| BIG FOOT and Jim Smith Reign at Citrus | by Larry MacMillan
(Inverness, Fl. 8/9/03) As usual, rain delayed the start of Citrus County Speedway’s BIG FOOT Special but patience was again a virtue and it won over Mother Nature and the fans came. General Manager Tim Christman delayed charging the drivers in the pits until 5 p.m. before making the decision to go for it. Cars got on the track to dry it out after a full day of rain and delayed the start of the six division races for about an hour. Despite the delay the show went on without any further hitches due to the weather conditions.
Many of the fans came to see “BIG FOOT” and they got their money’s worth as driver Alan Hartsock put on quite a show for them during intermission. He spent 30 minutes putting this 1500 horse power machine through its paces, jumping, and crushing 5 cars that were strategically placed in the intersection of the figure 8 track. Alan hit the cars head on, from the side, riding over and jumping them and displayed the power in this 574 cu. Inch Ford powered machine sponsored by Firestone. After his show Alan was deluged by fans wanting pictures and autographs that kept him busy for the rest of the night. Nick Nicholas Ford and Citrus Truck Accessories were the local co-sponsors of the BIG FOOT show.
Late Models got back into action after a three week layoff and 15 cars got some hard core racing done in preparation for the 2nd leg of the Florida Pro Series weekend in North Central Florida scheduled for next Friday and Saturday night. Danny Johnson and Rex Struble opened up the night with heat wins. The five from each heat drew for starting positions with Jim Smith drawing the pole He took the point from the get go and from their on it was try to out power Smith for Ricky Carlton, Mike Bresnahan, Danny Johnson and Herb Neumann Jr as Smith took his third win of the year and closed the gap for the point lead just a little more on Mike Bresnahan.
Only nine cars braved the weather for the Sportsman race and they ran in a 20 lap feature only. Four caution flags led to four lead changes and the eventual winner was Kyle Bookmiller who took advantage of the leaders getting into trouble. Bill Ryan and Mike Bell got together late in the race when Bell was going for the lead on the back straight sending both to the pits late in the race. Both got back out to finish the final few laps with Bookmiller holding off the late charges of two previous leaders, Stephen Anderson and Mike Bell. John Chance went to the pits for repairs and managed to hold out for fourth over David White.
Travis Nichols and Melvin Farmer locked up the heat races but when they lined up for the feature top finishers from last week went to the rear of the starting field. Travis Nichols made short work of the front six car and spent the rest first fifteen laps chasing point leader Danny Cretty before making the pass for the lead and the win. Cretty held out over a late run by Mickey Burns, Ernie Reed and Daniel Webster to pick up second. Cretty cushioned his point lead over Ernie Reed with that finish.
Steve Griffin has just seriously gotten back into Mini Stock racing since his near fatal accident almost two years ago and it was his night to see Victory Lane for the first time in over two years. Despite some heavy heat from Phillip Joyner, George Neumann, Chris Hooker and Mike Lawhorn, Griffin proved he is back. The short field did not run heat races with only 8 cars taking the green for their 20 lap feature. Griffin led from flag to flag for his win after only three weeks back in the driver’s seat.
Hobby Stocks didn’t let the weather deter them from making the scene at Citrus with 20 cars making the starting lineup. Wes Wilson used his wife’s racer after his primary car blew up in warm ups and made it work for a heat win over the 10 car field. Point leader Richie Smith managed to outrun field in the second heat. Chris Cater took the early lead and then gave way to Wes Wilson after a few laps. Wes held the point for the next seven laps while brother Sport was making his way through traffic from his 12th starting spot to take the lead at the halfway point. Wes held off the chare of 13th starter Richie Smith to finish second while Travis Nichols and Curtis Neumann followed Smith across the line.
Nineteen cars took the green for the 20 lap Thunder Stock feature to wrap up the night of excitement. Before it was all over, the back of the pack at the start was the front of the pack at the finish with Rick Badessa coming from 16th to Victory Lane for his first win of the season. Tim Wilson moved from 12th to hold out for second followed by point leader Pat Quick who came from 15th and lost some spots when the caution came out at mid race. Louie Cioe held the early lead and held out for fourth at the finish line over Wayne Heater to round out the top five.
Citrus County Speedway Results 08/09/03
Late Model Feature – 30 Laps – 15 Cars
1. #32 Jim Smith
2. # 3 Ricky Carlton
3. #3X Mike Bresnahan
4. #96 Danny Johnson
5. #98 Herb Neumann Jr.
1st Heat Winner - #69 Rex Struble
2nd Heat Winner - #96 Danny Johnson
Sportsman Feature – 20 Laps - 9 Cars
1. #03 Kyle Bookmiller
2. #48 Stephen Anderson
3. #17 Mike Bell
4. #96 John Chance
5. # 6 David White
No Heats Run
Street Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 13 Cars
1. # 2 Travis Nichols
2. #01 Danny Cretty
3. #22 Mickey Burns
4. #55 Ernie Reed
5. # 1 Daniel Webster
1st Heat Winner - #69 Melvin Farmer
2nd Heat Winner - #2 Travis Nichols
Mini Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 8 Cars
1. #13 Steve Griffin
2. #86 Phillip Joyner
3. # 3 George Neumann
4. #1X Chris Hooker
5. #44 Mike Lawhorn
No Heat Race Run
Hobby Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 20 Cars
1. #94 Sport Wilson
2. #85 Wes Wilson
3. #42 Richie Smith
4. #77b Travis Nichols
5. #01 Curtis Neumann
1st Heat Winner - #85 Wes Wilson
2nd Heat Winner – 42 Richie Smith
Thunder Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 19 Cars
1. #88 Rick Badessa
2. #85 Tim Wilson
3. #55 Pat Quick
4. #88X Louie Cioe
5. #71 Wayne Heater
1st Heat Winner - #13 Rex Mullis
2nd Heat Winner - #85 Tim Wilson
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