Where the weather is a little hotter
and the racing is a lot faster...All Year Round!

2001 News

2000 News

1999 News

February 2001

by Robin Smith Meiser
February 24 marked the beginning of a new season at Charlotte County Speedway. Race fans packed the stands on a beautiful Saturday evening with the flag flying at half mast for fallen race hero Dale Earnhardt, Sr. It was a bittersweet night for most of the drivers who were glad to be racing again but had sorrow in their hearts for more than one reason.

Thirty Lee's Auto Repair Road Warriors were ready to race so two qualifying races were held with 15 cars in each. Wayne Wilson and "Domino" Del Beckner (Naples) took the qualifying race wins, which started them on the front row for the 24-car feature. Beckner was a man on a mission, zigzagging to the lead on Lap 1. Scott Barnes and Bob Williams raced for second, as "Tipover" Terry Price made his way through the field. Yellow Fever hit the track as the caution flag flew time after time. When the checkered flag fell, Beckner took his second win of the evening, racing in memory of the Intimidator. Williams, Barnes, Wilson and Joe Bossey rounded out the Top Five.

In the Big Wheels Mini Stocks, driver Keith Risinger raced with a heavy heart after the death of his own father several weeks ago. He took the lead on Lap 3 and before long Johnny Allen was banging on Risinger's bumper repeatedly. Risinger was able to hold him off until the 16th lap but Allen got around him and took the win, forcing Risinger to settle for second. Brian Richardson finished third, coming out of nowhere on the last lap, while Jesse Dutilly finished fourth and Billy Ray, Jr. fifth.

KIX Country Sportsman Champion "King" James Dubose started on the pole for the their feature race and never looked back. Rookie Danny Yates followed behind in second in his first ever sportsman start. Meanwhile, Mark Chapman was making his way up through the field and moved into second position on Lap 17. Raymond "Super Frog" Jones and Jerry Bryant were battling for position further back while young Bryan Beckner was trying to make his way up as well. Dubose took the win, followed by
Chapman, Jones, Yates and Bryant.

In a repeat of last season in the Hendry's Mango Maniac Cowboy Cadillac division, Don Vanacker battled 2000 champion Cheryl "The Pearl" Weaver in his Ford pick up truck. Vanacker was also a man on a mission and he took the win, dedicating it to Walt "The Mustang Man" Gilbert, an ardent Ford fan who was killed in an auto accident several weeks ago in Fort Myers. Weaver settled for second with Wally Smith, Buck Wilson and Justin Bryant following behind.

Elbert Butts and Danny Caylor battled in the unsponsored pure stock division. When the checkered flag flew Butts took the win with Caylor right behind in second. Ray Jayne, Mike Loney and Billy Vandevender rounded out the Top Five finishers.

In the new Rebel road warrior division, Jeff Firestine took the lead early on and went on to win. Leo Powley, Conrad Molter, Chuck Stevens and Dennis Hale followed him.

A multi-car wreck on the start of the Oldies 95 Open Wheel Modified feature sent several cars to the pits.

Chris "Big Fish" Turner took an early lead after passing Kent McLean. The yellow flag flew repeatedly but Turner maintained his lead with McLean following close behind. Turner took the win, McLean was second and Dan Atwell, Steve Duerr and Jeff Dalva also finished in the Top Five.

Johnny "Action" Jackson dominated the Cat Country Limited Late Models with a three-car freight train composed of 2000 champion Glenn Morris, Richie Anderson and Chris Libak following behind. By the midway point of the race, Jackson was lapping cars and when new flagman Greg Roeback threw the checkered flag he took his first win for the season. The race for second proved more exciting as Morris and Libak came through Turn 4 side by side for a photo finish in which Libak was second and Morris third. Anderson finished fourth after coming back from the rear while current pure stock champion and limited late model rookie driver Chuck Sweet finished fifth.

Danny Yates pulled double duty in the new modified mini stock division after competing in the sportsman division earlier in the evening. Yates took the lead in his black #3 car, making moves the Intimidator would have been proud of. Current mini stock champion Frank Welch followed behind in his Grim Reaper mini truck. Ronnie Allen was banging his way up through the field and was involved in more than one racing altercation. Allen even managed to hitch a ride with Welch after his front wheel got caught in Welch's truck bed. Several laps later Allen was disqualified for ramming another car under caution. Yates and Welch battled for the lead but Yates never gave it up, taking the win for Dale Earnhardt while waving the #1 sign skyward as he crossed the start/finish line for the last time. Welch, Paul White, Jason Kuykendall and Mike Giniatt followed.

Saturday's feature race results from Charlotte County Speedway:

OLDIES 95 OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

#95 Chris Turner
#8 Kent McLean
#55 Dan Atwell
#93 Steve Suerr
#74 Jeff Dalva
#2 Kevin Brinkley
#72 Vince Koch
#31 Kurt Riley
#80 Chris Dean
#125 Bill Brewer
#22 Scott Adema
#6 Kevin Williams
#25 Scott Kleiber

CAT COUNTRY LIMITED LATE MODELS
#1 John Jackson
#64 Chris Libak
#43 Glenn Morris
#51 Richie Anderson
#81 Chuck Sweet
#36X Al Fradette
#62 Buzz Martin
#55 Charlie Lee


KIX COUNTRY SPORTSMANS

#67 James Dubose
#24 Mark Chapman
#8 Raymond Jones
#22 Jerry Bryant
#76 Joe Reese
#27 Bryan Beckner
#18 Craig Amboyan
#40 Jeremy Goddard
#Eagle 38 Ralph Goddard
#107 Jim Keating
#23 Butch Murray
#6 Joe Barbera
#39 Philip Johnson
#35 Calvin Fillingame

PURE STOCKS
#31X Elbert Butts
#7 Danny Caylor
#18 Ray Jayne
#33 Mike Loney
#84 Billy Van Devender
#38 Joe Reese
#49 Christine Gibson
#91X John Plakiotis
#71 Scott Moran
#12 Eric Solomon
#43 Tim McDowell
#11 Doug Spitzer
#4 Dave Bennett
#66 Arthur Brown
#99 Mark Collins
#8 George Tanner
#50 Joe Williamson

BIG WHEELS MINI STOCKS
#98 Johnny Allen
#94 Keith Risinger
#56 Brian Richardson
#30 Jesse Dutilly
#41 Billy Ray Jr.
#51 Rick Nastan
#17 Mike Johns
#6 Marshall Parr Sr.
#31 Harlan Wilson
#1 John Trotta
#4 Marshall Parr Jr.
#2 Roger Garrett
#16 Chase Goodson
#5 Glenn Travis

LEE’S AUTO REPAIR ROAD WARRIORS
#72 Del Beckner
#MOO Bob Williams
#31 Scott Barnes
#88 Wayne Wilson
#28 Joe Bossey
#27 Terry Price
#79 Leigh Elliott
#11 Robert Hendry
#29 Derek Ficarra
#82 Billy Lentz
#1 Jesse Gargus
#59 Jim Kaczynski
#61 Chris Oncken
#21 Andy Wood
#3 John Boyer
#10 Mark Regner
#73 Michael Collins
#63 Gerald Bates
#00 Jody Collins
#912 Larry Moree
#52 Donna Connoly
#35 Ron Dushek
#12 Kevin Mehl Jr.
#67 Rick Caperton
#9 Gary Miller
#66 Dan Klein
#46 Alan Collins
#36 Brian Verhaagh
#14 Ricky Gill
#7 Jonathan Abraham
#81 Jom Bachmann

COWBOY CADILLACS
#33 Don Van Acker
#37 Cheryl Weaver
#16 Wally Smith
#46 Buck Wilson
#24 Justin Bryant

REBEL ROAD WARRIORS
#93 Jeff Firestine
#20 Leo Powley
#55 Conrad Molter
#74 Chuck Stevens
#77 Dennis Hale
#15 Clint Synder

MODIFIED MINIS
#3 Danny Yates
#96 Frank Welch
#90 Paul White
#99 Jason Kuykendall
#98 Mike Ginaitt

By Chief Craig C. Clarke

Yes, you can be equipped with one of the hottest products (sorry for the pun) available in the battle of fire protection. I am excited to talk about a new product, FIRE ADE 2000, the ultimate fire quencher. This product comes to you from the original inventor of a similar product back in 1986, Ron Thames. In side by side comparisons with other traditional extinguishing agents, FIRE ADE 2000 blows away the competition, as well as the hazard! This product was designed to combat Class A (Ordinary combustibles) and Class B (Flammable Liquid) fires, but is also extremely effective on Class C (De-energized Electrical) as well as Class D (Combustible metals).

It was developed for high hazard areas such as industrial & commercial settings, fire department & hazardous materials response, and any areas where fire poses a risk. This red colored liquid is non hazardous, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic, biodegradable & environmentally friendly.

FIRE ADE 2000 works by reducing heat, eliminating oxygen through foaming, and emulsifying the potential hazard and eliminating vapor release rendering the hazard non-flammable. In addition, it interrupts the chemical chain reaction by disrupting the Free Radicals produced during combustion.

It makes flammable liquids incapable of sustaining ignition or re-ignition which is important especially on large area or mutidimentional fires. Traditional Foams work by creating a blanket which prevents explosive vapors from reaching oxygen and an ignition source. FIRE ADE2000 totally encapsulates and emulsifies the fuel or hazard so that there are NO explosive vapors. The best part of this system is its Environmentally friendly approach. Run-off of the hazard and the product is totally biodegradable, and does not pose a threat to the environment or wildlife.

Here's the best part, It has NO SHELF LIFE! This agent can be left out in the sun, or stored in the dark with no worry about separation or spoilage as with other traditional foams. It can be mixed into existing water tanks/systems, or it can be used with the various pre engineered systems from the manufacturer including small hand-held units that can be used around the home, auto or any place that you can carry them.

I have seen many products come and go, but I have to say that this one is truly amazing. Is it possible that we have finally found an answer to those impossible to put out fires that you read about every day? I think that this is a BIG first step.

Chief Clarke discusses revolutionary new fire safety system.

By Chief Craig C. Clarke
TRACK RESCUE FIRE DEPT.
KARNAC.com Safety Editor

[EDITORS NOTE: Chief Craig C. Clarke owns and operates TRACK RESCUE FIRE DEPT. A veteran Firefighter/EMT & Fire Chief, with over 20 years experience, he is a national advocate to improve motorsports, and has been an expert witness in courts as well as written numerous articles on motorsports safety.]

