Tuesday, October 28, 2003 First Leg of the Sunbelt Super Late Model Triple Crown set for Bronson Motor Speedway November 1 by Jane Smith Samsula, Fla - It was the year 2000 when Don Nerone, General Manager and Track Promoter at Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway, brought back the splender of the prestigious running of the Florida Triple Crown. "It was the perfect time to bring back the Triple Crown," said Nerone. "Once we knew it would happen, we picked Orlando SpeedWorld, New Smyrna Speedway and Desoto Super Speedway for the three tracks." Thirty two cars came to Orlando SpeedWorld that Friday night with a 17 year old B.J. McLeod winning the first race. That was November 17 and it was also his 17th birthday, a very good omen for the young McLeod. Night two saw Ricky Carlton take the win at New Smyrna Speedway. Tired and worn, the drivers moved on to Desoto Super Speedway for the last leg. It was Dick Anderson's birthday that Sunday and Anderson did what McLeod had done, took the win for his birthday and also was crowned the Triple Crown Champion at Desoto. "We saw how hard those three days were on the drivers and we decided not to run three straight days but to divide the race in three separate weekends" Nerone explained. So in 2001, the three legs were run at New Smyrna Speedway, Orlando SpeedWorld and Charlotte County Speedway. James Powell took the win at New Smyrna with David Rogers taking the second leg at SpeedWorld. But it was Dick Anderson who took the final win at Charlotte County Speedway and Travis Kittleson being named the Triple Crown Champion. In 2002 Dick Anderson won his second Crown and this Saturday at the high banks of Bronson Motor Speedway the battle begins again for the 2003 Triple Crown Champion. Although the Sunbelt Super Late Model drivers will still earn points for the Sunbelt series, points will start for the road to the Triple Crown Champion. Both Champions, Sunbelt Super Late Model and Triple Crown will be announced at the Governor's Cup on November 22nd at New Smyrna Speedway as it is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Leading the points in the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Models is Wayne Anderson who has the Championship locked up as he stands at 1027 points. Jay Middleton, coming off his first Florida Pro win last weekend at Charlotte County Speedway and leading the points for the Florida Pro Series, runs second in points with 783. James Powell runs third in points with 724 followed by Jonny Kay with 664. Barry Willioughby comes in fifth with 617 points followed by Jacob Warren with 565. Newcomer Fain Skinner stands sixth in points with 557 and only 16 points behind Skinner is Eric Black at 541. Michael Willilams, last year's 2002 Sunbelt Super Late Model Champion, stands ninth with 532 points. With a good finish, any of these top drivers could move up a notch. David Rogers and Aric Almirola find themselves tied in tenth with 472 points each. Expected to run the Triple Crown also is Travis Kittleson who has just returned from the 2003 ASA season coming home ninth in points and second in the $50,000 Rookie of the Year points. Said Kittleson, "I hope to be at Bronson if we can get the car ready but if not I will definitely be at Citrus and, of course, the Governor's Cup and final leg. We are very excited to be home again and look forward to some good ole short track racing." Bronson Motor Speedway will have open practice Friday night from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for all divisions with secure transporter parking and FREE camping all weekend. Also on the program with the Triple Crown will be Bronson's Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, V8 Bombers and 4 Cylinder Bombers. On Saturday, November 1, pit gates will open at 1 p.m. Grandstands open at 4 p.m. with qualifying for the first leg of the Triple Crown at 6 p.m. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Adults are $15.00, Kids 6 - 12 only $5.00 and 5 and under are free! Bronson Motor Speedway is located 15 miles SW of Gainesville and 20 minutes off I-75. Leg 2 will run November 8th at Citrus County Speedway. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!