Citrus Co. Speedway refires 50th Anniversary Season Saturday
by Larry MacMillan
After a three week hiatus for the Citrus County Fair, Citrus County Speedway will hear the most famous words in racing “Drivers Start Your Engines” once again on Saturday April 2nd. After four weeks of racing a record breaking 160 race cars jammed the pits for a four division race card on Saturday March 5th.
With three weeks to finish up unfinished race cars and freshening up last seasons motors and body damage it is time to get down to serious racing business for the 8 regular divisions in the race for championship crowns for 2005. With thirty two more races on the schedule through November 12th there will only be one weekend off on July 2nd for the Daytona Pepsi 400.
Local point races will see the Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Figure 8’s and 4 Cylinder Bombers sharing the weekly schedule with 14 special races added to the regular race card. Included will be the Corteco Modifieds, Fast Trucks, Mini Cup Cars, USA Sprints, FAST Sprints, TBARA Sprints, Pro Trucks, an Enduro 150, a “CRASHARAMA”, a DEMO Derby and the 1st Leg of the Triple Crown 125 Super Late Model Race. The regular divisions will also have 50 lap specials throughout the season to keep the locals on their toes.
Saturday night’s restart to the season will feature the Modifieds, Sportsmen, Mini Stock, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks, and 4 Cylinder Bombers in heat and feature action. There will also be a Special Autograph session for the fans to get up close and personal with their favorite race drivers during intermission on the speedway.
Defending champion Billy Bechtelheimer tops the Modified list with some pretty heavy competition chasing him, totaling 18 cars in their first outing. Rick Kase will be the man to catch in Sportsman action with 15 cars registered in their only race this season. Ernie Reed heads up a 19 car field after one week of action. Chris Hooker is after another championship leading the 22 car Mini Stock group. Wild Bill Ryan tops the 48 car Hobby Stock Division after 4 races. The 2004 Runner up is leading after four races in the 27 car Thunder Stock division. Thirteen racers are chasing Donald Guy in the Bomber Division. The first Late Model point race will be run on April 16th and there will be plenty of competition there as well and will be racing twice a month.
Citrus County Speedway is located 2 miles south of Inverness on U.S. 41 at the Citrus County Fairgrounds. Pit gates open at 2 pm. Grandstand gates open at 4 and the first heat takes the green flag at 6 pm. Come celebrate 50 years of speed at Citrus County Speedway every Saturday night until November 12th.
