7th Annual Florida State Late Model Championship Mark III Conversions 200 presented by Midas Jewelers set for July 23 at USA International
by Jane Smith
This Saturday, July 23, at Lakeland's USA International, the 7th Annual FLORIDA STATE LATE MODEL CHAMPIONSHIP MARK III Conversions 200 presented by Midas Jewelers takes place. This is the one event that brings together the best of the best in Super Late Model drivers from Florida and other Southern states.
This year's event will showcase the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series along with the FASCAR Pro Trucks and the Southern Sportsman Series. The event had to be rescheduled last year after Hurricane Charley until October but hopefully this year will have weather cooperation.
Once again this year, Midas Jewelers will design the Florida State Late Model Championship ring. This ring is the sign of the true Late Model Champion and worn proudly by previous winners Dawayne Dempsey, Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson and Jacob Warren.
"This event has gone over well with the drivers and the ring has just added more to the event. Not only must you have a good car but a good pit crew since a pit stop is involved in the 200 lap event," said Billy Martino, President of USA International Speedway.
Going into Saturday's event Wayne Anderson leads the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series points. Anderson has proven over and over again that he has the car to beat by winning three of the first six Sunbelt races. Other winners were Brian Finney, Mike Fritts and Jason Boyd.
Two Rookies chase Anderson in the points, Jason Boyd and Jeff Choquette. Choquette was the winner of the 49th Annual Governor's Cup race at New Smyrna Speedway and has proven that he can race asphalt as well as dirt. Two more rookies stand fourth and fifth in points for the Sunbelt - Daniel Webster and Ryan Foster. Any of these top five have a very good chance this Saturday.
Completing the top ten in points for the Sunbelt Series is Fain Skinner, Rich Pratt, Keith Zavrel, Jeff Scofield, and Chris Fontaine. Other drivers to watch will be Travis Kittleson, Jay Middleton, Brian Finney, David Rogers, B.J. McLeod, Mike Franklin Jr., Justin Drawdy, Scotty Crockett, and Mac Johnson. All the best will be at Lakeland.
The event will also mark the first time for the Southern Sportsman Series to race at Lakeland along with the FASCAR Pro Truck Series. Both these series are up and coming and will draw a large number of trucks and sportsman for the event. The FASCAR Pro Trucks will go for 50 laps with the Southern Sportsman racing 35 laps.
Jamie Skinner, son of Craftsman Truck driver Mike Skinner, leads the points in the FASCAR Pro Trucks and has proven that he also can wheel a truck. Dawayne Barrus stands second in points followed by Danny Foster in third. Bill Stacy and Mike Gamache round out the top five. Completing the top ten in points for the FASCAR Pro Trucks is Matt Martin, son of Nextel Cup driver Mark Martin, Marty Wolf, Dalton Zehr, Danny Poling and B.J. Gill.
Aaron Williamson of Auburndale leads the Southern Sportsman Series points followed by Travis Nichols, Patrick Thomas, Derrik Heath and Scott Holly. Rounding out the top ten in points is Hal Vickery, Rikk McMehan, Bart Weatherford, Brock Burns and Kyle Tenbusch. These guys are excited and ready for their new challenge at USA and this will be a very special night for them.
Patrick Thomas, who is third in points, said "I am really excited about racing at Lakeland, the one place I have always wanted to race at. My car is almost ready and hopefully it will be a good night for us."
On Friday night, July 22, there will be an open practice from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 23, pit gates will open at 8:30 p.m. with division practice from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Qualifying for all three divisions will begin at 3:00 p.m. with an on-track autograph sessions for the fans at 6:00 p.m.
Ticket prices for the 7th Annual Florida State Late Model Championship Mark III Conversions 200 presented by Midas Jewelers are: Frontstretch Grandson - Upper 10 Rows $30.00. Frontstretch grandstands - lower 10 rows $25.00. Backstretch grandstands $20.00 children 10 and under $10.00.
Directions to USA International Speedway are as follows:
From Tampa: Go east on I-4 to exit 38 (old exit #20) SR-33. Go north to first left (Tomkow Rd.). Follow Tomkow Rd. to T-intersection and turn right on to Polk City Rd.
From Orlando: Go west on I-4 to exit 38 (old exit #20). Turn right on SR-33 and go to Tomkow Rd. Follow Tomkow Rd. to T-intersection and turn right on to Polk City Rd. Racing action will start at 7:30 p.m.
