| Wednesday, November 13, 2002 | |
| BIG FIELD SET FOR FALL FESTIVAL 400 SUNDAY AT OCALA SPEEDWAY | By Dave Westerman
From Homestead To Ocala David Reutimann Will Be Ready Sunday
 It will be a virtual who's who of racers from across Florida and the Southeast as Ocala Speedway is set to host the Fall Festival 400 this Sunday afternoon.
The program will consist of twin 100 lap races for the Super Late Models, 100 laps for the Open Wheel Modifieds, and 50 lap events for the Mini Stocks and Street Stocks.
Fans of the Super Late Models are in for quite a treat as three drivers who used to compete regularly against each other at Ocala will be back together to rekindle some sparks from the past.
James Powell III, whose family used to own and run the storied Ocala facility, will get a chance to battle two of his old adversaries again in Ivedent Lloyd and David Reutimann.
Lloyd, who has been involved in several traveling race series during recent years, will be back to pilot the potent Armstrong Homes/Petty Quarterhorses Chevy Monte Carlo which Patrick Williams drove to victory here last week.
Reutimann hopes to compete in the NASCAR Busch Grand National race at Homestead on Saturday, then head to Ocala for the races on Sunday. Reutimann, son of legendary short track star Buzzie Reutimann, cut his Late Model teeth at the tough Ocala track racing against the likes of Lloyd and Powell on a weekly basis.
Twenty-two Super Late Model teams have officially pre-entered, but around 35 are expected.
Among those already filing entries are former Orlando Speedworld Champion and ASA driver Travis Kittleson, 2001 Sunbelt and Florida Pro series Champion Dick Anderson, Ocala Speedway champ Robbie Smith, Citrus County Speedway standout Mike Bresnehan, Wayne Anderson, Rich Pratt, Herb Neumann, Brian Finney, Rusty Dixon, Mac Johnson, Jonny Kay, Mike Franklin, Jr., Scott Lagasse, Jr., Kevin Bryant, Jim Smith, Lee Faulk, Kevin Durden, Roger Shinholser, Kevin Bryant and John Buzinec.
Several Super Late Model hotshoes from out of state are also entered including North Carolina's Eddie Massengill and Georgia drivers Reed Sorenson, Braden Copeland, and Jeff Gordon. Another Georgia driver, Wayne Willard, coming off a great run in the Governor's Cup race at New Smyrna last week, has indicated an interest in running if his car can be readied in time.
Other SLM drivers that have indicated they may run include Billy Bigley, Jr., Freddie Query, Jack Cook, Dave Pletcher, and Justin Drawdy.
All in all, it should be an incredible day of racing for the Super Late Models.
The Open Wheel Modified field will be equally star-studded as local standounts like Fall Champion Troy Robinson, David Baxley, Alan McCafferty, John and Jeremy Gerstner, Mike Wilson and many more will be challenged by former track champ Red Vann, Darren "Action" Jackson, Raymond Vann, Jeff Conyers and a host of others.
Mini Stock Champion Tater Stalnaker hopes he can outrun what is expected to be a large field of the four cylinder cars including drivers like Clint Foley, Larry Goolsby, Corbin Gibbs, David Castello and more.
And if Street Stocks are your cup of tea, that cup will be overflowing Sunday as a number of invaders plan to try and steal the glory from Fall Champion Doug Webster and other local standouts like Moose Alderman, Mark Mitchell, Paul Gladin, Rick Hart, Frank Buchanan, Michael Rosa, Chauna Johnston, David Chastain and many more. As many as 50 Street Stocks are expected to compete.
A full day of practice for all divisions is slated for Saturday from 11AM until 6PM.
On Sunday pit gates open at 7:30, practice is slated from 9-11:40AM with qualifying to follow at 11:45AM. Races begin at 2PM.
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