|
March 2002
| McLeod Goes Wire to Wire In A.A.C.S. Win | 
by Rick Anges
(KNS)B.J. McLeod #78 again showed the way in qualifying blistering the track with a 14.48 second time around the high-banked oval. McLeod’s Father and car owner Darwin said before the race “We have the car hooked up, I think B.J. has a good chance tonight. Maybe we will finally get the monkey off our back.”
With a good crowd and twenty-four cars on hand track owner John Sarppraicone rolled a zero on the die putting the fast McLeod on the pole for the high powered 125 lap feature event with #5x of Billy Bigley Jr. sitting on the outside front row. Behind these two were the current first and second point’s holders in A.A.C.S. Dave Pletcher #75 and “Mr. Excitement” Jimmy Cope #61.
A light rain began to fall just before the race went green and went yellow with just fourteen laps in the books for the moisture falling from the sky.
After several laps under caution the green flew again and McLeod jumped out into the lead. Behind the leader Cope was all over the rear bumper of Bigley for the second spot eventually nosing the #61 under and by.
An anxious moment came on lap twenty-three when the #74 of Sonny Hughes spun in front of the oncoming leaders in turn four but everyone somehow managed to get by.
Justin Drawdy in the #12 was making his way through the pack picking off cars one by one making his way into the top 5 before the half waypoint.
Although Cope had gotten by Bigley earlier the former NASCAR All-Pro Champ wasn’t giving up. Cope’s car was slipping in turn two almost every lap and Bigley was doing everything he could to get by the black #61. The two ran side by side for a few laps until Bigley was able to get under Cope and take the spot.
Meanwhile McLeod was hooked up and flying making his way through the field lapping cars at will. The #78 car was on a rail as he was able to use the high or low groove and not slipping or sliding like some of the other cars. 
With McLeod out to a comfortable lead and Bigley maintaining a solid second place the points leaders Cope and Pletcher were in a battle of their own. It was a classic Late Model battle with the two old pro’s running hard against each other. Eventually Pletcher was able to eventually get under Cope for third but the race was long from over.
Lap 107 saw Cope racing with the lapped car of #82 Denny Neighbor Jr. Cope slammed hard into the turn two wall flatting the nose and crushing the radiator on his machine sending him to the pits and ending his night. 
Pletcher also had his problems as something apparently broke in his ride and faded to the rear of the field. Eventually he had to pull off the speedway after a shower of sparks flew from under his car going into turn one. Although he was able to fix the problem and get back onto the track he ended up thirteenth.
Bigley also had his own problems getting caught up in a late race spin with #51 Jacob Warren and being sent to the rear of the field. Also he got into a late race altercation with Drawdy this time though he was sent to the rear of the unlapped cars, which by this only numbered five cars.
McLeod cruised on to win race #3 in A.A.C.S. and a $3,000 payday with little or no problems. Drawdy made it back-to-back second places behind the lightening fast McLeod. Jeff Scofield powered his #07 across the stripe in third ahead of Bigley and Richard Till #53 rounded out the top five.
This race will scramble the points and make race #4 coming April 13th a real barnburner.
AACS LATE MODELS
1.BJ MCLEOD
2.JUSTIN DRAWDY
3.JEFF SCOFIELD
4.BILLY BIGLEY JR
5.RICHARD TILL
6.JOHN JACKSON
7.JOE BOYD
8.BRYAN MANSFIELD
9.LEE COLLINS
10.JACOB WARREN
11.DENNY NEIGHBOR JR
12.SAM COGHILL
13.DAVE PLETCHER
14.CLINT SLAGGY
15.PERRY BROWN
16.SONNY HUGHES
17.JIMMY COPE
18.MIKE ABBOTT
19.JEFF SLOAN
20.JONATHAN BROWN
21.ROBERT YOHO
22.BOBBY COYLE
23.BILLY BOYD SR
24.MARIO MARESCA – DNS
1/2 WAY LEADER - BJ MCLEOD
HARD CHARGER - JOHN JACKSON
In Other action:
Open Wheel Modifieds
Steve Perez returned to winners circle holding off Bill Davis, Rocco Ranallo, Andy Dynadal and Jimmy Debora
STEVE PEREZ
BILL DAVIS
ROCCO RANALLO
ANDY DYNDUL
BOB PARKER - DQ
JIMMY DEBORA
MARK CHAPMAN
Sportsman
Jimmy Cook took the lead and never looked back roaoring to the win in the sportasman division. Cliff Bifaro took the second spot, Gus Coorssen held onto third with Johnny Casady in fourth and Steve Black in fifth.
JIMMY COOK
CLIFF BIFARO
GUS COORSON
JOHNNY CASADY
STEVE BLACK
JAMES CARTER
DUANE BEST
JEFF ANDERSON
BUDDY BROWN
WALLACE RAMSEY
JAMES CASADY
DALE REIGLE
BILL ANDERSON
Street Stocks
Matt Scheffler made his first trip to the winners circle in the Street Stocks taking the lead after Chet Roberts slid high in turn four. Roberts was able to gather it up and finish second. Last weeks winner Dennis Wilson Jr. was third and said after the race “ I need new tires these are from last year”. Scott Woodland and Shawn Best rounded out the top five.
MATT SCHEFFLER
CHET ROBERTS
DENNIS WILSON JR
SCOTT WOODLAND
SHAWN BEST
TODD WOZNIAK
LUCKY BROWN
BRENDA CLOSE
DANNY ANDERSON
GARY MCFALL
DAN HALL
RODNEY MCCLAFLIN
TED ABBOTT
Pure Stocks
KEITH THORBIN
JODY COLLINS
MARK LAU
MARK PICKLESIMER
PEGGY HURST
TIM GARROD
JOE WENGARD
DONALD GATLIN
DUANE CAMPBELL
ROGER DUFRESNE
MINI STOCK
JESSE DUTILLY
JOHN DUTILLY
BRYAN WAGNER
TODD FREED JR
SHANE WHITBECK
GREG KROM
JOHN WILSON
JEANNE WHITTED
STEVE GLOVER
WILLIAM SLACK
HARLAN WILSON
MIKE DUNHAM
ED JASPER
LEGENDS
ANDY COGAN
DALE HORNE
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
JEFF JOHNSON
BRUCE SASSER
JOEY MCKINNEY
RUSS JODOIN
JOE CONSTANTINO
JORDAN RICHARDSON
MIKE VERHAAGH
GREG MONTGOMERY
MITCH VERHAAGH
BRUCE REBMAN
ANTHONY CAMPI
JASON ZEISMAN
RAY SASSER
KENNY WYATT
KEN PENTA
COWBOY CADILLACS
DON VAN ACKER
CHERYL WEAVER
BUCK WILSON
JUSTIN BRYANT
JAY BRYANT
MICHAEL BIALECKI
CHRIS OLIVER
JAMES WRIGHT
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| Bob Potter Has Done It Again | by Sharon Fancher
Once again returning to Putnam County Speedway with an eagerness to see the recent improvements to the facility and track, I was again amazed at the dedication Bob Potter has put forth trying to satisfy his racing community. From the banking in turn four, pit slabs all with electric, to the new tech shed just to mention a few of the improvements.
He has also made some adjustments to some of the class rules, payouts and track rules as well. He is very dedication to enforcing those rules also. From last season to this season I have seen what the racing community can do to and for an Owner of a Speedway.
Bob Potter has went from trying to please everyone to finally realizing you can't please everyone and can have some driver suggestions, but in the end the Owner,and Officials need to have the final say. So with all this taking place it has finally made for some major changes at Putnam County Speedway. Very good changes I might add.
Mr. Potter is focusing not only on the enforcement of the rules, but also intends on making the 2002 season the safest possible year that he can for everyone who attends his Speedway. I must say I was really impressed with the new Staff and how well organized they seem to be and all the improvements that have currently been made.
I spoke with Bob for just a few minutes, while he was telling me to "Tighten" my truck and car up (Because God knows I couldn't ride a bicycle and park it straight!!) but he made the comment to me, "I don't mind doing these things as long as everyone appreciates it." That statement from him I will recall for a long time. These Owners don't want to just be known as someone that gives us a place to race, they want to feel the appreciation for trying to do their best for us as a racing. Potter gets an A+ for his effort in trying from my point of view. (Even if he tells me to tighten up every time I attend his track)
Bob Potter's track still has some of the finest dirt track racing I've had the privilege of attending and also a top notch facility to just relax and enjoy watching these races.