By Robin Smith Meiser
The Southwest Florida stock car racing "family" came together on February 25 to pay tribute to arguably the best race driver of all time, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Local short track driver, Randy Fox; his wife, Scarlet; and business partners Clayton and Linda Olding played host to crowd of several hundred race fans at the Tra-lin Motorsports shop on Construction Lane.
Earnhardt, Sr. hats and shirts were the garb of the day as folks watched a pre-race tribute to him shown on Fox 36 on two large screen televisions. Smaller sets were set throughout the complex as people milled about talking about terrible loss that the racing world suffered on the last lap of the February 18 Daytona 500 when The Intimidator was killed after slamming the Turn Four wall. He suffered massive head trauma but it has also been learned a frayed seatbelt contributed to his death as it gave way in the horrific accident.

People laughed and cried as a rain delay in Rockingham North Carolina allowed Fox to devote several hours to Dale, Sr. and his life. When at last the time came for the prayer and national anthem preceding the race, all those present held hands and bowed their heads as NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip led millions in prayer for the fallen hero. When it was over, many in the crowd had tears streaming down their face as they wept for the man who made Winston Cup racing what it is today.

by Rick Anges

The who's who of Florida Late Model racing showed up for the Icebreaker 125 at Desoto Speedway for the opening round of the Florida Pro Series. Names like Orr, Bigley, Anderson, Carlton and Pletcher were there to make a bid at the opening race of the FPS on the high banks.

The day started out rough for the defending champion Ricky Carlton who broke a rear end in practice and had to take a provisional spot in the rear of the field, Pletcher also broke but was not able to make the show. Of the thirty-four cars that were on hand after qualifying and a B-Main the field was narrowed down to twenty-eight.

Young Jonathan Brown #9 and James Powell #37 led the field to the green flag and the race was on. Powell was racing the youngster hard looking low and high but Brown held his line and the lead. Mike Franklin Jr. in the #12 car fresh from a dirt Late Model race in Georgia the night before scraped the wall on the front stretch but was able to gather it up and continue.

Franklin later told me in the pits the brakes failed about half way through the race on the former Bigley ride but was able to hold for a ninth place run. Brian Mansfield brought out the first caution of the race when he spun by himself in the back stretch, problems with the spin ended the day for him. Billy Bigley broke his front suspension in an accident and ended his day early.

Meanwhile the #00 of Dickie Anderson( Fla. Driver of the Year) was slowly slicing and dicing his way to the front of the pack after his thirteenth starting position. The battle up front was heating up as the top five cars were all in a heated battle for the top spot. Brown had his hands full with not only Powell but #38 Shane Sawyer, #53 Richard Till, and the # 26 of Veteran driver Pete Orr.

All the drivers were using up the whole race track trying to catch and pass the leader. And then there was "The King," picking off drivers, eventually sliding past Orr after a bump draft loosening Orr and moving into the top five. All of a sudden you could tell the top guys were now being told he was moving up by their spotters. A mirror full of the 00 is not something you want to see as 125 lap race is drawing to an end. Ricky Carlton #34 last years Fla Pro Champ already at a disadvantage after having to start in the rear of the field tangled up with the #12E of Jeff Emory sending both cars to the rear but Carlton ran tough and came from the rear of the field to finish a hard driven tenth, after the race a worn out Carlton told me "Atleast we brought her home in one piece"!

After leading the race for over eighty laps Brown was challenged by Powell going into three, when Powell came up beside Brown the two made contact sending Brown into a spin but relegating both drivers to the rear of the pack.

This gave the lead to Shane Sawyer who had fought to hold onto third place all afternoon. But by this time Anderson had made his way to the spot behind Sawyer now putting him in the second spot.

After the green flag dropped Anderson took several laps to size him up and like a lion during the hunt made his move, got under Sawyer, loosened him up and drove by.

Anderson was never challenged again and roared home the winner. Sawyer was able to cross the stripe in second, Richard Till hung on for third, Pete Orr fourth and rounding out the top was the #48 of Johnny Kay.

1. Dick Anderson, Harris Racing #00
2. Shane Sawyer, Quality Concrete #38 (top rookie)
3. Richie Till, Xerox Digital Color #53
4. Pete Orr, Central Florida Septic/Winner's Circle Racing School #26
5. Jonny Kay, Extensions Plus/Custom Design Truss Co. #48
6. Mike Bresnahan, Old Bill's Audio #3
7. Glen Whitney, Prof. Shutters Corp/Turf Management #99
8. Mike Good, Briar Corp #27
9. Mike Franklin, Jr. #72
10. Rick Carlton, McNatt Plumbing #34

by Rick Anges

By Robin Smith Meiser

All over America millions are mourning the death of the greatest stock car driver of all time, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., who was killed in a last lap crash during the February 18 Daytona 500.

Earlier this week in Tampa, it was estimated over 3000 people attended an Earnhardt Tribute at the foot of the Gandy Bridge in Tampa. Southwest Florida will get its opportunity to bid farewell to its fallen hero on Sunday, February 25.

Earnhardt fans are asked to gather at Tra-lin Motorsports, whose driver Randy Fox has competed at short tracks all over Florida for the past decade, in Lehigh Acres beginning at noon.

A tribute will be given and a condolence book will be available for fans to sign that will be sent to the Earnhardt family via Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Donations will be accepted for the Charlotte, NC Children's Foundation in Earnhardt's memory.

Publix has donated food and Bill Branch Chevrolet is supplying banners for the event. A big screen television will broadcast the NASCAR race from Rockingham, NC, and people are asked to bring their lawn chairs.

Tra-lin Motorsports is located at 557 Construction Lane in Lehigh Acres. Head east from Fort Myers on Route 82 or take Colonial Boulevard, which turns into Lee Boulevard after crossing Route 82. Stay on Lee Boulevard through the Homestead Road intersection to East County Road, turn left.

For more information call Aimee Wipperfurth at 390-0897 or Tra-lin Motorsports at 1-800-433-8965.

Robin Smith Meiser

[Editor-Earnhardt Memorial at Hialeah Speedway Feb. 24
A very special evening is planned Saturday night at the races in honor of Dale's passing. Black pins, ribbons, and more will be provided to all who arrive shortly before 7 pm when the memorial tribute begins. You may wish to contact Dennis Coyle (if you haven't already) at the track: 305-821-6644. Many people need an outlet to share their feelings with others who can relate to this huge loss to the sport.]


Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

By Hans Nieborg
Tampa, FL(KNS) - The message was broadcast far and wide throughout Tampa Bay today about an opportunity to pay homage to fallen Nascar driver, Dale Earnhardt, with a candlelight vigil.

The event was held this evening, February 19, 2001 near the Gandy Causeway boat ramp.

Although the affair was scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, fans began arriving at the Gandy Causeway Beach as soon as they heard the reports of the upcoming gathering from the media. People from all walks of life were on hand to share stories of their experiences and opinions of Dale Earnhardt. Some mourners simply sought out others who, like themselves, were so grief stricken, they just needed a shoulder to cry on. At one spot on the beach, you could see the riders on a Harley motorcycle talking to the driver of a Dodge Viper parked next the them while the Viper's passenger talked to the occupants of a tattered old truck on the other side.

The atmosphere at the beginning of the vigil was somber, as fans and friends alike milled about looking for words to say. Then, a bright red foil balloon with #3 printed on it, was held aloft in the middle of the crowd and released. The crowd cheered and whistled as they recognized the symbolism of watching the balloon rise toward the heavens on a destination to who knows where. More red balloons were tossed aloft and were quickly followed by black ones too. All stood in silence as they rose faster and faster into the sky, with the setting sun and glimmering clouds serving as a fitting, silent backdrop.

Related Video Links:
Thoughts

Balloons

Suddenly, the starting of an engine broke the silence. It revved up a few times and eventually settled down to an idle. Its staccato idling sound was something that a person with an ear for such a thing would find seductive, in a Nascar sort of way. The car turned out to be a yellow and blue Monte Carlo painted similar to one that Dale Earnhardt drove as a champion in his earlier days, and was positioned as a centerpiece in the middle of the gathering.

As the sun sank further on the horizon, candles were lit amidst cheers from the crowd, the volume of which increased with each successive lighted candle. Prayers could be heard as total strangers held hands and wept for the loss of one of racing's legendary drivers.

And then, flowers were placed and/or thrown into the Tampa Bay waters to drift with the receding tide. Mini-shrines comprised of collectibles of anything imaginable regarding "Big E" could be found lining the beach, carefully placed to show solidarity for Dale. Several vehicles, painted with logos, symbols or even outright copies of the racecars themselves were practically everywhere. Several fans decided to hold back from the center of the throng and quietly watch, emotions playing across their faces as they struggled with thoughts they were afraid to share. This was a time for hurting and healing, a time to reminisce of races gone by. And talk of ones to come.

It's a sight to watch the racing community band together in a time of such emotional need. There is no society quite like the one that could be seen at Gandy Causeway tonight. All measures of prejudice, value, and caste were thrown aside as hands were joined to remember a fallen hero, a man who helped to raise his chosen sport to a level beyond the stigma of "For Rednecks Only."

Within a short 49 years, Dale Earnhardt rose from a simple factory worker in his youth, to Nascar racing's greatest superhero. And we have learned much from this Master Instructor of the asphalt jungle. The lessons supplied by Earnhardt were hard and strong, yet lasting and full of purpose. These lessons were delivered without reproach as he dealt evenly with all that dared to press him. He often spoke out about restrictor plates in Nascar, saying that a freight train of racecars wasn't real racing. It was said that he had tons to say about the changes Nascar made to the Winston Cup cars in an effort to bunch the cars and make for more exciting racing. He was even quoted as stating the same over the radio to his spotter and Richard Childress immediately after Tony Stewart's spectacular wreck.

Now the racing community is left to reflect upon the legacy he left behind, realizing that when a terse, normally quiet Dale Earnhardt found it necessary to speak up, it just might be worth listening to what he had to say.

Hans Nieborg

by Robin Smith Meiser
It can't be true, it just can't! But it is, the man who we all thought was invincible is gone. As Michael Waltrip was praising the Earnhardt family for their support of him after winning the Daytona 500, doctors at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona were pronouncing Dale Earnhardt, Sr. dead from head trauma he suffered in a last lap wreck during the February 18 race.

