winston-Salem, NC
20 71 Rich Hunter Winston-Salem, NC
21 41 Jimmy Wallace Winston-Salem, NC
22 40 Frank Fleming Winston-Salem, NC
23 77 Susan Harwell Jonesville, NC
Texas Steak & Tap House Sportsman Series
1st Sportsman race: 20 laps

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 70 Dylan Ward Winston-Salem, NC
2 01 Amber Lynn Walkertown, NC
3 07 Kevin Neal Walkertown, NC
4 19 Michael Adams Yadkinville, NC
5 02 Derek Stoltz Walkertown, NC
6 4 John Holleman Winston-Salem, NC
7 12 Justin Taylor Kernersville, NC
8 92 Kyle Southern Rural Hall, NC
9 86 Taylor Branch Lewisville, NC
10 55 Zack Ore Winston-Salem, NC
11 2 Andrew Durham Winston-Salem, NC
12 81 Zack Clifton Walkertown, NC
13 21 Tommy Neal Walkertown, NC
14 30 Tanner Tilley Mount Airy, NC
15 16 Devin Byrd Mt Airy, NC
16 8 Casey Kepley Jr Winston-Salem, NC
17 14 Kale Martin Winston-Salem, NC
18 22 Mike Staley Belews Creek, NC
19 62 Bubba Tilley Mount Airy, NC
20 0 David Latour Jr Advance, NC
21 9 Austin Harris Yadkinville, NC

2nd Sportsman race: 20 laps

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 4 John Holleman Winston-Salem, NC
2 92 Kyle Southern Rural Hall, NC
3 2 Andrew Durham Winston-Salem, NC
4 55 Zack Ore Winston-Salem, NC
5 21 Tommy Neal Walkertown, NC
6 19 Michael Adams Yadkinville, NC
7 07 Kevin Neal Walkertown, NC
8 02 Derek Stoltz Walkertown, NC
9 8 Casey Kepley Jr Winston-Salem, NC
10 14 Kale Martin Winston-Salem, NC
11 01 Amber Lynn Walkertown, NC
12 16 Devin Byrd Mt Airy, NC
13 86 Taylor Branch Lewisville, NC
14 0 David Latour Jr Advance, NC
15 12 Justin Taylor Kernersville, NC
16 70 Dylan Ward Winston-Salem, NC
17 9 Austin Harris Yadkinville, NC
18 22 Mike Staley Belews Creek, NC
19 81 Zack Clifton Walkertown, NC
20 62 Bubba Tilley Mount Airy, NC
Law Offices of John Barrow Street Stock Series
Street Stock Race: 19 of 20 laps completed (time limit expiration)

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 5 Spencer Martin Winston-Salem, NC
2 28 Billy Gregg Lexington, NC
3 69 Gerald Robinson Jr Winston-Salem, NC
4 40 Taylor Robbins Winston-Salem, NC
5 97 Jeremy Warren Winston-Salem, NC
6 08 Jacob Creed Dobson, NC
7 09 David Creed Mount Airy, NC
8 1 Christian Joyce Trinity, NC
9 49 Steven Berrier Germanton, NC
10 30 Blake Shupe Mount Airy, NC
11 15 Nick Wall Pfafftown, NC
12 29 Bradley Potts Clemmons, NC
13 11 Hunter Hutchens Boonville, NC
14 33 Dennis Lanier Lexington, NC
15 98 Nate Gregg Lexington, NC
16 13 Kevin Gilbert Mocksville, NC
17 72 Bryant Robertson Lexington, NC
18 6 Shane Tuttle Winston-Salem, NC
19 16 Brad Lewis Winston-Salem, NC
Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series
Stadium Stock A Race: 15 laps

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 01 Chris Allison Mocksville, NC
2 2 Brandon Brendle Winston-Salem, NC
3 02 Wesley Thompson Advance, NC
4 81 Chuck Wall Lexington, NC
5 76 Billy Cameron Jr Salisbury, NC
6 68 Tyler Bush Clemmons, NC
7 1 Grayson Keaton Mocksville, NC
8 24 A.J. Sanders Mocksville, NC
9 27 Austin Cates Tobaccoville, NC
10 22 Adam Thomas Winston-Salem, NC
11 61 Jason Keaton Mocksville, NC
12 3 Kyler Staley Reedy Creek, NC
13 69 Brandon Crotts Winston-Salem, NC
14 20 Scarlett Dahmer Kernersville, NC
15 26 K.C. Myers Winston-Salem, NC
Stadium Stock B Race: 15 laps

FINISH CAR DRIVER HOMETOWN
1 2 Jason Everhart Lexington, NC
2 60 Brad Mickalowski Mocksville, NC
3 47 Tyler McDonald Thomasville, NC
4 6 Dale Patterson Mocksville, NC
5 51 Junior Snow King, NC
6 14 Ken Bridges King, NC
7 10 David Hopkins Winston-Salem, NC
8 54 Justin Owens Walnut Cove, NC
9 49 Shawn Hayes Lenoir, NC
10 00 Daryl Bryant Pilot Mountain, NC
11 77 Chelsea Adkins Pilot Mountain, NC
12 91 David Houck New London, NC
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Legendary Bowman Gray Stadium is NASCAR’s longest running weekly race track. Known as “The Home of the Hot Modifieds,” Bowman Gray continues its 70-year tradition of providing exciting racing action at family friendly prices.