Strong run by Lawrence at Volusia

By John Hopkins with files from Frank Wood

BARBERVILLE, FL -- A late race crash denied Mississauga, ON flat track ace Doug Lawrence a potential podium finish in the 450 Expert final at the AMA Hot Shoe round at Volusia Speedway Park Monday night.

Lawrence was running third on his American H-D/CVC Communications Agency-backed Honda when he crashed as Glen Schnabel went underneath him three laps from the finish.

Lawrence was forced to restart from the back of the field and could only make his way up to 10th by the finish. Schnabel won the race on his Suzuki from the Honda of Sam Halbert and Jacob Mataya on a Kawasaki.

Lawrence, who is just getting over a case of pneumonia, is now 11th in Hot Shoe points, with Schnabel in first place.

St. Catharines, ON racer Chris Evans failed to transfer to the 450 main. Welland, ON's Donald Taylor did not race after a nasty highside the previous evening.

In other action at Volusia Monday night, Shayna Texter won the 450 Pro Sport Main on a Suzuki and Ken Coolbeth took the 750/1000 Expert Main aboard a Harley-Davidson.