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| CLANTON DOMINATES WJ PLEMONS INVESTMENTS 200 PRESENTED BY JANI-KING | 
by Thom Watson
LAKELAND, FL:(KNS)The fan friendly American Speed Association (ASA) chose to open their 35th season in sunny Florida, at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland. The ASA brought their show from the still cold Midwest and its many drivers from that part of the country and were dominated by Georgia boy, Joey Clanton. ASA veteran and former champion, Gary St. Amant started on the pole with a fast lap of 21.615 around the 3/4 mile oval. Rookie Kyle Busch, whose brother Kurt won his first NASCAR Winston Cup race just minutes after completion of the race, started on the outside pole.
The ASA, is working harder than most touring series in trying to win more fans. Included in their fan friendly ways are, removing the haulers from the infield for better sight lines for the fans, the drivers names in large block letters along the bottom of each car for easier identification and fan autograph sessions on the track with the stars and cars.
The ASA has a very strong rookie class this year in competition for the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year award, led by a pair of 16-year olds and a trio from Florida. The 16-year-olds are Busch and Reed Sorenson, while the trio from Florida is headed by last year’s NASCAR All-Pro Series champion, Wayne Anderson, in his Jani-King Chevrolet. Also among the rookies from Florida are Travis Kittleson and Jeff Emory.
Clanton started in the third position and took the lead on lap 44 and never gave it up. He took advantage of a long green flag stretch in the middle of the race to open as much as a 12-car length lead. With seven caution flags in the last half of the race, Kevin Cywinski, St. Amant and Dan Fredrickson were able to stay close, but the race was for second place. On one 17 lap green flag run, from lap 116 through 132, Clanton was able to build a half a straightaway lead. From lap 132 through 170, there were six caution flags and on each restart, Clanton was able to comfortably stay in front. On one of the restarts, Clanton asked his spotter, “is that a new pace car they have this year?”
Cywinski, St. Amant, Fredrickson were able to hold on and finish second, third and fourth. Another rookie, David Stremme was fifth, with Chad Wood sixth and Kansas native, Rick “rocket man” Beebe coming in seventh after starting 15th.
"We’ve made some changes with our team adding a new crew chief (Bond Suss) and a lot of other guys," said Clanton. "They are obviously very good as we’ve only been together about a month. My car was handling just perfectly."
ASA will head to California, Virginia, then back to Florida to historic Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola on May 5 before heading to the Midwest for the remainder of the season.
FN ST NO. Driver/Hometown Sponsor/Make LAPS STATUS
1 3 83 Joey Clanton
Stockbridge, GA SteveDale.com/Pro Shocks/Racing Radios/Campfire USA Chev. 200 Running
2 7 1 Kevin Cywinski
Wausau, WI Tecumseh Engines & Transmissions/Country Joe Homes Chev. 200 Running
3 1 7 Gary St. Amant
Columbus, OH ACDelco/Lane Automotive/Automotive Promotions Inc. Chev. 200 Running
4 5 21 R Dan Fredrickson
Elko, MN Country Joe Homes/LaFavre Racing Teams Chev. 200 Running
5 11 11 R David Stremme
South Bend, IN Meijer/Tony's Pizza/Edy's Grand Ice Cream/Stouffer's/Tyson Chev. 200 Running
6 20 2 Chad Wood
Madison, WI gotents.com/Wood Brothers Racing Chev. 200 Running
7 15 5 Rick Beebe/Shawnee, KS Instant Shade/AFCO/Structural Transport Inc./Don Fanetti Ford 200 Running
8 12 25 Mike Cope
Pinellas Park, FL Florida Auto Auction of Orlando/Red Line Oil/Autoway/Cope Chev. 200 Running
9 9 86 R Wayne Anderson
Wildwood, FL Jani-King/Grand American Race Cars Chev. 200 Running
10 28 29 Reed Sorenson
Peachtree City, GA The Aviation Group/Allan Vigil/Pennzoil/Racing Radios Chev. 200 Running
11 2 07 R Kyle Busch
Las Vegas, NV Roush Racing Ford Taurus/Roush-Yoder Racing Ford 200 Running
12 17 63 Robbie Pyle
Columbus, OH Citgo/WalTom Racing Chev. 200 Running
13 4 66 R Pat Kelly
Rockdale, IL RaceFan.com/Ritke-Hines Racing Chev. 199 Running
14 19 28 Tim Taylor
Indianapolis, IN EMAS Ambulance Service/Taylor Racing Chev. 199 Running
15 29 55 R Todd Kluever
Sun Prairie, WI Sign-1-1/Marshall Metals/Badger Music & Equipment/TK2 Chev. 199 Running
16 10 38 Johnny Spaw
Cedar Rapids, IA Medicap Pharmacies/SouthWest MotorSports Chev. 199 Running
17 18 26 Greg Edwards
Poquoson, VA Danny's Glass/Edwards Motorsports Chev. 199 Running
18 30 14 R Doug Mahlik
Green Bay, WI Mahlik Motor Sports Chev. 198 Running
19 33 0 David Hole
Cumming, GA Holeshot Motorsports Chev. 197 Running
20 13 30 R Travis Kittleson
Merritt Island, FL Bob Steele Chevrolet/Easy Care / R/T Racing Chev. 197 Running
21 35 8 John Silverthorne
Dallas, TX John Silverthorne Racing Chev. 184 Running
22 21 16 Russ Tuttle
Indianapolis, IN Conseco Chev. 173 Running
23 34 60 Ed Brown
Leesburg, FL Eustis Roofing/Lo Down Larry's ATMs/Kami-Causey/EBR Chev. 172 Running
24 26 53 Richard Fincher
Wilmer, AL Stryker/Howmedica/Osteonics/Scott Hansen Racing Chev. 159 Accident
25 6 44 Peter Cozzolino
Indianapolis, IN A&A Manufacturing/McDonald's Drive-Thru/Cozzolino Chev. 158 Accident
26 24 09 J.C. Beattie Jr.
Baltimore, MD ATI Performance Products/J.C. Beattie Jr. Chev. 158 Running
27 14 20 Brian Schwartz
Countryside, IL BCS Motorsports Chev. 149 Brakes
28 16 17 Mike Garvey
Atlanta, GA All Carpet/WJ Plemons Investments/Two Sisters Racing Chev. 147 Accident
29 32 10 Greg Williams
Haubstadt, IN Vore Welding & Steel/Greg Williams Racing Chev. 142 Running
30 8 64 Brad Bennett
Stamford, CT Allen J. Reyen/Reyben Racing Chev. 112 Rear End
31 36 48 R Rich Gardner
Marion, KY Par 4 Plastics/Rich Gardner Racing Chev. 106 Electrical
32 25 4 R Brandon Miller
Bakersfield, CA Mercury Racing/Oakley/Lennox/Automotive Promotions Inc. Chev. 45 Accident
33 22 33 Greg Stewart
Four Oaks, NC Body Balance/Life Force International/Screaming Eagle Pont. 21 Accident
34 27 98 Doug Stevens Jr.
Lovejoy, GA Conkle's Tub Grinding/Conkle's Tree Service Chev. 21 Running
35 31 82 R Jeff Emery
Longwood, FL Nicole Emery Chev. 19 Clutch
36 23 05 Chris Wimmer
Wausau, WI Wisconsin Cheese Cake/Wimmer Racing Chev. 3 Handling
Race Stats
Time of Race: 1 hr. 41 mins. 23.593 secs. Average Speed: 88.763 mph
Margin of Victory: 2.549 secs. Winning Chassis: Port City
Lead Changes: 2 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: K. Busch 1-3; G. St. Amant 4-42; J. Clanton 43-200
Fastest Lap of the Race: J. Clanton (Lap 60) — 21.994 secs. / 122.7761 mph
Cautions: 9 for 57 laps
Pole Position: Pole Position - Gary St. Amant 21.615 secs. / 124.913 mph
Entries: 38 Qualifiers: 35
Entrants Who Did Not Qualify for the WJ Plemons Investments 200 presented by Jani-King: J. Webb, D. Klein
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| "Smokin" Joe Sumansky takes S.A.R.A. 100 at DeSoto | 
by Rick Anges
Bradenton,Fl.(KNS)Round number three of the S.A.R.A. Gagel Auto Parts Late Model Series took to the high banks for 100 laps on the “South’s Fastest Short Track”. Wayne “the Mulberry Flash” Morris #56 blistered the track with 14.88 second lap to take fast time for the evenings event.
With a roll of the dice by two lucky children from the stands the first two runs were inverted which put a fast Martin Pierce #75 on the pole. Martin knows his way around the high banks of DeSoto Speedway having scored several wins here.
The action started on the drop of the green flag with Pierce jumping out front and Sumansky diving down behind him for the second spot. The racing was hot and heavy behind the leaders as drivers were scrambling for positions. #77 Tony Amico got tangled up in a mid-pack scramble that sent him hard head-on into the turn two wall, destroying the front end of his machine and ending his night early. Amico was able to roll the #77 machine into the infield and a caution was avoided.