The one word that we have all heard in the dark hours since The Iron Man's death is "irony." That word does not even begin to describe the events that unfolded in today's running of the Daytona 500. No one could have written a book or a screenplay that would have been more unbelievable than what happened today.

Anyone who has followed Winston Cup racing can recite Dale Earnhardt, Sr.'s history, whether you liked him or not. He commanded and earned your respect. There was only one Iron Man and there will never be anyone quite like him again. No one has ever been more competitive on the NASCAR circuit than he was. That was one of the ironies of today.

It was evident he could have taken his second Daytona 500 today. However, for the first time in anyone's memory, including his racing colleagues who are mourning his loss tonight, 'The Intimidator' kicked back and let someone else win. Lap after lap, he held off Sterling Marlin while good friend Michael Waltrip, led the race and his son, Dale, Jr. followed right on his bumper. He owned the two cars in front of him and was watching two of "his boys" going for the checkered flag. You can see him with that roguish smile on his face as they came through Turn 3 in front of him, sprawled down in the seat thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle in front of him, saying "may the best man win."

Michael Waltrip won the race with his brother, Darrell, cheering him on along with millions of race fans that were watching Fox Sports first live Winston Cup broadcast in 2001. Little E, as Dale, Jr. is called by the racing family, was right behind him. In the back of the screen, as they came around to take the checkers, television viewers could see Dale Earnhardt, Sr. taking a wild ride after being tapped by Marlin. Also collected in the accident was Kenny Schrader. Just behind Earnhardt was Rusty Wallace, one of Earnhardt's early protégées, a man who may possibly be alive today because Earnhardt helped save his life a few years back after a bad accident at Bristol.

Darrell Waltrip brought us all back to reality as he was crying tears of joy for his little brother's first Winston Cup win in 463 starts. He said something about I sure hope Dale's all right. Suddenly, a shot of Dale, Jr. running up pit row flashed on the screen but you never saw the wreck scene itself. Several minutes later when Kenny Schrader came out of the infield care center, a somberness fell over the celebration. There was just something not quite right about the way Kenny was acting but you couldn't put your finger on what it was. Next, you heard the commentators say that Dale had been extricated from the car and was being taken immediately to Halifax Medical Center.

It was then that I felt it...the prickly hairs on the back of my neck that rise when something isn't right. Never in 19 years of watching Dale Earnhardt, Sr. race can I ever recall him " extricated" from a racecar. Helped out by safety personnel, yes, but never extricated. Meanwhile, Michael Waltrip was celebrating his triumph, but there was not an Earnhardt to be seen in Victory Circle. Another indication of something being not quite right. The ambulance making its way out of the pits to the hospital; there was just something so sinister about.

Nascar Online said a few minutes after Fox Sports signed off that Earnhardt was unconscious and in serious condition. There was a glimmer of hope in that; there is a big difference between serious and critical condition, or so we all thought. You felt a little better and went back to watching Sunday TV, until special reports started coming in. I was on the phone with my best friend, who is a die-hard Earnhardt fan for over a decade, when we got the news of his passing. The grief shot through me like a knife and I must confess I was one of those people who respected rather than liked Dale.

My best friend lost her hero, as did millions of other people throughout the race world. I know that loss, I lost my hero when past Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki died in a plane crash in 1993. Racing has never been the same to me since then. Racing will never be the same for any of us after today. The greatest racecar driver who will ever be has left us.

By Rick Anges
February rolls around and the race crowd is already in withdrawal from the months without the sounds and smells of the thing they love most; racing! This month is probably one of the most intense in racing around the state of Florida.

Tracks all over the state are firing up, getting ready for the upcoming season. Drivers, crews and fans migrate south from the chilly north to experience racing on some of the quickest short tracks in the nation. From New Smyrna down to Thunder Cross in Okeechobee, fast-paced action was everywhere, but none was intense as the 17 days of the "25th Winternationals" at East Bay Raceway in Gibsonton.

Some of the biggest names in dirt track racing converged on the little track just south of Tampa. Over 1,000 cars run literally tens of thousands of laps on the clay track. This would be some of the tightest racing of the year with over a quarter of a million dollars on the line. After sixteen grueling days, you would think the wind would be out the sails and the track would be trash, but on night 17, all that proved wrong as the "All Star" 410 Sprints would wind up what has had to be the best "Winternationals" of East Bay's history.

More then 60 top drivers were on hand to race for the 28-car $25,000 to win 50-lap final Winternationals feature. Hot laps showed a dry track, something that #63 Greg Wilson had told us on the radio show Wednesday night would make for more side-by-side racing. With the warm-up sessions over, it was time to race.

The five heat races were fast and furious with names like Swindell, McCarl, and Smith taking wins; the "Dash for Cash" saw Danny Lasoski in the familiar Tony Stewart orange 20 car take a dominating win. The C and B mains were last ditch efforts for drivers who are used to being in the winner's circle. Sammy Swindell #1s took the win in the B-main; Kenny Jacob's last years All Star champ was unable to finish in the top seven and thus did not make the fifty lap A-Main.

The "Strawberry Dash" gave some of drivers would did not make the feature a chance to get some more racing under their belts and not go home empty handed. Greg Wilson blazed to an easy victory and being a previous winner at EastBay took home $3,000. Not a bad paycheck for someone who didn't even make the big race.

During the pause between races, "Speedo the Clown" came out and had the crowd on their feet cheering for T-shirts being shot into the stands.

Click here forSpeedo Fireworks.

Speedo also entertained everyone with the his magic Model-A named "Rosie." From raising up and spinning in the air spouting fireworks to blazing down the front stretch with flames spewing from the rear, Speedo kept all the people in the stands smiling while the racers and crews were preparing their rides for the big one.


Gary Wright #9 and Ronald Laney #52 made up an all Texas front row, and the four wide salute to the crowd was an awesome site. When the green dropped, "World of Outlaws" stand out Joey Saldana #17 powered his way to the front of the pack, pulling out to a several car length lead. Just when it appeared that Saldana would begin lapping the field, the #7s of Jason Sides got tangled up with Swindell who started near the rear of the field and spun, bringing out the caution.
Jason Sides Spin.

As the track crew came out under the yellow, a muffler was found on the track. It was discovered that the muffler had come off the leader's car causing an immediate DQ and ending the night of the hard charging Saldana. Wright, last year's "King of the 360 Sprints", assumed the lead with Ron Laney on his tail. Tense moments came for the leaders as they were trying to get around some lapped traffic; the #10w of Curt Winker spun in four in front of them causing Wright to dive low and Laney to go high, both narrowly(!) avoiding a major collision.

Sammy Swindell wasn't as lucky, as he was trying to bump and bang his way to the front, got caught up and took a wild ride down the back stretch flipping several times but climbing out of the bent race car unscathed. Also taking a violent trip down the backstretch was the #29 of Wayne Johnson, hitting the wall and spinning in the air before coming down on his wing practically disintegrating the car. The crowd was quiet until Johnson climbed out of the tangled mess and was able to walk away.


Walk-a-way was just what Wright did after the green fell; it was on to checkers and the $25,000 prize money for the Texas native becoming the final winner in the February classic at East Bay.


Laney held on for second, #12 Greg Hodnett took the third position, fourth was #45 Tim Shaffer and rounding out the top five was #7 Craig Dollansky, who powered his way from mid-pack.



Stan Kolan and his crew at EastBay once again proved that they are the class of the field of dirt track racing in Florida. Promotion, media coverage and plenty of entertainment during the whole show has kept them packing them in for 25 years. According to Kolan "Next year's Winternationals will be even bigger and better." With the crowds and the racers increasing every year, this will be the highlight of racing in February for years to come.

-Rick Anges

Related Links:
--click here to listen to Stan Kolan Interview

--Gary Wright Dominates Final Night of All Star Sprints

By Bill Green

I have to go back a ways to give you some understanding as to what we are about to talk about. See a 'Run What Ya Brung' Race is just that; anything goes. Anything, as long as it fits two basic rules. Rule one; it must be able to start and drive under it's own power. Rule two; it must be a FENDERED vehicle. Now there are some other safety and subtle rules, but time does not allow for a full run down.

So, all makes and models, types and sizes of vehicles are eligible for this race. For this year, one young man chose to start his 2001-driving career in the RWYB race, in a V-8 bomber style, street stock. He finished 11th two nights in a row, many laps down to the leader, but $900 richer for the two day effort.

Walking through the pits, it caught your eye as soon as you spotted it. It was the B12 Late Model of Kevin Weaver, but with a sprint wing on top of it. The Weaver machine is normally found in STARS Late Model lineups or HAV-A-TAMPA features, but this two night, 'Run What Ya Brung' event, was paying $4000 one night, and 25% more the second night if you ran both nights. Even with a mix of mini-stocks, street-stocks, limited late models, late models, and a limited sprint, what could you lose? I soon found out that when Weaver finished second on Monday, that is when he had mentioned, "Wish I had a wing to help me through the corners." Jack Hewitt heard him, and loaned him one. The back-up wing from the two-seater designed sprint, was at the track the next night, and it helped.

The next wild looking thing that came into view was purple with yellow numbers. It also had the traditional sprint car wing on top, but was it really a sprint car. Yes, it was. It was the Limited Sprint of 1998 East Bay Limited Sprint Track Champion, Clyde Poole, but it had rear fenders. Yes, fenders. Fabricated from aluminum, a very simple sets of fender panels were attached over the rear fuel tank. They fit the letter of the rules, extending out to the edge of the rear wheels. They were designed so they helped create down force, but no drag, as they were open, front and rear. A well thought out, freaky looking sprint if there has ever been one.

The #17 Late Model of Mike Gault added some left side, 3 foot high side-boards, and was the class of the field the first night and $4000 richer. This second night of action would see these three cars, Gault, Weaver and Poole, joined by the #32 of Roger Crouse, with side boards a plenty, out class the rest of the field. The #17 of Gault was on rails as he eclipsed the Late Model track record by half a second, lap after lap. Weaver's B12 was up to the task and remained on the Gault bumper throughout the race. Only problem was the lapped traffic that they all had to steer clear of. Several times the B12 would get alongside of the 17, but bottom groove slower cars, were always be in just the right spot to save him from loosing the lead.

