Tuesday, November 18, 2003 38th Running of the Governor's Cup this Saturday at New Smyrna Speedway by Jane Smith Samsula, Fla (November 18, 2003) All eyes have turned towards New Smyrna Speedway as the 38th running of the Governor's Cup is scheduled for this Saturday, November 22nd. There are two very prestigeous Super Late Model events in the State of Florida, one the Governor's Cup and two, the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola scheduled in December. Every Florida Super Late Model racer dreams of having his or her name added to those two trophies. Not only will State Senator Daniel Webster of Orlando be the Grand Marshall this year for the Cup but also in attendance will be the family of Al Keller, the longtime Florida short track promoter that the distinguished race was commissioned for in 1965. Keller was well known and loved in Florida. The Cup is a golden trophy, very similar to the Daytona 500 trophy, that has many famous and distinguished names on it. Wayne Reutimann won the first cup race and in 2002, Mike Fritts won the last race. Others with their names on the Golden Cup are Dumont Smith, Ed Howe, Dick Trickle, Gary Balough, Mike Eddy, Robert Hamke, Jim Fenton, Leroy Porter, David Russell, Pete Orr, Jack Cook, David Rogers, Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Billy Bigley Jr., James Powell, and Bobby Gill. A few being repeat winners. This year's expected entries are Dick and Wayne Anderson, James Powell, David Rogers, B.J. McLeod, Aric Almirola, Barry Willoughby, Jonny Kay, Patrick Williams, Scotty Crockett, Jimmy Cope, Eric Black, Wayne Willard, Ricky Carlton, Jacob Warren, Fain Skinner, Rich Pratt, Jay Middleton, Brian Finney and many more. Each will come to New Smyrna Speedway on Friday night hoping that this will be their year to win the Cup. The Governor's Cup is also the last leg of the Triple Crown series where Patrick Williams leads the points for the Crown. Not only will the winner of the Governor's Cup be celebrated in the Winner's Circle but also the winner of the Triple Crown and the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series. On the program with the 200 lap Governor's Cup is the final race and Championship for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge series. Coming into the final race, Robbie Yoakam leads the points and has high hopes for the championship. Top ten in the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series are Robbie Yoakam, Robbie Storer, Kevin Macy, Dennis Valdez, Lee Davis, Chad Ashley, Rick Partridge, Marty Neikens, Richard Kelly Jr., and Tom Jones Jr. A number of New Smyrna Mini Stocks will also be present including Tim "Missileman" McPhail, Rex Christensen, Rex "Boneman" Hollinger, and possibly the new 2003 Mini Stock Champion Ted "Mr Mini Stock" Vulpius. A good field is expected for this 100 lap event. Friday night, November 21, there will be open practice for Super Lates and Mini Stocks only. Practice and technical inspections will be from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday, November 22nd, gates will open at noon with practice starting at 1 p.m. Qualifying for the Governor's Cup and Florida Mini Stock Challenge races will be at 4:30 p.m. Pre-race activities and driver introductions will be 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the green flag flying at 7:30 p.m. Reserved Seating is available at $25.00 with general admission $20.00, $15.00 for students and senior citizens and children 12 and under free. Pit gates are $25.00, $15.00 with FASCAR membership. New Smyrna Speedway is located between SR44 and SR415 between I-4 and I-95 eight miles west of New Smyrna Beach in beautiful Samsula, Florida. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!