After rain limited his Friday practice run to five laps, Chet Fillip was doubtful about how he'd finish in last night's race.

But Fillip couldn't have felt better about his car after warming up for the K&N USAC Silver Crown Series James River Grounds 100. He changed the right-rear suspension and came back with the fastest practice time yesterday morning.

Fillip relied on the custom-designed car from Advanced Racing that he's driven in all 49 of his Silver Crown starts. After so many races, Fillip earned his first series victory yesterday at Richmond International Raceway.

"It hasn't soaked in yet," Fillip said. "It means a lot to me. A couple years ago, we won the Big Car Championship [in 2006], and last year we just couldn't do anything right. This was very much a big boost for me and everybody on our team."

It was such a boost that Fillip thought the win matched his appearances in the Indianapolis 500 (1982, '83) and the Daytona 500 (1987).

He waxed nostalgic not just about the victory but about his devotion to hand-built cars. Fillip struggled to count the number of alterations he's made over the years. But the model prevailed in the end.

"There's not a straight thing on the frame," Fillip said. "But I know the car inside and out. After running it so many races, I know what it's going to do. That makes a lot of a difference."

That difference didn't help until the 39th lap.

Fillip started in the 10th position. He saw Ryan Smith lead for the first six laps, then Tracy Hines took over for 21.

But from the 39th lap on, Fillip held the lead.

"I didn't think Chet was going to take off like that," said Cameron Dodson, who finished second. "He ended up taking off. By the time I got up there, it was too late. At that point, he was gone and was running a great race."

Fillip ran well to the end for a finish that made his weekend come full circle -- starting with uncertainty and ending with elation.

"It was surprising," Fillip said. "It was a nice surprise, though."

RESULTS

1. Chet Fillip, 2. Cameron Dodson, 3. A.J. Fike, 4. Tracy Hines, 5. Wayne Reutimann Jr., 6. Ryan Smith, 7. Levi Jones, 8. Eric Gordon, 9. Shane Hollingsworth, 10. Mike Murgoitio, 11. Mat Neely, 12. Jerry Coons Jr., 13. Steve Arpin, 14. Jacob Wilson, 15. Shane Cottle, 16. Brian Tyler, 17. Zach Schiff, 18. Tom Capie. Lap leaders: Laps 1-6 Smith, Laps 7-38 Hines, Laps 39-100 Fillip. Silver Crown points leaders : 1. Hines 102; 2. Coons 89; 3. Jones 84; 4. Neely 76; 5. Reutimann 75; 6. Cottle 74; 7. Hollingsworth 67; 8. Fillip 63; 9. Bud Kaeding 60; 10/ Tyler 60.