Poole was the only one of these top runners to have problems, as he slowed through turn 2 and stopped against the outside wall. Meanwhile the other three late models were the only cars on the lead lap at the end, and so they cruised to a 1-2-3 finish. Gault would pocket $5000, to add to his $4000 from the previous night. Weaver would be runner up for a second night, and local driver Crouse, would be third.

Next year, when the "Run What Ya Brung" shows up on the schedule, I bet more raceteams look at this race a little differently. The prize is so big, you can't help but keep your eye on it. See you here next year for another great "RUN WHAT YA BRUNG" Event.

-Bill Green

[Bill Green is heard worldwide on SHORT TRACK USA via ShortTrackUSA.Com and TheAutoChannel.Com. Tune in every Monday night from 8-10PM (EST).]

By Rick Anges
Six days of Late Model racing culminated Saturday night at East Bay Raceway with some action packed racing to a capacity crowd as the fans were treated to the UDTRA (former Hav-A-Tampa) show. After five days of all out racing these guys were still loaded for bear as number 30 Steve Shaver came out with a blistering qualifying run at 14.571 seconds to be the top dog for the night. Several cars were in the low 15 to high to mid 14 second range which meant that although the track was a little rough in some places the new clay was still very fast.

John Kresser Jr. in the 45k took a wild ride in one of the nights heat races. Several cars including EastBay driver Keith Nosbich tangled on the backstretch going into turn three, Kresser came up on the melee full bore and clipped Nosbich causing himself to barrel roll several times and land on his roof.

After several tense minutes John climbed from his car a little shaken but otherwise unscathed. All of the other drivers also escaped with only minor bumps and bruises making a good example of how safety is the number one rule in these cars.

The Strawberry Invitational Dash for Cash was also had some exciting moments. The s9 of Dan Schlieper who had lead the race from almost the get go came around and took the white flag for what looked like an easy victory. Then going into turn one his rear tire shredded off the car and crowd went wild as Schlieper was able to three wheel his ride home for the checkers and the cash!

Twenty-six cars lined up on the front stretch for the final feature of six nights of UDTRA/Renegade STARS Late Models. Top drivers from all over the country were lined up in front of the 4,000 plus crowd. With $25,000 on the line for tonites winner racing this should be one heck of a race. Steve Shaver started on the pole for the 100 lap event but it was the 27 of Ray Tucker who jumped out to the early lead. Steve Boley in the 26 brought out the caution flag after connecting with the backstretch wall ending his evening early. On the restart the Mopar powered machine 15 Steve Francis was able to get by Tucker and take the point. Racing was hot and heavy all over the track as the cars were going three and four wide, pulling the front tires all the way down the straight-aways. Dan O'Neal in the 71o made his way up through the field and began the battle for the lead with Shaver.

As the two raced side by side, running high and low the racing got to close as O'Neal slid up into Shaver causing the Mopar machine to get a flat. The caution flew and Shaver was able to pit, replace the tire and return to the tail; end of the field. Steve Lucas 5 had moved into the second spot and looked like he was going to give O'Neal a run for his money but his motor expired going in a puff of smoke and just like that his night was done. Shaver, O'Neal and the number 18 of Shannon Babb made it a three car race for a while, Shaver and Babb traded second several times but neither was able to get by the hard charging O'Neal. Babb picked up some debree on the track and had to dash into the pits to change a tire sending him to the rear of the field. Rick Auckland 12 made his way up through the field, only to break and retire into the infield.

Other drivers also made bids for the lead including the 1 of Chub Frank, 4b of previous nights/morning winner Jackie Boggs, b12 Kevin Weaver also made a run for the lead but couldn't get by the lighting fast O'Neal. Just when it seemed like O'Neal had the race slam dunked his ride expired and low qualifier Shaver was right there to take the lead.

Shannan Babb with a second place finish and $10,000 for his work. From left to right,Stan Kolan, Miss East Bay, Shannan Babb, Chelsea Auld
Shannon Babb came from the rear of the pack to battle Shaver for the lead. Riding right on the tail of the 30 car Babb was using the whole race track trying to get by, but the race track just wasn't wide enough as Babb tagged the turn four wall allowing Shaver to hold on for the victory. Babb was able to gather his car up and take second, 28m Jimmy Mars took the third spot, fourth went to the 1 star of Chub Frank and rounding out the top five in the 100 lap event was the 1j of Davey Johnson.

Having been a previous years Winternationals winner not only was Shaver the winner of $25,000 but track owner Stan Kolan kicked in another $2,500 to make it a cool $27,500 win for Shaver and his crew.


Stanley Kolan (far right) and the big winner Steve Shaver with East Bay Queen

Join us the Wednesday night "LIVE" from EastBay for the KARNAC.com Real Racin Talk Radio Show. The All-Start Sprints will be in town!

-Rick Anges

Listen to Late Model driver interviews live from East Bay.

By Robin Smith Meiser
A four-wheeled Old Milwaukee Beer can and a purple Racing Bug with four arms, waving a checkered flag drew race fans to Pep Boys Auto Parts Store on International Speedway Drive in Daytona Beach, on February 9. Inside the store, long tables were set up with chairs behind them. Sitting in those chairs were the rising stars of Goody's Dash Series, one of NASCAR's growing touring series.

Reminiscent of the NASCAR days of old when Days of Thunder wasn't even a thought in Tom Cruise's head; Richard Petty really was King, still driving the STP car; and there were no Racing Champions on the shelf at your neighborhood K-Mart. Back in the days when the sport's biggest drivers would sit for hours at the Daytona Mall signing autographs, letting fans take their pictures, doing what came natural, being themselves!

The sport of auto racing has grown by phenomenal numbers in the past ten years. A recent trend has shown however, that NASCAR's premier series, Winston Cup's, popularity may be waning. Several of the 2000 season's races failed to "sell out" for the first time in years. Could it be due in part to the growing distance between the drivers and the fans; or that the average Joe who made stock car racing what it is now cannot afford to attend the events that they grew up with, sitting in the family grandstands with their parents?

At any rate, Goody's DASH series new director, Randy Claypool, has the same vision that Bill France, Jr. had when he was trying to make auto racing the most popular sport in America. He wants the public to be able to meet and interact with their heroes. He worked with the local Pep Boys store to have an old-fashioned "meet-the drivers and get an autograph" session the night before the season opening AC Delco 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10.

Many of today's biggest stars such as current champion Bobby Labonte, still do their utmost to spend time with the fans but when they do it is usually a mob scene and very time limited due to the huge constraints on their time. This was not the case at Pep Boys, both the drivers and fans were relaxed, spending time together and getting to know each other. After they made their way through the long line of drivers, they milled about the store, probably buying those items that you know you need but always forget to buy.

Each of these little known drivers has a story to tell and this writer had a wonderful time wandering around, talking to them about out mutual passion-stock car racing. We exchanged email addresses and made promises to let each other know how we are doing all season long. I have a new favorite series and I hope to tell their stories throughout the year. I hope that you readers, like me, will grow to know them like we do the drivers in the bigger series. In a nutshell, here are just a few of their stories in bullet form. These bullets will expand and drivers will be added as the season progresses.

·Tom "Doc" Brewer, driver of the #44 Pabst Blue Ribbon Pontiac who has earned his nickname honestly. He is a physician who trained in emergency room medicine but has a private practice in High Point, NC. He counts among his patients Bobby and Terry Labonte. This is a man who has actually saved lives of fellow competitors while they were racing but that story is for another day.
Interview with Doc Brewer

·Doc's new teammate in the #52 Old Milwaukee Pontiac, 37-year old Tim Nichols who was making his first trip to Daytona with his wife, Bubs, and two kids TC and Katie. The whole family was as excited about going to Disney World as they were about being at the World Center of Speed. That too, is another story for another day.
Interview with Tim Nichols

·Florida's own Derrick Kelley of Auburndale who was sitting on his first Goody's Dash pole for the AC Delco 200 in his Discount Auto Parts sponsored Pontiac. His car owner, George Crenshaw of Lakeland, is well-known in central Florida short track racing.

·Kelly "Girl" Sutton, an inspiration to us all in her Copoxone sponsored Pontiac. You may be asking what is Copoxone? It is the drug she takes for her multiple schlerosis that enables her to race. The Today Show will be wiring her car in a race and interviewing her soon on her amazing story. I have a feeling she will be a hero to us all before the season is over and you will definately hear more about her from me.

·The other young lady in the series, Angie Wilson, who turned the fastest times in testing in January. She has been racing against the boys half of her life but still retains her Southern grace and charm. You can see her sitting on the verandah of a plantation house, sipping mint juleps until she climbs into her Pontiac and puts on her racing helmet. Then she becomes "just one of the guys".
Interview with Angie Wilson

·Her racing buddy, Scott Redmon, who qualified 27th in his #27 Pontiac Sunfire but would start in the rear of the race on Saturday due to a change in cars. He ran five Dash races in 2000 and is running for Rookie of the Year.

·1994 Dash Champion David Hutto in his Germain Automotive Group sponsored Pontiac who made the race, starting 34th. Unfortunately, his team mate Scott Krehling of Naples did not make the field which was a disappointment to me as he was once one of "my boys" at Charlotte County Speedway.

·The "youngster" in the group, Scott Thornton, a 17 year old from Jacksonville who also failed to make the race after blowing his motor during qualifying. He still brought his car to the party, along with his pit crew, his dad, Mike, and grandfather, Sam. Scott grew up racing go-karts with fellow Young Lions BJ McLeod and Brad Barkis,It is not only the drivers that have a story to tell but the "behind the scenes" people as well, such as:

·"The Racing Bug", identity unknown. The world's fasting touring mascot, in his purple and green bug suit. He brought a stuffed animal to life to pique his young son's interest in stock car racing. Unfortunately, the closest the bug will get to DIS is the parking lot of Pep Boys as he is not an officially licensed NASCAR product.

·Ken Catlette, State Manager of Pabst Brewing of Florida, who has helped to bring Pabst and Old Milwaukee back into NASCAR after being overshadowed by the other breweries. A man with undying enthusiasm for stock car racing, he has works endlessly sending out information on the Dash Series to all his email buddies, myself included. No one works harder than Ken in promoting this series and it is people like him who will make this series a big name.

·Fred England, who drives Allison Legacy Cars. His crew chief is Donnie Allison and he is looking forward to racing at New Symrna Speedway next weekend. This weekend, however, he serves as cook and gas man to the Doc Brewer/Tim Nichols team.

