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2001
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| Matt Watts Takes Win No. 1 in Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series | by Jane Smith
(KNS)Samsula, FL. - Thirty eight of
Florida's finest Mini Stocks were on hand for the
first race of 2002 for the Florida Mini Stock
Challenge Series. The Acousti Engineering Co.
of Florida's 50 lap event was held at New Smyrna
Speedway with drivers from Hialeah Speedway,
Sunshine Speedway, Charlotte County Speedway,
Citrus County Speedway, Bronson International
Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, Orlando SpeedWorld,
DeSoto Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway filled
the pits.
Only one of the thirty eight Mini
Stocks was not able to qualify or race due to
a hot lap accident. The #28 of young Sean Bass,
an up and coming Mini Stock driver, had to sit
out the first race but said, "I will definitely
be there for the May race at Orlando Speed-
World." Also on hand was the 2001 Florida Mini
Stock Challenge Champion Frank Welch who will
defend his championship.
Corbin Gibbs set fast time with a 21.585 followed
by his teammate Matt Watts with a 21.702. But
when that ever favorite "pill" was drawn, it
was the #1 of David Castello, 2001 Rookie of the
Year at New Smyrna Speedway for the Mini Stock
division, on that most wanted position, the POLE.
Castello quickly jumped to the lead when the green
was thrown but before the first lap was in the
books, the yellow came out for caution #1 as the
#07 of Dick Laszlo spun going into turn 2. A
complete restart since no lap was in the books
and this time it was the #65 of Joey Catarelli
to the lead but not for long as the #1 of
Castello makes his move on Catarelli and takes
back his position. The #71 of David Maskwa
brushes the frontstretch wall but is able to
continue with no yellow being thrown.
Caution 2 came out for the #31 of Chad Carpenter
and the #90 of Josh Hermann who spin in the bottom
of turn 4. The field is realigned with Castello
still in the lead followed by Welch, Clark, Sirmans,
and Lee Davis. On the restart, Sirmans is shuffled
out of the top five by #3 Matt Watts.
Debris brings out caution #3 and as the cars are
getting ready to restart, the #1 of Castello slows
and suddenly goes into the pits turning the lead
over to Welch. Castello loses about 20 laps but
does return to the field and proves that he had
the winning car as he quickly takes the #1 from
the rear of the field to the front. But once
again Lady Luck steps in and Castello is forced
back in the pits.
When the race goes green, Welch finds himself
being pressured by the #3 of Watts. Watts is
on the back bumper of the #96 Mini Truck and
eventually rattles the cage and takes the lead
position putting Welch to second. Caution #4
then comes out for the #98 of Josh Hermann who
has spun in turns 3 and 4 on lap 16.
The restart has Watts up front but Welch is now
riding his bumper for the lead. Welch makes his
move, makes it stick and now has the lead
position back. On lap 22, caution 5 comes out
as the #77 of Lee Davis breaks and gets hung
up on the upper groove. Davis finally makes
it into the pits to end his night. When the
race goes green, the #71 of Ted "Mr Mini Stock"
Vulipus retires to the pits ending his hopes
of a win for the night. A short green flag
period follows when caution #6 comes out
for the #57 of Travis Kuykendall who has spun
out and the #1 of Castello returns to the track.
Once again, another short green period as the #31
of Chad Carpenter spins coming out of turn 4 with
the #1 of Castello narrowly missing the spun out
car. One lap later, the caution comes out again
for caution #8 as the #15 of Tim Clark spins coming
out of turn 2 on the backstretch. On the restart,
it is Welch, Watts, Gibbs, #7x Clint Foley and
#70 Marty Neikens. Lap 30 sees the #23 of Wayne
Wells go into the pits for some TLC but does return
to the track.
Lap 31, caution #9 comes out for the #98 of Josh
Hermann who has hit the frontstretch wall. On the
restart, Welch has the lead but Watts is knocking
on his back door loud and clear. Watts makes the
pass and takes over the lead putting Welch second.
The race goes green until lap 37 when caution #10
comes out for the #05 Rick Sirmans who has hit the
frontstretch wall. Sirmans is okay but the car is
damaged. When the green is thrown for the last
time, #65 Joey Catareli and #70 Marty Neikens are
going hard and heavy side by side for the third
place position. Neikens slides up as Catarelli
takes the spot putting Neikens back to the sixth
place position. Welch is now going high, low but
cannot make the pass on Watts for the lead
position.
The #15 of Time Clark spins out at the entrance to
pit road but out of harm's way so no yellow is
thrown. As Clark sits there, the race is really
getting hot and heave. Last lap, racing for the
start/finish line, Welch is spun out right where
Clark is sitting. Luckily Welch's truck does not
touch Clark's car. Matt Watts finds himself in
the Winner's Circle and thanks his crew, his family,
and all the fans for his victory.
The Mini Stock drivers all said that this was the
best series and they don't know why no one ever
did one before now. They all are looking forward
to the other races this year especially the race
in September at Sebring International Raceway.
The next race for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge
Series will be May 10 at Orlando SpeedWorld.
OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS
1. #3 Matt Watts
2. #65 Joey Catarelli
3. #2 Corbin Gibbs
4. #70 Marty Neikens
5. #99x Tom Clark
6. #7 Tim "Missileman" McPhail
7. #12x Wes Pyburn
8. #30 Robbie Storer
9. #97 Brian Dorer
10. #98x Jeff Davis
11. #42 Eddie Lowery
12. #9 Dale Casteel
13. #40 Dennis Valdez
14. #66 Donnie Lockard
15. #96 Frank Welch
16. #71 David Moskwa
17. # v3 Rex Christensen
18. #112 Justin Edwards
19. #15x Tim Clark
20. #23 Wayne Wells
21. #05 Rick Sirmans
22. #29 Richie Acres
23. #7x Clint Foley
24. # 90 Michael Stoveer
25. #98 Josh Hermann
26. #1 David Castello
27. #45 Joe Irwin
28. #31 Chad Carpenter
29. #71x Ted Vulipus
30. #99k Jason Kuykendall
31. #57 Travis Kuykendall
32. #77 Lee Davis
33. #07 Dick Laszlo
34. #3x Cory Kaiser
35. #8 Trish Gray
36. #34 Josh Robinson
37. #15 Don Strosahl, Jr.
38. #28 Sean Bass (did not race)
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