Pierce was out to a commanding lead in the early portion of the race. Morris meanwhile was in a heated battle with the #67 of Chad Allman. The two battled each other lap after lap Morris looking for the perfect line to get by and just when it looked like he may get by Morris’s ride went up in a cloud of smoke grenading his engine down the front stretch on lap 17.
Meanwhile the #10x of young gun Brad Barkis was cruising through the field after having to start from the rear of the pack. Barkis was sent to the rear for the start of the race for coming up a few pounds light in post tech inspection after qualifying. But this did not seem to bother the young driver from Ft.Meyers as he was picking his way through the field and was in the top ten before the half way mark.
Points leader Steve Dorer #10 had his handsful all night scraping the front stretch wall sending sparks flying into the night air and then getting tangled up with the #63 of DeWayne Bryan sending both cars sliding into the infield bringing out the yellow. Both cars were sent to the rear of the field for the incident.
A scary moment happened with five laps to go when Allman lost it coming out of turn two while running in the fifth spot. The car spun up towards the wall and appeared to be out of harms way when it shot down the racetrack, Joe Boyd #5 slammed hard into Allman and his car went airborne almost flipping. Unbelievably both cars were able to continue.
Sumansky who had moved himself into the second spot got a good jump on the restart and slid under Pierce who had lead from the drop of the green, Pierce appeared to have a tire go down as he slid back in the pack.
Sumansky was able to hold off the hard charging Barkis to take his first ever S.A.R.A. Late Model win. Barkis who later told me he thought he might have had a tire going down towards the end of the race followed across the stripe in second in one of the best runs of this young season. Richard Kelley jr. in the #12x ran a good steady raced and brought it home in third. Veteran Edward Howell #62 was able to hold to fourth spot and Martin Pierce was able to hold on to fifth.
The Southern Automobile Race Association moves north to Opp, Alabama for race number four April 6th.
SARA LATE MODELS
12 JOE SUMASKY
10X BRAD BARKIS
12 RICHARD KELLEY
62 EDWARD HOWELL
75 MARTIN PIERCE
74 RICHIE HENRY
5 JOE BOYD
67 CHAD ALLMAN
29 TRACY RAVEN
01 TRAVIS McCOY
21 KENDRICK GOMEZ
63 DAWAYNE BRYAN
46 TOMMY CAVANEY
39 DANIEL O'CONNELL
10 STEVE DORER
22 LARRY OSTEEN
07 JAY DUNHAM
56 WAYNE MORRIS
26 DAN CROWE
77 TONY AMICO
7 GEORGE COUSE
TOP ROOKIE - KENDRICK GOMEZ
HARD CHARGER - BRAD BARKIS
HALFWAY LEADER - MARTIN PIERCE
In other action:
Open Wheel Modifieds`
Fourteen high-powered Open Wheel Modifieds took to the track for their feature event and what a barnburner it was. Steve Perez jumped out to the early lead but the action was behind him as Bill Davis #15 and Rocco Ranallo #67 ran side by side for most of the 35 lap feature to the cheers of the fans. Lap after lap the two battled neither of the competitors giving an inch either way. Lapped traffic eventually came into play as the two came out turn two the #7 of Thomas Troyer slid high and with no where to Davis jumped over his tire but avoided a serious altercation and was able to stay in the gas barely missing a beat. But this was all that Ranallo needed as he got by Perez. Davis was still in the game but with the lapped traffic was unable to get by as Ranallo cruised to his third feature win in a row, Davis took second. Perez came across the stripe in third ahead of Chris Dean #80 in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Tommy Moore #57.
Results:
67 ROCCO RANALLO
15 BILL DAVIS
92 STEVE PEREZ
80 CHRIS DEAN
57 TOMMY MOORE
3 TONY MEEHAN
59 ANDY DYNDUL
0 JAY STEELE
09 STEVE HARBUCK
35 BOB PARKER
7 THOMAS TROYER
40 MARK CHAPMAN
59X JOHN SHIELDS
Desoto Trucks
Brian Donahue #3 avoided the carnage behind him and roared to the checkers in the DeSoto Truck feature, Andy Breedlove #50 took second, #70 James Glover was third, Jeff Firestein #93 fourth and fifth went to #06 Bill Carlbert jr.
Results:
DESOTO TRUCKS
3 BRIAN DONAHUE
50 ANDY BREEDLOVE
70 JAMES GLOVER
93 JEFF FIRESTEIN
06 BILL CARLBERT JR
98 JIM ALTERIZIO
29S TIM SHAFFNER
94 SHANE RUSS
7 BILL DAVIS
6 AL SAPP
29 JEFF GUILBAULT
97 KURT HAYWOOD – DNS
Street Stocks
Dennis Wilson jr. #42 took advantage of a late race caution to take the lead and the win in the Street Stock feature holding off Scott Woodland #77 who was all over the bumper Wilson. Chet Roberts brought the #69 home in third after building a big lead and looking like he was going to take it all until the late race caution cost him the lead. Todd Wozniak #10 took the fourth spot and in fifth was Ford of #6 Danny Anderson.
Results:
STREET STOCK
42 DENNIS WILSON JR
77 SCOTT WOODLAND
69 CHET ROBERTS
10 TODD WOZNIAK
6 DANNY ANDERSON
68 GARY McFALL
78 RODNEY McCLAFLIN
10X MATT SCHEFFLER
4 TOMMY HUFFSTUTLER
Mod-Minis
Randy Koon #22 took the trophy in the Modified Mini-Stocks over #3 Matt Watts, #65 Joey Catarelli, Corbin Gibbs #2 and #8 Tim Hartman.
Results:
22 RANDY KOON
3 MATT WAHS
65 JOEY CATARELLI
2 CORBIN GIBBS
8 TIM HARMAN
99 JASON KUYKENDALL
9 ANDY WHITTED
1 BRENT YODER
12 TERRY WESCOTT
44 CLOY JOSEPH
86 FRED PARAVICINI
5 STEVE GILL
74 PAUL HUFFSTUTLER
1C DAVID CARLBERT
82 JIMMY WARRAM
Mini-Stocks
Shane Whitbeck #22 ended the winning streak of Jessie Dutilly #30 and took the min-stock feature. Dutilly came back to take the second spot after being sent to the rear of the pack for an early race altercation. Arlin Pope #98 who was involved in the spin with Dutilly and was also sent to the rear came back for third. Chip Gaines #05 held off Micheal Gayle #23 for fourth.
Results:
MINI STOCKS
22 SHANE WHITBECK
30 JESSE DUTILLY
98 ARLIN POPE
05 CHIP GAINES
23 MICHAEL GAYLE
9 JEANNE WHITTED
5 STEVE BOOTH
14 JON BAILEY
8 STEVE GLOVER
69 BILL ALDEN
31 HARLAN WILSON
56 BRIAN RICHARDSON
38 JOHN DUTILLY
4 BRIAN WAGNER
97 TODD FREED JR
6 ED JASPER R
51 RICK NASLAN
34 ERIC ANDERSON
Pure Stock:
Rookie Tim Garrod #5 was the winner in the Pure stock division over Jody Collins #18, last weeks winner #6 Mark Picklesimer, Peggy Hurst #3 and Bob Petrilli in the #4.
Results:
PURE STOCK
5 TIM GARROD
18 JODY COLLINS
6 MARK PICKLESIMER
3 PEGGY HURST
4 BOB PETRILLI
74 PAUL HUFFSTUTLER
23 JASON ESPOSITO
30 JOE WENGERD
68 KEITH THORBIN
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| ASA Opens 2002 Season March 24th at USA International | by Jane Smith
The American Speed Association (ASA) will hold
it's first race of the 2002 season on March
24th at Lakeland's USA International. At
2 PM, the W. J. Plemons Investments 200
presented by Jani King will take to the hot
asphalt of USA International.
The ASA was formed in 1968 for short track car
racing. As the series grew, so did the
mechanical rules. In the beginning, the stock
cars were just that "stock" cars, properly
prepared with skilled drivers and alot of
"lady luck" on your side. Financial support
and sponsorship was not needed as much as
today's ASA.
ASA is one of the few series that have mufflers
on their racecars. In 2000, ASA put "stock"
back into their stockcars when the GM Vortec
5700 engine was mandated for all cars. This
5.7 liter LS1 engine can be found in Corvettes,
Camaros, and Pontiac Firebirds. The 5700 is
rated at a potent 430 hp and produces 430
ft.-lb. torque.
