IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

September 3, 2006 May Proves He's the MAN at USA International Goodyear Challenge 100 by Jane Smith Threatening thunderstorms in the distance but nothing spoiled the events at USA International in Lakeland. The drivers were alittle wilted from the heat of the day but that did not stop Brad May of Orlando from setting fast time for the second time this year at USA. May, who ran a 21.312 lap, saw Jacob Warren, Daniel Keene, Sam Watts, and Justin Larson in the top five behind him. But once again May, who says he does not do well in pill drawing, pulled the number nine pill for the inversion putting A.J. Curreli on the pole for the 100 lap event. With the drop of the green flag, it was not pretty as Justin Larson spun off turn two collecting Daniel Keene, Jr., Alli Owens in her brand new Late Model, Joe Winchell, and Jason Bowser. All were done before they even saw lap one. A complete restart as Curreli lead the way for the field. But before lap 12 is in the records, three more Lates drop out. Paul Barnhill, John Coffman and Chuck Abell. The field is getting smaller as the laps go down. On lap 14, David Roberts saw the black flag as he was having a hard time keeping up with the field. After setting second fastest time, Jacob Warren saw himself bringing out the caution on lap 23 as he spun coming out of four. Warren came to a stop on the start/finish line and was also done for the night along with Ken Gerena. The race goes back green as May is coming up fast from his ninth place starting position. May passes Curreli on lap 30 and takes the point and as they say, never looks back. Lap 33 sees Dean Ferri retire to the pits as May continues his lead over Curreli. The chase continues as May leads and Curreli tries to close in. GoodYear Challenge Series Photos The next caution was on lap 55 for track conditions as Travis Cope loses a plug in his rear end. Cope spends 17 laps in the pit fixing his car but does return to the race. The field realigns for the restart but Curreli cannot pass May as May is very, very strong. Bobby Beachieman, a former SARA Late Model Champion, has to retire to the pits on lap 66 after a very good run. On lap 73, Kevin Ingram's motor blows taking him out for the night. The last twenty laps see no cautions and a very strong Brad May on the point. May takes the checkered three car lengths ahead of A.J. Curreli, Rich Clouser, Sam Watts, and Jeremy Colangelo. With only two races left in the 2006 schedule, the new points leader for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series is Rich Clouser, seven points ahead of Dustin Deschamps . "These last two races will be good," said Race Director Scott Jackman. "We look forward to being at New Smyrna Speedway on September 16 and crowning our champion on November 3 at Orlando SpeedWorld. This has been a great year for us and for the drivers and we look forward to 2007." Official Results Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 - USA International Speedway September 2, 2006 1 10 Brad May Orlando,Fl 2 2 A.J. Curreli Daytona Beach,Fl 3 9 Rich Clouser Palm Bay,Fl 4 73 Sam Watts Winter Springs,Fl 5 05 Jeremy Colangelo Deland,Fl 6 53 Charles Kopach Clermont,Fl 7 21 Derrick Kelley Auburndale,Fl 8 51 Dustin Deschamps Brooksville,Fl 9 31 Greg Kaouk Penbroke Pines 10 26x Larry Osteen Clermont,Fl 11 30 Troy Hall Coral Springs,Fl 12 26 Travis Cope Bronson,Fl 13 54 Kevin Ingram Lakeland.FL 14 08 Bobby Beachiemen Clermont,Fl 15 99 Dean Ferri Deerfield,Fl 16 8 Jacob Warren Orlando,Fl 17 0 Ken Gerena 18 11 David Roberts Lakeland.FL 19 19 Chuck Abell Apopka,Fl 20 38 Paul Barnhill Crestview, Fl 21 3 John Coffman Live Oak,Fl 22 88 Justin Larson Safety Harbor,Fl 23 16 Daniel Keene Land O' Lakes 24 57 Joe Winchell Davie,Fl 25 52 Jason Bowser Clearwater, Fl 26 22 Alli Owens S. Daytona DNS 33 Dewayne Barrus New Smyrna,Fl Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!