Claypool and the DASH drivers would love to see pre-race autograph parties become a tradition for the Goodys Dash Series. I personally hope so because I want to be able to go to Lakeland this year and know I can get the rest of the story on my new friends and those who I didn't get the chance to talk to such as the Hobgood Brothers.

Pre-race autograph parties the night before each race. What a concept! I wonder who thought them up in the first place?

By Robin Smith Meiser

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

Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

By Jane Smith
On Saturday, February 17, the first race of the 2001 season for the American Speed Association will be held at Florida Speed Park in St. Augustine. This year every ASA race will be live on TNN and this will definitely help build the series and introduce to racing fans the racers of the ASA.

Gary St. Amant, the 2000 champion, was also the 2000 Snowball Derby Super Late Model winner so some Florida fans already know this driver. Mike Garvey is also a ASA racer but a few years back, raced along side of Mario Gosselin, Dick Anderson, and Bobby Gill in the Hooter Cup series. ASA has had many known drivers who have gone further into the ranks of the Winston Cup boys. Scott Wimmer, formerly Hooter's Pro Cup and now Winston Cup and Busch, will be replaced this year in ASA by his younger brother Chris. Chris has raced in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing for a few years now and he and Scott are both fondly part of the Florida Speedweeks racers.

This year, besides all the already known ASA drivers, there will be a few Florida boys in the opening race. One favorite will be Ricky Carlton, from Florida Pro, Florida Sunbelt and winner of the first Speedfest 2001 races in the Super Late Model division at Lakeland recently. According to all the women race fans, Ricky is one of the hottest drivers in Florida and not only for his driving ability but looks also. Maybe it is that genuine smile of his and that sparkling gold earring that makes him so popular.

During Speedfest last weekend, Mike Cope had his ASA car out on the track for some practice time before the big opening race. Mike is well known in Florida along with his brother Jimmy. And one of Florida Speed Park's own drivers will be in that line-up for Feburary 17 - Scott Lagassee, Jr. For Scott, Mike and Ricky this will be a very big day but for the 2000 Super Late Model Champion of Orlando SpeedWorld, this really will be a dream come true.

Travis Kittleson, 21, only started racing in June l999. He had dreamed of racing, talked his schoolmates' ears off about racing but never got into a racecar until he received a very special graduation present from his parents. For his high school gradution gift, Travis was sent to Buck Baker Driving School to learn how to be a racecar driver.

When Travis returned from the school, he again talked his classmates' ears off. For years, racing was his dream and very shortly it was to become a reality. A Super Late Model was built and Travis raced his first race at New Smyrna Speedway in June of l999.

Travis went on to race in a Florida Sunbelt race, the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2000, and to become the 2000 Super Late Model Track Champion at Orlando SpeedWorld. But even better than that was beating David Rogers, king of New Smyrna Speedway, on his own turf and doing it with grace and style. Pete Orr became Travis's crew chief and together, they have accomplished alot.

Now the true test is about to come for Travis, his first ASA race. Hopefully Travis will be able to race the whole season but if not, he plans to definitely run the seven races needed for Rookie of the Year. But Travis is not alone and will be joined by a number of good drivers also running for Rookie of the Year.

ASA will kick-off its season here in Florida, then venture out to California and come back for it's second and last race of the 2001 season in Florida at Lakeland's USA International. Then it is off to see the world by racetracks and TNN will be there to show the fans just how the racers do live each week.

The ASA series is a must see so mark your calendars and watch our boys.

Jane Smith

Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

By Robin Smith Meiser
Saturday, February 10 marks the official start to Speed Weeks 2001 at Daytona International Speedway. The traditional opener to the historic week for the 23rd year will be the Goody's Dash Discount Auto Parts 200. The series had its start in 1975 in North Wilkesboro North Carolina.
These compact versions of Winston Cup cars run 168 cubic inch, 134:1 compression four-cyclinder or 268 cubic inch, 9:1 compression V-6 engines and have 100-inch wheelbases. Chevrolet Cavaliers; Dodge Avengers; Ford Escorts; Pontiac Grand Ams and Sunfires; Toyota Celicas; and Mercury Cougars are the models that make up this touring division that race throughout the Southeast.

Relatively unknown until 1992 when Goody's Pharmaceuticals began title sponsorship, the series has experienced tremendous growth. Drivers such as Davey Allison, Michael Waltrip, Robert Pressley and Larry Pearson cut their race teeth in the Dash series. Shawna Robinson, the first woman to ever win a NASCAR touring event began in this series. Current champion Robert Huffman has taken the title three times.

One of the more colorful figures in the series is Tom "Doc" Brewer from High Point, N.C. He has earned his nickname honestly and actually is a physician. He is an internist who counts among his patients, current Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte and brother, two-time champion Terry.

Carrying the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo on his #44 Pontiac Sunfire, Brewer's best finish at Daytona has been third. The other sponsor on his car is none other than the notorious John Boy and Billy Race Team, the syndicated rock and roll morning show guys on 102.5 out of Tampa.

Brewer's new teammate is Tim Nichols of Cedar Bluff, Virginia who will make his Daytona Goody's Dash Series debut with the Old Milwaukee beer logo on his #52 Pontiac Sunfire.

Both drivers will be guests on Daytona Beach's WELE 1350's Talking Racing with Roland on Wednesday, February 7 from 6 pm to 7 pm., the perfect lead in to your Internet racing radio evening. Just go to www.wele.com to tune in and then tune into KARNAC.Racin' Talk from 7 pm until 9 pm. While you are listening to the shows, go to http://www.pabst.com/pbrr/index.asp to learn more about Doc, Tim and the Goody's Dash Series and have a few laughs with one of the craziest racing Websites around.

-Robin Meiser

[Robin Meiser and KARNAC.com Photographer Bill Hunt will be covering the Dash race from Daytona International Speedway.]



Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

by Robin Meiser
Sunday, February 4 dawned dark and dreary like the day before at USA International Speedway in Lakeland. Before the day was over it would be even darker for Florida late model racing legend Dickie Anderson (Wildwood) and up-and coming racer Jason Boyd (Orlando).

Qualifying was scrapped for the Super Late Models due to the inclement weather. Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acres) sat on the pole with Lake Monroe's Mike Good sitting alongside. As the field of 26 cars came around to complete one lap, Travis Kittleson (Merritt Island) went airborne after being part of a multi-car accident that brought out the red flag.

Twenty four cars took the second green flag but Fox spun coming out of Turn 4 and another melee ensued with all the lead cars being involved including Slim Jim All-Pro Series champion Billy Bigley, Jr. (Naples) and Ricky Carlton (Homasassa) among several others. The worst mishap was "Mr. Short Track's" Dickie Anderson's car, which suffered major damage. This ended Anderson's hopes of taking home the $75,000 bonus for winning all four segments of the Super Late Model series.

Quick pit work by Bigley and Carlton's crews brought them back out on the lead lap despite heavy damage. When race leader Peter Cozzolino of Avon, Indiana completed the first lap, only 18 cars were left on the track. As second place Good tried to pass Cozzolino, all eyes were on Mario Gosselin (Lake Wales) who was passing a car each lap as flames shot out of his tail pipe and on Carlton who was making up for lost time after starting in the rear.

Good took the lead on Lap 10 and steadily pulled away from the field. The best race on the track was between Gosselin and Carlton who were both in the Top 5 by the 25th lap. As Gosselin passed Cozzolino for third and was aiming for second place Scott Hantz (Angola, IN), disaster struck Carlton who experienced mechanical problems and headed for the pits. Gosselin passed for second shortly thereafter and was reeling in the leader when the caution flag flew for Canadian Donald Chisolm. Gosselin made a quick trip to the pits and dove out of the pits half a lap behind the leaders.

Good continued to lead with Hantz, Cozzolino, Larry Gelinas (Scarborough ME) and Bigley following close behind. Gosselin caught the field and was in a four-car battle for sixth place with cars going three-wide for sixth place. Gelinas moved around Cozzolino into second on Lap 63 while Good's lead widened.

The last five laps saw Gosselin joining Hantz and Bigley in a race for third position. Good took the win with fellow Ford driver Gelinas in second. Cozzolino, Bigley and Gosselin rounded out the Top Five.

Rusty Hillman (North Fort Myers) and David Logan (Jupiter) sat on the front row for the final 100-lap segment of the Late Model series. After a complete restart, Logan took an early lead as Jason Boyd (Orlando) came from midway through the pack on the outside to take fifth position by the second lap. His incentive to get to the lead was the $50,000 bonus promised if he could win all four segments. Boyd continued to pass cars while Shane Sawyer (Royal Palm Beach) tried to take the lead from Logan. Sawyer took the lead on Lap 8 as Boyd moved to third. Boyd's hopes blew up in smoke on Lap 15 along with his engine, forcing his early retirement after making a big name for himself during the first Springfest.

Sawyer continued to lead as second place Jason Crossey (West Palm Beach) kept him in his sight and Logan hung in for third. The best racing action was half a lap behind, as Hillman, Mike "Hobo" Hovis (North Fort Myers) and Joe Boyd (Riverview) battled for fourth.

Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acre) and Dwayne Dempsey (St. Petersburg) both made a trip to the pits and on the restart starting moving up through the field. As Sawyer continued to lead, Crossey and Logan followed behind. Hillman moved around fourth place Geoff Williams (Cocoa Beach) mid-way through the race and Crossey blew his motor shortly thereafter.

As Sawyer built up a straightaway lead on the rest of the field, Hovis hit the wall hard after his steering broke. Shortly, thereafter Hillman was put out of the race after a racing incident with Joe Boyd. Wayne Morris (Mulberry), Martin Pierce (Sanford), Dempsey and Tony Amico (Clearwater) battled for fourth behind the leaders. Morris won that battle but with two laps to go, Dempsey moved into fifth.

Sawyer dominated the race, taking home the win in the 100-lap race with ex-Legend car driver Logan in second. Joe Boyd finished third, Morris was fourth and Dempsey fifth.

As Dempsey still sat in his late model, the open wheel modifieds made way down pit row for their 50-lap race, causing him to make a made dash to his second race of the day. Joe Federico (Largo) and Tom Root (Orlando) sat on the front row. The field went three-wide on the start with Root taking an early lead as Steve Hauser, Jr. (Parish), second segment winner Jerry Symons (Edgewater) and Dempsey battled three-wide for second position.

