April 5, 2004 Middleton Goes Wire to Wire in Suncoast Super Late Model Series By Rick Warren The Fascar Sunbelt Super Late Models were in town for 125 laps of Racing on the high banks of Bronson Motor Speedway. Every one in attendance was waiting in anticipation of some fast qualifying times, and some good racing action. During practice on Friday evening, and again on Saturday afternoon, many drivers were posting practice laps in the 12.80 12.90 second range. When qualifying time arrived, apparently the track had cooled down enough to affect the times that were posted. Dick Anderson, driving the 86 car, ended up on top of the list with a time of 13.166 seconds on his second lap. Wayne Anderson, driving the #84 Airframe International entry, was second fastest with a time of 13.211 seconds. After qualifying tech, Dick Anderson drew a #5 for the inversion, assigning the pole position to Middleton. As the 16 Super Lates lined up for the feature event, Middleton had Ricky Carlton beside him on the front row, with the second row being held by Mike Bresnahan and Wayne Anderson, followed by Dick Anderson and Fain Skinner. When the green flag waved for the start, Middleton powered his North Florida Medical entry to the front, followed by Carlton, Bresnahan, and both Andersons. Danny Johnson was forced to retire from the race early with mechanical problems, but was able to exit the track without bringing out the caution flag. Lap 25 saw local racer Gary Southard retire with mechanical woes as well. Lap 28 action saw Wayne Anderson work by Mike Bresnahan to take third place, while Middleton continued to hold a comfortable lead. The first of 6 cautions, for 21 laps, came out on lap 49, as Mac Johnson looped his Mac Johnson Roofing entry in turn 4. When the race restarted, the order was Middleton, Carlton, W.Anderson, Bresnahan, D.Anderson, Crockett, Kay, Skinner, M.Williams, D.Keene Jr., and Kiki Thomas. Lap 60 action had Dick Anderson battling with Mike Bresnahan for position, when both cars got loose off turn 4. As they fought to control their racercars, Scotty Crockett took advantage of the situation and drove by both cars to take over 4th place. Caution again was out on lap 66 as Wayne Anderson and Ricky Carlton made contact while racing for second place. Carlton spun into the infield in turn 2, and both cars were forced to restart at the end of the lead lap. At the restart, Middleton to keep his hold on first place, followed by Crockett, D.Anderson, and Bresnahan. Caution again was displayed on lap 80 as Fain Skinner spun his Skinners Paint and Body racer in turn 4. Lap 99 saw the caution flag once again as Kiki Thomas spun the Pioneer Land Developing entry exiting turn 4. The restart saw Middleton settling in for the run to the checkered flag, with Crockett, D.Anderson, Bresnahan and Jonny Kay right behind. Lap 105 saw a quick caution as Ricky Carlton spun in turn 2, and another quick caution on lap 112 for Daniel Keene Jr. , spinning in turn 4. Lap 116 saw Wayne Anderson and Michael Williams tied up on the back straight, but were both able to continue, without bring out a caution. The race ended with Middleton taking the first Sunbelt Win of the 2004 season, followed by Crockett, D.Anderson, Bresnahan, and Kay. The Bronson Regular Divisions were ready to go after the Super Lates cleared the track, and the Sportsman division was first up. These guys were raring to go, and it showed. The first attempt at a start, saw a major problem in turn 1, with only a few cars making it thru the mess. All involved were able to restart, and on the second attempt, last weeks winner, Kimbo VanAernam, took a big time hit into the front straight wall, and several other cars. Fortunately Kimbo was not injured, but his car will require major reconstructive work. The flagman put the racers in single file, and finally got a good start to the race. Doug Anderson took the lead followed by Arthur Conquest and Robby Cooper. As the 3 racers tried to distance themselves from the field, Anderson got loose in turn 4, allowing Conquest and Cooper to drive by. Conquest and Cooper put on quite a show, racing hard and clean for the remainder of the race, with Conquest holding on for the win. Third went to Scott Wilkerson, followed by Doug Anderson. The Bronson Pure Stock Division gave their usual rough and tumble no holds barred great race. Arnold Hughes Jr. took the lead early, and was holding a comfortable lead, while the rest of the field was involved in heated competition for a chance to try to catch him. Several cautions allowed the field to close up on Hughes, but Arnold proved to be up to the task and held on for the win, followed by last weeks winner John Mamph. Third went to Joey Hunt, Jeff Tillman, and Jason Holbrook. Mini Stock Action saw Clint Foley cruise to another feature win, while Billy Smith, Don Faunce, Ronnie Hicks and Mike Foley put on a great race trying to take the runner up spot. Ronnie Hicks Managed to edge Billy Smith by a bumper at the flag to take second place, followed by Mike Foley. V8 Bomber action had Ken Sheffield and Kevin Hodge put on a great show, as they battled each other for the top spot for the entire race. When the flag fell, Hodge had pulled out another win, with Sheffield right on his bumper. Third went to Michael Carr. In 4Cyl. Bombers, Neal Durbin took the win followed by Shawn Evans. Final Results April 3, 2004 Sunbelt Super Late Models 1. #74 Jay Middleton 2. #28 Scotty Crockett 3. #86 Dick Anderson 4. #57 Mike Bresnahan 5. #48 Jonny Kay 6. # 1 Fain Skinner 7. # 3 Ricky Carlton 8. #5x Daniel Keene Jr. 9. #84 Wayne Anderson 10. #40 Michael Williams 11. #19 Kiki Thomas 12. # 6 Mac Johnson 13. #74 Barry Willoughby 14. #39 Gary Southard 15. #51 Jacob Warren 16. #96 Danny Johnson Sportsman 1. #74 Arthur Conquest 2. #98 Rob Cooper 3. #12 Scott Wilkerson 4. #30 Doug Anderson 5. # 2 Paul Gibbs Pure Stock 1. #55 Arnold Hughes Jr. 2. #65 John Mamph 3. # 5 Joey Hunt 4. #95 Jeff Tillman 5. #17 Jason Holbrook Mini Stock 1. # 7 Clint Foley 2. # 8 Ronnie Hicks 3. #00 Billy Smith 4. #7x Mike Foley 5. # 2 Don Faunce V8 Bomber 1. #37 Kevin Hodge 2. #25 Ken Sheffield 3. #46 Mike Carr 4. #22 Willard Driggers 5. #34 Charlie Kennedy 4Cyl. Bomber 1. #55 Neal Durbin 2. #30 Shawn Evans 3. # 6 Edward Francis 4. #50 Clayton Harden 5. #23 John Hagans Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!