| Saturday, February 10, 2001 | |
| 35th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing | By Jane Smith
Day one could have not been more perfect for the fans of short track racing at new Smyrna Speedway. Every where you looked were smiling faces and hard working crews. Drivers from Busch North, Re/Max Challenge, Florida Pro and Florida Sunbelt, ASA, and even Busch Grand National were in the pits. And, of course, the alltime favorite Featherlite Modifieds and S/K Mods were on hand. This division alone is worth the entrance fee for the night.
Jr. Hanley took off in the Super Lates with Florida driver Michael Williams of the South Forty team right behind him. Hanley and Williams kept trading a little paint and a few bumps but ended up in the rear after Williams saw Hanley go around him on the front stretch. This left the field open for Dick Anderson, known all thru the country for his driving talent, to take the lead and NEVER look back again. But this was only day one and with such drivers as Jr. Hanley, Louie Mechalides, David Rogers, B. J. McLeod, Shelby Howard, Justin Drawdy, Bill Zardo, Sammy Graham, James Schuler, Dennis Demers and Ted Christopher handing in there, the next win could be anyone's.
For many, it is the Featherlite Modifieds and the S/K Mods that bring fans to New Smyrna year after year. These big block, fast running and oh-so-loud engines can make even the most "non fans of round track racing" stand-up and watch. No one cannot watch these guys push and help each other around the track the way they do here in Florida. With drivers like Charlie Pasteryak, Ted Christopher, Jamie Tomaino, George Kent, Eric Beers, Jr. Hanley, John White in the line-up, you better watch out. It was nice to see some young, new drivers also in the line-up one of which is Jamie Tomaino's son and Nevin George. Seems like racing, no matter what kind, gets passed down to our next generation of names.
Michael Williams, driving the #9 car owned by Bobby Sears, showed the Late Models what racing was all about. Williams had the lead from the beginning and kept it with Larry Osteen, David Logan, George Murphy and Sammy Graham following him around the track. But watch out Florida boys, we have a number of out-of-staters that could knock you off that pedestal so don't get cocky. The trophy is not your's yet and eight more days still linger. Also in the Late Model division was Brad May, the l997 Hooter Cup Rookie of the Year and also Bobby Gill's teammate for awhile, in the line-up. It was nice to see May back in his #l0 Late Model again.
Jerry Symon, 2000 SARA Open Wheel Modified Champion, is well known in his division. But giving Symon a run for the win was the #60 of Jeff Lane from Indiana who just built this car and last night was more or less the first night of racing for it. Lane passed Tom Root, Ricky Wood and Jason Boyd to take second place and give the Florida boys something to think about. The crew of the #60 left today for Columbia Motorsports Park and the l00 lap race there but will return on Monday along with the other Indiana cars at that race. Then watch out because modified action will be tight this year and good.
Robbie Yoakam in the #lx gave the fans something to standup for in the Mini-Stock division. The #3 of Steve Griffin was making his way to the front when engine problems put him off the track. J. D. Smith in the #32 made Yoakam work for the win and the fifth place winner was a truck (mini of course) driven by Frank Welch. Johnny Smith (good name) in the #7 took second with an unknown driver in the #l8. Also in the field were some mini-stock favorites like Ted Vulipus, Conrad Grenier, Tim McPhail, Tim and Wayne Clark. Also Rick Sirmans was in the field.
Night two will add Super Stocks to the racing field and of course the Super Lates, Lates, Featherlite Mods and S/K Mods, IMCA Mods, Mini-Stocks and a full program on some great short track racing action.
-Jane Smith
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