Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 set for April 1 at Bronson Motor Speedway
by Jane Smith
Samsula, Fla. (March 29, 2006) The Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series will make their first appearance of 2006 and second race of the new season this Saturday, April 1, at Bronson Motor Speedway aka "Florida's Little Bristol".
On April 9, 2005, it was Chuck Burkhalter who topped the field of sixteen cars at the Bronson race. This was Burkhalter's first win of the 2005 season and he is ready again for his first win of the 2006 season. "We had a pretty good run at Orlando in our first race this year coming in third and we are definitely ready for another good run," said Burkhalter. Burkhalter drives the No. 1x car owned by Jerry Quates of Christmas, Florida.
After too long an absence last year due to surgery, Joe Winchell returned to the Goodyear Challenge on March 17 at Orlando SpeedWorld and showed the fans that he still had his winning ways. Winchell topped the field of twenty eight cars and looked really good. Last year at Bronson Winchell finished fourth and he is looking for another good run this Saturday.
There will be two female drivers this Saturday in the field - Amanda Gogel and Alli Owens. This is Gogel's second year running in the Goodyear Challenge and Owens rookie year. Gogel got one of her best finishes at SpeedWorld as she finished seventh with Owens in 13th. Both of these female drivers are tough and don't mind playing with the boys at all. Watch for the No. 4k and 22 Late Models at Bronson.
There are a number of new drivers this year running the Goodyear Challenge. Derrick Kelley of Auburndale, Troy Hall of Southwest Ranches, Jeremy Colangelo of Deland, Justin Larson of Safety Harbour, Dustin Deschamps of Brooksville, Dean Ferri of Deerfield, Gary Fountain of Minneola, Chris Huntoon of Port Charlotte, Eric Cunningham of Vero Beach and Charlie Vest of Ocoee.
Kelley, who is well known throughout the state especially in the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup Series finished fourth at Orlando and is definitely in the hunt for a win. Jeremy Colangelo, who comes from the Legends Series at SpeedWorld, decided it was time to move up and chose the Goodyear Challenge to wet his feet. Colangelo was named Hard Charger for the Orlando race.
Justin Larson and Dustin Deschamps are well known names in the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series. Both young men have turned in their Mini Stocks for Late Models and finding their new division exciting. "It was time to move up and we chose the Goodyear Challenge Series for our move," said Deschamps dad. "We are definitely learning each race."
Eric Cunningham is another name known in the Mini Cup Series. Said Cunningham at Orlando, "I looked at all the divisions in racing but I liked the Goodyear Challenge Series the best. Those guys race and they pass alot and this is what I wanted."
2005 Goodyear Champion Rich Clouser will also be in the field although he missed the April 9th race last year since he was on his honeymoon that weekend. "We did not have a very good night at SpeedWorld and ended up finishing last and last in points due to an early accident. But Bobby Sears builds a great car and Bronson has always been a good track for me and we are ready for the challenge this Saturday," said Clouser.
Also in the field will be Travis Cope, son of Bronson Motor Speedway owner Mike Cope. Cope was having a fairly good run at SpeedWorld until he got into an accident and had to settle for a 21st place finish. But it was Bronson where young Cope cut his racing teeth so watch for the No. 26 to go towards the front on Saturday.
A.J. Curreli and Greg Kaouk both had great runs at Orlando SpeedWorld and have high hopes for Bronson. Curreli has been on rails for the last few months with a number of feature wins under his belt from the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Kaouk always puts on a great show and is one of the top contenders in the Goodyear Challenge as well as Charles Kopach and young Sam Watts. Any of these drivers could take the checkered but you will have to be there to find out which one does.
Bronson Motor Speedway is located 16 miles SW of Gainesville, 3 miles East of Bronson on State Road 24. For further information go to www.fascar.org or www.bronsonmotorspeedway.com.
