By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

Shawn Balluzzo started on the pole, at 87.042 miles per hour, and dominated the field for his fifth victory in the Budweiser 50 for the Modified Division, the featured event of Saturday evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Robbie Babb shared the front row with Balluzzo and kept it close for the first couple of circuits. On lap 3, though, Balluzzo rocketed off Turn 2, suddenly widening his lead to five car-lengths. By the halfway mark, the margin had grown to a full straightaway.

The only caution flag waved on lap 27 when Bobby Gery slammed the outside wall in Turn 1. Back under green, Balluzzo quickly disposed of Mike Rudy, who restarted on his outside flank. Rudy slid into the second spot, ahead of Babb, and tried to give chase.

Over the remaining circuits, Balluzzo steadily pulled away from the pack, eventually increasing his lead to nearly a full straightaway. Faced with slower traffic on the white-flag lap, Balluzzo gave up a few car-lengths of his advantage but still won easily.

Rudy was second, followed by Babb, Danny Harrell and Taylor Sarkees.