April 11, 2004 A Patient and Persistent Rich Pratt Finds Winners Circle By Jack Smith -KARNAC.com Rich Pratt had the fastest car in qualifying for the Florida Pro Series 100 at Charlotte County Speedway on this Saturday night, and in the end he had a car just fast enough to win. But it wasn't easy. He had to overcome an awesome performance by Mike Franklin Jr. and then withstand a fierce charge by the 2003 FPS Champion Jay Middleton. When the 21 car starting field was brought to the green by Florida Pro flagman Tony Hill, Mike Franklin was on the point and that was where he stayed, at times running with a commanding lead for 91 laps. After a brief caution on lap two that sent Doyle Boatright and Brian Finney to the rear, the fans were treated to 53 laps of green flag racing. Franklin was completely dominating during this run, often building nearly a full straight lead on Rich Pratt, winding his way through lapped cars with apparent ease. Meanwhile, Middleton was shadowing the RaceCar Engineering Super Late Model of Steve Dorer, fresh off his Thursday Night Thunder win at Charlotte last week. Middleton seemed to be itching to get around Dorer with Jim Smith (#32) and Bobby Coyle (#64) following closely and each waiting for an opportunity or a slip. As the field passed the half-way mark Pratt had closed the gap on Franklin and at lap 55 the field was placed under caution when the #8 car of Tal Etheridge stalled on the back straightaway. After a couple of false starts, the field got back underway, this time Pratt able to keep the #0 machine close on the bumper of Franklin. It was time for Middleton to make a move and several times coming off turn two contact was made with the #10 of Dorer, Middleton catching Dorer in the turns and Dorer driving away down the straights. Finally, more serious rubbing on lap 74 forced Dorer to work hard to save his ride coming off turn four and Middleton made the pass on the outside at the line to grab the third spot. With Pratt riding on the rear bumper of Franklin's 97, Middleton began to gain on the leaders with all three negotiating lapped traffic. With 20 to go and Franklin's brakes going away fast, the trio put on a nose to tail late race show for the 1500 spectators at the 3/8 mile tight little speedway. On lap 89 the caution seemed sure to come out when the number 17 of Mark Mitchell sparked up turn one with a flat tire, but slipped off the track at the turn two exit. But this action allowed Pratt to get by Franklin as they went through the turn with Franklin doing what he could to avoid a wreck, leaving Middleton and Franklin side by side battling for the number two position. Middleton had the inside and more motor, and with just eight laps to go had the spot and set his sights on back to back FPS wins. Though he was able to get to Pratt, he couldn't get by him and an exuberant Rich Pratt put dents in the top of the 0 machine in the winners circle. "You don't know how long I have waited for this", he exclaimed as he hugged series promoter Bert Ashelman. Pratt finished second behind Middleton in the FPS opener at Columbia Motorsports Park. The fans were treated to an tense and exciting race, cleanly run with only a couple of minor cautions, capped off by very informative commentary by Jerry Philman, the Florida Pro Series announcer. With racing all around the track all evening, and a full field at the end, it must be said that Bert Ashelman and crew, along with the talented FPS drivers, gave the fans their money's worth on this night. As one fan said to me at the conclusion of the race, "this is the way it is supposed to be". Photo Gallery Available here on Monday! Florida Pro Super Late Model 1. 0 Rich Pratt 2. 74 Jay Middleton 3. 97 Mike Franklin 4. 10 Steve Dorer 5. 32 Jim Smith 6. 64 Bobby Coyle 7. 10x Brad Barkis 8. 94 Chris Turner 9. 80 Brian Finney 10. 16 David Hodges 11. 57 Doyle Boatwright 12. 2 Brian Richardson 13. 12 Stephen Weaver 14. 16x Ray Derry 15. 07 Troy McNabb 16. 31 Al Beckelheimer 17. 87 Gary Grayer 18. 17 Mark Mitchell 19. 86 Chet Morrison 20. 8 Tal Etheridge 21. 180 Kevin Finney Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!