GM assemblies the 5700 Vortec at their Romulus,
Michigan plant where it is then shipped to
Lingentelter Performance Engineering in
Decatur, Indiana. There the engines are
slightly modified for racing, dyno-tested and
SEALED. Race teams can make no further
adjustments or alterations to the engine
which keeps the playing field totally fair.
Right before race time, the PCM of the ASA
5700 is shipped to the teams where no
software adjustments can be made. "Black
Boxes" are GM production units calibrated
with slightly different values for fuel
delivery.
GM uses the feedback from these engines to
further their designs in street cars thus
giving the teams a good engine and the
public.
Among the expected entries will be Wayne
Anderson, two time All Pro Champion from
Wildwood, Florida, Mike Cope, Mike Garvey,
Gary St. Amant, Rick Beebe, Kevin Cywinski,
Chris Wimmer, Ed Brown, Travis Kittleson,
Jeff Emery and Chad Wood.
Travis Kittleson from Merritt Island, Florida
will begin his second year in the ASA. Travis
said, "it was alot harder than I thought. It
takes alot of patience in ASA." Travis lead
one race last year and was looking like the
winner when he ran out of gas and had to
pit putting him in the top ten.
Wayne Anderson will be driving the Jani King
ASA car. Anderson drove a handfull of races
last year but plans on racing the entire
season this year.
Many a Winston Cup star have come from ASA.
This is a very exciting series. But it
still runs about $300,000.00 to race the
whole season which is cheap in some circles
and expensive in others.
The ASA will take to the asphalt at 2 PM on
Sunday, March 24th. Qualifying will be on
Saturday, March 23, at 4 PM. An autograph
session will be at noon on Sunday.
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by Rick Anges
I can remember as a kid going to the racetrack, it was always an exciting time for me. Pulling into the parking lot and hearing the roar of the motors, the smell of food cooking in the concession stands. Getting to our seats we would see the cars flashing by the grandstands.
One of the things that was always a thrill for me was being able to see the cars right there in the center of the track where the PITS were. It was perhaps the closest most of us would get, especially the younger ones in the crowd, to watching the inner workings of what it took to get the cars ready to do battle.
You could see the drivers and crews changing tires, working under the hoods or just mingling amongst each other before each race. But this was also when everyone towed their racers on open trailers behind the pick-up truck or the family station wagon.
You could see the whole race track, all four turns and the front and back stretch without much intrusion except maybe the occasional light pole or the lady with the big hat in front of you that keep standing up and screaming when her husband was bumped coming out of turn two. All that has changed.
The all mighty “Haulers” have made their way into the racing scene. A machine that can carry everything from two racecars to a complete machine shop. Some of these monsters are over fourteen feet high and at a lot of tracks are used by spotters or just spectators as place to watch the goings on the track.
This is all well and good on say a 2.5-mile racetrack with seats extending 4 to 5 stories in the air but for the average Saturday night short track show? NO! When these rigs are parked in the infield they become a distraction to paying customers in the stands, “The Fans”.
The cost of racing has ballooned over the years not only for the competitors but the average person who parks his or her rear-end in those stands every race night. I can see the need for these huge race shops on wheels for the traveling racers who need to carry every part or tool available to make the racing from track to track a little easier.
But for the tracks that park these monsters in the infields of race tracks its not fair for the people for whom this whole deal is being done for and are to often forgotten about, yes again the fans. If it wasn’t for these people who come to the track to watch why bother doing it? The sponsors wouldn’t spend a dime if they didn’t think anyone was watching.
Most tracks have enough room to park the rigs on the outside of the tracks. Teams that have these haulers also usually have war wagons that have everything needed to work on the cars.
If they need more then use the four-wheeler or pick up truck to run out and get what’s needed. Fans want to watch the cars race, not look at what brought them to the track. So for the tracks across the country that still have infield pits, give your fans a break and park the haulers and motor homes outside of track. You’ll have a have a happier bunch of fans that will come back for more racing!
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| Dave Pletcher Takes A.A.C.S. Race #2 at DeSoto | By Rick Anges
Twenty-eight of the top high powered super late models rolled onto track in the late afternoon sun to qualify for race number two of the All American Challenge Series at DeSoto Super Speedway Saturday.
Winner of the first A.A.C.S. Mr. Excitement Jimmy Cope came out seventh on the qualifying grid and burned the around the high banks with a 14.51 sec. time.
With most of the other competitors in the high to mid fourteen second range it looked like Cope would come away with the fast time but young B.J. Mcleod was not to be denied and ripped off the fastest time of the day with a 14.49 sec. clip giving him the top qualifier spot.
The top four rows were inverted by the roll of die, this put Flyin Bryan Mansfield #18 on the pole with Richard Till #53 on the outside of the front row Mcleod and Cope would start seventh and eighth for the 125 lap high powered main event.
As the green flag flew it was Till who jumped out to the early lead with Mansfield tucking in behind him. Daniel Keene #51 and the #3 of last years S.A.R.A Champ Bobby Beauchemin were mixing it up behind the two leaders for the third spot but behind them Cope was coming, picking off spots and nosing his way towards the front.
Tills car looked strong as he pulled away to a several car length lead while the rest of the pack was battling hard behind him.
Lap twenty-four saw the first caution come out for a spin by the #98 of Citrus stand out Herb Neumann Jr. On the restart Cope slammed his way up to the third spot behind Mansfield while Till again pulled away from the pack.
After the second caution came out for a tangle with Keene and the #89 of local favorite Lee Collins, Till did a good job on the restart jumping out again to a good lead. Cope in the meantime was all over the rear bumper of second place Mansfield and coming down the backstretch the #61 dove inside Mansfield, the two touched sending Mansfield into a smoky spin in turn three luckily being missed by the oncoming field.
Several other cars did not have the same luck as they spun to avoid the melee including the car of #70 James Glover who smacked head on into the stalled car #07 of Jeff Scofield. Glovers car had to be taken off on the hook ending his night early; Scofield was able to make repairs and returned on the lead lap. Also taken out was the #37 of James Powell III who had a good run going in the top five. In a controversial call Mansfield was sent to the rear of the field and Cope took over the second spot behind the hard charging Till.
 Till had mirror full of Cope for the next several laps with Cope taking the inside and going by for the lead on lap forty four bringing Beauchemin with him. Till got caught high on the track and faded back in the pack. Several cars made strides towards the front of the pack including former NASCAR All-Pro Champ Billy Bigley Jr in the #5x and Justin Drawdy in the #12. Veteran Dave Pletcher #75 had moved into the third spot and Mcleod seemed to cruising in fourth.
By lap 112 the #3 car was all over Cope looking high and low trying to get by. As the two were coming out of turn two they touched and both were sent into a wild smoke filled spin down the backstretch with both cars sitting in the infield. Both drivers were sent to the rear of the pack.
Mcleod who seemed to be pacing himself dropped to the rear of the field with apparent mechanical problems and later retired the fast #78. Later in the pits talking to B.J. it was found out that he had lost his brakes completely and then the transmission went. B.J. said. "We are fast here, we'll be back."
The last five laps of the 125 lapper were the toughest to get completed as cars were wildly spinning all over the track trying to get positions in the closing segments of the race.
Pletcher was able to hold off the tough driving Drawdy to take win and the $3,000 winners purse. Bigley came across the stripe in third, Till came back to finish fourth and rounding out the top five was the determined Jeff Scofield who came back from the earlier crash.
In the winners circle Pletcher said he was battling a tight racecar all night, "I had to keep the car low to protect the bottom line, Justin was tough all night he did a good job."
March 30th will see the A.A.C.S. return to DeSoto Super Speedway for race number three and with a $30,000 points fund on the line for the champion it should be just as exciting as the last two.
RESULTS:
AACS FEATURE RESULTS:
1. 75 DAVE PLETCHER
2. 12 JUSTIN DRAWDY
3. 5X BILLY BIGLEY JR
4. 53 RICHARD TILL
5. 07 JEFF SCOFIELD
6. 23 MIKE ABBOTT
7. 74 SONNY HUGHES
8. 3 BOBBY BEAUCHEMIN
9. 64 BOBBY COYLE
10.61 JIMMY COPE
11. 1 JOHNNY JACKSON
12. 5K DANIEL KEENE JR
13. 79 CLINT SLAGGY
14. 78 BJ MCLEOD
15. 51 DANIEL KEENE
16. 5 JOE BOYD
17. 22 PERRY BROWN
18. 98 HERB NEUMANN JR
19. 14 ARIC ALMORILA
20. 18 BRYAN MANSFIELD
21. 37 JAMES POWELL III
22. 16 TOMMY KING
23. 70 JAMES GLOVER
24. 34 JEFF DUFRESNE
25. 89 LEE COLLINS
26. 14m MARIO MARESCA
27. 9 JONATHON BROWN
28. 82 DENNY NEIGHBOR JR
In other action:
Open Wheel Modified
Rocco Ranallo #67 made some strong moves and made it back to back wins in the Open Wheel Mod division finishing ahead of the #20 of James Glover. Bobby Dixon in the #205 came across the stripe in third, #63 Phillip Morrison was forth and Bill Davis #15 took fifth.
