December 31, 2005 Mini Stock, Sportsman and Modified Traveling Series Begins New Era SERIES INVITES FANS TO NAME "SERIES WITHIN A SERIES" KARNAC Staff Report In 2005 forty-five different teams competed in the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series. The FMSC series has evolved into one of Florida's best traveling series, running a twelve race season beginning in February and concluding in November. Full grandstands at New Smyrna Speedway saw Dustin Deschamps claim the Championship in late November of 2005, another testament to the popularity of the series. The 2006 FMSC series promises to be the best yet, as promoters Todd Hutto and Mike Dezarn have dedicated themselves and the organization to a much bigger marketing plan. "We want to give more back to the drivers and teams who support the series throughout the year", Hutto said on New Years Eve. One of the moves already made by Hutto and Dezarn was to bring Rick Warren on as a media writer for not only the FMSC series, but the Southern Sportsman and GulfCoast Modified series as well. Warren's detailed race reporting and photography is sure to enhance the media coverage and garner more team and sponsor recognition for the series participants. Warren has widely covered Florida racing via his photography and wrtiting, including nearly all the major series and events during the last several years. In addition, new web sites are under development and are expected to be released prior to the opening race in February. An illustration of the new "marketing attitude" in the FMSC series is the following press release issued today by the series: How many of us racing fans know who finished 13th in points in our favorite series? How about 15th, or 11th? Bet you know who won, don't you! At times it seems as if the dedicated racers who show up at every race, put in tons of time, funds, and hard work, miss out on the limelight if they don't happen to be in the top 10 in the standings. Maybe it doesn't seem fair, but it is the real world. This year, however, things will be somewhat different in the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series. Toward the end of the 2005 season, FMSC Racer Gary Roebuck approached series Promoters Todd Hutto and Mike Dezarn with a unique plan, designed to reward hard work and consistency. After discussing the plan and working out details, the plan came together with the help of some dedicated racers and fans. This year, when the season reaches the mid point, those racers that have run all year with the series, and are not in the top ten in points, will have a new goal to shoot for. The concept is similar to the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, but with a different twist. For the second half of the season, the racers that are eligible will be in another points chase, this one for some big prizes. The plan is to reward the top finishers in the second points race with some really great awards. All the prizes are not determined as yet, however planning is well on the way toward finalization. First prize in the second bracket points chase has already been determined, and it is a great one! How about a brand new rolling chassis provided by Eagles Nest Racing! All the Mini Stock Racers are familiar with the great products and services provided by Eagles Nest Racing, and know that this is a prize worth competing for. Other top finishers will also receive great prizes that will be announced at a later date. Hutto and Dezarn are also working to implement the same type program for the other series that are under their guidance, the Southern Sportsman Series, and the GulfCoast Modifieds. -End of Release- Hutto has asked for the fans to help get this new awards program or "series within a series" underway. What is needed is a catchy, racy and colorful name for the new concept. Hutto and Dezarn are calling on fans of the Mini Stock Challenge Series (Sportsman and Modifieds too) to get your thinking caps on, send your ideas to FMSC series If the series picks your suggestion to name the new "series within a series" you will win two tickets to the East Bay Raceway Park Winternationals, a prized ticket for all fans of stock car racing in January and February. This contest will run until January 20th and the winner and the new name will be announced on January 21, the weekend before the start of the East Bay Winternationals. Hutto and Dezarn have also issued an open invitation for engine and chassis builders, and any racing businesses involved in Florida circle track racing to contact them to see how they can get involved in the new "marketing and media attitude". E-mail the series at Fmscracing@aol.com for more information. The FMSC Series begins its 2006 campaign at Citrus County Speedway, along with the Southern Sportsman Series, on February. Web site address for the FMSC is www.fmscracing.com ALSO SEE MORE NEWS FROM RICK WARREN ON THE HUTTO AND DEZARN'S TRAVELING SHOWS! Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!