By Gary Daughtrey
Special to the News-Herald

HAMPTON — With lightning flashing in the distance and heavy rain on the way, C.E. Falk outran the weather and 19 other drivers to claim his third straight victory in the 75-lap Crossroads Fuel Service Late Model Stock event Saturday evening at Langley Speedway.

Falk earned the pole for the first of what was scheduled to be Twin 75s, qualifying at 88.361 mph. Paul Debolt was second-fastest. Langley newcomer Matt Bowling, Dean Shiflett and Greg Edwards completed the top five on the starting grid.

As the race got under way, Debolt powered ahead of Falk. Officials ruled Debolt was too eager on the start and he was black-flagged.

On lap 4, Debolt came to the pit lane for a stop-and-go penalty, handing the top spot to Falk. Shiflett moved up to second, followed by Bowling, Edwards and Doug Godsey.

At lap 20, Falk held a six-length advantage over Shiflett, who saw Edwards growing larger in his mirror.

Edwards launched his bid for second on lap 29, driving underneath Shiflett in Turn 3. The two went side-by-side until they reached the backstretch on the following circuit. Heading toward Turn 3, Edwards gained the clear-cut edge. The swap allowed Falk to double his lead to a full straightaway.

The race’s only yellow flag flew on lap 51. The caution erased Falk’s lead. Godsey, Shiflett and Shayne Lockhart tailed the lead duo.

Falk was on cruise control. Just 10 laps after the restart, he had already fashioned a six-length lead and the gap widened with each passing circuit. A similar distance separated second-place Edwards from third-place Godsey as the race neared its conclusion.

At the checkers, Falk was the winner by 2.652 seconds — better than half a straightaway — over Edwards. Godsey was third to the line, while Lockhart and Shiflett were fourth and fifth, respectively.

“Man, this thing is rolling! It’s probably one of the best cars I’ve ever had here. Hopefully, we can go and do it again in another 75,” Falk said in Victory Lane.

Raindrops began to pelt the speedway at lap 18 of the next race, the KeesVacations.com Modified 50-lapper. The shower soon turned into a deluge and officials made the rainout call.

In the evening’s other featured event, Ritchie German scrambled from third to first on the opening circuit and showed the way to his second win of the season in the 40-lap Heritage Motor Co. Super Street race.

At the finish, German was the winner by 0.495-second — a little more than two lengths — over Ryan Nester.