| 41st Annual Governor's Cup 200 set for Saturday, November 18, at New Smyrna Speedway | by Jane Smith
 Samsula, Florida (November 13, 2006) The time is now, the place is New Smyrna Speedway, the event is the 41st Annual Governor's Cup 200.
On Saturday, November 18, fans will see one heck of a race when the "best of the best" Super Late Models take to the asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway for the annual Governor's Cup 200.
Wayne Reutimann was the first winner of the Governor's Cup in 1965 after Governor Haydon Burns established the race as a tribute to long time promoter and racer Al Keller. Keller, who called Tampa his home, lost his life in 1961 in Phoenix, Arizona during an Indy car race.
Golden Gate Speedway was the home for the Governor's Cup until 1979 when it was moved to Sunshine Speedway due to environment issues at Golden Gate. In 1980, the race returned to it's home at Golden Gate Speedway for three years under the direction of Don Nerone who is the present General Manager at FASCAR.
Desoto Speedway hosted the race until 1987, though the cup was not officially competed for, when Clyde Hart stepped in and revived the race and it's history having it run every year at New Smyrna Speedway until the present time.
-ADVERTISEMENT-
In 2001, Governor Jeb Bush gave the command "Gentlemen Start Your Engines" and brought back the prestige to one of Florida's most revered races. In spite of 9/11, Bush was determined to show the people of Florida that things would be okay. Each year since 2001, Governor Bush has appointed special replacements for him including Florida's most respected author Patrick D. Smith in 2002 to Tom Gallagher in 2005, Chief Financial Orricer for the State of Florida.
For a complete history including articles and photo galleries use this link!
Such racing greats as Wayne Reutimann, Bobby Brack, Dumont Smith, Gary Balough, Robert Hamke, Jack Arnold, Jimmy Cope, Dick Anderson, Leroy Porter, Billy Bigley, Mike Fritts, James Powell, W.ayne Anderson and Jeff Choquette have had their names engraved on the Golden Cup so fondly called the Governor's Cup trophy.
In 2005, the Governor's Cup saw a new change making the win even more enticing for the racers with the addition of lap money. Laps were sold for $100.00 each with the driver on a paid lap winning the $100.00 at the end of the race. This year lap money is also being sold but with a different twist. Called Black Jack Lap money, the driver on a sold lap will receive $50.00 and the other $50.00 will be equally divided between positions 2 thru 21 giving them extra money also at the end of the race. If all 200 laps are sold, this means an extra $500.00 in pay for positions 2 thru 21.
It was Mike Fritts in 2005 who set fast time for the 200 lap event breaking into the seventeen second bracket with a 17.846 time on the l/2 oval. Completing the top five were Jeff Choquette, the 2004 winner, Justin Drawdy, Daryl Shelnut, and Brian Finney. Fritts took the win making it his second Governor's Cup win for him. Completing the top ten were Wayne Anderson, Jeff Scofield, Jason Boyd, David Rogers, Daryl Shelnut, Rich Pratt, Martin Pierce, Chet Morrison and Fain Skinner.
With a good thirty-five drivers responding to the call if they are coming, this year's race promises to be just as exciting as the 2005 race.
Not only will fans see a new 2006 Governor's Cup 200 winner but will also see the crowning of the 2006 Sunbelt Super Late Model Champion. One of three drivers will wear the crown with points very close going into the 200.
Leading the points is Jeff Scofield with 1007 but Jeff Choquette is not giving up since he stands only nine points behind Scofield in second with 998. Only 44 points behind Choquette is Citrus County's Mike Bresnahan who has had a very good year. Which one will be the 2006 Champion, be there to find out!!!!
On Friday night, November 17, there will be an open practice for the Governor's Cup 200 and the Florida Mini Stock Challenge 100 Championship race. Pit gate will open at 2 p.m. with practice for the Super Late Models and Mini Stock from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fans are welcome to sit in the main grandstands free that night and watch practice as the drivers test and tune their machines for Saturday.
Saturday, November 18, pit gate will open at 9 a.m. for registration and tech. Grandstands will open at 1 p.m. with qualifying for the 41st Annual Governor's Cup 200 and the Florida Mini Stock Challenge 100 beginning at 3 p.m. There will be an on-track autograph session at 6 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies at 7 p.m. Driver introduction is at 7:10 p.m. The 41st Annual Governor's Cup 200 will start at 7:30 p.m. with the Florida Mini Stock Challenge 100 to follow.
Expected drivers for the 2006 41st Annual Governor's Cup 200:
#0x - Troy Robinson - Ocala, FL - Black's Fleet Services
#01 - Robbie Smith - Ocala, FL - L&S Trailer Sales
#3 - Mike Bresnahan - Lecanto, FL - Mount Dora Roofing
#4 - Blake Lehr - Orlando, FL - Orlando Predators
#5 - Jerry Artuso - Sue St. Marie, Canada - Algoma Industries
#07 - Jeff Scofield - Plant City, FL - Guaranteed Motorsports
#07x - Kyle Maynard - Ocala, FL -
#7 - Jeremy Gerstner - Wesley Chapel, FL
#8 - Sean LeMaster - Naples, FL - LeMaster Insurance Agency
#9 - Kurt Jett - Orange Park, FL - Jett Concrete
#11 - David Rogers - Orlando, FL - TM Ranch
#12 - Steve Weaver - Plantation, FL -
#12 - Justin Drawdy - Stuart, FL - Drawdy Brothers Construction
#12 - Corey Freed - Orlando, FL - RK Edwards
#14 - Travis Towell - Winter Park, FL - Triple T Racing
#15 - Jason Boyd - Orlando, FL - Gray Development
#18 - Jared Allison - Cocoa, FL - Fleetwing Corporation
#18x - Sondi Eden - Indianapolis, IN - Roush Racing
#22 - Perry Brown - Riverview, FL - Truck Repair 1
#22 - Dusty Cornelius - Cocoa, FL - Gordon Motorsports
#26 - Travis Cope - Hernando Beach, FL - Grubbs Emergency Services
#27 - Mike Fritts - Sanford, FL - RE/MAX
#28 - Scotty Crockett - Land O Lakes, FL -
#36 - Tim Russell - Longwood, FL - Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heaters
#40 - Brock Burns - Auburndale, FL - Burns Flooring & Design
#57 - Doyle Boatwright - Stark, FL - Henry Hodges Construction
#59 - Scott Walters - Louisville, KY - John E Rogers Roofing
#61 - Jimmy Cope - St Petersburg, FL - Malcolmson Construction
#66 - Jared Landers - Batesville, AK - Coca Cola
#68 - Russ Shaw - Lakeland, FL - Racecar Engineering
#70 - Jeff Choquette - Loxahatchee, FL - C&C Loader Services
#70x - James Glover - Pinellas Park, FL - Q Auto & Injury Attorneys
#74 - Jay Middleton - Lake City, FL - North Florida Medical
#75 - Marty Pierce - Huntsville, AL - Huntsville Speedway
#77 - James Powell - Astor, FL -
#80 - Brian Finney - Merritt Island, FL - Bob Steele Chevrolet
#84 - Wayne Anderson - Wildwood, FL - Airframe International
#88 - Travis Kittleson - Merritt Island, FL - Bob Steele Chevrolet
#92 - B.J. McLeod - Wachula, FL -
#94 - Wayne Jefferson - Pinellas Park, FL - JW Racing
Have an opinion on
this story? Post a message on
our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!
|