By the ninth lap, Root was lapping cars but was overtaken by Symon on Lap 11. A few laps later Kiki Thomas (Tampa) hit the wall and a lap later double segment winner Doug Moff (Fort Myers) and Hauser both spun as they battled for position and were sent to the rear. Moff starting passing cars as soon as the green flag flew again moving up to sixth position in four laps. Several laps later, Jim "Hoot" Flynn (Orlando), Thomas, and Chet Morrison (Houma, LA) pirouetted down the front stretch, bringing out the yellow flag again.

Symons continued to lead with Root, Dempsey and Harold Scott (New Castle, IN) behind him until Scott fell off the pace moving Robert Ham (Ormond Beach) to fourth and Moff to fifth until both passed Dempsey. Moff hammered on Ham until he got around him for third.

A five lap shootout for the finish ensued after Thomas had yet another mishap. As Symons pulled away for the win, Root battled hard to keep Moff behind him to take second place while Moff settled for third. Ham and Scott rounded out the Top Five.

Scarborough Maine's Larry Gelinas sat on the pole in his beautiful Ford Mustang with Cozzolino alongside him with Bigley and Gosselin in the next row in the last Super Late Model race. Twenty-one cars took the green flag but in the tradition of the past several days, the yellow flag came out before a lap was completed as Ray Skillman (Indianapolis, IN) slid down the front stretch. A red flag was thrown by starter Dick Westfall due to a fuel leak in Chisholm's car.

Cozzolino led the first laps with Gelinas right behind. Suddenly on the third lap, Gosselin's car was off the pace coming out of Turn Four and he coasted down the front stretch. Weight from an unknown car had come through his floorboard, hitting him hard in the ankle, causing his early retirement from the race as the safety crew checked his severely bruised ankle.

Gelinas took the lead from Cozzolino. Meanwhile, Ricky Carlton (Homasassa) with a repaired racecar was making his way up through the field. As Gelinas pulled away in the lead, Bigley moved to second. Yellow Fever hit the track as the caution flag flew time after time but Gelinas fast Ford took off like a bullet on each restart. On Lap 72, Scott Hantz hit the wall hard bringing out the red flag again, just as Carlton moved to fifth position.

Soon thereafter Bigley, Cozzolino and Carlton had a freight train going for second position until the third segment winner Shane Sawyer hit the wall hard bringing out yellow yet again. Again Gelinas pulled away, leaving Bigley a distant second and Carlton third. In the end, Gelinas took the win, with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Rookie Bigley second and Carlton a respectable a third. Cozzolino had to settle for fourth and Jeff Emery (Longwood) was fifth.

In FASTRUCK Series racing action James Glover (Pinellas Park) took home the first place trophy. Mickey Kempgens (Tampa), Curt Haywood (Fort Lauderdale), Jim Gill (Sarasota) and Bobby "The Real" Diehl (Riverview) finished in the Top Five in the 50-lap race.

--Robin Meiser



Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

by Rick Anges
Night three turned into day three as the "King" of the 360 Sprint's at the 25th annual Winternationals at EastBay Raceway was called off by mother nature Saturday night and the final day was run on Sunday.

Jeff Shepard - 2001 'King' of the 360's

by Robin Meiser
You have to give it to USA International Speedway in Lakeland, they do everything within their power to put on a race. The State of Florida is under drought conditions and Central Florida finally gets a full day of rain on February 3. Great, right? Except for the drivers, teams, fans, officials and management who were trying to put on the first Springfest 2001 at the three quarter mile oval track.

With the first two days of racing under the Super Late Models, Late Models and Open Wheel Modifieds belts on February 1 and 2, the skies opened up and sun never came out on February 3. The FASTRUCK series arrived on the dreary morning as this was supposed to be the day they qualified for their season opening race on February 4 but they never even got a practice session until after 9 p.m.

Florida short track legend, Dickie Anderson (Wildwood), in a Super Late Model; and young Jason Boyd (Orlando) of the Late Model series already had two wins apiece in the first two segments. Should Anderson win all four races he would take home a purse of $75,000; if Boyd could do the same feat in the Late Models, he would win $50,000. Doug Moff (Fort Myers) and Jerry Symons (Edgewater) had each won a segment of the Open Wheel Modifieds.

Race teams huddled in the their trailers, talking about the good old days; Anderson and Boyd's excellent performance the prior two evenings; Billy Bigley, Jr.'s three year NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series deal with Spear Manufacturing; and the upcoming Speedweek. Through it all a slight drizzle continued well into the darkness.

The track vehicles finally hit the racing surface around 9 p.m. to dry the track. At 9:30, the drivers had their meeting and it was decided that only the Super Late Models would qualify that evening. At 10:20 p.m., the green flag was thrown on the 100-lap Late Model feature. Joe Boyd (Riverview) and Dwayne Dempsey (St. Petersburg) sat on the front row.

Before they could complete one lap, Tony Amico (Davenport) got loose on the backstretch resulting in an eight-car pileup.

The red flag came out while the officials cleared the track and fast work by pit crews brought six of the eight causalities back out to race. When the green flag dropped again, Dempsey led the first lap but Joe Boyd was reeling him in and Jason Boyd was part of a three-car freight train with them by Lap 13. Mike "The Hobo" Hovis (North Fort Myers) was trying to be the caboose and make it a four-car train but began suffering a loose racecar, allowing Shane Sawyer (Royal Palm Beach) to slide into fourth.

Jason Boyd made his move on Joe Boyd on Lap 30 and went into the second position and on Lap 33 he got around Dempsey to take the lead. By Lap 35, he was pulling away from the field and continued to do so until Johnny "Action" Jackson (Ellenton) spun on Lap 41 bringing out the caution flag. On Lap 47, an incident involving Hovis, Rusty Hillman (North Fort Myers), Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acres) and Mike Abbott brought out the caution flag but all got their spots back except for Abbott who had made a trip to the pits.

Raindrops began to fall on Lap 70 but the race continued. Third place running Larry Osteen (Orlando) brought out the caution flag on Lap 75 after hitting the front stretch wall.



When the checkered flag fell, Jason Boyd took his third win of the series with Dempsey, Joe Boyd, Sawyer and Hovis rounding out the Top Five.

A few raindrops continued to fall and the Open Wheels came out for their 30-lap event. Houma Louisiana's Chet Morrison sat on the pole with Kiki Thomas (Tampa) sitting along side of him. In a replay from the first race of the evening, the caution lag flew before a lap could be completed. Thomas led the first lap but Dwayne Dempsey, in his second race of the cold, late evening moved to the lead on the second lap. Meanwhile the first segment winner, Doug Moff had moved to second by the third lap after starting fifth.

The caution flags continued to fly as Moff repeatedly tried to pass Dempsey for the lead. Finally on one of the numerous restarts, Moff pulled alongside of Dempsey and passed him for the lead, taking the second race segment winner Jerry Symons with him to move into second. Moff began pulling way from the field by Lap 20 and with two laps to go, Dempsey was battling Symonds trying to regain second but was unable to do so.

Moff took his second win with Symons, Dempsey, Steve Hauser, Jr. (Parish) and Thomas finishing in the Top Five.

By this time it was almost 1 a.m., raindrops were still falling sporadically and the weather was getting colder. Track officials made the decision to run a double feature for the Super Late Models at 2 p.m. on February 4, along with the Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds and FASTRUCK series. All in all, it was a late show fans won't soon forget.

By Robin Meiser

[Stay tuned for full Results from Sunday, plus video and photo Gallery available]

Saturday Results:

Limited Late Models
1 15 Jason Boyd Orlando, FL
2 7 Dwayne Dempsey St. Petersburg, FL
3 5 Joe Boyd Riverview, FL
4 138 Shane Sawyer Royal Palm Beach, FL
5 29 Mike Hovis North Fort Myers, FL
6 11 David Logan Jupiter, FL
7 07 Rusty Hillman North Fort Myers, FL
8 17 Jason Crossey West Palm Beach, FL
9 4 Randy Fox Lehigh, FL
10 1 John Jackson Ellenton, FL
11 75 Martin Pierce Sanford, FL
12 56 Wayne Morris Mulberry, FL
13 63 Dawayne Bryan Polk City, FL
14 10 Steve Dorer Lakeland, FL
15 77 Tony Amico Clearwater, FL
16 31 Jeff Dufresne Ft. Myers, FL.
17 71 Larry Osteen Orlando, FL
18 47 Chris Fontaine Lakeland, FL
19 3 Edward Howell Bradley Junction, FL
20 38 Ron Regula Miami, FL
21 57 Chad Pierce Orlando, FL
22 23 Mike Abbott Arcadia, FL
23 61 Richard Kelly Gulfport, FL
24 01 Jeff Wogman Ft. Myers, FL
25 58 Keith Lilly Lakeland, FL
26 86 Kevin Ingram Auburndale, FL
27 81 Mike Cioffi Lox, FL
7x Craig Brown Ft. Lauderdale, FL
28 401 Eddie Miller Pompano Beach, FL
29 00 Terry Thompson Lakeland, FL

Modifieds
1 46 Doug Moff Ft. Myers, FL
2 66 Jerry Symons Edgewater, FL
3 6 Dwayne Dempsey St. Petersburg, FL
4 52 Steve Hauser Jr. Parish, FL
5 19 Kiki Thomas Tampa, FL
6 119 Tom Root Orlando, FL
7 26 Joe Fedrico Largo, FL
8 57 Jim "Hoot" Flynn Orlando, FL
9 86 Chet Morrison Houma, LA
10 1 Steve Christman Ft. Wayne, IN
11 64 David Baxley Anthony, FL
12 81 David Seeright Haines City, FL
13 29 Dean Best Edgerton, OH
14 7 Al Marmonde Houma, LA
15 981 David Sonnemberg Auburndale, FL
16 55 Billy Mowery Clearwater, FL
17 98 Jerry Lee Yarbrough Jacksonville, FL
18 152 Robert Ham Ormond Bch, FL
19 14 Aric Almirola Tampa, FL
20 8 D.J. Hoelzle Dunedin, FL

TAMPA, FL - The temperature dropped 15 degrees after an afternoon rain and cold front moved over East Bay Raceway during the afternoon free barbeque for drivers, owners, crews and families.

