| Youth, Experience And Success Team Up For State Championship | THREE MAJOR RACING SERIES ON TAP AT USA INTERNATIONAL
By Jack Smith
When the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Models fire up their engines for the Florida State Championship race Saturday night at USA International Speedway, there will be a bit of a surprise in store for Florida fans.
There won't be a familiar black orange flamed number 78 Monte Carlo, or a Ford for that matter. No, this Saturday B.J. McLeod, one of Florida's winningest Super Late Model stars, will team up with a semi-retired master of stock car racing named Dick Anderson.
The black number 92 will be piloted by McLeod, who turns 21 years old next month and has over 50 Super Late Model wins at tracks in and out of Florida on his resume.
"When I was about five years old, I came up to him and tapped him on the leg and said I am going to outrun you one day", McLeod said today in a phone interview. He added, "I never thought that I would actually drive for him."
McLeod's excitement is evident as he readies for the only 200 lap Florida event other than the Governors Cup and Snowball Derby, "It sure is good to get back in a race car, I haven't been in one in a while."
Like many other Florida racers from the central sections of the state, life has created its own priorities in the wake of the four major hurricanes this summer, three of which directly affected Hardee County. In the last four months B.J. has seen more from behind the wheel of heavy equipment than from the cockpit of a Super Late Model race car.
 Hurricane Charley came through rural Wauchula, Florida and severely damaged both the McLeod Motorsports garages and the family home. Their home away from home since August 13th has been the car hauler/motor home.
B.J. along with his father Darwin spent a lot of time helping run heavy equipment in the clean up of downtown Wauchula, a city of 25,000 that was devastated.
B.J. McLeod just started a new company involved in building metal structures, a business that sprung from the ruins of the hometown. He is also teaching with Mike Loescher, owner of the Finish Line Racing School, while working on race cars as time can be squeezed in.
But from now until race time the focus has returned to B.J. McLeod's passion:winning races.
Since Dick Anderson is seeming to like putting other racers in his car this year and B.J. didn't have his number 78 ready to race, he and Dick were talking and one thing led to another and the two veteran racers got together and got the car ready and tested at Lakeland Thursday.
"I like it, we went there (Lakeland) and tested today, it is pretty good, pretty good", and a bit coyly he added "we'll see...we should have a decent car."
B.J. tried to downplay it but you could tell he felt pretty confident and is looking for a strong showing. When asked about qualifying he said "we should be in the top ten without any problem at all, it is a 200 lap race race with a pit stop, it don't matter where you start."
The race is 75 laps longer than most and at the 3/4 mile high banked 'short track' with speeds in excess of 145 mph it is not uncommon to see a winner come from back in the field and that is something this team evidently feels comfortable with. "I would rather be outside than pole, and I would rather be 9th or 10th than either one of the pole positions. Obviously I won't hold anything back, so you never know where I will end up, but if I qualify 9th or 10th I wouldn't be upset."
On the question of pit stops in the race, B.J. said "it is pretty important, you can't go a lap done so it's not that bad, but it is still choosing when to come in and where you end up and how many cars you gotta pass and all that. I mean it is still somewhat critical."
McLeod has one racer already in his sights it seems, he told Dick Anderson Thursday "what's good about it is I don't have to outrun you and you don't have to outrun me...Now all we have to do is get Wayne." Of course, he is referring to Wayne Anderson, son of the legendary elder Anderson, now 56 years old, who is said to have collected over a thousand short track trophies in his career.
No one present will forget the awesome 125 lap duel of will and machines at the Orange Blossom Pete Orr Memorial earlier this year between Wayne Anderson(84) and McLeod (78)
More On the Florida State Championship 200
With four races left to go in the Sunbelt Super Late Model Championship race, Wayne Anderson of Wildwood holds a 79 point lead over Fain Skinner of Live Oaks. Skinner, who was the 2003 Rookie of the Year in the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series, has done an excellent job this year and at one point, had the points lead. Anderson is looking to repeat as Sunbelt Champ.
Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson, Jacob Warren all have a Florida State Late Model Champion ring designed by Midas Jewelers. "This annual event has gone over well with the drivers and the ring that Midas Jewelers has designed is one of a kind, something to be treasured by anyone," said Billy Martino, President of USA International Speedway.
"The drivers seem to be very happy with the extra 75 laps added to this race and pit stops keep getting better and better each year. I think the guys must practice some like the NASCAR teams do to prepare for a race." Martino added with a twinkle in his eye.
There will be an on the track autograph session at 6:15 where fans can get up close and personal with the drivers, get their autographs and photos made with their favorite driver or drivers.
Rounding out the top ten in points for the Sunbelt Super Late Models is Jonny Kay of Deerfield Beach, Dick Anderson of Wildwoood, Daniel Keene Jr. of Weekiwachee, Mike Bresnahan of Inverness, Barry Willoughby of Port St. Lucie, Jay Middleton of Lake City and Michael Williams of Mims.
Pro Modifieds 100 Lap Event
 Leading the points in the Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modifieds is Kevin Durden of Archer. Lee Collins, coming off a win at Citrus County Speedway on October 2 has narrowed Durden's lead to a mere 8 points going into this weekend. There is only one more show (October 30th at New Smyrna Speedway) left, so Saturday night is going to be huge. Lee Collins was last year's Champion.
Alan McCafferty of Clermont comes in third followed by John Gerstner of Tampa and J. F. McClelland of Starke. Wayne Jefferson of St. Pete, Alan Bruns of Clermont, Jerry Symons of New Smyrna, Kevyn Terry of Citra and Jeremy Gerstner of Tampa complete the top ten.
FASTRUCKS 50 Lap Event
The last few months have seen the FASTRUCKS Championship chase change dramatically. Tommy King lost his lead and has slid to 5th, but still only 31 points back of George Morlaes. Right on Morales' heels are Tim Shaffner, James Wright III and Jimmy Gill. There are six races left on the FASTRUCKS schedule after this weekend.
The FASTRUCKS will go for 50 laps on Saturday night.
Grandstands will open at noon on Saturday, August 7 with practice for all divisions from 1 to 3 p.m. Qualifying for the Sunbelt Super Late Models and Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modifieds will begin at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
[Editors Note: Jane Smith contributed to this article]
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