| MARK LANDIS WINS FLORIDA CUP AT SPEEDWORLD - KEVEN WOOD TOPS LEGENDS | By Dave Westerman
 A cool and cloudy afternoon was heated up by some sizzling action as Orlando Speedworld closed out its 2004 season Saturday with the third running of the Florida Cup for the Mod Lite/Open Wheel Lite Machines.
The Florida Cup was run as two 40 lap segments. Time trials determined the starting line-up for the opening 40 lap contest with former Cup winner Brian Gingras of Winter Haven setting quick time at 14.381 seconds followed by Mike Belusar of Naples at 14.541 seconds.
Gingras and Belusar started from the front row with Gingras setting sail in the early laps as Mark Landis began to work his way to the front after a sub-par qualifying effort taking second from Belusar on lap 31, then passing a slowing Gingras one lap later. Belusar then took the lead from Landis on the next lap before Landis re-claimed the top spot on lap 36.
A late race crash on the home stretch set up a one lap dash to the checker with Gingras jumping the restart and crossing the finish line first only to be penalized with the win being awarded to Landis. Gingras was second followed by Rick Lundeen while Belusar fell back to fourth just ahead of Kevin Baxter. Completing the top five were Jerry Davis, Larry Hubbard, Rick Brayton, Becky Davis and Bill See. Completing the finishing order were Mike Landis, Tim Burr, Dan Nyhan, and Phil Krauthoff. Spanky McFarland and Max Howe were unable to start.
The second 40 lap segment was run entirely under green and was dominated by Belusar who led every lap. Gingras made a late charge to get second with Mark Landis third and Baxter fourth, the only cars left on the lead lap. Landis' win in the opening segment and third place in race two earned the West Palm Beach driver the Florida Cup for 2004. Interestingly, Landis was not driving his own car, but brother George Landis' machine.
Rick Lundeen was fifth, one lap down with Larry Hubbard, Becky Davis, Rick Brayton, Bill See, Jerry Davis and Dan Nyhan completing the field. Phil Krauthoff, Tim Burr, and Mike Landis started the opening round but were unable to compete in the second segment.
Just like last month, Keven Wood and Jason Reisman drove down from Charlotte, NC to run the RE/MAX Legends Car segment of the show and the pair again finished one-two in the 25 lap feature.
This one was a struggle with numerous spins and tangles producing a total of eight caution periods although there were no serious incidents.
Kory Abbott led the opening two laps before being passed by Wood and Reisman. The two young drivers stayed glued together the remainder of the race but with so many cautions, Reisman was unable to get a good run at the leader.
Wood took the win followed by Reisman and Brandon Thomson. Mitch Verhaagh had his best career finish coming home fourth with Brian Silas also getting a career best fifth place. Newcomer Chris McDonald was sixth as Derrick Wood, Paul Reschar, Abbott, and Kevin Howard rounded out the top ten. Completing the finishing field were Doug Hall, Paddy Rodenbeck, Ryan Elwood, Mike Verhaagh and Kyle Dombeck.
Other winners included Donoavan Ponder (Bandelero Bandits), Matt Jarrett (Bandelero Young Guns) and Kelly Jarrett (Bandelero Outlaws) while Bobby Crites, Jr. out ran his dad Bobby, Sr. in the Hurricanes.
FAST KART winners were Brian Scherer (Pro Stock), Rusty Chancey (Restricted Junior), Kevin Capritta (Star Champ), Rusty Chancey (Junior Champ), David Witherby (Senior Champ) and Zachary Burdiss (Junior Sportsman Champ).
The next scheduled event at Orlando Speedworld is an Enduro race on January 22nd. For rules and information, contact the FASCAR Office at New Smyrna Speedway at (386) 427-4129.
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