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| Jay Middleton Takes First Florida Pro Series Win at Charlotte County | by Dave Westerman
After winning the Florida Pro Series 2002 Rookie of the year title, much was expected from young Jay Middleton in 2003. Consistency had put him on top of the 2003 point standings, but a win had eluded him... until Saturday night at Charlotte County Speedway.
Although not in the forecast, teams found cloudy and windy conditions when they arrived at the track. With seven cars still in line to qualify, light rain showers hit the track.
At that point, Mike Franklin Jr., again behind the wheel of Eddie Hamby's car, was by far the quickest at 15.050 seconds with Middleton's 15.185 second quick.
Each time the track was dried, the heavy mist would return for just long enough to lightly coat the track. Eventually, Chris Turner got his qualifying effort in, only to see more rain showers begin to fall.
Radar showed the small rain cell over the track moving away, but in the interest of time, qualifying was scrapped and the field lined up according to points.
This was a big break for Middleton as he had the pole for the 100-lap race with Mike Faulk outside of him for the start. The first attempt to go green was negated by a multi-car tangle in turn three involving Franklin, Ricky Thorpe, Frank Welch, Sean Lemaster, and Kenny Vaughn.
Lemaster's car received the worst damage and he pitted to "modify" the front end of his car.
Attempt number two saw Middleton and Faulk get together and spin in turn four with the rest of the field somehow able to miss them. Unfortunately, Scot Walters got rear-ended by another car and suffered enough damage to become the first car out of the race.
The third try was the charm as Middleton snared the early advantage while Franklin headed to the pits on lap two with a flat tire, but stopped on the track just long enough to bring out the caution. Franklin's crew worked feverishly, but he lost five laps before he could get back in the race.
Middleton was definitely dialed in as he began to pull away from Faulk following the restart while Brian Finney was easily the quickest car on the track, taking third from Doyle Boatwright on lap ten.
Caution was displayed on lap 17 when Thorpe spun in turn two. Following the restart, Steve Lamb's car slowed with mechanical ills and he headed for the pit area and out of the race.
Middleton remained firmly in command only to be slowed again on lap 23 as Lemaster and Ray Derry locked horns in turn two. Engine trouble eliminated yet another of the top contenders on lap 29 as Bobby Coyle headed to the pits.
Middleton had opened up a sizeable lead while Finney chased down and passed Faulk on lap 32 and looked to have something for Middleton.
Lemaster spun in turn two to bring out the caution on lap 45, giving Finney the opportunity he needed to close up on Middleton. As the green came back out, Middleton again began to pull away as Finney was not running as fast as he did earlier.
Only one more caution slowed the race on lap 70 for Thorpe's spin in turn four, but Middleton had the field covered for his first major Super Late Model win and first in Florida Pro for his North Florida Pharmacy race team.
Finney was disappointed with his second place finish as he felt he had the best handling car, but a miss developed in the engine just after he took second so he just "rode" the rest of the way. Faulk held on to his second place position in points with a third place finish while Boatwright ran his usual steady race to get fourth just in front of local stand out Chris Turner.
Ray Derry and Frank Welch (who was running a "crate" engine in his car) were sixth and seventh on the lead lap while Craig Seewald was eighth, two laps back. Franklin and Thomas Gordon rounded out the top ten, both five laps down.
One race remains on the Florida Pro Series schedule and Jay Middleton can wrap up the 2003 title with a good finish at Columbia Motorsports Park on November 30th.
RESULTS - FLORIDA PRO SERIES - CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY - 10/25/03 (100 Laps):
1) Jay Middleton, Lake City #74
2) Brian Finney, Merritt Island #80
3) Mike Faulk, Gainesville #25
4) Doyle Boatwright, Lawtey #57
5) Chris Turner, Naples #94
6) Ray Derry, Hallandale #16
7) Frank Welch, Ft. Myers #96
8) Craig Seewald, Hollywood #44
9) Mike Franklin, Jr., Homestead #43
10) Thomas Gordon, Naples #11
11) Sean Lemaster, Naples #35
12) Ricky Thorpe, Davie #13
13) Bobby Coyle, S.W. Ranches #64
14) Kenny Vaughn, Naples #127
15) Steve Lamb, Miami #99
16) Scot Walters, Naples #2
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