Tuesday, September 16, 2003 Bowman Takes First Leg of Gulfcoast Triple Classic The inaugural event of the Gulf Coast Triple Classic Bud Light 50, sponsored by Bearden Oil and Souther Race Fuels for Open Wheel Modifieds was geld at Sunshine Speedway Saturday, September 13th. This first leg of the series drew 40 competitors from around the Sunshine State. Current Sunshine points leader, Ralph Bowman of Seminole, Florida collected the $1000 grand prize for the 50 lap event, along with a check from Hat Rack Shocks and Chassis for $150 for being the fast qualifier. Twenty seven cars started the feature which saw Bowman in the lead by lap 9. Bowman had started in the second spot beside pole sitter Chris Robbins (Indian Rocks Beach) in the #88. Bowman could only hold the lead until lap 20 when Wayne 'Rocket Man' Jefferson put his #1 machine up front. It had the makings of an inbteresting race between the two, but Jefferson blew his distributor cap on lap 24 and left the track for the night. Bowman was challenged by #57 Timmy Moore (Pinellas Park) for the balance of the race. A $300 "winner take all" last chance race was held at the conclusion of the 50 lap main event, for those Modifieds not making the feature. Matthew Fetterhoff (Riverview) took the win in his #71 racecar. Phil Morrison (Punta Gorda) was the hard charger and collected $250 from Dennis Webb of Web Roofing. The second leg of the series will take place at Charlotte County Speedway on October 25th with $1500 and will be a 75 lap race. The third race will be held at Bronson Motor Speedway on November 9th. This will be a 100 lap race paying $2000 to the winner. The driver's points fund and contingency prizes will be awarded at the Bronson race. Related Links: Gulfcoast Triple Classic presented by Bearden Oil and Southern Race Fuels Coming to a Track Near You COMPLETE RESULTS: # 2 Ralph Bowman #57 Timmy Moore #5X Billy Mowery # 1 Mike Hinegardner #1X John Anderson # 5 James Glover #93 Rob Partelo #51 Tommy Bower #63 Phil Morrison #15 Bill Atkins #89 Lee Collins #23 Butch Bassett # 6 Corky Craver #20 Robert Crisp #13 Kevyn Terry # 3 Tony Meehan #88 Chris Robbins #205 Bobby Dixon #04 Rick Mcmanaway #89 Teddy Nelson #71X L.B. Skaggs #61 Chet Senokossoff #19 Tommy Schnader #1J Wayne Jefferson #19X Bart Corlieto #96 Robert Ray #55 Herman Brame Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!