| Deschamps wins FMSC at USA International | by Rick Warren
47 Mini Stocks signed in to compete in the American Building Materials / Florida Mini Stock Challenge event at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida this Saturday. The weather was warm and breezy, and the track was in great shape. After Friday nights’ practice session, it looked as if the racers had really done their homework, as lap times were very quick. During Saturdays practice sessions, the field was thinned slightly, as the long straights of USA Speedway took a toll on a couple of engines.
When time to qualify rolled around, 44 cars took a shot at the clocks, looking for the fastest lap. After all the entrants gave it their best shot, Dustin Deschamps had posted a lap of 24.477 seconds, with an average speed of 110.31 mph. The lap time was also fast enough to be a new track record for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge series. Deschamps fast time, although very impressive, was for naught, as according to FMSC rules, Deschamps would be relegated to the 20th starting position, as he was the winner of the last FMSC Race. Second fast time went to Rick Sirmans, followed by Chris Thornton, Kevin Macy and Jason Bowser.
With the top 20 qualifiers locked in to the feature race, the program moved on to the 2 qualifying races to fill out the 32 car starting field. After the qualifying races the field was set, and final preparations were made for the 35 lap feature. The top 12 qualifiers redrew for grid positions, and it was time to race.
The 20 car of Keith Roggan had drawn the pole position, with the 24 of Chris Thornton on the outside front row. The second row was filled by Sean Bass in the 28 car, and Kevin Macy in the 19. Third row positions went to Rick Sirmans in the 05 and Brian Dorer in the 97. Rounding out the top 10 starters were Jason Bowserin the 05x, Robbie Yoakam in the 8, Jay Zolciak in the 69 and Robbie Storer in the 9. The first attempt at a start was aborted as the 12 car of Justin Edwards got turned around in turn 2. The field was reset, and once again came for the green flag. The field of cars remained tightly packed, as the racers battled for the lead. On lap 2, as the lead pack exited turn 2, the 20 car of Keith Roggan spun several times, setting off a wild scene of spinning, dodging, and colliding cars, that ended with the 97 of Brian Dorer hitting the inside retaining wall head on, with enough force to move the concrete barrier, and Roggans car being severly damaged as well.
Fortunately, both drivers were okay. The race was red flagged while the track was cleared and the retaining wall repaired.
After clean up was complete, the race was restarted with Sean Bass in the Speed Pros entry holding first place.Second was Sirmans, followed by Thornton, Bowser and Storer completing the top 5. Lap 4 had Sirmans making a big run to take the lead, with the rest of the field still running tightly bunched up. Caution was again on the speedway on lap 9 for the car of Chris Thornton, spinning in turn 2. The race restarted with Sirmans, in the Fascats/Galloway Chemicals entry, still holding the lead. Second was Jason Bowser, driving Sirmans’ back-up car. Bass held on to third followed by Ronnie Larson and Robbie Storer filling out the top 5.
Meanwhile, Deschamps, in the R&D Trucking entry, had been slicing thru the pack like a knife thru hot butter, and was now in the 6th spot. The race restarted with Sirmans having his hands full holding off the challenge from his teammate Bowser. Lap 14 saw Deschamps move into third spot, and continue his charge to the front. The young man from Brooksville wasted little time, taking the lead from Sirmans on lap 19. Lap 21 once again had caution on the speedway as the Larry Larson Topsoil entry of Ronny Larson slowed and came to stop on the back straight. The race was reset with Deschamps in control of the first spot, followed by Sirmans, Bowser, Yoakam, and Storer.
The race restarted with Deschamps motoring away from the field, and Sirmans and Bowser providing some great side by side racing for several laps, before Sirmans took sole possession of second spot. Lap 25 saw Storer dring out the caution as his racer encountered mechanical problems in turn 4.
The race restarted, and remained green until the finish, with Deschamps claiming a convincing victory, followed by Sirmans, Bowser, Yoakam and Zolciak. During post race technical inspection, the 69 of Zolciak failed to meet the weight specifications, and his fifth place finish was disallowed. This moved Chris Thornton to fifth. The Hard Charger award went to Deschamps as well, by virtue of improving his starting position by 19 spots.
Final Results
American Building Supplies / FMSC
USA International Speedway, Lakeland Fl.
35 laps
1.#51 Dustin Deschamps Brooksville, Fl.
2 #05 Rick Sirmans Pinellas Park, FL.
3 #05x Jason Bowser Largo, FL.
4.# 8 Robbie Yoakam Hernando, Fl.
5.#24 Chris Thornton Clearwater, FL.
6.#81 Billy Chancy Kathleen, Ga.
7.#21 Chuck Frazier Avon Park, FL
8#40 Dennis Valdez Tampa, FL.
9#88 Justin Larson Safety Harbor, FL.
10.#93x Josh Robertson Trenton, Fl.
11#03 Raymond Folwell St. Petersburg, FL.
12.#77 Lee Davis Lakeland, FL.
13.# 2 Don Faunce Spring Hill, Fl.
14.#90 Paul Combast Holiday, FL.
15.#31 Wendell Guy Auburndale, FL.
16# 0 Tom Zimmerman Clearwater, FL.
17.#11 Billy Carlburt Holmes Beach, FL.
18#12 Justin Edwards Fort Valley, Ga.
19.#89x Scott Sharpe Polk City, FL.
20#11x Mary Green Clearwater, Fl.
21.# 9 Robbie Storer Zephyrhills, Fl.
22.#89 Ronnie Larson Safety Harbor, FL.
23.#96x Darren Jackson Lakeland, Fl.
24.#42 Johnathon Guy Auburndale, Fl.
25.#28 Sean Bass Gibsonton, Fl.
26 #92 John Peterson Winter Haven, FL.
27#20 Keith Roggan Winter Haven, Fl.
28.#97 Brian Dorer Winter Haven, Fl.
29.#94x Jason Rendell Lakeland, Fl.
30.#41 Mark Moniz Zephyrhills, Fl.
DNS #19 Kevin Macy Lakeland, FL.
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