| DARYL SMITH SPRINTS TO AUBURNDALE MOTOR SPEEDWAY WIN | [EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally scheduled to run on the 13th of October, we apologize for it's lateness]
by John Berti
 (September 11, 2004) Winter Haven, FL - It was a beautiful night for racing at Auburndale Motor Speedway on Saturday night, September 11th.
A good turnout of competitors and fans alike were on hand to get a long anticipated racing fix after suffering cabin fever as a result of the actions of two hurricanes. Auburndale was the only Tampa Bay area speedway which was open on this date.
Young third generation driver, Daryl Smith, won the 25 lap FAST Sprint feature race leading every lap along the way from his pole starting position at the wheel of the Kenny Sands #3 sprinter.
It was by no means a cakewalk for Smith as he had to hold off the midrace challenge of Lee Cipray and late race pressure from Jim Alvis. Cipray dropped out of the race on lap 23 while Alvis simply ran out of laps in his quest for the win inspite of having, what appeared to many, to be the strongest running car at the end of the race.
The top five at the finish were Smith, Alvis, Tommy Nichols, Troy Lowry and John Sambor. Curtis Carter parlayed a sixth place finish with a DNF from J. J. Dutton to tie Dutton atop the FAST Sprint point standings.
There were many invaders from other speedways who came to challenge the track regulars in the Sportsman division. When it was all said and done it was a track regular, Travis Roland, getting the win in the 25 lap Sportsman feature.
Ronnie Smith led the first four laps from the pole before giving away to Dave Dunkin who took the top spot on lap five.
A great run from four time track champion, James Wright III, went up in smoke on lap 8 when he lost the motor in his #56 while running 2nd.
Ray Cuzzone overhauled Dunkin for the lead on lap 16 and would go on to the apparent win. Dunkin spun into the infield while running 3rd on lap 17 and retired for the night.
The win for Cuzzone would be nullified as he was disqualified in a post race tech inspection. The official finish would show Roland upholding the honor of Auburndale Motor Speedway getting credit for the win with the next four finishers being invaders from other racetracks:
Steve O'Lone, 2nd; Rikk McMehan, 3rd; Rick Haugh, 4th and Jeff McCaw, 5th.
Robbie Storer made it two wins in a row taking the win in the 25 lap Modified Mini Stock feature. Storer was never headed leading every lap.
Chuck Frazier passed Randy Storer on lap 9 to move into 2nd, but try as he might he was unable to solve Robbie Storer. Randy Storer finished 3rd with Brian Dorer 4th and track visitor Ronnie Larson 5th.
It was another exciting night of competition in the 20 lap Street Stock feature with many times four wide racing action keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
Gary LaPoint took the early lead, but it was short lived as Brandon "Bones" Duchscherer would take command on the second circuit. Lapoint and David Holland got together while battling for 2nd on lap 4 with LaPoint flying into the infield. They both were relegated to the tailend of the field for the restart.
It turned out to be a three car race to the checkers amongst Duchscherer, Rodney Peterson, and Craig "The Meter Boy" Cuzzone as they pulled away from the rest of the field. At the checkers they would finish in just that order with Steve Elder and Dan Rising making up the top five.
John Cummins, Jr won his second consecutive Mini Stock feature over the 15 lap distance. He led every lap on his way to victory. Dennis Wilkes was runnerup with Daniel McClain 3rd.
Controversy entered the picture on lap 14 when Cummins and Kenny Taylor made incidental contact in turn 4 while batttling for the lead. Taylor was punted to the back of the field which, at the conclusion of the race, prompted an ugly scene during the post race victory proceedings.
Bradley Hanson made it a sweep on the night as he not only won his qualifying heat, but he also won the 15 lap feature event for the Scramblers. Linda "The Shark" Cuzzone was runnerup with Rocky Reinhold 3rd.; Mark Medeiros 4th, and Mike Mosley 5th.
The Junior and Senior divisions within the Kid's Club were combined to run their feature event. Pamela Weaver, a Senior, was the overall winner with fellow Senior, Michelle Deaton, 2nd. Junior competitors Daryl McIntoch, Ashley Williamson and Gary Brown, Jr. completed the top five.
Eight youngsters took the green flag in the Novice Kid's Club feature.
Reggie Ware II walked away with the win over Jessica Green, Eric Wawrzyk, Dusty McClain and Jimmy McLeod.
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