Miss Budweiser declared winner

SEATTLE — Dave Villwock drove Miss Budweiser to victory in the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair race for unlimited hydroplanes on a two-mile oval course on Lake Washington Sunday.

Villwock actually finished second behind Terry Troxell, driver of Miss Elam Plus, but was handed the win because Troxell jumped the gun by one-third of a second at the start and was assessed a one-lap penalty by race officials.

J.W. Myers, driving LLumar Window Film, was second.

Myers pressed Villwock throughout the winner-take-all final heat, but was unable to catch Miss Budweiser.

Steve David finished third in Oh Boy! Oberto, with Troxell fourth and J. Michael Kelly fifth in Graham Trucking.

Steve Hook, driving Beacon Plumbing, went dead in the water on the second lap and did not finish in the six-boat finale.

It might have been Villwock’s final race in Seattle since Miss Budweiser is dropping out of unlimited hydroplane racing at the end of this season. Villwock hasn’t said if he will attempt to get another boat to drive next season.

It was Villwock’s eighth win — and third in a row — in Seattle since 1994. He won his last six races driving Miss Budweiser. And it was Miss Budweiser’s 17th victory in Seattle dating back to 1969.

In heat 2A, Nate Brown suffered a broken big toe on his left foot when EMCOR flipped on the first lap at the end of the backstretch. He was examined by medical personnel in the pits and fitted with a soft cast.

Brown’s boat was heavily damaged.