The Track Rescue safety team has a busy weekend at USA International Speedway
They have always said the SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN and it did just that at USA International in Lakeland on January 27 and 28. Twenty three of the North's finest Super Late Model drivers went against thirty five of the South's finest Super Late Model drivers and in the end, it was the South's turn to shine.
On Friday night, the North and South ran 100 lap qualifying races for the top 10 starting positions in the 200 lap race on Saturday. The North ran first but the night air was very cold and the tires were also cold and on the first lap of the race, there was a massive pile-up in turns 1 and 2 with Pat Kelly of Griffith, Indiana fuel cell errupting into flames engulfing his car and two others. Kelly was burned but quickly got out of his car. Also involved was Jeff Fultz of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jonathan Eilan of Hampton, MN, Charlie Mernard of Eau Claire, WI., Ryan Tadesco of New Philadelphia, Ohio and Robert Ohlman of Lousisville, Kentucky. The race was red flagged as the track crew cleaned the track and took away the cars.
A total restart was in other as Scott Hantz of Angola, IN lead the way over Landon Cassill of Fairfax, IA, Chuck Barnes Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky, Scott Mulkren of Falmouth, ME, and Eddie VanMeter of Indianapolis, IN. But it was a short 5 lap green flag run as Landon Cassill and Louis Mechalides of Tyngsboro, MA got together. Mechalides was already having problems with his car in practice and almost did not race but at the last minute decided to give it a try. After a short 5 lap run, both Cassill and Mechalides were out.
The race went back green on lap 13 with Hantz leading the way over Barnes, VanMeter, Jack Landis and Eddie Hoffman. Van Meter passes Barnes for second with Barnes sliding into third. Then Landis makes the move on Barnes as he takes third and Barnes goes to fourth followed by Eddie Hoffman in fifth. Cars begin to fall out making the field even shorter with the yellow coming out for Jonathan Eilan who had been involved in the first lap wreck with fire under his hood. Eilan pitted, the fire was put out and Eilan was out along with fellow drivers already in the pits - Charlie Mernard, Pat Kelly, Robert Olhman, Jeff Fultz, Ryan Tadesco, Louie Mechalides, Landon Cassill, Mike Rowe, and Scott Mulkren. The field was going smaller with very few laps down.
When the race resumed on lap 28, only 13 cars were left in the field. Hantz once again lead the way on the green followed by Eddie VanMeter, Jack Landis, Eddie Hoffman, and Chuck Barnes. On lap 33 Barnes brings out the yellow as he spins off turn 4 and also retires his ride to the pit. Hantz leads the way on the restart on lap 38. By lap 49, VanMeter was all over Hantz but Hantz held his position but by lap 52 the race saw a new leader in Eddie VanMeter. It was now VanMeter, Hantz, Hoffman, Landis, and Jerry Artuso. Ben Rowe puts the pressure on Artuso taking over fith as Artuso settles into sixth.
Patrick Laperle from St. Denis, Quebec, who started in the rear of the field, has now made his presence known as holds the seventh place position. Laperle sets his aim on Artuso and passes Artuso taking over sixth with Artuso in seventh. In the meantime Eddie Hoffman puts pressure on Scott Hantz for the second place position and takes it over with Hantz going to third but Ben Rowe wants third and takes it putting Hantz fourth. Up until lap 98, the top five are duking it out for position when the yellow comes out for Chuck Barnes who spins in lap 98. Barnes is fine but must rejoin the field in the rear.
VanMeter holds the point and takes his first Super Late Model win over Eddie Hoffman, Ben Rowe, Patrick Laperle, and Jack Landis.
Now it is the South's turn to race with Mike Fritts of DeBary, FL on the pole. Travis Kittleson of Merritt Island, Florida set fast time but drew the 3 pill putting Fritts on the pole. On the green it was Fritts taking the point over Kittleson, Charlie Bradberry, Jeremy Pate, and Jeff Choquette. Kittleson loses a clutch on lap 9 and has to retire from the race as Bradberry takes over the second place position. Preston Peltier brings out the yellow on lap 22 as he spins in turns 1 and 2.
