| Putnam County Speedway Park Stays Dry and Has Big Night | by Jon Harney
SATSUMA, FL (6/18) - For all its posturing and bluster that rained out events at neighboring tracks, the weather proved to be little more than a blufficator that made empty threats for Putnam County Speedway Park. The fans and drivers who were not intimidated by the dire meteorological forecasts were treated with high-intensity racing in all five divisions. The invasion of out-of-area drivers whose home tracks had been rained out added to the challenge and the excitement.
Although racing did go on as scheduled, the climate of the past few weeks did leave its mark on the 3/8-mile speedplant as the track was narrowed by approximately 1-2 lanes due to high water levels. This tightened up the normally roomy track and forced the drivers to adapt and overcome.
The Limited Late Model feature had a small but strong turnout. Brett Carlton jumped to the early lead, but was quickly overtaken by Brandon Cameron and Joe Kump. Kump reeled in Cameron and gave him a battle before mechanical failure ended Kump's run. Cameron got no chance to rest as Ivedent Lloyd soon drew near. Cameron did his best to stay on top, but Lloyd, who has been racing more years than Cameron has been alive, got the better of the battle and looked to be on his way to the win. The race changed complexion during a late-race caution when Lloyd's car overheated due to blockage of the box that directed cool air to the radiator. While the crew was able to clear an air path and get Lloyd back in the race, there was too much real estate to make up in too few laps. Rick Singler, returning from an absence, stayed with the leader to the end but had to settle for watching the checkers fall for Cameron. Singler finished second ahead of Lloyd, Floyd Martin Sr., and Tony Lewis Sr.
The Hobby Stocks delivered a barnburner of a main event as 23 cars took the green on the temporarily narrowed track. Many contenders came and many contenders went as enough sheetmetal to make a body shop manager cringe was sacrificed for the cause. When the chaos was complete, visitor MIchael Tovet proved to be stronger than all as his #36 beat out Kenny Hall Jr., Kevin Mills, Craig Knowles, and Ricky Adams to the stripe. The skirmishing continued to the Tech area as protests and counter-protests were filed, but no infractions were found so all combatants kept their finishing positions.
Several visiting cars also built up potential for an equally wild Street Stock feature; unfortunately, mechanical gremlins struck many of the front running cars. Kenny Hall Sr.'s car had no such problems as he handily captured the winner's paycheck and trophy. Matt Hartley returned from the better part of a year's layoff to take second ahead of Richard Tipton, Jimmy Dowling, and Grady Christian.
Steve Persinger led the Modified feature for the first few circuits until Jason Lowe swept past to take a lead that he would never relinquish. Some nights it seems that everything comes together for a driver and this was the case for Lowe as he decimated the 15-car field. J. O. Nobles gave his fans something positive tonight as he borrowed the #F1 to a second place finish. Bobby Balkcom held off Kenny Blair for third with Ed Rosier following for fifth.
Apparently the Box Stock Minis had been breeding during the last few weeks rain delay as a record 24 cars took the opening green flag. # 75 Nick Kerr led the first half of the race, but Dwayne Yeomans led the half that counted and earned his first victory at Putnam for 2005. At the pay window, Kerr was credited for second over D. J. Nobles, Randy Strehle, and Chris Dodson.
A 40-lap special for the Hobby Stocks headlines a 5-division card of racing action this Saturday night. For more information visit the track's newly revamped website at www.putnamcountyspeedway.com or call 386.649.5210.
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