Yes there is a very big show at the "speed palace" known as USA International Speedway featuring trucks and super late models. Yes the big stars with big, fast cars will be there to race 200 laps and yes, FASCAR's up and coming Pro Trucks will be there to race for 50 laps and $1000 top prize money.
But that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this weekend's racing choices. Sometimes the stars just line up perfectly and you get a real action packed deal going from coast to coast in Florida. That is how this weekend stacks up for Florida race fans.
The fastest, scariest ride in the world of short track racing, the Tampa Bay Automobile Racing Association (TBARA) will be at New Smyrna Speedway Saturday night. How fast do thes monsters go on that high banked 1/2 mile of summer sun scorched asphalt? One promoter was told that they have been clocked by radar at 170 mph. Heck even if there is 30 miles per hour of hype in that statement, it is a breath-taking show for those not used to seeing these cars at that extremely quick track. Bo Hartley is the current points leader with David Steele trailing by 48 points.
Anyone of them could fly to the front at New Smyrna, and watching David Steele move to the front of the TBARA pack is worth the price of admission all by itself. Adding to the New Smyrna Speedway show will be FASCAR Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stock, Mini Stock and Strictly Stock.
This great weekend of racing gets started on Friday night when Todd and Debbie Hutto bring the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series (FMSC)and Southern Sportsman Series to the 3/8 mile Orlando Speedworld. Qualifying for the main attraction begins at 6:45 and racing gets under way in Orlando at 8 PM.
The FMSC has been idle since May 27, and drivers are itching to get back racing. In the first six outings Chris Thornton was the dominant force, winning two races and finishing second twice, and never out of the top five, all leading to a lead for Thornton in the Championship, run 76 points ahead of Rick Sirmans and 82 ahead of Raymond Folwell.
The Southern Sportman have come on strong in the last year, featuring a solid field of quality race car drivers. Aaron Williamson has been in total control with three wins and a second, but he also has two 13th place runs, and will carry an 84 point lead into Friday night's 50 lap race.
Also on tap Friday night is Mike Peter's Ocala Speedway, which kicks off two nights of competition. Friday is headlined by the Ocala Figure 8 racers, a night in which children will the get the opportunity to take rides in real race cars. Race Director Lou Trembley has lined up a full night with 4 Cylinder Stocks, V-8 Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, V-8 Rookies, Sportsman as well as Modifieds. Whew!
And then Saturday at Ocala Speedway what is billed as the "FMG Extrvaganza" will feature Fastrucks, Fastkids and Fast Late Models appearing in an unusual format. The races are called "Twins", with basically two rounds or races, with qualifying points adding into the mix to help determine the winner. Hmmmm?
While Travis Roland is solidly in the front of the Fastrucks points race, while Fastkids John Kidwell and Anthony Campi are locked in a real battle, with only 4 points separating them. The Fast Late Models are led by young Cody Pitts with Spencer Taylor and Sean Bass on his heels.
DeSoto Super Speedway, coming off a huge weekend with the Crash-a-Rama followed by the TBARA Sprints, again has a solid lineup, highlighted by the 100 lap Late Model race. Of late this has been the Steve Dorer show with Steve leading the DeSoto Late Model points over Tate Pierce, Steve Gill, Kenny Vaughn and Doug Moff. Always a good show, these guys are no holds barred and prodcue some pretty scrappy contests with lots door handle to door handle racing at DeSoto. The Magic 4s, a 4 cylinder rookie class has been a huge hit this year and the local bomber have almost achieved "cult status".
Citrus County Speedway continues to lead Florida asphalt tracks with their number of competitors, a few weeks ago pulling 143 cars. This Saturday night the fans will be treated to Open Wheel Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Hobby Stock, Thunder Stock, 4 Cyl.and a special visit from the Outlaw Modified Minis.
Columbia Motorsports Park is highlighting a 25 lap, $750 to win Sportsman race Saturday night. Cars are being invited to run using their track rules. Other races are the local Super Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Hornets and TQ Late Models. Columbia Motorsports Park has seen a lot of attention from FASCAR General Manager Don Nerone this year and the car counts as well as fan counts are surprising some people. We say about time. Columbia is a diamond in the rough.
If you live in the Panhandle of Florida, or across the borders in Alabama, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola is running the "Digital 100" on Friday night. This is one of the races that is part of the Blizzard Series and the main attraction is 100 laps of Super Late Model action.
If you are a fan of dirt racing, the North Florida Speedway is running the Brown Motorsports Hobby Stock Summer Spectacular. The highlight is the Hobby Stock feature paying $700 to win. North Florida Speedway is under new ownership this year, has changed the tracks surface back to clay and car counts are steadily growing, with many racers coming from Jacksonville, since that track closed last year. Other classes this Saturday night are the Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Street Stocks and Limited Sportsman.
For fans of dirt late models, Volusia Speedway Park welcomes the National Late Model Series for a two day show, Friday and Saturday. The 50 lap feature on Saturday will award $5000 to the winner. Once again, a statement is being made about the strength of the Florida talent pool. Ocala's Ivedent Lloyd is points leader of the tough series; Lloyd also has four wins in 2006 in the NLMS.
More dirt action is slated for Putnam County Speedway, which will feature the winged sprints of the Florida Sprint Car Association and the Florida Mini Sprint Association return to thrilling action at the speedway.
Auburndale Speedway, located near Lakeland will feature a 50 lap Modified Mini Race, Golf Cart Race, along with Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Scramblers and Road Warriors
East Bay Raceway Park, Charlotte County Speedway and Bronosn Motor Speedway are closed this weekend.
