IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

June 10, 2006 Surprise Call Leads to Surprise Winner In Powell Memorial 125 By John Berti Karnac.com Staff Writer Rich Pratt (left) and Scott Grossenbacher(right) help Patrick Williams celebrate at Ocala Speedway. Ocala, FL - June 9, 2006 - Little did he know when he got up Friday morning he was going to have the honor of adding his name to the impressive list of winners of one of the most prestigious races run in the state of Florida. Patrick Williams went to work Friday morning, participating in a race the farthest thing from his mind. In the afternoon he got a call from a friend who told him that Wayne Anderson was trying to reach him to ask him if he’d drive Anderson’s backup car in the 11th Annual Powell Memorial 125 at Ocala Speedway. Williams quickly gathered up his racing gear and headed for the speedway. Williams’ storybook day at the track began with setting the fourth fastest qualifying time (14.693) behind Brian Finney who set fast time earning himself $1,000 (14.587), Jeff Scofield (14.616) and Rich Pratt (14.634). Ironically Williams’ time was even better than Anderson’s own time (14.746) prompting one of the track announcers to ask Williams if he was sure he took out the right car. Each driver drew a pill during a track side autograph session with Williams drawing outside pole joining polesitter Jeremy Gerstner who pulled the number one pill. With the starting lineup determined anticipation grew for the running of the 11th Annual Powell Memorial 125. The Powell Memorial 125 was born at Ocala Speedway in 1996 in remembrance of the members of late model racer James Powell III‘s family who perished in a June 1995 airplane crash at Gainesville (FL) Airport. James lost six members of his family that included his mother, father, aunt, uncle and twin daughters. James and his father J.H. (Buddy) Powell owned and operated Ocala Speedway at that time. James began his career at the then 3/8 mile dirt oval. In pre-race ceremonies Powell thanked all the drivers and fans that showed up to keep this event going. Current track owner, Mike Peters, considered it an honor to host the event as a tribute to the Powell family. Randy Ewers, Mayor of Ocala, was the Grand Marshall and dropped the green flag for the start of the $20,000 total purse, $5,000 to win feature grind. Gerstner bolted into the early lead followed by Williams, Scott Grossenbacher, Fain Skinner, and Anderson. The first caution of the night was displayed with one lap completed when Skinner spun out Grossenbacher. Skinner was penalized for rough riding and put to the rear with Grossenbacher positioned back into third. Williams outgunned Gerstner on the restart to become the second and final race leader. Lap 10 saw Grossenbacher get under Gerstner going into turns one and two going down the back stretch into the second spot. Gerstner lost further positions to Anderson and Powell before he settled back down into fifth. For the second time in the race Grossenbacher became a “revolving door” after contact from Anderson on lap 14. Anderson was declared the culprit and was relegated to the rear with Grossenbacher being reinstated into second. The running order of the top ten for the restart was Williams, Grossenbacher, Powell, Finney, Pratt, Scofield, Daniel Webster, Kevin Durden, Tim Russell and Skinner. Russell spun in turn two to bring out a caution on lap 25. Gerstner took the opportunity to head for the pits and returned in time to take the green. On the restart Williams continued to lead followed by Grossenbacher, Powell, Finney, and Pratt as the top five running group. Finney got under Powell while battling for third going down the back chute on lap 38. He got out of shape and dropped all the way back to tenth before he could get back in line. Pratt took third from Powell going into turn one on lap 52. One lap later Skinner spun into the front stretch infield to bring out a yellow. The top ten running order on the restart was Williams, Grossenbacher, Pratt, Powell, Durden, Scofield, Anderson, Webster, Finney and Russell. Scofield and Anderson made contact with each other going down the front straightaway on lap 58 subsequently causing rear portion damage to Scofield’s #07. Anderson masterfully controlled his damaged car after contact was made bringing it down pit road to the pits. However, both were out of the competition for the night. When the crossed flags were shown by starter “Wild Thing”, indicating the halfway point was reached, the top ten were Williams, Grossenbacher, Pratt, Powell, Durden, Finney, Webster, Russell, Skinner and Gerstner. Durden passed Powell for fourth on lap 71 in turn three. Powell and Finney battled it out side by side for a couple of laps before Finney took the fifth spot on lap 77. Skinner was also able to sneak by Powell pushing Powell back to seventh. With 75 laps showing on the scoring tower it was Williams still on top followed by Grossenbacher, Pratt, Durden, Finney, Skinner, Russell and Powell, Webster and Gerstner. Powell’s night came to an end when he headed for the pits on lap 86. At the century point (100 laps) the running order was still Williams, Grossenbacher, Pratt, Durden, Finney, Skinner, Russell, Webster and Gerstner. There was only one more caution over the duration of the race and that was for a spin by Gerstner on lap 112. No changes in the running order occurred down to the checkered flag with Williams winning by a very comfortable margin. The unofficial top five were: Williams, Grossenbacher, Pratt, Durden, and Skinner. In victory lane an excited Williams said, “I love it, I love, it, I love it. Wayne and Dickie (Anderson) know how to set up a car. This car rode like a Cadillac.” Grossenbacher said about his second place finish, “We’re happy about it. We tried to sneak up on him (Williams), but he just had to much.” Third place finisher, Rich Pratt commented, “I tried to mount a challenge, but the car was too tight. Williams and Grossenbacher drove a great race.” Support Division Results Sportsmen - 30 laps 1. 08 William Edwards 2. 1 Matt Blum 3. 65 Shane Nichols 4. 27 Frank Buchanon 5. 32 Shelton Bowers V-8 Pure Stock - 20 laps 1. 53 Eric Gellman 2. 97 Brent Cooper 3. 5 Pete Close 4. 66 Harold Ericson 5. 58 ??? Street Stocks - 25 laps 1. 58 Larry Welter, Jr. 2. 9 Jeff Stalnaker 3. 8 Mike Stalnaker 4. 71 Mark “Grim Reaper” Mitchell 5. 7 Jay Morgan Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!