Sportsman
In a rock em’ sock em’ race it was James Casady #75 taking the checkered flag over #3 John Casady. Wallace “Body Damage” Ramsey roared home in third from the back of the pack Followed by Buddy Brown #62 and #86 Jeff Anderson rounding out the top five.
Street Stocks
Jonathon Heidenthal #27 took his first ever victory in convincing fashion holding off #77 Scott Woodland in second. #10x Matt Scheffler, #10 Todd Wozniak and Dennis Wilson #42 rounded out the top five.
Mini-Stocks
Jessie Dutilly #30 roared from the back of the pack to take his fifth feature win in a row of the young season. Shane Whitbeck #22 did all he could to get around the Dutilly but had to settle for the second spot. Dutilly’s father John in the #38 was third followed by Jon Bailey #14 in forth and William Slack #20 in the fifth spot.
Pure Stock
The pure stock race was also a wild affair as the #16 of Chris Jackson gave everyone a scare slamming hard into the turn two-wall head on and completely destroying his car. Jackson was able to walk away from his battered machine. Mark Picklesimer #6 was able to avoid being caught up in the crash and took his first ever feature win at the high banks finishing ahead of a hard charging Peggy Hurst #3, Tim Garrod #5 was third across the line ahead Keith Thorbin #68 and Mark Lau #4.
Cowboy Caddies
#46 Buck Wilson was able to hang on for the win over Don VanAcker #33, #13 Jay Bryant and #24 Justin Bryant.
OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED FEATURE:
67 ROCCO RANALLO
20 JAMES GLOVER
205 BOBBY DIXON
63 PHILLIP MORRISON
15 BILL DAVIS
59 ANDY DYNDUL
69 MITCH BOGART
96 JAY SEKOYA
09 STEVE HARBUCK
7 JIMMY DEBONA
40 MARK CHAPMAN
SPORTSMAN FEATURE:
72 JAMES CASADY
3 JOHNNY CASADY
38 WALLACE RAMSEY
62 BUDDY BROWN
86 JEFF ANDERSON
STREET STOCK FEATURE:
27 JONATHON HEIDENTHAL
77 SCOTT WOODLAND
10X MATT SCHEFFLER
10 TODD WOZNIAK
42 DENNIS WILSON JR
MINI STOCK FEATURE:
30 JESSIE DUTILLY
22 SHANE WHITBECK
38 JOHN DUTILLY
14 JON BAILEY
20 WILLIAM SLACK
PURE STOCK FEATURE:
6 MARK PICKLESIMER
3 PEGGY HURST
5 TIM GARROD
68 KEITH THORBIN
4 MARK LAU
COWBOY CADALLIC FEATURE:
46 BUCK WILSON
33 DON VANACKER
13 JAY BRYANT
24 JUSTIN BRYANT
LEGENDS FEATURE:
8 RAY SASSER
25 JASON REISMAN
29 JOE FLANAGAN
1 ANDY LOGAN
3 JOEY MCKINNEY
99 JEGG JOHNSON
76 KEN PENTA
7 MIKE VERHAAGH
23 BRUCE SASSER
07 MITCH VERHAAGH
14 RUSS JODOIN
97 GREG MONTGOMERY
29M BRUCE REBMAN
6 KENNY WYATT
49 GARY TINKER
20 DALE HORNE
47 TIM BAGWELL
Rick Anges
Rick Anges
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| Do you feel Lucky???? Well, Do ya....? | by Donnie Helmly
 Have you ever wondered, how much luck comes into play in racing? Sure, luck is something that affects us everyday in everything that we do. I recall NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Bill Elliott, making the statement after a win at Rockingham that he would rather be lucky than good.
Well, regardless, whether you call it luck or fate, or that nice guys finish last, or what ever the power to be is, it has become a part of racing at every level of competition. All drivers will tell you that, good luck brings good finishes, which creates momentum, Which helps to keep the sponsors happy, which brings smiles on the faces of the crews and familys, which fuels the ego of the driver.
Seven time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Dale Earnhardt, had won everything there was to win at Daytona International Speedway, except the big one, the Daytona 500. For twenty years it had eluded him. Every year, for one reason or another, the luck had just not gone his way. He had a blown tire on the last lap. He ran out of gas with two laps to go. Another driver put him in the wall.
In the year 1998 all that changed. Prior to the Daytona 500, a little boy, who told him to tape it to his dashboard, gave Dale a coin and it would bring him good luck and that he would win the Daytona 500. Well, you know the rest. Dale won the event. And, to this day the coin is attached to the Dale Earnhardt monument on display at Daytona USA.
Elliott Sadler will admit that he is a bit superstitious. A friend walked by him at Bristol back in March of 98, and handed him a 1971 silver dollar, which he put heads up in his seat.
The good luck charm worked wonders for Sadler, as he drove to his 1st Busch Grand National victory of the season, and backed it up by winning the pole at Texas the next week, and placing second behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Coca Cola 300.
Sadler recalls his dad putting a quarter in the seat of his go-kart for good luck, when he was a child, but, now says he guesses the size of the coin gets bigger, because they are a little bit bigger in racing now. He is so superstitious that he used to wear the same black underwear to every race and he throws a banana peel over his shoulder and hits another car to keep the monkey off his back.
BACE Motor sports put together three championship seasons in a row in Busch competition. Johnny Benson in 1995 and Randy LaJoie in 96 and 97. But, in 1998 Lajoie couldnt seem to get out of his own way. Same team, same good cars, same tracks. Lajoie said, Luck just didnt go our way
Luck is just as apparent on the local level. Most tracks have a draw for position for the heat race, and a re-draw after the heat races to determine the starting spots for the feature events. The luck of the draw can put you at the back of the pack of a 25-car field, where15 of the cars are capable of winning.
In 1996, as a driver I won seven heat races. Of those wins, none of them resulted in a pole position after the re-draw.
In 1997, as a spectator, I drew for 4 different drivers in one night and put all four either on the pole, or outside pole, of their respected heat race. When I came back to the track a few months later as a driver, my luck must have been used up. I drew for eight races in a row and never drew lower than a 55, out of 70 numbers in the box.
Regardless of rather its real or not, drivers will always believe that luck has everything to do with it. But, some people say you make your own luck. Richard Petty said it best when he said, luck is preparation waiting for an opportunity.
So, grab your lucky rabbits foot, rub the head of a red headed youngster, or find yourself a few four leaf clovers and head to the track, and just see how long your luck holds out, because who knows if its fact or fiction, but if its your turn for good luck, you better be prepared for it.
Donnie Helmly can be heard every Monday night on his show "The Race Report" check him out at www.racereport.com
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| Robbie Storer Makes It Two In A Row At Auburndale | By Billie May
Paul Gibbs - Super Stock Winner
(KNS)For the second week in a row the racing action at Auburndale Speedway was exciting and full of heated action.
The V-8 Street Stocks took to the track with just a couple laps into this race the bumping and rubbing got started. Brian Harbin in the #65 gave a tap to #63 Donald Gatlin and sent him spinning, with Gatlin going to the rear, and Harbin keeping his position the race restarted. David Holland #32 had the lead from the start with Brian Harbin second wiht #17 Alex Abbott running third, then #66 of Wesley Harbin spun in turn four bringing out the caution.
On the restart Holland went high coming out of turn two allowing Brian Harbin to take the lead.
Jason Stifle #38 was black flagged for leaking fluid, and Wesley Harbin spun in turn four causing caution once again.
On the next restart with the top three still the same, #25 Jeff Davis was running fourth but lost control of his car coming out of turn four and Jason Deaton clipping him but was able to maintain his position, moving #00 Rodney Peterson into the top five.
David Holland went high again coming out of turn two and lost three positions then ended up spinning out between turns one and two. With only a hand full of laps left Brain Harbin took the win and Jason Deaton went to the inside to take the second spot away from Alex Abbott on the last lap.
After going through tech Alex Abbott was DQed, moving #00 Rodney Peterson to third.
Mini-Stock action had the crowd booing the winner after this exciting feature was over. On the point was #89 Scott Sharpe taking the lead with #01 Donnie Howell second and #9 Robbie Storer in the third spot. Scott Sharpe stretching his lead over second place and starting to get into heavy lapped traffic, with no cautions his lead kept getting bigger.
