November 24, 2004 McAulliffe Closes Out Sunshine Speedway With GulfCoast Modified Win. By Rick Warren Robby McAulliffe in Sunshine Winners Circle What a night to remember! The end of an era! Everyone in attendance knew without a doubt that this was a special night. Excitement filled the air, mixed with nostalgia and sadness. We all understood that this was it. No more Saturday nights at Sunshine Action Speedway. Love it or hate it, it was always exciting. The Corteco Gaskets / GulfCoast Modifieds were on hand for a 75 lap shoot out that promised to be a dogfight for the win, and also to advance in the series point standings. Robby McAullife was fast qualifier, making it two in a row for the Bonin Motorsports entry at Sunshine Speedway. After the top qualifiers cleared tech inspection, the draw was held and the field starting order was set. Lee Collins would be starting from the pole position, with John “Gonzo” Godwin on the outside of the front row. The second row had Mark Nelson, winner of the Sept. Race at Sunshine, and Tommy Bower. The third Row consisted of current point leader Mike Hinegardner and John Anderson, followed by Doug Miller, McAulliffe, Chris Robbins and Rob Partelo rounding out the top ten. When Florida Racing Legend Buzzie Reutimann, Grand Marshall for the Evening’s events, gave the Command , “Gentlemen, Start your engines”, 24 of the best Open Wheel Modifieds in the state roared to life. The racers left the starting grid behind the Sunshine Speedway Pace Truck, and were getting anxious for the race to begin. After 5 Warm-up laps, the Pace Truck cleared the race track, and the green flag waved to start the race. The field raced into turn 1, and several cars made contact, with racers spinning all over the track, and thru the infield. The track was cleared, and the field reset for a complete restart. When the green flag once again waved to start the race, Lee Collins powered to the lead, with Mark Nelson, Hinegardner, Anderson and Bower in hot pursuit. Godwin was stuck on the outside, and the leaders were not about to let the 22 car back in line, and Godwin fell all the way to tenth spot before he could find an opening and get to the inside. Lap six saw a brief caution for debris on the racing surface, with Collins still out front. Lap 11 saw John Anderson, running fourth, have a tire go down and be forced to pit for repairs. On Lap 16, Mark Nelson spun in turn 2, bringing out the caution flag. When the field was reset for the restart, Collins continued to lead, followed by Hinegardner, Bower, McAulliffe,Chris Robbins, R.Partelo, Godwin, Herman Brame, Butch Bassett and Jimmy Houle. Lap 20 saw Kevin Brickley blow a right rear tire and spin entering turn 3, bringing out a caution. The running order of the top 10 remained the same, and the field went green again. Lap 36 had Jim Houle turned around in turn 3, with several cars forced to spin to avoid the spinning racer. The running order at the top of the field remained nearly the same, with Ralph Bowman moving into the top ten. The race was restarted, and from here on out it would be all green flag laps, with caution laps not being counted for the final 40 laps. Lap 40 saw McAulliffe drive by Bower to claim third spot, and go to work on passing Hinegardner. Debris on the track once more brought out the caution flag on lap 46, with Collins still holding the lead over a very persistent Hinegardner. McAulliffe, in third, was looking for a way to the front. Bower held fourth, followed by R.Partelo, Robbins, Godwin, Brame, Bowman, and Dan Partelo. As the field took the green flag for the restart, Collins discovered his left rear tire was flat, and the car got loose as Collins tried to exit the track on the front straight. Hinegardner was forced to slow to avoid Collins, and McAulliffe took advantage of the situation and drove by both cars on the outside to take the lead. Collins was able to exit the track and enter the pit area for repairs. Mcaulliffe looked as if he was getting faster once he got out front, but Hinegardner was not giving up without a fight, and continued to challenge for the lead. Lap 50 had Mark Nelson and George Robertson get together in turn 1, bringing out another caution flag. As the field was re-aligned for the start, Robbins was forced to pit with a transmission problem. McAulliffe continued to hold the lead, with Hinegardner in a close second, followed by Bower, R.Partelo, Godwin, Brame, Bowman, D.Partelo, Bassett and Chris Escott. The race ended with McAulliffe holding off the charge of Hinegardner and claiming the win in the Last Ever Open Wheel Modified race at Sunshine Speedway. After a post race burnout on the front straight, an ecstatic McAulliffe pulled his Bonin Motorsports entry into the winners circle. During the post race interview, Robby told everyone how special this win was to him, and how he had really wanted to win this one. When asked about the pass for the lead, McAulliffe said that he thought he saw a problem on Collins racer, and was setting up for a run to the outside, when things fell into place. Right place, right time. After the top 3 cars cleared post race tech inspection, the finish was declared official. It was indeed a night to remember. Great atmosphere, great racing, great memories. Good bye, Sunshine Speedway. You will be missed, but never forgotten. To quote Bob Hope’s theme song, “Thanks….. for the Memories!” Official Finish Corteco Gaskets / GulfCoast Modifieds 75 laps 1. #56 Robby McAulliffe 2. #1h Mike Hinegardner 3. #51 Tommy Bower 4. #93 Rob Partelo 5. #55 Herman Brame 6. #82 Ralph Bowman 7. # 9 Danny Partelo 8. #23 Butch Bassett 9. # 8 Chris Escott 10. #22 John Godwin 11. #89 Lee Collins 12. #53 Doug Miller 13. #81 Howard Skaggs 14. #11 Mark Nelson 15. #12 Dennis Cantara 16. #83x Mitch Korzenski 17. #83 Andrew Alderman 18. #09 Steve Harbuck 19. #54 George Robinson 20. #88 Chris Robbins 21. #2b Kevin Brickley 22. #80 Jim Houle 23. # 0 Matt Bozeman 24. #1x John Anderson Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!