Ronnie Larson Takes Florida Mini Stock Challenge Win At USA
by Rick Warren
It was an exciting evening of racing action at the beautiful facilities of USA International Speedway Saturday night. The racers of the Atlantic Building Materials / Florida Mini Stock Challenge were on hand to run 35 green flag laps of racing on the demanding ¾ mile speedway. As always, the big track provides plenty of action, and places lots of stress on the 4 cyl. racers.
Many of the pit crews put in heroic efforts readying these racers, including changing engines, changing transmissions, and repairing broken parts. At the end of the day, on Friday, 25 cars had qualified for the feature race. Ronnie Larson, in the Jandy Pool Products entry was fast qualifier.
After the draw for inversion was completed and the lineup set, Kevin Macy was on the pole position in the Corporate Lighting entry. Beside Macy on the front row was Rick Sirmans in the Fascats Cattery sponsored car. The second row was filled by Raymond Folwell, who is still seeking sponsorship, and Ronnie Larson in the Gunns Welding entry. Third row had Chuck Frazier, and James Ellis, followed by James Smith, Pedie Allison, Robbie Storer and Marty Neikens rounding out the top ten starters.
As the field came to the flag for the start of the race, Larson powered up the outside to take the lead, but the caution came out on lap 2, as the car of Jason Rendell never came up to speed and stalled on the racetrack. As the field was being reset for the restart, Folwell entered the pits with a shifter problem. He would rejoin the race later. The field came to the green once again, with Larson holding the lead, followed by Sirmans, Macy, Frazier and Smith. Caution again was on the track on lap 3 for an incident in turn 3.
The field once again came to the green with Larson out front, followed by Sirmans, Storer, Macy, Ellis, Allison, Smith, Thornton, Neikens, and Eric Cuchta filling the top ten spots. Another caution slowed the field on lap 4, with the running order unchanged. The field took the green again, with Allison moving to second, followed by Sirmans, Neikens and Storer.
By lap 9 it was becoming obvious that Larson was on a mission, as he was opening a substantial lead on the field. The racing for second place was becoming intense, and through out the field their were constant battles for position.
Lap 24 saw Thornton, winner of the last FMSC race, move into third spot, coming from his 11th starting position, with Neikens, Storer and Macy right on his bumper. Lap 15 saw the engine in Jim Smith’s racer go up in smoke, and then flames. The caution came out, the flames were extinguished, and best of all, Smith exited the car with no injuries.
The field was reset with Larson out front, followed by Allison, Thornton, Neikens, and Storer. On the restart, Allison tried to dive under Larson going into turn 1. Allison went in a little too hot, and spun in front of the field. Cars were scattering to all parts of the track tying to avoid the spinning car, and most made it. The 05 car nearly had it cleared, when the 81, with no where to go, got into the back of the 05 car, with both cars into the wall. Both were able to continue the race, but with substantial damage.
The race restarted with Larson opening quite a lead, with a serious dogfight behind him for second spot. As Larson continued to run for another zip code, Storer and Thornton were bringing the fans to their feet with some great racing for second spot. Lap 23 saw the 77 of Lee Davis back into the front straight wall, and bring out another caution.
The race restarted with Larson sailing to a comfortable lead, and taking the well deserved win. Second went to Thornton, followed by Storer, Neikens, and Jay Zolciak.
Final Results- FMSC USA Speedway, 4/29/2006 35 laps.
1. 61 Ronnie Larson Clearwater, Fl. 2. 24 Chris Thornton Clearwater, Fl. 3 9 Robbie Storer Zephyrhills, Fl. 4. 70 Marty Neikens Clearwater, Fl. 5. 3 Jay Zolciak St. Petersburg, Fl. 6. 19 Kevin Macy Winter Haven, Fl. 7. 12X Eric Cuchta Clearwater, Fl. 8. 5 Jeff Barnes Largo, Fl. 9. 92 Pedie Allison Cocoa, Fl. 10. 11X Mary Green Clearwater, Fl. 11. 0 Dustin Perez Tampa, Fl. 12. 21 Chuck Frazier Avon Park, Fl. 13. 17 Doug Schwier Boynton Beach, Fl. 14. 89 Scotty Sharpe Lakeland, FL. 15. 41 Mark Moniz Zephyrhills, Fl. 16. 05 Rick Sirmans Pinellas Park, Fl. 17. 12 Justin Edwards Ft. Valley, Ga. 18. 03 Raymond Folwell St. Petersburg, Fl. 19. 77 Lee Davis Lakeland, Fl. 20. 81 Cody Blair Winter Park, Fl. 21. 98 James Ellis Brooksville, Fl. 22. 32 James Smith Inverness, Fl. 23. 96. Jason Bowser Largo, Fl. 24. 02 Rick Partridge Brandon, Fl. 25. 81 Jason Rendell Lakeland, Fl. DNS 42 Jonathan Guy Auburndale, Fl. DNS 8 Robbie Yoakam Hernando, Fl.
Fast Qualifier Ronnie Larson Hard Charger Jay Zolciak Most Laps Led Ronnie Larson
