By Rick Anges
Sunshine Speedway opened its 2001 season with a "Bang" as the SARA Late Model show came to town.

Before the SARA feature got underway, the Sunshine family got together for a tribute to fallen NASCAR champ, Dale Earnhardt. Drivers, crews and fans formed a 3 in the infield. As the lights dimmed, everyone was holding a candle illuminating the 3 while "Amazing Grace" was sung over the loudspeakers. As the song drew near the end, everyone in the crowd extended "three" fingers in the air. The music faded and the lights came on; tears were dried and families and friends alike gave each other a hug. Then, the engines came to life.

Thirty cars lined up to qualify for the field. When the dust cleared, it was young Jason Crossey #17 who had fast time, blistering the Sunshine quarter-mile track with a 14.026 seconds. During the B-main race, there was a scary crash on the front stretch involving Crowe and Gonzalez, several cars got mixed up coming out of turn four with Gonzalez and Crowe hitting the wall with a resounding thud. Both drivers were able to walk away from their crumpled rides.

Young Martin Pierce #76 was on the pole for the 100-lap event but there were some wily veterans in the pack behind him. As the green flag flew, the bumping and banging started immediately. Before the first lap was completed, there was a pile up in turn four involving at least seven cars including Dewayne Dempsey #7, Wayne Morris #56, last year's Lakeland Finale winner Chip Shell #2, and Joe Boyd #5 among others. All the cars were able to continue but all showed some damage. Dempsey's car looked like a dirt late model with the nose smashed in.

When the green flew again, it was Jason Boyd #01 who caught pole sitter Pierce high and dove under him for the lead. Last year's SARA points champion, Bobby Beauchemin sporting a new number "#3" took the second spot. Michael Faulk #36, whose first ever SARA win came at this very track last year, slid into third spot. The racing was hot and heavy all through the field. Beauchimen was working hard on Boyd, while Faulk was doing his own racing running down on the rumble strips trying to get by the 3 car but Beauchemin made his Chevy an extra foot wider making, it impossible for Faulk to get by. "Iron Man" Dewayne Dempsey made several trips to the pits for repairs on his ride eventually coming out with no front body work left on the car, looking more like a modified then a Late Model.

Dempsey definitely knows Sunshine Speedway, as he was able to make his way back into the top ten before having to retire the car with mechanical problems late in the race. Beauchemin was doing everything he could working Boyd high and low but every time Boyd shut the door on him. Then Boyd bobbled slightly, allowing the 3 car to slide under him racing side by side but Boyd came out the loser spinning out and being sent to the rear allowing Beauchemin to assume the lead. Pre race favorite, Joe Boyd #5, who had mechanical problems all night had to retire early due to mechanical problems. Jason Boyd, who led the race, also had to retire from what looked like an overheating problem.

With the laps winding down, Faulk continued to use as much of the race track as possible to get by Beauchimen. However, it was not to be as the number 3 car powered his way to the finish line to take the first win in the first race of the 2001 season for the Southern Automobile Racing Associations Late Models.

Faulk was able to hold on for a tough earned second, Wayne Morris #56 who was involved in the first lap melee battled back for third, #156 Kevin Durden took the fourth spot and rounding out the top five was the #96 Michael King.

The SARA series takes to the road for their next race, heading to South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Ala. April 1st. With Beauchemin leading the points early and running as good as he is, the rest of the field has some homework to do to prevent the "Champ" from repeating his title.

-Rick Anges

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