With the top three cars weaving in and out of lapped traffic, #12 Terry Westcott (lapped car) got tapped by Robbie Storer coming out of turn four and Westcott ended up spinning causing a caution. With the field bunched up for the restart, it didn't take long for Storer to take over the first spot and take his second win in a row with Sharpe second and Donnie Howell finishing third.
The reason the crowd booed Storer was the spinning out of the lapped car.
4-CYL Bombers had drivers trying to pass in the dirt when # 96 Larry Chumney Jr. was going for the lead and went down in the dirt and ended up having his car slow and off the pace taking himself out of the race. Restart # 7 Ronnie Hyatt leading, # 1 David Jouppi second and # 56 Wayne Hough in the third spot, David Jouppi got loose and sideways in turns 1 & 2 loosing two positions to Wayne Hough and # 3 Terry Jones. Ivan Davis # 5 and Kevin Lumley # 43 got together and Lumley spun.
Restart after David Jouppi was running in the top three he pulled in the infield moving Kevin Lumley into the top three after coming back from a spin. A couple laps left Terry Jones was putting on a charge for the top spot and trying the outside but not being able to take the position from Ronnie Hyatt and he went on to win with Terry Jones second and Kevin Lumley third. After going through tech, the top 3 cars were DQed about their off-set wheels, giving # 5 Ivan Davis the win, second to # 31 ! Donnie Guy, and third to # 1 David Jouppi.
Super Stocks were on the track next with a good field of cars.On the first lap # 12 David Williamson went to the inside of # 51 Randy Shearer they got together and spun causing a 5 car pile up taking just one car out of the race. Complete restart, # 2 Paul Gibbs took the lead with # 01 Chris Lewellen second, and # 80 Dustin Breeden in third. A couple laps later # 00 Shawn Harper went high and spun out collecting David Williamson and that ended Williamsons night. Restart, # 34 Jeff McCaw went to the inside of the # 13 Aaron Williamson for the fourth spot with # 8 Jim Orisich following dropping Williamson to sixth.
Caution again for a slow car on the track bunching the field up for another restart, McCaw looking to the outside of Breeden but fell back in line behind Breeden while # 56 James Wright III was coming up to the top five until Jim Orisich and Wright bump tires sending Wright spinning. Restart, McCaw went to the outside of Breeden to make a pass and coming out of turn! four Breeden got pinched down and got sideways on his own and McCaw took the third spot, following Chris Lewellen second and Paul Gibbs taking the win.
Great side-by-side racing in the limited Late Models between # 1 Bart Weatherford and # 71 Dave Dunkin. Weatherford took the lead with Dunkin on the outside for several laps, # 20 Greg Kielma running third. Ollie Harbin # 65 and # 45 Sammy Cressman were running side-by-side for the fourth spot, followed by # 21 Von Pope and # 55 Richard Elkins Jr. running side-by-side battling for the fifth position. Elkins finally taking the fifth spot, Kielma slipped up and Cressman went to third and Elkins followed putting Kielma back to fifth. Von Pope lost control and spun going into turn one barely tapping the wall, but went to the pits with over heating problems.
On the backstretch Harbin and Kielma tangle sending Kielma spinning, Kielma out of the race, meantime Dave Dunkin after running on the outside, pulled in due to over heating problems. Elkins passed Cressman for the second spot, and Harbin giving pressure to Cressman for the third spot, he slipped alittle allowing Harbin to go underneath him, on the next lap Cressman passed Harbin back but contact was made sending Cressman in a spin on the last lap, Harbin kept control and crossed the line in third, after Weatherford took the win and Elkins Jr. second.
Bart Weatherford "That was the most fun you can have out there, racing side-by-side like that. I knew Dunkin would race me clean and I was just a laughing every lap and having fun". Cressman came and stopped on the track and approached Harbin, they shook hands and showed GREAT Sportsmanship.
The featured race of the night was going to be the Open Wheel Modifieds, but with just three cars showing up for the race, it was cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
 Every week KARNAC.com will feature a driver from Auburndale Speedway. This week we selected the only woman that races at Auburndale, and she won the first night of the 2002 racing season.
Meet Terry Jones, 36 years of age from Zephyrhills. Her husband Steve Jones also runs at Auburndale, and she has 3 children Justin, Tommy, and Hailey Paige.
Terry has been racing for 5 years. She runs in the 4-CYL Bomber class, racing the # 3 Dodge Charger and is sponsored by Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water, Car Quest, Attorney Andy Forman, Total Performance Vinyl & Graphics, & Deals U-pull-it.
She started out in the 4-CYL Bomber Powder Puff class which is all women driving. Her best finish in the point standings was 4th, and she was voted "Most Popular Driver" by the fans. Her most memorable race was finishing 1st and her Husband Steve finishing 4th in the same class.
Her goals for the 2002 racing season is to do the best she can, hoping to finish up front and bring the car home in one piece. She would like to say a "Special Thanks" to her Husband Steve, without him she could not be racing every week, and her children for their support, Rick & Todd for always helping out, and her sponsors for backing her up.
RESULTS:
V-8 Street Stocks
1-65 Brian Harbin
2-99 Jason Deaton
3-00 Rodney Peterson
4-63 Donald Gatlin
5-38 Jason Stifle
6-7 David Williams
7-97 Paul Cressman
8-28 James Calhoun
9-32 David Holland
10-51 Mark Lowe
Mini-Stock
1-9 Robbie Storer
2-89 Scott Sharpe
3-01 Donnie Howell
4-15 Bryan Storer
5-97x Richie Acres
6-87 Bobby Judah
7-97 Brian Dorer
8-33 David Fair
9-57 Jason Rendell
10-5 Chris Palmer
4CYL-Bombers
1-5 Ivan Davis
2-31 Donnie Guy
3-1 David Jouppi
4-56 Wayne Dunnavent Jr.
5-27 Wayne Guy
6-06 George Gorham Jr.
7-96 Larry Chumney Jr.
Super Stocks
1-2 Paul Gibbs
2-01 Chris Lewellen
3-34 Jeff McCaw
4-80 Dustin Breeden
5-13 Aaron Williamson
6-56 James Wright III
7-51 Randy Shearer
8-3 Chuck Steele
9-74 Andy Dorman
10-08 Jim Orisich
Limited Late Models
1-1 Bart Weatherford
2-55 Richard Elkins Jr.
3-65 Ollie Harbin
4-54 Steve Black
5-45 Sammy Cressman
6-71 Dave Dunkin
7-20 Gregg Kielma
8-21 Von Pope
9-25 Billy Norris Jr.
Next weeks schedule is all regular classes plus the Racing for Kids Club. This class has grown over last year and has over 30 kids ranging in age from 10 to 15 years old signed up to drive this season at Auburndale Speedway.
Racing starts at 7:00pm.
-Billie May
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| Conrad Molter Tops Charlotte Pure Stocks | by Danny Snow
Conrad Molter-winner in the Pure Stocks
The fans filled the stands for another night of racing at the Charlotte County Speedway, the Home of Southern Thunder, last night. After the Southern Auto Racing Association (S.A.R.A.) finished their time trials with the #29 of Mike Hovis setting the fast qualifying lap at 15.528 at 88 MPH, the Pure Stocks were up for their 25 Lap feature race with #10 Mark Regner on the pole.
#14 Richard Gill was in the lead on lap ten when a bit of paint swapping with #55 Conrad Molter sent him into the inside wall of turn four. #15 Clint Snyder had the point for the restart. #3 John Boyer took the lead on lap twenty two and took the checkered flag but was disqualified in tech. #55 Molter took the official win with #9 Storm Sidock in second and #10 Regner in third.
Best looking Pure Stock went to #77 Dennis Hale.
Fourteen cars lined up for the Collier Electric Sportsman thirty lap feature with #67 James Dubose on the pole, but by the end of the first lap it was #9 Jerry Bryant out in front. #40 Jeremy Goddard hit the wall on lap sixteen bringing out Prompt Towing for a ride back to the pits. Goddard and his crew tried to make repairs but ended up with a DNF for the night.
The final fourteen laps of the race were clean and green with #9 Bryant holding position and taking the win. #67 Dubose took second followed by #39 Phillip Johnson in third.
Mike Hovis had set the fast time for this race, but a role of the dice inverted the first six rows of the top qualifying twenty car field, putting #34 Jeff Dufresne on the pole for the SARA Limited Late Model One Hundred Lap feature.
Dufresne fell off the pace on lap four and #95 Richie Anderson took the point and never looked back. After a multitude of caution flags for debris on the track, and hard racing for position, #36 Al Fredette was driving hard, looking at a top five finish, when a blown right front tire sent him slamming into the turn three wall on the last lap of the race. His car came to stop at the top of turns three and four and burst into flames.
