By Rick Anges

Bradenton.Fl. (KNS)- The heat was on at Desoto Super Speedway Saturday as the temps reached into the mid 90s when the All American Challenge Series Super Late Models hit the track for qualifying.

Several competitors were having problems before qualifying including Jeff Scofield the points leader who was having handling trouble and young B.J. McLeod who had been battling the flu for most of the week.

Justin Drawdy #12 had his mount hooked up and was the Keels-n-Wheels fast qualifier for the nights 125 lap main event.

After the roll of the die the Old Man as people like to call him, Dave Pletcher #75 sat on the pole with the #64 of Bobby Coyle sitting on the outside of the front row. It took three tries before the field was able to take the green flag, Joe Boyd #5 who had earlier said that he thought he had the car to beat broke a rear end on the start bunching the field up and sending Jimmy Thompson #56 flying up on one the berms protecting the infield lights. Jimmy walked away from the wreck but his car was not lucky having to be towed off the track and ending his night.

When the green finally flew it was Pletcher taking the early lead but it wasnt long before Drawdy was able to slide under him and take the point. Jimmy Cope in the familiar #61 was also able to get by Pletcher and move into the second spot.

On lap seven Cope was able to get the nose of the #61 machine under Drawdy and took the lead but Drawdy was not going to give up that easy. Drawdy was able to catch Cope going into the turns and get the front end of his machine under Cope but the veteran was able to power away down the straights.

Johnny Jackson in the #1 was having a good night running in the top five and challenging Pletcher for the third spot at one time but engine problems forced him to park his ride in the infield after a strong run.

Drawdy who had right front damage on his car from getting under Cope so many times finally was able to loosen him up and get by to retake the lead.

Just before the half way mark Mike Abbott who had a good run going spun in a cloud of smoke coming out of turn two and was plowed into by the #53 of Richard Till who had no where to go. Both cars took extensive damage and had to retire for the evening. Cope meanwhile darted into the pits with a right rear tire going down. Quick work by his crew got him back out on the tail end of the lead lap.

Mr. Excitement showed why he had earned that name as he came from the rear of the pack to move into the second spot behind Drawdy. Cope was all over the back bumper of the #12 who slipped on what seemed worn tires letting Cope and several other cars by. Drawdy had his hands full the rest of the race and spun several times once being collected by the #00 of Robert Yoho. Yohos ride was done for the night but Justin was able to continue.

From that point on it was like racing from times gone by as Pletcher was doing everything he could to get by Cope but having to keep his eye in his mirror as McLeod had moved his way up into the third spot from starting near the rear of the pack.

Cope was able to hold off the two and claim his second win in the fifth race of the A.A.C.S. Pletcher held on to second, McLeod with a great run after being sick all week was third, the Felda Flash #89 came across the stripe in fourth and rounding out the top five was points leader Jeff Scofield who held off Drawdy at the stripe, Scofield also took the hard charger award for the night.

Open Wheel Modifieds

Rocco Ranallo #67 stayed on the rear bumper of #15 Bill Davis and powered himself to another feature win in the modified division.

Timmy Moore #57 had a good run and took the second spot and the Timber Wolf hard charger award for the night. Phillip Morrison #63 was third, Bill Davis held on for fourth and and fifth went to the #80 of Chris Dean.

Sportsmen

The always-exciting sportsmen class hit the high banks and the action was hot and heavy from the drop of the green flag. James Knight in the #23 Red Wing Shoes sponsored machine who was making his come back from a blown motor earlier in the year got tangled up with the #12 of Cliff Bifaro on the back stretch causing front end damage to the #23 machine and having to be taken off on the hook putting a disappointing end to his night, Bifaro was able to continue. Early race leader Wallace Body Damage Ramsey #38 had motor problems and had to make a dash into the pits under caution, he was able to make it back out onto the track but several laps down.

Lonnie Miller #98 in his brand new ride was making his way towards the front of the back and got collected up with the #72 James Casaday sending both cars sliding towards the the turn four wall. Miller was able to keep his car off the concrete but Casady was not so lucky and took the brunt of the hit and had to take a wrecker ride back to the pits.

Johnny Casady in the #3 had a better night and drove away from second place Gus Coorseen #42 to take the victory. Miller was able to overcome the early race incident and take the third spot, fourth went to Jimmy Cook #89 and fifth was #8 Steve Black.

Mini-Stocks

It was a tough night for some of the mini-stock competitors especially last weeks winner #84 Robert Haygood as he got tangled up in traffic and his car was sent airborne smacking the turn four wall hard with all four wheels off the ground.

Haygood was able to walk away from the wreck. Arlin Pope #98 was able to stay out of trouble and with some great re-starts took the trophy and the victory in a tough fought race. John Wilson #05 was able to hold off a good run from the #30 of Jessie Dutilly to take the second spot, Shane Whitbeck #22 and Todd Freed jr. #97 rounded out the top five.

Street Stocks

Scott Woodland #77 proved he had what it took and won the street stock feature finishing ahead of fast Matt Sheffler #10x. The rest of the top five were #27 Jonathan Hiedenthal, #10 Todd Wozniak, and #75 Brenda Close.

Legends

The Legends cars were next up on the grid. Young Jordan Richardson #00 was the early leader but slipped up and allowed Andy Logan #1 to jump into the lead and never look back taking the feature win. Richardson came back and took the second spot, Dale Horn #20 was third, #47 Tim Bagwell fourth and fifth went to #23 Bruce Sasser.

Pure Stocks

The pure stock feature was a rough and tumble event with cars flying in the air and bouncing off the walls but when the smoke cleared it was #18 of Jody Collins taking the checkered flag. Tim Garrod #5 avoided the carnage and brought it home second, early leader George Gorham #2x rallied for third, fourth spot was #74 Chuck Stevens and fifth went to another #74 Paul Huffstutler.

Road Warriors

With Charlotte County Speedway being closed the Road Warriors wanted a place to race and Desoto Speedway welcomed them with open arms and the crowd appeared to love the show they put on by the show of appreciation after the race which was won by Chris Oncken #61, second place was #7 Billy Lantz, third #30 Chris Huntoon, fourth #00 Trey Almand and in the top five was #0 Clete Trimmer.

If the class can come up with 30 or more cars next weekend they will pay $500 to win for the feature race.

Also don't forget to tune in to WTOG UPN 44 every Sunday morning at 1 AM for racing action on DeSoto Super Speedway Saturday Night.

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