But the racing action couldn't have been hotter on the second preliminary night of the three-day 3rd Annual $64,000 King of 360's as a "Florida Boy," Kenny Adams won the $l,500 first place prize, plus the $500 bonus money offered by USCS President, Pete Walton. Adams expressed his feelings about the win, "So many people worked so many hours to make this happen. I'm happy a Floridian won."

With the fastest six qualified cars inverted for the 25-lap A-Main, Mike Woodring, who normally runs the Empire Super Sprints based in New York, sat on the pole in his own No. 19 Trevis Craft with Kelly Kinser outside in the NBC Steering, Stealth. Last night's winner, Lance Dewease put the Harz J&J in third starting spot with Gary Wright outside. The team cars of Adams and Red Stauffer made up the third row. It was Kinser who led the first lap before the caution had to come out for Christie Passmore. Kinser led again running high in unfamiliar territory, according to his usual low-line style. But the yellow came out again on lap three for Stauffer, slowing the pace and bunching up the field.

Gary Wright finished secondon a borrowed motor behind Kenny Adams.


When Dewease, who was running second, saw Kinser on top, he went to the other extreme and ran a tight inside groove. He almost made it work and it was a side-by-side completion of the fifth lap. Wright had been very much in the mix and split the two front runners, getting by Dewease on lap six, but not quite getting the job done on the high flying Kinser. Kinser led Wright on lap nine with Adams passing Dewease for third. Adams got noticably faster at this point and worked the lapped traffic to his advantage, slipping into the lead on lap ten. By the next round, it was Adams, Wright, Dewease, Kinser and Wayne Johnson in fifth. Kinser spun and then pulled out.

A caution cleared the lapped traffic and the leaders showed their strength, just blowing away the competition and stretching their margins as the fans watched a four-car length lead separate Adams from Wright and equally spaced distances between Wright and Dewease and ditto for Dewease and Johnson and now add Ronald Laney. One more strategic caution came out for a spin by Jason Johnson in turn four set up a two lap dash to the finish. But Adams was up to the challenge, holding off Wright, who "broke a motor last night" and they borrowed one of Dupuy's engines. Next came Dewease, who admitted, "I messed up and let Gary and Kenny get by and I kind of lost my rhythm." Wayne Johnson, Laney and Jeff Shepard ranked next. Rounding out the top ten, it wasJeff Shepard, Joey Saldana, Travis Rilay, Jason Sides and Kenny Jacobs.

The track surface was slower tonight because of the afternoon rain and Red Stauffer was the only driver of the 69 cars on hand to qualify in the 12 second bracket with a time of 12.921. The eight heats went to Larry Neighbors, Mike Chadd, Paul McMahan, Saldana, Kinser, Terry McCarl, Rilat and Jason Johnson.

The C-Main went to Jacobs and the twin B's were won by Adams and Jacobs. Michael Depuy was the happy winner of the Invitational Dash worth $1,000 to him. The race is for all drivers that do not make the A-Main and the 10-car field is picked by luck of the draw. Track owner Kolan had Jack Miller announce some shocking news at the drivers' meeting. For those who have worn the King of 360's crown.....that would be Gary Wright and Ronald Laney, there will be a $5,000 bonus in store for either of them if they can repeat on Saturday night.

EAST BAY RACEWAY 25TH ANNIVERSARY WINTERNATIONALS

TIME TRIALS: 1. Red Stauffer, Winter Park FL, Stauffer 2 , 12.921 2. Kenny Adams, Malibar FL, 2A , 13.032 3. Gary Wright, Hooks TX.,Wright 9 , 13.043 4. Lance DeWease, Fayetteville PA, Harz 88H , 13.048 5. Kelly Kinser, Bloomington IN, 31K , 13.054 6. Mike Woodring, Hamburg NY, Woodring 19W , 13.155 7. Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge OH, Hampshire 63 , 13.343 8. Jeff Shepard, Upperco MD, 31J , 13.388 9. Sport Allen, Pinellas Park FL, 88A , 13.442 10. Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City OK, Threatt 29 , 13.470 11. Ronald Laney, Humble TX, Laney 52 , 13.493 12. Michael Dupuy, Amite LA, 00 , 13.562 13. Casey Johnson, Sarasota FL, 31 , 13.628 14. Kenny Jacobs, Holmesville OH.,Jacobs/Honecker 6 , 13.642 15. Ryan Flynn, Chico CA, Flynn F1 , 13.645 16. Jason Johnson, Greenville TX.,Row 41 , 13.662 17. Jason Sides, Bartlett TN, Hunting Catalog 7 , 13.662 18. Mike Chadd, Lincoln NE.,Chadd 4 , 13.675 19. Paul McMahan, Bristol IN, 97 , 13.683 20. Joey Saldana, Brownsburg IN, Saldana Mtrsprt 17 , 13.684 21. Dan Bennett, Pendleton NY, 61 , 13.719 22. Terry McCarl, Pleasant Hill IA, McCarl 3M .,13.747 23. Brian Smith, Mooresville NC, 11S , 13.800 24. Phil Mott, , Mott 5M , 13.845 25. Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City OK, Neighbors 29N , 13.857 26. Tim Hunter, Millersburg OH, 2H , 13.862 27. Travis Rilat, Texas City TX, Archer U2 , 13.866 28. Christi Passmore, Pryor OK, GAP Roofing 1AX, 13.879 29. Jon Eldreth, Rising Sun MD, Eldreth 25 , 13.918 30. George Suprick, Clarks Summitt PA, Suprick 87 , 14.026 31. Shane Morgan, , 01 , 14.038 32. Tim Crawley, Mabelvale AR, 91 , 14.056 33. John Bankston, Beaumont TX, Bankston 8 , 14.091 34. Scott Young., Mooresville NC, B29 , 14.110 35. Terry Pletch, Frankfurt IN, Pletch 29P , 14.113 36. Dale Howard, Bihalia MS, Northrop Racing 47 , 14.229 37. Buzz Wilson, Scranton PA, 38 , 14.249 38. Chad Jones, Holmesville OH, Jones V8 , 14.269 39. Tracy Nichols, Columbia MO, 19N , 14.310 40. Steven King, Jetmore KS.,King Family 88K , 14.347 41. Zach Chappell, Talala OK, Chappell 50Z , 14.349 42. Curt Michael, Ocean View DE., 87M , 14.364 43. Tommy Thompson, Coconut Creek FL, 3T , 14.440 44. Bubba Clem, Tampa FL, 98 , 14.452 45. Greg Leonard, Gibsonton FL, 94 , 14.475 46. Tim Montgomery, Fredericktown MO, Montgomery 32 , 14.494 47. Johnny Gilbertson, Jupiter FL, 11 , 14.504 48. Kelly Angelette, Thibideau LA, Angelette 19A , 14.511 49. Greg Coverdale, Milford DE, 56C , 14.554 50. Ben Basinger, , 96 , 14.632 51. Tony Norem, Montgomery MN, Sibet B1 , 14.652 52. Todd Wise, Greenwood DE, X , 14.658 53. Bobby Courtwright, Evans GA, 48 , 14.699 54. Kevin Frisbie, East Linn MO, Frisbie 38K , 14.711 55. Wayne Pennington, Orrick MO, 71 , 14.765 56. Mike Tharp, ., 8M , 14.793 57. Paulie Milum, Sarasota FL, 42 , 14.801 58. Frank Carlson, Oxford FL, 20 , 15.040 59. Todd Frisbie, Grain Valley MO, 38F , 15.059 60. Michael Craddock, Olive Branch MS, 31C , 15.084 61. Joe Bustillos, Tulsa OK, Bustillos 37 , 15.362 62. Carmen Carnibucci, Coeymans NY, 81 , 15.690 63. Randy Miller, Rapid City SD, 2DM, 15.850 64. David Levingston, Belleville OH, 43L , 16.187 65. Chad Livingston, Lucas OH, 74L , 16.710 66. Howard Singer, , Singer 26 , 16.758 67. Jeff VanDusen, Englewood FL., 56 , 20.015 68. Mike Partin, Pembroke Pines FL, 14 , 69. Doug Day, Townville NC, 2D ,

HEAT 1 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Larry Neighbors, 2. Jason Sides, 3. Red Stauffer, 4. Sport Allen, 5. John Bankston, 6. Zach Chappell, 7. Greg Coverdale, 8. Paulie Milum, 9. Chad Livingston,

HEAT 2 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Mike Chadd, 2. Wayne Johnson, 3. Tim Hunter, 4. Scott Young., 5. Ben Basinger, 6. Kenny Adams, 7. Curt Michael, 8. Frank Carlson, 9. Howard Singer,

HEAT 3 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Paul McMahan, 2. Gary Wright, 3. Travis Rilat, 4. Ronald Laney, 5. Tony Norem, 6. Terry Pletch, 7. Jeff VanDusen, 8. Tommy Thompson, 9. Todd Frisbie,

HEAT 4 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Joey Saldana, 2. Christi Passmore, 3. Lance DeWease, 4. Michael Dupuy, 5. Dale Howard, 6. Todd Wise, 7. Michael Craddock, 8. Bubba Clem,

HEAT 5 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Kelly Kinser, 2. Jon Eldreth, 3. Dan Bennett, 4. Greg Leonard, 5. Buzz Wilson, 6. Mike Partin, 7. Joe Bustillos, 8. Bobby Courtwright, 9. Casey Johnson,

HEAT 6 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Terry McCarl, 2. George Suprick, 3. Kenny Jacobs, 4. Mike Woodring, 5. Chad Jones, 6. Kevin Frisbie, 7. Carmen Carnibucci, 8. Tim Montgomery,

HEAT 7 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Ryan Flynn, 2. Greg Wilson, 3. Brian Smith, 4. Shane Morgan, 5. Tracy Nichols, 6. Johnny Gilbertson, 7. Randy Miller, 8. Wayne Pennington,

HEAT 8 10 Laps, : 0.0 1. Jason Johnson, 2. Jeff Shepard, 3. Tim Crawley, 4. Steven King, 5. Phil Mott, 6. Kelly Angelette, 7. Mike Tharp, 8. David Levingston,

C FEATURE 12 Laps, No Time 1. Kenny Adams. 2. Greg Coverdale. 3. Casey Johnson. 4. Randy Miller. 5. Bobby Courtwright. 6. Mike Tharp. 7. Michael Craddock. 8. Joe Bustillos. 9. Todd Frisbie. 10. David Levingston. 11. Jeff VanDusen. 12. Chad Livingston. 13. Tommy Thompson. 14. Frank Carlson. 15. Tim Montgomery. 16. Wayne Pennington. 17. Paulie Milum. 18. Carmen Carnibucci. 19. Howard Singer. 20. Curt Michael. 21. Bubba Clem. 22. Doug Day.