The race goes back green on lap 26 with Fritts, Mario Gosselin, Charlie Bradberry, Jeff Choquette, and Jeremy Pate in the top five. Lap 32 sees the yellow for a spin in turn 2 and the race resumes on lap 37 but on lap 39 the big one for the South happens as Billy Bigley Jr. and Johnny Brazier get together coming off 2. Bigley takes a wild ride hitting the turn 2 wall and then shotting across the track into the inside wall. Bigley seems to be okay but has a totalled race car. Brazier is able to pit and eventually return to the field.
Lap 49 sees the restart with Fritts, Gosselin, Bradberry, Choquette, and Clay Rogers in the top five. Gosselin puts pressure on Fritts doing some pretty good side-by-side action and takes over the point with Fritts falling to second. Bradberry and Rogers take advantage of Fritts's as they pass him for second and third as Fritts falls into fourth. Bradberry tries to pass Gosselin for the lead but Gosselin is having nothing to do with that and holds the point.
The yellow comes out for David Hodges as he hits the turn 2 wall. Hodges is fine but his car is done and is towed into the pits. The race goes back green on lap 71 with Gosselin leading the way but on lap 73 the caution comes out again for Brandon Bandele who shows the fans how to do a perfect 360 while racing. Lap 75 goes green with Gosselin, Bradberry, Rogers, Fritts, and Choquette in the top five.
Bradberry once again tries Gosselin coming off 4 but they get together with Bradberry spinning. Bradberry must rejoin the field in the rear with Clay Rogers on the point followed by Gosselin, Fritts, Choquette, and Ryan Crane. Clay tries but cannot hold off the hard charge of Gosslin. Gosselin takes the point back on lap 95 and leads the way to the checkered followed by Clay Rogers, Mike Fritts, Jeff Choquette, and Ryan Crane.
SATURDAY - THE BIG DAY
After freezing for two days, Saturday was a nice surprise with plenty of sunshine and warmer weather. With only 41 cars left after Friday night's action, it was decided that all 41 would run the big race. Friday night's North winner Eddie VanMeter had the pole for the 200 lap finale. But it was Mario Gosselin who quickly took the point over Clay Rogers, Eddie VanMeter, Ryan Crane and Eddie Hoffman.
But lap 2 saw Fain Skinner take a wild ride down the front stretch on his roof, rolling and ending up in turn 1-2. The race was red flagged and Skinner emerged from the totalled car okay but shaken. The race goes back green on lap 2 with Gosselin, Rogers, Choquette, VanMeter, and Hoffman in the top five.
By lap 6, Fritts has moved into third with Choquette in fourth and VanMeter in fifth. Preston Peltier brings out the yellow on lap 13 as he spins in turn 2. A few short cautions for spins and by lap 35, Fritts has moved into second right behind Gosselin. Lap 37 sees three cars spin in turn 2 with all three driving away and the race goes back green on lap 43. But it is short as Johnny Brazier brings out the yellow on lap 43 for a spin.
Ryan Tedesco, after working on his wrecked car for 17 hours, finds himself dead in the water as his car just quits on the backstretch. Tedesco is pushed in after receiving the Hard Luck Award for all his crews's efforts of getting that car race ready for Saturday.
Gosselin leads the way on the restart on lap 49 followed by Fritts, Rogers, Choquette and Wayne Anderson. Anderson goes side by side with Choquette and takes over fourth with Choquette in fifth. Fritts is working his way into the lead and by lap 70 takes over the point with Gosselin sliding into second. Clay Rogers passes Gosselin with Anderson following on Rogers's coattails as Gosselin has to settle into fourth.
