| Icebreaker Sees Perfect Weather and New Tires | by Rebecca Richards
-KARNAC.com
Wayne Jefferson and Crew celebrate Modified victory
Sunday, February, 22, 2004--Bradenton, FL.... The Ice Breaker couldn't have had better weather. Partly sunny skies and mild temperatures kept the Hoosier tires cool enough for the racers to try out new cars and new tires while giving fans in attendance plenty of hot racing action.
For the most part the drivers were pleased with the performance of the Hoosier tires and the added speed the Hoosiers contributed to the racing.
Being my first time to visit Desoto Speedway, I was impressed with the concrete pit area for the racers and after talking with many of them, the crews and drivers remarked it made it much easier to work on their cars.
The DeSoto Truck race was filled with beating, banging and crashing yet the most exciting part of the race would be watching Shane Russ, B.J.Gill, and David Pollen, Jr. racing three wide with Russ pulling out to the front leaving Gill and Pollen, Jr. door to door for several laps.
Cheers from the crowd proved their appreciation of the battle on the track. Shane Russ would take the checkered flag followed by B.J.Gill and third going to David Pollen, Jr.
The Open Wheel Modifieds had fans on their feet as the battles for the second through sixth positions began with the green and didn't stop until the checkered flags waved.
After rubbing and racing hard though in the end it would finally end up being Wayne "The Rocketman" Jefferson claiming the win after leading the race every lap.
Early in the OWM race Lee Collins, John Shields and Timmy Moore were three wide with Collins "kissing" the wall causing suspension problems and had to retire from the race. It was a disappointing day for Collins as he was the second fastest qualifier, with Wayne Jefferson having the fast time of 15.11.
After the caution, Shields would work his way to second position with Timmy Moore and Phil Morrison putting on the pressure. Nobody was going to catch the leader, but the last three laps had plenty of action as it was up in the air who would take the second, third and fourth spots.
When the checkered flags waved it was Wayne Jefferson in victory lane, Timmy Moore taking second and surprise pass by Johnny Sarppracione for third leaving Phil Morrison to take a respectable fourth place.
The "Hoosier Cup All American Challenge Series" Icebreaker 125 lap race gave fans what they came for, lots of speed and action. Fast and furious from the start the late models had a warmer track surface to contend with besides each other.
Door to door racing down the back stretch between Billy "Mr.Consistent" Bigley, Jr. and Wayne Anderson had fans going wild with excitement.
Bigley Jr. was the 4th fastest qualifier and worked hard maintaining his hard fought position only to lose it after a scuffle in turn two which slowed him up a bit.
Jimmy "Mr.Excitement" Cope who had suffered mechanical problems was intending to run the race but after a few laps, the problems ended up taking him out of the race.
In the end the victory would go to Chris Fontaine in the #47, followed by Wayne Anderson and on his tail was Billy Bigley, Jr. claiming the third position.
Billy Bigley, Jr. will be running a Hooter's Pro Cup race at Lakeland Speedway in his new car and if all goes well he will then go to New Smyrna.
Even though the stands were not full to capacity, there was a good crowd considering the race was held up against the Rockingham race.
The staff at DeSoto are to be commended for all their hard work and pleasant attitudes. The racers and crews were very considerate and helpful.
I definitely enjoyed meeting the women behind the racers; wives, sisters, and girlfriends. Some never miss a race, as Lee Collins' wife stated and some are too nervous to come, yet many made an exception to be there to show their support at The Icebreaker.
All in all my first time at DeSoto Speedway was a pleasure marred only by one man's rudeness. Perhaps it was just a bad day for him, perhaps, it was "opening day jitters" so I will give him the benefit of the doubt and blow it off like I did the dust from the track.
Just wish now that I could have fixed those crackling speakers because I found out too late...THEY HAD SUNSCREEN FOR SALE and I would definitely have coated my face and exposed parts with it!
So here's my suggestion to the owner of DeSoto: You have a good announcer (when you can hear him). Please fix your PA system! Many of us in the stands were asking each other "What did he say?"
Questions or comments about this story, email me or post a message on the Message Board.Rebecca
[For more on the Icebreaker and complete results see the Rick Anges report]
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