| Powell On the Powell Memorial | By Jack Bacon
 James Powell III would like nothing better than to win the 7th edition of the Powell Memorial 125 race for super late models. He has led each of the first six editions and has come home second three times but James has never been able to grab the Powell Memorial checkers.
While the Pensacola's Snowball Derby is bigger, Nashville's All American 400 more prestigious and the Florida Governor's Cup older, James would rather win the race that memorializes six members of James family that perished in a 1995 plane crash.
"This race means so much to me for a lot of reasons," says Powell. "From the beginning in 1995 we have had a strong field of entries and the list of winners is impressive. I'd like to add my name to that list and can think of no better way to honor those we lost in 1995. I guarantee you I won't be happy until I've won it."
According to James Powell, this year's event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
"After six years at Ocala Speedway, we have moved this year's event to the Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, FL. Promoters Jimmy Wear and Billy Hooker have gone all out to make the 7th "Powell" one to remember."
"The purse has been increased dramatically with a total of nearly $40,000 up for grabs--$10,000 to the winner and $1,000 to the fast qualifier. I want to thank them for enthusiastically embracing this event and taking it to a higher level."
"I've talked to most of the Florida super late teams and it looks like we will have a great field of cars. Just making this race is going to be difficult."
James will be behind the wheel of the familiar white and black #37 Monte Carlo out of Mark Cowheard's Ft. Lauderdale stable at Saturday's "Powell" race.
"We were a little off our game earlier this year but Mark and the guys in the shop have been putting in a lot of hours on this thing and we should be in pretty good shape this week. I feel we're ready to start winning some races and can't think of a better time to start than this week," said Powell.
Among the names anticipated to be at Citrus this Saturday are past NASCAR All Pro champions Billy Bigley, Jr., Wayne Anderson and Freddie Query.
This year's current All Pro points leader David Reutimann is also expected to vie for the win. With no Sunbelt Super Series or Florida Pro Series events on the weekend calendar, promoters say they are looking for upwards of 50 super late models to attempt the race.
-Jack Bacon
Related Links:
7th Annual Powell Memorial 125 to Run at Citrus County Speedway Saturday..By Larry MacMillan
It's Powell Memorial Time In Florida!$39,400 PURSE TO DRAW ALL-STAR FIELD..By Jack Bacon
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