Lap 93 sees Sean Murphy and Jason Vandenberg get together and the front running cars begin to make their pit stops. The new leader is now Jacob Ryan but he does not get to enjoy it as the caution comes out on lap 103 for Justin Drawdy, Jay Middleton, Charlie Bradberry and Jason Boyd who have all spun on the backstretch. Boyd gets out of his car under caution and stops Travis Kittleson on the backstretch yelling into his window. The safety crew pulls Boyd away as the car is towed into the pits along with Drawdy's. Middleton pits and is good to go.
Lap 111 sees the green only to go yellow ono lap 112 as Jeff Scofield and leader Jacob Ryan get together going into turn 4. Ryan goes hard into the wall and now is also done for the night.
Lap 120 sees the green and a new leader in Clay Rogers followed by Mario Gosselin, Travis Kittleson, Eddie VanMeter and Eddie Hoffman.
Fritts, who had a bad pit stop, is back in the field. Freddie Querry brings out the yellow on lap 126 as he has contact with the turn 4 wall but is able to continue even though he has damage to the right front of his car. Green comes back out on lap 123 with Clay Rogers, Mario Gosselin, Travis Kittleson, Eddie VanMeter and Eddie Hoffman in the top five. VanMeter has problems and retires with Hoffman moving into fourth and Wayne Anderson fifth. But Anderson is not safe as he finds Mike Fritts all in his rearview mirror. Fritts and Anderson duke it out but by lap 147 Fritts has taken over the fifth position.
The yellow comes out on lap 155 as Preston Peltier hits the turn 2 wall. Peltier is fine but also done for the night. The races goes back green on lap 158 as Clay Rogers leads Gosselin, Kittleson, Hoffman, and Fritts. Kittleson passes Gosselin for second but finds Fritts all over him. Fritts takes over second with Kittleson now in third and aims his eyes on Rogers. Rogers does a great job of protecting his position but by lap 189 Fritts proves he has the better car and takes over the point over Rogers, Kittleson, Jeff Choquette and Eddie Hoffman.
Mike Fritts still is the main to beat in Florida racing" - says Hooters ProCup star Clay Rogers
Mike Fritts takes the checkered for his third win in a row followed by Clay Rogers, Travis Kittleson, Jeff Choquette, and Eddie Hoffman.
1. #23 Eddie Van Meter, Indianapolis, IN. 2. #8 Eddie Hoffman, Weaton, IL 3. #00 Ben Rowe, Turner, ME 4. #91 Patrick Laperle, St. Denis, Quebec 5. #10 Jack Landis, Edgerton, OH 6. #72 Scott Hantz, Angola, IN 7. #31 Jerry Artuso, Sault St. Marie, Ont 8. #18 Cassius Clark, Farmington, ME 9. #66 Steve Carlson, West Salem, WI 10. #19 Jacob Ryan, Farmington, MN 11. #29 Scott Chubbuck, Windham, ME 12. #89 Jason Vandenberg, Appleton, WI 13. #55 Chuck Barnes Jr., Louisville, KY 14. #77 Jonathan Eilan, Hampton, MN 15. #84 Scott Mulkren, Falmouth, ME 16. #24 Mike Rowe, Turner, ME 17. #7 Landon Cassill, Fairfax, IA 18. #47 Louie Mechalides, Tyngboro, MA 19. #15 Ryan Tadesco, New Philadelphia, OH 20. #54 Jeff Fultz, Cincinnati, OH 21. #33 Robert Ohlman, Louisville, KY 22. #28 Pat Kelly, Griffith, IN 23. #13 Charlie Mernard, Eau Claire, WI
SOUTH 100
