MADISON, Ill. - Patrolman Bob Sampson of the Pine Lawn (Mo.) Police
Department took the victory in the inaugural Guns and Hoses Challenge at
Gateway International Raceway Tuesday in his 2006 Ford Mustang. Sampson
defeated Steve Webb, a police officer out of Sullivan, Mo., in the
finals after Webb jumped the gun and was disqualified at the line.
Sampson didn't see Webb earn the red light. In fact, he said he didn't
feel good about his chances as he crossed the finish line. "I seen him
come on real strong and I thought I was gonna break out, so I had to
let off of it and that's when he went around me," Sampson said. "I
thought, 'Well, I lost.'"
It was a different story, however, when Sampson pulled into Victory
Lane where he was greeted by Madison, Ill., Mayor John Hamm who presented
him with the Mayor Hamm Trophy.
"I was real excited," Sampson said when he realized he had won.
Even though the final race was between two men in blue, Sampson said it
made no difference who he lined up against. "It was just like a
fireman," he said, laughing. "(Webb's) a good kid. I'm glad it boiled down to
the badges."
Jake Zegler of the Maryland Heights (Mo.) Fire Department was the
highest-finishing fire fighter. Zegler made it to the semi-finals in his
2007 Dodge Charger but was disqualified at the line.
In addition to the trophy, GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny
Batycki presented Sampson with a check for $ 500 to be donated to the
Backstoppers in the name of all the first responders who participated
in Tuesday's event.
Already looking to next year, Sampson said he plans to defend his
title.
"I'll be there."
To make a donation to the Backstoppers or to get more information on
the organization, visit them on the Web at Backstoppers.org.
Department took the victory in the inaugural Guns and Hoses Challenge at
Gateway International Raceway Tuesday in his 2006 Ford Mustang. Sampson
defeated Steve Webb, a police officer out of Sullivan, Mo., in the
finals after Webb jumped the gun and was disqualified at the line.
Sampson didn't see Webb earn the red light. In fact, he said he didn't
feel good about his chances as he crossed the finish line. "I seen him
come on real strong and I thought I was gonna break out, so I had to
let off of it and that's when he went around me," Sampson said. "I
thought, 'Well, I lost.'"
It was a different story, however, when Sampson pulled into Victory
Lane where he was greeted by Madison, Ill., Mayor John Hamm who presented
him with the Mayor Hamm Trophy.
"I was real excited," Sampson said when he realized he had won.
Even though the final race was between two men in blue, Sampson said it
made no difference who he lined up against. "It was just like a
fireman," he said, laughing. "(Webb's) a good kid. I'm glad it boiled down to
the badges."
Jake Zegler of the Maryland Heights (Mo.) Fire Department was the
highest-finishing fire fighter. Zegler made it to the semi-finals in his
2007 Dodge Charger but was disqualified at the line.
In addition to the trophy, GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny
Batycki presented Sampson with a check for $ 500 to be donated to the
Backstoppers in the name of all the first responders who participated
in Tuesday's event.
Already looking to next year, Sampson said he plans to defend his
title.
"I'll be there."
To make a donation to the Backstoppers or to get more information on
the organization, visit them on the Web at Backstoppers.org.
