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| Wednesday, December 4, 2002 | |
| FLORIDA PRO SERIES FINALE HIGHLIGHTS BIG RACING WEEKEND AT CMP | By Dave Westerman
Check out the Florida Pro Slideshow--click here!
Columbia Motorsports Park in Ellisville, FL near Lake City will wrap up its 2002 season with a huge racing program this weekend topped by the Sunoco Race Fuels Suwannee 200 for the Florida Pro Series Super Late Models.
Also on tap for the weekend are the Tommy Parker Memorial 50 for the Modifieds, Jim Douglas Chevrolet Late Model Stock 50, MATCO Tools Street Stock 25, a 25-lapper for Pure Stocks and a Powder Puff Race.
The Suwannee 200 will close out the season for the Florida Pro Series drivers and Wildwood's Dick Anderson is poised to win his second straight Florida Pro championship.
However, several positions could change behind him among the drivers who have been following the Series throughout 2002, so a lot will be on the line for drivers like Deerfield Beach veteran Jonny Kay, Lake City's Jay Middleton and Doyle Boatwright, Merritt Island's Brian Finney, Valdosta, GA's David Hodges, Jr., and several others.
A number of out-of-state drivers are expected including Dean Best from Indiana, South Carolina's Walter Reardon, Steven Leicht from Ashville, NC and Big Jim Kelley, the track champion at North Carolina's Southern National Speedway.
Georgia will be well represented as well. Along with Hodges, Atlanta's Braden Copeland, Kingsland's Mike Henderson, and Albany's Jeff Gordon are expected to try and make the field.
The best from Florida will be there to challenge the out-of-staters and Florida Pro regulars including 2002 Sunbelt Series champion Michael Williams of Mims, Desoto AACS runner-up "Mr. Excitement" Jimmy Cope, Jacksonville's Jody Turner and David Browning, Kevin Durden of Archer, Anthony's Rich Pratt, Scott Bramlett of St. Cloud, St. Pete's Dwayne Dempsey (who will also have a modified), Inverness hotshoe Robbie Yoakam, and even Florida State Senator Bill Posey of Rockledge, after having so much fun racing his Classic Car last weekend, has indicated he may dust off his Late Model and race this weekend too.
There will be plenty of local talent from around the Lake City area attempting to make the show including veteran Eddie Gainey, Donnie Oden, Kent Bissell, Fain Skinner, Al Becklheimer, Kevin Dicks and Michael Faulk.
An equally impressive field of Late Model Stocks are expected for their 50-lap race presented by Jim Douglas Chevrolet of High Springs.
Groveland's Mike "Smurfy" Murphy plans to race and will field a team car for Kevin Finney. Bobby Orr, 15 year old son of the late Pete Orr, will make his CMP debut in a former Mike Murphy car now owned by Orlando car dealer Bobby McClelland.
Fain Skinner, Kevin Durden, and Kent Bissell are among those who hope to do double duty in both the Florida Pro and Late Model Stock races.
Others expected to compete in the LMS portion of the show are Patrick "Doughboy" Williams of Archer, Clermont's Larry Osteen, and local competitors Gayle Grayer, Jason Garver, and Eric Williams.
Eddie Gainey's son Nevin is expected to make his debut in a Late Model Stock as well.
Large fields are also expected for the Tommy Parker Memorial Modified race, MATCO Tools Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
"I haven't seen this much enthusiasm regarding a weekend of racing at this track in a long time," said promoter Bert Ashelman. "I guess these guys aren't ready to shove the old race car in the shop just yet," he said.
Action begins on Friday evening with open practice for all divisions. Saturday, pit gates open at 3PM with practice from 4-6PM and qualifying for Florida Pro Super Lates, Late Model Stock, Modifieds, and Street Stocks at 6:30PM.
Saturday's race schedule includes the Jim Douglas Chevrolet Late Model Stock 50, MATCO Tools Street Stock 25, 25 laps for Pure Stocks, and the special Powder Puff event for the ladies.
Sunday, pit gates open at 11AM with practice at noon. The Sunoco Race Fuels Suwannee 200 Florida Pro series race and Tommy Parker Memorial 50-lapper for the Modifieds will follow starting at 2PM.
Also see: Charlotte Fans Entertained By Florida Pro Series
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