1. #06 Mario Gosselin, Lake Wales, FL: 2. #2 Clay Rogers, Mooresville, NC 3. #127 Mike Fritts, Debary, FL 4. #70 Jeff Choquette, Loxahatchee, FL 5. #110 Ryan Crane, Panama City, FL 6. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood, FL 7. #74 Jay Middleton, Lake City, FL 8. #12 Justin Drawdy, Ft. Pierce, FL 9. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City, FL 10. #8 Freddie Query, Mooresville, NC 11. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak, FL 12. #112 Charlie Bradberry, Chelsea, AL 13. #41 Chris Davidson, Pearland, TX 14. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island, FL 15. #71 Johnny Brazier, Hazel Green, AL 16. #22 Jeremy Pate, Mooresville, NC 17. #32 Sean Murphy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 18. #15 Jason Boyd, Orlando, FL 19. #188 David Pollen, Jr., Tampa, FL 20. #47 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland, FL 21. #81 Brandon Bendele, San Antonia, TX 22. #24 Ritchie Anderson, Lakeland, FL 23. #20 Sean Bass, Auburndale, FL 24. #16 David Hodges, Valdosta, GA 25. #62 Travis Wilson, Bartow, FL 26. #00 Robert Yoho, Pinellas Park, FL 27. #28 Billy Bigley, Jr., Naples, FL 28. #10 Ryan Foster, Lowell, Arkansas 29. #5 Preston Peltier, Concord, NC 30. #88 Travis Kittleson, Merritt Island, FL 31. #51 Joe Boyd, Riverview, FL 32. #9 Eric Wallace, Jasper, GA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 200 LAP FINALE
1. #127 Mike Fritts 2. #2 Clay Rogers 3. #88 Travis Kittleson 4. #70 Jeff Choquette 5. #8 Eddie Hoffman 6. #74 Jay Middleton 7. #84 Wayne Anderson 8. #31 Jerry Artuso 9. #18 Cassius Clark 10. #23 Eddie Van Meter 11. #72 Scott Hantz 12. #110 Ryan Crane 13. #55 Chuck Barnes Jr. 14. #13 Charlie Mernard 15, #8 Freddie Query 16. #15 Ryan Tedesco 17. #7 Landon Cassill 18. #33 Robert Ohlman 19. #89 Jason Vandenberg 20. #71 Johnny Brazier 21. #91 Patrick Laperle 22. #06 Mario Gosselin 23. #07 Jeff Scofield 24. #32 Sean Murphy 25. #5 Preston Peltier 26. #81 Brandon Bendale 27. #00 Ben Rowe 28. #10 Jack Landis 29. #19 Jacob Ryan 30. #15 Jason Boyd 31. #112 Charlie Bradberry 32. #12 Justin Drawdy 33. #24 Mike Rowe 34. #22 Jeremy Pate 35. #41 Chris Davidson 36. #66 Steve Carlson 37. #62 Travis Wilson 38. #47 Chris Fontaine 39. #10 Ryan Foster 40. #1 Fain Skinner 41. #20 Sean Bass
When the race resumed on lap 28, only 13 cars were left in the field. Hantz once again lead the way on the green followed by Eddie VanMeter, Jack Landis, Eddie Hoffman, and Chuck Barnes. On lap 33 Barnes brings out the yellow as he spins off turn 4 and also retires his ride to the pit. Hantz leads the way on the restart on lap 38. By lap 49, VanMeter was all over Hantz but Hantz held his position but by lap 52 the race saw a new leader in Eddie VanMeter. It was now VanMeter, Hantz, Hoffman, Landis, and Jerry Artuso. Ben Rowe puts the pressure on Artuso taking over fith as Artuso settles into sixth.
The race goes back green on lap 26 with Fritts, Mario Gosselin, Charlie Bradberry, Jeff Choquette, and Jeremy Pate in the top five. Lap 32 sees the yellow for a spin in turn 2 and the race resumes on lap 37 but on lap 39 the big one for the South happens as Billy Bigley Jr. and Johnny Brazier get together coming off 2. Bigley takes a wild ride hitting the turn 2 wall and then shotting across the track into the inside wall. Bigley seems to be okay but has a totalled race car. Brazier is able to pit and eventually return to the field. 