B FEATURE #1 15 Laps 1. Kenny Adams. 2. Lance DeWease. 3. Ronald Laney. 4. Travis Rilat. 5. Red Stauffer. 6. Michael Dupuy. 7. Sport Allen. 8. Tim Hunter. 9. Zach Chappell. 10. John Bankston. 11. Casey Johnson. 12. Tony Norem. 13. Terry Pletch. 14. Dale Howard. 15. Scott Young.. 16. Todd Wise. 17. Curt Michael 18. Michael Craddock. 19. Jeff VanDusen. 20. Ben Basinger. 21. Todd Frisbie. 22. Bobby Courtwright.



B FEATURE #2 15 Laps 1. Kenny Jacobs 2. Tim Crawley. 3. Mike Woodring. 4. Brian Smith. 5. Chad Jones. 6. Shane Morgan. 7. Steven King. 8. Greg Leonard. 9. Randy Miller. 10. Buzz Wilson. 11. Phil Mott. 12. Tracy Nichols. 13. Kelly Angelette. 14. Joe Bustillos. 15. Kevin Frisbie. 16. David Levingston. 17. Mike Partin. 18. Chad Livingston. 19. Greg Coverdale. 20. Johnny Gilbertson. 21. Mike Tharp. 22. Dan Bennett.

A FEATURE 25 Laps, No Time 1. Kenny Adams. 2. Gary Wright. 3. Lance DeWease. 4. Wayne Johnson. 5. Ronald Laney. 6. Jeff Shepard. 7. Joey Saldana. 8. Travis Rilat. 9. Jason Sides. 10. Kenny Jacobs. 11. Mike Woodring. 12. Greg Wilson. 13. Paul McMahan. 14. Terry McCarl. 15. Jason Johnson. 16. Mike Chadd. 17. Ryan Flynn. 18. Larry Neighbors. 19. Tim Crawley. 20. Jon Eldreth. 21. Chad Jones. 22. Brian Smith. 23. George Suprick. 24. Christi Passmore. 25. Kelly Kinser. 26. Red Stauffer.

LAP LEADERS: KELLY KINSER 1-9, KENNY ADAMS 10-25

By Bill Green
Amazing! That's all there is to say about the Opening Day of the "King of the 360s WinterNationals." Seventy-three of the nations fastest and most talented drivers were on hand for what would be an amazing night of open wheeled action.

Qualifying set the pace for the evening when the old track record of 13.070 seconds, was eclipsed by 13 different drivers, and literally shattered by two. First man to punch past the old mark was the 87M driver Curt Michael out of Carlisle, PA. He turned a respectable 12.947. That only lasted until his teammate George Suprick, from the same hometown, burned a 12.827 lap. The next car to assault the new settings was the 31K of young Kelly Kinser, from Bloomington, IN. His 12.817 looked to be a contender for the $1000 bonus for a new track record, but a few cars later, another amazing thing would happen.

Kenny Adams, from lovely Malaber, FL., held the previous track record. In Wednesday's practice my own Casio stopwatch had the 2A driver in the 12.68 to 12.70 range, but the competition appeared well prepared, so maybe he would not repeat as the fastest of the clay. His first qualifying lap was so fast from the stripe to turn 3, it seemed as if the atmospheric pressure had suddenly changed, my ears popped.

Time, 12.488 seconds. The crowd went wild, was this guy human? Second lap, 12.431 seconds. You really had to have been watching all the 13 and 14 second laps that were ground out, to realize the quickness with which this amazing 2A machine moved on the clay. A $1000 richer and paving a path to legendary status, Kenny Adams took it all in stride. Just another day at the 750 horsepower office.

Being over shadowed and upstaged is common news for Adam's teammate, and long time friend, Red Stauffer. Coming out of Winter Park, FL., Red turned the second fastest time of the day, 12.627 seconds, but would scramble through the day and into the feature event with more laps on the day than anyone. For the record, 13 drivers were under the old track record in qualifying.

Lance DeWease would pilot the 88H sprinter from Fayetteville, PA, to a third fastest time on the day, 12.810. Kinser and Suprick round out the top 5, at 4th and 5th respectively, with their earlier track record runs. Ryan Flynn's F1 entry would squeeze a 12.858 out of the longest haul to the East Bay Raceway clay, for 6th on the list. The 63 of Greg Wilson was 7th with a 12.909, and Curt Michael would settle for 8th after holding the track record for 8 minutes. The only regular runner at East Bay to break into the top 10, was young gun Greg Leonard and his new UPS sponsored car, turning a respectable 12.973 for 9th, with the 19W of Mike Woodring being the only car in the 10, with a 13 second lap, of 13.002.

Forty-four winged wonders ran in the 13 second class, so you knew it was going to be a great night of heat, C-main, and B-main action, before the 25 lap feature event.

Coming into the 8 heats, the driver's knew only two cars from each would go forward, with 3 from each of two C-mains going to the B-mains, and 5 from each of the two B-mains going back on qualifying times to the feature event. Heat-1 saw Kenny Adams coast to victory and the feature event over the 7 of Bartlett, TN driver, Jason Sides.

Heat-2 saw the first contact, as Dale Howard, John Bankston, and Red Stauffer are lapping the ill running 11 of Johnny Gilbertson. Gilbertson apparently felt the urge to run with this lead threesome, and in the process collected a hard charging Stauffer, sending him over on his wing. Howard's 47 out of Byhalia, MS took the win, with Bankston's Beaumont, TX ride was second. Heat-3 saw the 6 of Kenny Jacobs upside down, while the 91 of Tim Crawley, Marblevale, AR, took the win and Joey Saldana, of Brownsburg, OH, put his 17 into the feature.


Heat-4 had Kelly Kinser loose his powerplant as he exited turn 4 with one to go, securing the win for Oklahoma City's 29 of Wayne Johnson, over the U2 of Travis Rilat, Texas City, TX second. Heat-5 was won by the spooky 00 eyes of Michael Dupuy, but only after the runaway 87 of George Suprick made contact with the poor handling 22 of Rick Koehler on the back stretch, but recovered for the second place finish.

Heat-6 got the crowd on it's feet as local hero "Superman" Sport Allen and his St. Petersburg, FL #88 battled lap after lap with the 01 of Shane Morgan, making the final pass for the win in turn 1 as the white flag flew. Heat-7 would see the 41 of Jason Johnson hold off the 63 of Greg Wilson for top honors. Heat-8 had last years King of the 360s Ron Laney and his Humble, TX #52 giving driving lessons on how to be a King, as he muscled his way past the 2D of Doug Day in crowd screaming style, for the win.

The first C-main saw the 2 of Stauffer recover for a B-main opportunity, with the 19 of Woodring second, and young Sheldon Kinser, JR's 22K third. The second C-main would see the 71 of Wayne Pennington and the 42 of local driver Paulie Milum tangle out of turn 2 and lock the cars together for a two car flat spin out of contention. Allowing the F1 with Flynn at the wheel into first, Phil Mott's 5M second, and Jeff Shepard's 31J third.

The B-main's started with some excitement as the ill-fated #11 of Gilbertson bicycled it's way off the track through the turn 3 wall and out of sight. Gilbertson was OK, and soon appeared in, then walked through the new hole and back toward the pits. Lance DeWease would win B-main-1 in his 88H, with the 29 of Wayne Johnson second, the 3M of McCarl third, Woodring's 19W stayed alive in 4th, and the 2 of Stauffer made the main event after all, 5th. B-main-2 had the 4 of top running Mike Chadd on its roof, but the F1 of Flynn would out last 87 of Suprick as he slid to the final transfer spot. Getting the other 3 transfers would be the 31J of Shepard, the 97 of Paul McMahan, and the lady favorite 1A of Christie Passmore.

The 25 lap feature event started off with a miss fire, the Mulligan 3 of McCarl came out of gear and coasted to a stop in turn 3 with one lap in the book. After 7 laps of realignment, DeWease and Adams battled through traffic, often as if it where standing still. It was clear sailing till lap 21 when the 2D of Day slowed out of power on the front stretch. Then the restart frenzy began. The F1 of Flynn got turned around at the top of turn 3 & 4, with Stauffer's #2 popping the left front, as he lead the #88 of Sport Allen through the others spinning to miss Flynn. Next restart saw the 41 of Johnson, 52 of Laney, and 97 of McMahan tangle in turn 1, bringing on restart #3 at lap 22. Next restart saw track record holder Adams burp and not get up to speed, but as he stayed low to keep clear, a back marker collected him and he was left facing the wrong way in turn 2. Finally, restart 5 of laps 22 & 23 finished the feature just short of 1 AM.

The winner Lance DeWease in the 88H was glad that lap 25 came when it did, as the 17 of Saldana finishing second looked to have something for him, as well as the third place finisher Travis Rilat in the U2 machine. Rounding out the first nights top 10 were: Wayne Johnson (29) 4th, Jeff Shepard (31J) 5th, Greg Wilson (63) 6th, Tim Crawley (91) 7th, George Suprick (87) 8th, Mike Woodring (19W) 9th, and Michael Dupuy (00) 10th. The highest finishing local racer was the 12th place of McCarl (3M), followed by Sport Allen (88A) 13th.

When we finally caught up with winner DeWease, he said "I thought we were OK all day. We changed the motor after the heat, but the track was very fast and racy, with a wider groove that helped through traffic. We won't change anything for tomorrow. I'm happy with the results."

On to Day-2 at East Bay Raceway's WinterNationals.

Bill Green




Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!

by Bill Green
As I arrived at East Bay Raceway to visit with the 360 drivers gathering for the 25TH Anniversary WINTERNATIONALS, I was surprised to see over 70 motorhomes in the parking area. This may not be the best way to judge an event, but motorhomes bring people, and people make these big shows exciting.

Archived News

Copyright© Future Enterprises 1997-2001 KARNAC.com is electronically published by Future Enterprises. The KARNAC© name, logo and trademarks are owned by and used with the permission of Future Enterprises of Florida. Reproduction or republishing in whole or part for inclusion in any work is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the electronic publisher. Information may, however, be printed for the sole purpose of contacting our advertisers.