| Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series comes to an end November 4th at Orlando SpeedWorld | by Jane Smith
 Samsula, Fla. (November 1, 2005) The Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series will end their 2005 race season this Friday night at Orlando SpeedWorld with the crowning of the Champion. The Series has seen quite a few different point leaders but going into the last race of the year, it is Rich Clouser of Palm Bay who leads the points.
After the first race of the year, Jason Boyd of Orlando took command of the points as he defended his 2004 Championship. But that was a short lived points lead as Rookie Sam Watts took over in race two. This was the one race that Clouser missed as he was on his honeymoon at the time.
Jerry Artuso, the 2003 Goodyear Challenge Champion, took over the points lead in race three and maintained that lead until Clouser took over. Clouser won his first Goodyear race at New Smyrna Speedway on July 30th with Chuck Burkhalter, Sam Watts, Tim Russell and Jason Boyd also seeing wins in the 2005 season.
Tim Russell has been one of the Late Model Series hottest drivers in the second half of 2005 season
Bobby Sears, well known and respected in the Florida racing family, has worked hard and seen his car and driver come close but had not won a race until July 30th. Sears and Clouser saw their first goal come true in 2004 when Rich won the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Late Model Championship.
"This has been a very good year for us," said Sears. "We have enjoyed racing in the Goodyear Challenge Series and look forward to 2006 but it sure would be nice to start 2006 off with that championship."
A number of Rookies ran for the Rookie of the Year title but it is Sam Watts who leads the way for the 2005 title.
 Amanda Gogel has also shown that she can run with the big boys but cannot catch up to Watts's points on Friday. Other rookies this year were Frank Welch, Joe Strehle, Troy Atkins, Dalton Zehr, Cliff White, John Ripley, Shawn Gourly, Travis Cope and Cynthia Strahley.
The Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series is the only Late Model Series in the state of Florida and attracks Late Model drivers from all over the South. The series was formed in 2002 with Jerry Symons as the first champion followed by Jerry Artuso in 2003, and Jason Boyd in 2004. Who will be the 2005 Champion, be at Orlando SpeedWorld on Friday night to see.
Along with the Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 Championship race will be the FASCAR Pro Truck 50 with the weekly Orlando SpeedWorld Sportsman, Super Stock, Mini Stock and Strictly Stock. The pit gate will open at 2 pm with practice for the Goodyear Late Models and Pro Trucks ALONE from 3 to 4 pm. Qualifying for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 and FASCAR Pro Truck 50 will begin at 6:30 pm.
The top ten in the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series are Rich Clouser. Jerry Artuso, Tim Russell, Chuck Burkhalter, AJ Curreli, Sam Watts, Amanda Gogel, Charles Kopach, Greg Kaouk and Steve Smith.
Orlando SpeedWorld is located between SR50 and SR520 in Bithlo, Florida. General admission is $15.00, students and seniors $10.00,
children 11 and under FREE.
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