Shawn Balluzzo and Robbie Babb each scored wins as they split the twin 30-lap rces in the Modifieds class at Saturday’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Balluzzo claimed the pole for the first race, at 87.127 mph, and led all the way for his third straight win.

Robbie Babb shared the front row with Balluzzo and stayed within striking distance until the halfway mark, when the leader began to ease away. Nearing the finish, Babb was able to close the gap as Balluzzo navigated past slower traffic.

At the checkers, Balluzzo won by two car-lengths over Babb. Jon Largena, Bobby Gery and Darrell Vance completed the top five.
Balluzzo’s win in the opener landed him back on the pole for the second race, with Babb alongside.  At the initial green flag, Babb rocketed ahead of Balluzzo to take the lead.

A four-car incident in Turn 2 wiped out the start, though. On the second try, Balluzzo grabbed the lead on the backstretch, while Babb settled into second.

On Lap 5, Babb nosed underneath Balluzzo at the end of the front stretch and motored into the lead off Turn 2. Within a handful of circuits, he had opened a five-length margin. Balluzzo narrowed the gap on Lap 15, when a slower car held up Babb momentarily, pulling to within three car lengths.

Balluzzo’s hopes for a fourth consecutive win dimmed on Lap 25, though, when he made a contact with a lapped car on the front straightaway.

Under green for the last time, Babb bolted from the pack and roared on to his first victory of the season, winning by half a straightaway.  Balluzzo was second, while Largena, Evan Horne and Vance rounded out the top five.