Fredette managed to climb out of the car and was all right. #95 Anderson took the win with #56 Wayne Morris in second and #10 Steve Dorer in third.
The Big Wheels Mini Stock twenty lap feature got underway with #19 Dale Dean III out in front. Dean held position for eleven laps before #56 Brian Richardson took the lead in this all green flag race. #56 Richardson held on for the win with #19 Dean in second and #41 Billy Ray Jr. in third. Best looking Mini Stock went to #56 Brian Richardson.
Twenty cars of the "Thundering Herd" took to the track for the W.E. Johnson Road Warriors twenty five lap feature with #11 Robert Hendry on the pole. #00 Trey Almand took the lead after a lap two caution and restart, then lost it to #91 Ander Jackson on lap ten, who held it for two laps before #61 Chris Oncken made his move to the front. After a strong run at the front of the pack, #91 Jackson ended up in the pits with engine failure on the last lap. #61 Oncken went on to win the race with #30 Chris Huntoon in second and #0 Clete Trimmer in third.
The Best Coast Insurance Street Stocks ran the final feature of the night with #56 Walt Korkiner on the pole for the start. Korkiner was still out front on lap twelve when the fans were treated to three wide racing action as the battle for third place heated up. #99 Mark Collins made a move to the outside of #56 Korkiner on lap fifteen attempting to take the lead, but Korkiner held him off. Collins wasn't going to give up, and on the last lap of the race he dropped under Korkiner to take the lead and the win. #56 Korkiner came in second with #42 Mike LeBeau in third.
Next week the TBRA Winged Sprints will be joining us for another great night of Southern Thunder. Hope to see you there.
RESULTS
Top 10 finishers:
SARA Limited Late Model 100-lap feature:
95 Richie Anderson
56 Wayne Morris
10 Steve Dorer
29 Mike Hovis
12S Joe Sumasky
57 Joe Winchell
75 Martin Pierce
34 Jeff Dufresne
88 Randy Fox
74 Richie Henry
Pure Stock 25-lap feature:
55 Conrad Molter
9 Storm Sidock
10 Mark Regner
36V Brian Verhaagh
93 Jeff Firestine
14 Ricky Gill
77 Dennis Hale
68H John Hanuschik
Sportsman 30-lap feature:
9 Jerry Bryant
67 James Dubose
39 Phillip Johnson
38 Ralph Goddard
8 Raymond Jones
76 Joe Reese
20 George Ellsworth
17 Kelly Huff
23 Butch Murrey
41 Joe Barbera
Mini-Stock 20-lap feature:
56 Brian Richardson
19 Dale Dean III
41 Billy Ray Jr.
94 Keith Risinger
11 Tim Miller Jr.
27 Kenny Ball
Road Warrior 25-lap feature:
61 Chris Oncken
30 Chris Huntoon
0 Clete Trimmer
81 Jim Bachmann
00 Trey Almand
59 Jim Kaczynski
2 Lonnie Retherford
7 Jonathan Abraham
1 Jesse Gargus
31 Willard Hedden
Street Stock 25-lap feature:
99 Mark Collins
56 Walt Korkiner
42 Mike LeBeau
27 Terry Price
11 Doug Spitzer
84 Bill Vandevender
10 Eric Smith
49 Joe Butler
87 Eric Shank
31X Elbert Butts
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| Bronson Motor Speedway: A Whole New Look! | By Jane Smith
(KNS)For the second week in a row, Bronson Motor Speedway aka "the new Lil Bristol" was rained out. But the rain did not stop fans, drivers, and crews from coming to Bronson. Some hot laps were made before the gray, dismal clouds opened with a steady rain putting a halt to the night's program.
Mike and Jane Cope, the new owners of Bronson Motor Speedway, have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making Bronson a A+ racing facility. And, as Mike Cope said, "we aren't done yet. There are still a number of projects to be completed." Even so, Bronson has improved 100% since Cope bought it at the end of last season.
Bronson Speedway prior to the improvements
Greeting fans and helping answer any question that the drivers and crews had, Cope was quite busy. Not many times do you find an owner of a track so helpful or so out in the open. Even with a full staff, Cope remains in the middle of all the activity.
In spite of the steady drizzle, cars kept coming in to race and fans were found to be sitting in the stands, umbrella in hand, just waiting to get a taste of some good old fashion short track racing.
New stands, new asphalt, new pits were just part of the improvement that greeted these die-hard Bronson fans. Good food, clean bathroom facilities (very important at a track), and smiling faces of the staff were all found at the new "Lil Bristol".
Bronson will offer a full array of racing this year with it's own Late Model Series racing each month, modifieds, sportsman, pure stocks, mini stocks and V8 enduros.
Also on the program are a number of Series Racing with the FASTRUCKS, 911 Racing, and Florida Pro. A number of 100 lap Mini-Stock races and a few 50 lap specials for each division will definitely bring in cars for those programs.
Although the rain came and not many drivers got on the track, Michael Faulk, who was only watching, said "this is a great facility. I will defnitely be running some races here this year. Mike Cope has done a great job of making Bronson the best short track in Florida."
Bronson Motor Speedway will definitely be a track that fans, drivers and crews should check out in 2002.
CHECK OUT THE SLIDESHOW:MIKE COPE's BRONSON MOTOR SPEEDWAY GETS A MUCH NEEDED FACELIFT!
-Jane Smith
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| One Hundred Fifty One Racers Take On Citrus | By Larry MacMillan
Herb Neumann Jr. came out for his first test to reclaim the Late Model championship and made it payoff with his first win of the season over a 23 car-starting field.
After a rain out in week three of the 2002 season, local race drivers were eager to get another crack at the new set up at Citrus County Speedway Saturday night. Race teams came out 151 strong to see the final race before the annual three week Citrus County Fair Hiatus that will shut the track down until March 30th.
In the first three weeks of the season over 200 drivers have registered with the intent of participating in one or more of the six regular divisions and the Figure 8 limited schedule for this 47th year of action at what has become the Action Attraction of Central Florida.
With a $600 win purse on the line in the Street Stock 40 lap Special; twenty-three cars took the green in a real barnburner that saw only one caution flag. Sixth starting James Green Jr. wasted no time working his way through the front five to take the point and despite losing the position to David Kingsbury on one occasion, went on to claim the big prize in the first of several big payoff races for the division. Kingsbury held on for second over a very aggressive Kathy Ray, second week winner Danny Cretty, and fast qualifier Travis Nichols. Nichols put his car to the test for the first time this season and it look like a contender for another championship crown.
Herb Neumann Jr. came out for his first test to reclaim the Late Model championship and made it payoff with his first win of the season over a 23 car-starting field. Danny Johnson gave it all he had to offer but lost his second place finish in tech for an illegal carburetor. Raymond Lovelady worked his way from sixth to a second place finish after the Johnson D.Q. Scott Grossenbacher, out ran pole sitter Billy Bechtelheimer in the race for third while Al Lawrence claimed fifth place money. Tommy Schnader, Rex Struble and Mike Bresnahan took the wins in the heat races.
Chris Hooker took the Sportsman green flag from the pole and never looked back for his first win of the season. Newcomer Jimmy Thompson tried over and over again to reel Hooker in but had his hands full of Mike Veltman in the run for second The balance of the top five was David Dollar and Bill Oestreicher. Heat wins went to Hooker and Veltman who continues to maintain his top spot in his fourth attempt to win the championship crown.
Mark Sowell had his act together for the first 15 laps of the Mini Stock 20 lap main until Robbie Yoakam worked his way up from his 12th starting spot to take over the lead and his first win of the season. Ron Bartley locked in a solid third place run over Kevin Harrod and Rob Wheatley. Heat Wins went to Wayne Mathewson and Wheatley.
It appeared it was Tommy Smiths turn to go to the winners circle for his second time this season. The difference being that brother Richie wasnt the man he was racing against for the win. This time it was Brandon Johnson with Richie Smith taking third. Roy Perkins and Kreg Belcastro took a run at each other in the race for fourth. Daniel Webster took his first ever heat win Richie Smith took the second heat.
Eleven Figure 8s chased Robbie Hage for all 20 laps in the figure 8 race. Hage outran eighth starter Ken Crews to the checkers while Peanut Higgenbotham had his hands full of defending champion Bob Hage and Darryl Hage in the run for third, rounding out the tip 5 in that order.
With thirty-five Thunder Stocks making the show it was decided to run two feature races to take care of the crowd. Seventeen cars took the green in the first of two 10-lap feature races with Lee Keller taking the win and Shawn Conner following up after his heat win. Glenn Gordon, Jason White and Alice Jacobson rounded out the top five. Pat Quick was the quick one in the second feature and never was challenged for her second feature win in her career. Billy White, defending champion Stuart Madison, Rick Allen and Terry Sharrone took the top five spots in race two.
