Thursday, November 13, 2003 State Senator Daniel Webster Named 38th Florida Governor's Cup Grand Marshall by Jane Smith Samsula, Fla. (November 13, 2003) - September 11, 2001 brought Americans together. It united us in a way that we had not known for some time. That year, Governor Jeb Bush was the Grand Marshall of the 36th Annual Florida Governor's Cup event. Against his advisers wishes, he said he would come and he came. In 2002, Patrick D. Smith was the Grand Marshall for the 37th Florida Governor's Cup race. Smith, who has won about every writing prize there is, including the Pulitzer Prize and was the Governor's choice as his stand-in. Now it is 2003 and State Senator Daniel Webster will have the honor of being the 38th Annual Governor's Cup Grand Marshall. Although Webster is in the midst of a campaign for United States Senator, he will take November 22nd off from his busy schedule to stand-in to represent Governor Jeb Bush for this year's prestigious race event. In 1965 Florida Governor Haydon Burns commissioned the first Governor's Cup race in honor of long time Florida short track promoter and famed sprint car driver Al Keller. Wayne Reutimann won the race that year which was held at Golden Gate Speedway in Tampa, Florida. Over the years, the Cup has run at Golden Gate Speedway, Sunshine Speedway, Desoto Speedway and in 1987 found a permanent home at New Smyrna Speedway by it's owner Clyde Hart. Previous race winners have included Wayne Reutimann, Bobby Brack, Dumont Smith, Gary Balough, Robert Hamke, Ed Howe, Dick Trickle, Jim Fenton, Mike Eddy, Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson, Leroy Porter, Bobby Gill, Pete Orr, David Russell, Jack Cook, David Rogers, Billy Bigley Jr., Wayne Anderson, James Powell III and in 2002 Mike Fritts. Bobby Allison came in second to Wayne Reutimans in '65. Florida's Governor Cup is considered to be the biggest race of the year for Super Late Models and it is every driver's dream to win the Cup and have their name plate added to the Golden Cup trophy. Some of the expected entries for the 38th Governor's Cup are Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Travis Kittleson, B.J. McLeod, Jack Cook, David Rogers, Jay Middleton, Patrick Williams, Scotty Crockett, James Powell III, Wayne Willard, Brian Finney, Fain Skinner, Eric Black, and Justin Drawdy just to name a few. The Governor's Cup has had a huge resurgence of popularity in recent years, aided by the 2001 visit by Governor Bush. This year's Grand Marshall Daniel Webster was first elected to the state house in 1980 during Ronald Reagan's time. He was literally an unknown so much so that when the election was over, the newspaper announced he had lost but in fact he had won over a better known and better financed Democrat. By profession Webster is an engineer but admits a public servant by calling. Webster led Republicans to political dominance in the Florida Legislature. State Senator Bill Posey from Rockledge said the following about his fellow statesman, "Daniel Webster is the most principled man I have ever met, not the most principled politician but the most principled person". "I met Daniel Webster after my election to the Florida Legislature in 1992", Posey continued, "Webster is a true family man who is relatively quiet, highly intelligent and deeply spiritual. Governor Bush could not have made a better choice for the 38th Grand Marshall for the Governor's Cup race at New Smyrna Speedway." Webster is so respected in the Orlando area that he has won eight consecutive elections without a single opponent, Republican or Democrat. Webster has never lost any election. From 1996 to 1998, Webster served as the House Speaker and was then elected to the Florida State Senate. Webster is now the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Committee. Robert Hart, owner of New Smyrna Speedway, said "we are very happy to have such a special Grand Marshall as Daniel Webster. We look forward to his visit on November 22nd and appreciate his taking the time off to come." Webster, in spite of increased duties at the State Capitol, has remained a small businessman and family man. His priority remains his faith in God and his family; wife, Sandy, six children and two grandchildren. Webster remains the head of his successful family business, Webster Air Conditioning and Heating. The 38th running of the Florida Governor's Cup will be November 22nd at New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula, Florida. The race this year is 200 laps around the high-banked very fast half-mile where track management plays a very important role. There will be a pre-race show with State Senator Daniel Webster speaking to the fans and drivers. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information call the speedway during business hours at 386-427-4129. Related Articles: Governor Jeb Bush Joins In the 36th Annual Governor's Cup Mike Fritts Wins 37th Governor's Cup Pulitzer Prize Winner Patrick D. Smith Named Grand Marshall For 2002 Governor's Cup Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!