by John Barker

Samsula, Florida - Three premier Super Late Model championship runs were decided Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway and their finishes are best described as close -- closer -- closest.

Mike Fritts of Debary, FL, driving the Briar Corporation ride won the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series South 40 Motorsports 37th Annual Governor's Cup 200 taking the lead for good in lap 84 in a close ending race.

"It was just awesome winning the Governor's Cup" said Fritts. "The Boyd motor performed just great."

The winner made all the right racing decisions including a lap 83 pit stop for right side tires and fuel.

"Leroy Porter was up top telling us we had better pit and I want to thank him for that," said Fritts. "The crew just did great during the pit stop."

The other two championship titles also decided Saturday evening were the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series point championship and Florida State Super Late Model Triple Crown.

David Rogers of Orlando, FL., driving the TM Ranch Dodge, won the Florida Super Late Model Triple Crown Championship. The winning Rogers edged out a stubborn Michael Williams of Mims, FL. by a mere three points making for what would be a closer finish.

A consistent 2002 season performing Williams won the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model points championship driving the South 40 Motorsports Chevrolet in a tie- breaker with Rogers and it was the evening's closest of finishes.

The tiebreaker was decided first on wins and each competitor had none. The next was events attended and again another tie. The Sunbelt championship was then decided on second place finishes and Williams had three and Rogers posted two.

There were 33 starting Super Late Models in a Governor's Cup race that came under seven cautions. Fifteen cars would finish with six cars on the lead lap.

James Powell of Astor, FL., set fast time on the one- half mile oval in his A Natural Difference Chevrolet turning the speedway in 17.90 seconds or 100.55 mph.

In lap 65, Powell still held the lead followed by Fritts, Justin Drawdy of Ft. Pierce, FL, Rogers and Wayne Willard of Buford, GA., driving the Bank of North Georgia ride. Rogers worked Fritts hard for third on the inside groove during lap 68, but was unable to make a pass.

Powell and Jimmy Cope of Pinellas Park, FL., in his Malcolmson Construction ride pitted for tires and fuel in lap 82 and this put Fritts, Drawdy, Rogers, Willard and Bruce Lawrence of Sorrento up front.

Going into turn one in lap 84, Drawdy appeared to lose a transmission and a slick track collected nine cars during a spinning melee.



Powell turned into a Modified looking race car and an early competitive Drawdy was finished for the night.

During lap 90, Rogers snared the point followed by Willard and Lawrence.

Williams pitted for tires and fuel. Willard would finish second with a smart driving effort.

"We had a heck of a car all night long," said Willard. "We wanted to go plus a 100 before we pitted (lap 139). Some guys pitted early and they ended up gettint tied up in that wreck which was unfortunate."

At lap 100, Rogers was in front followed by Fritts, Lawrence, Cope and Willard. Cope moved to third by Lawrence in lap 105. Fritts took the point back in lap 108.

Fritts led at lap 125 and was followed by a hot driving Willard. Lawrence, Rogers and Cope all appearing to still be in the hunt followed. Rogers and Willard pitted for tires and fuel in lap 139 making ready for another charge.

Things were starting to sort out once again in lap 150 with Fritts leading followed by a charging Cope and Rogers. Willard was fourth and Williams fifth. Those five drivers appeared to have their race plans ready for a major victory.

Racing positions sorted out once more in lap 195 with Fritts leading followed by Rogers, Willard, Williams, and Barry Willoughby in the Pennzoil ride. Cope who had slowed recovered in the following circuit and moved back to fifth.

Rogers and Fritts touching during lap 196 in turn three during a close racing incident. Fritts still led the race following the contat. He was followed by Willard, Rogers, Williams and Cope.

"We had an awful good race car," said Rogers. "We waited until the end. Wayne (Willard) - I've run with him before and he's a good racer. We just tried to stay out of trouble so we'd have a car at the end."

Fritts crossed the stripe followed by Willard and Rogers.

Rounding out the top five were Williams and Cope.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW FROM THE 37th ANNUAL FLORIDA GOVERNOR'S CUP 200

For much more on Florida's Governor's Cup, it's history and photos click here.

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