IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 8, 2006 FAST Late Models To See Dave Pletcher VS Wayne Anderson At Citrus by Bill Green The FAST Motorsports Group has weather the early storms of the season as good as any series could. Late arrival of their signature Late Model series crate-motor power plants has several teams playing catch-up. One of those being the very familiar “Wildwood-Wildman“, Wayne Anderson. Wayne’s motor arrived in his shop on May 7th and he will debut his FAST Late Model at Citrus County Speedway, Saturday, May 13th. Debuting in the same event will be another fan favorite veteran, “Big Daddy” Dave Pletcher. He'll drive the #O1 car for Bobby Spaeth. Seeing Pletcher VS Anderson at Citrus Co. Speedway will bring back a few memories for the long-time Inverness race fans. In back-to-back, impromptu phone interviews with Dave Pletcher and Wayne Anderson on Monday, I ask about coming back to Citrus County Speedway and facing each other, knowing that they both talk often during the week, shop-to-shop, so to speak. “We talked briefly last week when he got his motor in and he found out I would be driving for Bobby. Seems I had to remind him who owed who in the bump and run game he likes for us to play!” stated the slow taking, ex-NASCAR driver, Pletcher. “But, I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans again, doing an autograph session and the racing, all of it!” Meanwhile, Wayne Anderson’s take was a little more playful, “Yeah, You better call Dave up and ask if he is going to be lobbying with Bobby Diehl for two 50-lap races instead of one, 100-lap event, so he can stop and get some oxygen!” Wayne teased. He also added, “It will be fun, but I want LET him beat me!” Dave and Wayne both will have to contend with a fine field of young guns whom have been ruling the roost while the veterans are playing catch-up. Wayne, who has been to several FAST Motorsports events with his trucks, had some kind words for the FAST Late Model field. “There’s a great group of young racers running this thing so far and I think Dave and I may have to sharpen up a little to compete with the crate motor teams already on track.” He was speaking of racers like Cody Pitts, who has two, first place finishes and a second in the first three races of 2006 for the FAST Late Model Championship run. While Sean Bass has gone second, second and fifth in the same races. Next to those two comes 26 year old Brock Burns with three, third place finishes in a row. So the addition of Pletcher and Anderson should let the FAST Late Model series start making some noise in Florida Late Model racing. Citrus County Speedway fans will also see the FAST Kids Amateur Division in action. As the youngsters are 26 trucks strong on the points sheet, with a dozen firmly in the running for the 2006 Championship, bunched within 90 points of leader Brian Blum. --advertisement-- Meanwhile the FAST Truck Pros have 40 drivers on the points list, coming off a wild one in Orlando on April 29th. In that one, 15 year old Joe Coulter out shined the field for the win, as an amazingly talented 14 year old, Travis Hanson used the outside grove to put on a spectacular run to the front for second. Both were pursued by veteran, Danny Anderson, who was hanging it out, literally, as he wrestled an ill handling #50 to third. The early points run has 13 drivers within 100 points of the current leader, Travis Roland. Still, it’s early in the season and any one of the Kids or Pros could manage a Championship run starting at Citrus County this weekend. Citrus County Speedway is 18-miles West off I-75 in Inverness, Florida. From Ocala use SR-44 to US-41. The track is located two miles south of SR-44 on US-41 just passed the Airport, at the Citrus County Fairgrounds. The Citrus County Speedway pit entrance uses Airport Road. Call Citrus County Speedway at 352-726-9339 or visit them at www.citruscountyspeedway.com for more information. FAST Motorsports Information can be found at www. FasTruckRacingSeries.com or by calling the FMG Office at 813-817-RACE (7223). Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!