| May shows the way for FASCAR Late Models at USA International June 3rd | by Jane Smith
Lakeland, Fla. (June 3) On a hot, sunny afternoon, the FASCAR Late Models went out for their qualifying at USA International in Lakeland. Twenty nine of the best Late Models in Florida came to try their luck and skill against USA but before qualifying even began, two had to withdraw from the race. Dr. Ali Zargaran of Pompano with a slightly damaged car from hot laps and Paul Barnhill of Crestview with a blown engine.
It was the 1997 Hooters ProCup Rookie of the year Brad May of Orlando who went out and set fast time for the 100 lap event with a 21.625. Completing the top five were Rich Clouser of Palm Bay, Jacob Warren of Orlando, Mike Franklin of High Springs, and A.J. Curreli of Daytona Beach. May pulled the number 3 pill for the inversion putting Jacob Warren on the pole. Warren was wheeling the Tim Clark of Cocoa Late Model for the event.
Warren took the point on the initial green but before lap 2 was down, Dewayne Barrus of New Smyrna brought out the yellow when he spun in turn 1 and retired his car for the night. The field went back green on lap 6 with Warren, May, Clouser, Franklin and Curreli in the top five. By lap 8, May was on the back bumper of Warren for the lead and by lap 9, May has the pont as Warren goes to secoond.
Chris Fontaine puts pressure on Curreli , they touch, but both hold their on. On lap 17 we see the caution come out for Sam Watts, Chris Fontaine and Doug Moff who have gotten together on the backstretch. The race is red flagged not for an injured driver but for gas on the track. All three cars are done for the night.
As lap 21 shows the green, May takes the point followed by Warren, Clouser, Franklin, and Joe Winchell. Matt Martin begins to slow and goes slowly down the backstretch onto pit road. The crew quickly looks at the ailing car but it is determined that it is done for the night. Lap 28 Mike Hovis puts pressure on Curreli in sixth and takes the position as Curreli goes to seventh. Obviously Curreli has problems and pits on lap 31 for crew attention but must also retire his car for the night. Lap 33 Charlie Vest retires his car for the night. Winchell passes Franklin for fourth as Franklin goes to fifth.
Lap 38 sees the caution once again for Justin Larson who has a fire under the hood and has stopped in turns 1 and 2. The safety crew get to the car quickly and Larson is fine but also done for the night. The running order is May, Warren, Clouser, Winchell, Franklin, Hovis, Chuck Burkhalter, Dustin Deschamps, Troy Hall, Travis Cope, Jeremy Colangelo, Red Vann, Chuck Abell, Jeremy Goddard, Dean Ferri and Ali Owens.
On the restart May holds the point but Hovis, who was running sixth begins to slide backwards to ninth. Halfway point sees 16 cars still on the track as May leads the way. The next caution comes out on lap 56 when Jeremy Goddard spins in turn . 2. Just as the race goes back green, the yellow is shown again when Troy Hall's engine lets go collecting Hovis and Chuck Abell in the oil. Hovis has too much damage to return but Abell although has some damage is not bad enough to retire him.
Lap 64 sees the green once again as May leads the way followed by Clouser who now has pressure from Winchell. Winchell is able to make the move and take over third with Chuck Burkhalter moving to fourth and Clouser settling into fifth. Clouser looks high and low to pass Burkhalter but Burkhalter holds the position each time. This cat and mouse chase continues for many laps between Burkhalter and Clouser. On lap 85 Goddard has a flat rear tire and must pit for a new tire.
Lap 92 Burkhalter and Clouser are still going for the same position as they get too close and Clouser touches the rear of Burkhalter sending him straight into the turn 1 wall. Burkhalter definitely has his bell rung since he hit the wall hard but seems to be okay but is done for the night. Clouser is sent to the rear of the lead lap cars for the restart.
With 14 cars left for the last 8 laps, it is May, Winchell, Warren, Colangelo, and Franklin. Warren takes back the second spot from Winchell as Winchell settles into third. Clouser is on the charge back to the front and passes Franklin for fifth. With no other cautions, May sets sail for the checkered and wins USA International followed by Jacob Warren, Joe Winchell, Jeremy Colangelo, and Rich Clouser.
OFFICIAL RESULTS USA INTERNATIONAL - JUNE 3
1. #10 Brad May, Orlando
2. #8 Jacob Warren, Orlando
3. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie
4. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland
5. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay
6. #12 Mike Franklin, High Springs
7. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville
8. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson
9. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka
10. #37 Redd Vann, Wesley Chapel
11. #22 Alli Owens, South Daytona
12. #5 Steve Gill, Sarasota
13. #99 Dean Ferri, Deerfield
14. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples
15. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont
16. #30 Troy Hall, Coral Springs
17. #Mike Hovis, Ft. Myers
18. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor
19. #73v Charlie Vest, Ocoee
20. #53 Charles Kopach, Clermont
21. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach
22. #66 Matt Martin, Port Orange
23. #54 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland
24. #46 Doug Moff, Ft. Myers
25. #73 Sam Watts, Winter Springs
26. #Dewayne Barrus, New Smyrna
27. #4K Amanda Gogel, Port Orange DNS
28. #29 Paul Barnhill, Crestview DNS
29. #32 Dr. Ali Zargaran, Pompano DNS
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