Winter Haven, FL – After opening last season with a win at his home track of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Joey Doiron had his eyes set on opening the 2013 campaign with a win 1,500 miles from his home, at Winter Haven, Florida’s Auburndale Speedway.  After a series of restarts and a late race move, he drove his #73 JBJ Machine Chevrolet into victory lane.

Doiron and his team went to Florida ready as ever for the season to start, with a new car built out of the Dale Shaw Racecars shop in Center Conway, New Hampshire.  It didn’t take long for Doiron to get a feel for the new car, as he was consistently fast in practice.  He would end up qualifying third in the eighteen car field and after the re-draw, he would roll off in the sixth spot.

Through the opening laps, Doiron practiced patience as the field paraded around the tight quarter mile track.  Multiple cautions in the beginning of the race slowed Doiron’s progress, but by the halfway break at lap 100, he was up to second.  During the break, the team were able to put on two new right side tires, and let the driver finish the job.

On the restart, Doiron fought hard with the 5 of Joe Boyd for the lead, and after ten laps, the 73 machine was in the lead.  Pulling out to a straightaway advantage on the field, it looked like it would be clear sailing for Doiron until a caution on lap 174 slowed the field once again.  On the restart, Boyd was able to get in front of Doiron, but with eight laps to go, he made his move and drove back to the top spot and drove away to take the win in the Winter Meltdown 200.

“We had a great car all weekend, I knew I had to be patient and the race would come to us,” explained Doiron in victory lane, “this is what we come down here to do, win races and this is a great way to start the season.”

After a great start to the season, the team will look to make it two in a row in the next PASS National event on March 30th at Hickory Motor Speedway.  Follow Joey Doiron Racing on Twitter @JoeyDoiron73, on Facebook Joey Doiron Racing and online at JoeyDoiron.com.