IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

February 22, 2006 LeRoy Porter Honored At DeSoto Sunday By Jane Smith LeRoy Porter may not race anymore but there are very few drivers or fans in the State of Florida that do not know him or his name. LeRoy was the "man to beat" for many years in Florida and on Sunday at Desoto Super Speedway; LeRoy Porter will be honored by having the annual Ice Breaker 125 race named after him - the LeRoy Porter Ice Breaker 125. In 1990, LeRoy ran Orlando SpeedWorld on Friday nights and Desoto Speedway (as it was called then) on Saturday nights. It was one of those Saturday nights when LeRoy hit the wall at Desoto changing his racing life forever. Burned badly, LeRoy retired from racing and became an advocate on fire safety in racing. LeRoy can be seen around the state spotting for some of the "best of the best": Super Late and Late Model drivers in the state. There is no one that does not know the smiling face of LeRoy Porter. "I am tickled too death," said Porter, "to have a race named after me. I only raced full time at Desoto in 1990 but it is still an honor for me. I will be there and expect a great race." LeRoy Porter won the Florida Governors Cup at New Smyrna Speedway in 1983 and nearly won it the following year, beaten only by short track legend Dick Anderson. He was the Golden Gate Speedway Late Model champ in 1981, the Tampa track being his home track in those years. Porter was the winner of the 1988 Cracker 200 and as well as the inaugural Orange Blossom 100 in 1989 Drivers from all over the state are expected at this event including Wayne Anderson, Jeff Scofield, B.J. McLeod, Jeff Sloan, Chris Fontaine, and many, many more. Along with the Ice Breaker 125 which is the All American Challenge Series opener, the Desoto Truck Series, Pure Stocks, Bombers, Mod Minis, Street Stocks and the Gulf Coast Modifieds will also be on the Sunday afternoon program. There will be an open practice on Saturday, February 25, from 10 am to 6 pm. Pit gates will open on Sunday, February 26 at 9 am with practice from 10:30 am to 12:15 pm. Qualifying will begin at 1 pm with racing at 2 pm. For further information go to www.desotosuperspeedway.com or call 941-748-3171. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!