It's going to be a quiet three weeks at Citrus County Speedway for the Citrus County Fair Activities. Drivers will be antsy but have time to freshen up their race cars and finish up those cars that were in the process of being built during the off season. When the green flag flies again at Citrus County Speedway it will be for the Sunbelt Series 125 for the Super Late Models plus Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks and the Thunder Stocks return for non stop action until November 16th, 2002.
Citrus County Speedway Results
Late Model Feature 30 Laps 23 Cars
1. #98 Herb Neumann Jr. Inverness
2. #96 Danny Johnson (Disqualified-Carburetor)
2. #17 Raymond Lovelady Lakeland
3. #09 Scott Grossenbacher
4. # 6 Billy Bechtelheimer Dover
5. #90 Al Lawrence Brooksville
1st Heat Winner #19 Tommy Schnader Pinellas Park
2nd Heat Winner # 3 Rex Struble Homosassa
3rd Heat Winner #3x Mike Bresnahan Homosassa
Sportsman Feature 20 Laps 13 Cars
1 # 3 Chris Hooker Inverness
2. #2 Jimmy Thompson Pinellas Park
3. #55 Mike Veltman Crystal River
4. #04 David Dollar Hernando
5. # 0 Bill Oestreicher Webster
1st Heat Winner - #3 Chris Hooker Inverness
2nd Heat Winner - #55 Mike Veltman Crystal River
Street Stock Feature 40 Laps 23 Cars
1. #53 James Green Inverness
2. #73 David Kingsbury Brooksville
3. #63 Kathy Ray Floral City
4. #01 Danny Cretty Dunnellon
5. # 2 Travis Nichols Inverness
Fast Qualifier #2 Travis Nichols 15.400 sec.
Second Fast Qualifier - #17 Mike Bell 15.527 sec.
Mini Stock Feature 20 Laps 23 Cars
1. #8x Robbie Yoakam Hernando
2. # 5 Mark Sowell Hernando
3. #6x Ron Bartley Bushnell
4. #34 Kevin Harrod Bushnell
5. #88 Rob Wheatley Inverness
1st Heat Winner - #1 Wayne Mathewson
2nd Heat Winner - #88 Rob Wheatley Inverness
Hobby Stock Feature 20 Laps 22 Cars
1. #21 Tommy Smith Floral City
2. #88 Brandon Johnson Inverness
3. #42 Richie Smith Hernando
4. #07 Roy Perkins Inverness
5. # 3 Kreg Belcastro Inverness
1st Heat Winner - #1 Daniel Webster Brooksville
2nd Heat Winner #42 Richie Smith Hernando
Figure 8 Feature 20 Laps 11 Cars
1. #74 Robbie Hage St. Petersburg
2. #81 Ken Crews Tampa
3. # 5 Peanut Higgenbotham Brooksville
4. #78 Bob Hage St. Petersburg
5. # 8 Darryl Hage St. Petersburg
Thunder Stock Feature #1 10 Laps - 17 Cars
1. #21 Lee Keller
2. #44 Shawn Conner
3. #63 Glenn Gordon
4. # 8 Jason White
5. #93 Alice Jacobson
1st Heat Winner - #44 Shawn Conner
Thunder Stock Feature #2 10 Laps 18 Cars
1. #55 Pat Quick
2. #17 Billy White
3. #2 Stuart Madison
4. #01 Rick Allen
5. #36 Terry Sharrone
2nd Heat Winner #55 Pat Quick
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| "Young Gun" Casey Johnson Tops EastBay Sprints | By Ken Sands
With Sport Allen and Kenny Adams starting on the front row of the Dow Flooring 25 Lap main for the 360 Sprints, no one thought the winner would be anyone but one of them, but 16 year old Casey Johnson, who won the Young Gun Challenge during the 2002 Winternationals, was out to show just what kind of talent he has.
Johnson who started back in 7th spot in the 20 car field took the lead from Kenny Adams on lap 10 and pulled away from the veteran and the rest of the field to claim the regular season opening day win.
Johnson told track announcer Ken Sands in Victory Lane that he felt his motor was not working up to perfection, but was happy to get the win and start the season off on a good note.
Casey will be trying his hand at other forms of racing during 2002. Keep your eyes on this talented youngster as he pursues his racing career. Following Johnson and Adams it was Sport Allen, Johnny Gilbertson, and Roland Johnson. Heats went to Allen and Adams.
In Late Model action the Dow Flooring main went to Bill Howard in his Dow Flooring #47 as he outran Jack Nosbisch Jr., Bobby Alexander Sr., Steve Mathis and Ted Erskine. Devin Dixon crossed the line in 4th but was light at the scales. Heats went to Bobby Alexander Sr., and Jack Nosbisch.
The Dow Flooring Limited Late Model main went to David Simpson over Terry Bronson, Terry Gay, William Hampton and David Boerner. Heats went to Rich Kessinger and Terry Gay.
The Dow Flooring Mini Stock main went to Dorsey Strickland in his Johnny Doan Plumbing #21 over Scotty Williams, Brian Debore, Rick Partridge and Spencer Buzbee. Heats went to Brian Debore, Ryan Mitchell and Strickland.
The Dow Flooring Open Wheel Modified Main went to Wayne Hammond over Bruce Watkins, Roger Crouse, Robbie Barris and Dean Varnadore. Heats went to Hammond and Watkins. The Dow Flooring Street Stock A Main went to Jason Bronson over Mike Gamache, Bryson Ryker, Rob Hall and Timmy Bronson. Heats went to Rob Hall, Bryson Ryker and Jason Bronson.
The Dow Flooring Street Stock B Main went to Danny McCall over Jim Greenwood, Mac Kersey.
SUMMARY: SPRINTS-Casey Johnson, Kenny Adams, Sport Allen, Johnny Gilbertson, Roland Johnson, Red Stauffer, Brian Maddox, Daryl Smith, Greg Leonard, Taylor Andrews, Paulie Milum, Tim Holston, John Darling, Mike Senecal, Tom Winegardner, Danny Martin Jr., Bruce Durden, Terry Witherspoon, Frank Carlsson, Brandon Dover.
LATE MODELS-Bill Howard, Jack Nosbisch Jr., Bobby Alexander Sr., Steve Mathis, Ted Erskine, Rusty Dixon, Trevor Merrill, Keith Nosbisch, Donnie Tanner, Phillip Cobb, Frank Erskine Sr., Frank Erskine Jr., Bob Peterson, Dan Darnell, Bobby Alexander Jr., Tex Erskine, K D Kelley, John Ray, Steve Gillman, Al Larson, Bubba Sullivan, Jeff Mathews, Devin Dixon DQ, Roger Crouse DNS, David Schmauss DNS
MINI STOCKS-Dorsey Strickland, Scotty Williams, Brian Debore, Rick Partridge, Spencer Buzbee, Chad Rose, Scott Howard, Ryan Mitchell, Casey Murphy, Greg Pae, Jason Cannon, Marty Dailey, Jackey Newell, Arnold Perkins, Rob Pope, Arthur Perkins, Keith Simpson, Steve Wright, Jimmy Waldrop, Joey Preece, Rich Livernois.
LIMITED LATE MODELS-David Simpson, Terry Bronson, Terry Gay, William Hampton, David Boerner, Jamie Burrows, Jerry White, Ricky Land, Doug Decker, Dale Pope, Jeremy Simpson, Forrest Gough, JR Prather Jr., Ed Hill, Squeezer Cahill, Rich Kessinger, Dave Roberts, Ronnie Inman, Dave Wright, Shane Koperda, Teddy Jernigan, John Norris, Robbie Mena.
OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS-Wayne Hammond, Bruce Watkins, Roger Crouse, Robbie Barris, Dean Varnadore, Greg Reutimann, Randy Thomas, David Simpson, Robert Douglas, Jim Passino, Marvin Sanders, Randy Sheilds Jr., Bobby Weidrich, Ed Newell.
STREET STOCK A -Jason Bronson, Mike Gamache, Bryson Ryker, Rob Hall, Timmy Bronson, Jack Rowland, Wayne Hays, Robert Fleming, Jim Greenwood, David Strickland, Eric Teal, Rusty Timmons, Tony Traina, Hollie Smith, Jeff Stewart, Jeffrey Meixner, Steve Spencer, DJ Sanders, Dusty Cates, Tim Hunt, Eric Large, Bruce Harvey, Glen Hodges, Chris Cherry
STREET STOCK B-Danny McCall, Joe Greenwood, Mac Kersey, David Riner, Skip Davis, Tim Spencer, Rick Tager, J D Humphrey, Terry Large, Charlie Dotterer, Thomas White.
by Ken Sands
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