July 13, 2004 Middleton takes Florida Pro Win at Bronson Rob Cooper gets caught up in turn two fence during Sportsman race By Rick Warren HOT !!! That describes the weather and the racing action Saturday night as the Florida Pro Super Late Models rolled into town to tackle the high banks of Bronson Motor Speedway. Also on hand to provide some exciting action were the Bronson Regular Series racers. The extremely hot weather had lowered expectations of any new track records in qualifying, but these racers showed why they are called Pro Racers, as they made adjustments to their racers, and turned some very respectable laps. When Qualifying was all done, Rich Pratt turned the track in 13.207 seconds in the Groeb Farms/Gourmet Jose Salsa entry. Just a tick behind was Wayne Anderson in the Airframe International entry at 1247 seconds. After the dreaded pills for inversion were drawn, the field was set, with a pair of Finneys on the front row, Brian on the inside, Kevin on the outside. The second row was filled by Rich Pratt and Tal Ethridge, followed by Jay Middleton, Wayne Anderson, Doyle Boatwright and Chet Morrison. With driver introductions over, warmup laps done, the field of Super Lates thundered for the green flag. Brian Finney raced to the early lead, with brother Kevin hung out to dry on the outside row, finally falling into line in fourth spot. Pratt was a tight second followed by Middleton. The first caution came on lap 2, as Jim Smith got turned around coming off turn 4. Another caution was displayed on lap 10 for the #39 car of Gary Southard spinning in turn 2. The race stayed green from lap 12 until lap 50. During this green flag run, there was some tight exciting racing, at both ends of the track. Lap 15 saw Pratt drive under Finney in turn 1 for the lead, with Middleton following on Pratt’s bumper to take over second spot. Anderson was working hard, trying to break clear of the pack and join in the chase for the win, while Middleton was all over Pratt’s bumper. Middleton finally got the opening he was looking for on lap 29, and went by Pratt to take the lead. The caution was out again on lap 50 for the car of Doyle Boatwright, which was overheating, and unable to make it to the pit area. When racing resumed, Middleton wasted no time in opening a big lead. As the racers were all jockeying for better positions, Chet Morrison got loose in turn 4, and was collected by the #8 car of Tal Ethridge. Also involved was the #10 of Steve Dorer. The race restarted with Middleton still out front followed by Pratt, Brian Finney, Anderson and Kevin Finney. Anderson made his way around Finney, and on lap 64 got by Pratt for second. Finney followed Anderson by Pratt to regain third spot. Anderson was running some hard laps, trying to close the gap between Middleton and himself, but Middleton had the North Florida Medical entry on rails and flying low. Anderson was never able to gain on the leader, and as Middleton took the checkered flag for the win, he had nearly a 6 second lead on second place Anderson. Brian Finney finished a strong third, followed by Kevin Finney and Pratt. The Bronson Sportsman division was next up, and provided excitement of their own, although not all of it was wanted. Matt Blum took the lead early, and was running hard for the win. Rob Cooper finally worked his way thru traffic, and took up the chase for the lead. As Blum ran a solid race out front, Cooper was closing fast. Cooper was letting the racer go for all it was worth, when things went bad. Cooper banged the wall coming off turn 4, and apparently damaged the right front suspension. The car banged the wall again at the flag stand, and as Cooper tried to collect the sliding racer, it turned into the first turn wall, hard. The car climbed the wall, rotated to a nose down position, and rode the wall to the second turn, before sliding down to the infield. Cooper was transported to a local hospital with injuries to ribs, possible collar bone, and possible scapula fracture. Everyone at Bronson Speedway is hoping for Rob’s Speedy recovery. After the race resumed, Blum went on to the win, followed by Scott Wilkerson, David Christopher, Bobby Dixon and Swain Norris. Clint Foley continued his strangle hold on the Mini Stock Division, Claiming the feature win, followed by Ronnie Hicks and Morris Richardson. The Pure Stock Racers put on a great show, with Joey Hunt and Larry Goolsby having a spirited battle for the lead. Hunt Managed to get by Goolsby and take the win, with Jeff Tillman taking third. Randy O’Neal picked up another win in the V8 Bomber division, followed by Charlie Kennedy and Ken Sheffield. Final Results. Sportsman 1. # 1 Matt Blum 2. #12 Scott Wilkerson 3. # 0 David Christopher 4. #21 Bobby Dixon 5. # 6 Swain Norris Mini Stock 1. # 7 Clint Foley 2. # 8 Ronnie Hicks 3. #81 Morris Richardson 4. #25 Billy Davis 5. #00 Billy Smith Pure Stock 1. # 5 Joey Hunt 2. #96 Larry Goolsby 3. #95 Jeff Tillman 4. #02 Mike Baker 5. #55 Arnold Hughes Jr. V8 Bomber 1. #22 Randy O’Neal 2. #34 Charlie Kennedy 3. #25 Ken Sheffield 4. #4x Glen Colyer 5. #48 Gerold Bryant Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!