Lakeland, Fl - (March 10, 2007) In spite of a few cars not ready for the first Goodyear Challenge Late Model race at Lakeland, twenty four were present as they ran second to the Sears Auto Center 200 USAR Hooter's Pro Cup race March 10th at Lakeland.
Daniel Keene, Jr. of Weeki Wachee set fast time with a 21.225 lap around the famous USA. Second fastest was Travis Cope of Bronson, Brad May of Oviedo, A.J. Curreli of Daytona Beach, and Rich Clouser of Palm Bay. Keene pulled a five for the inversion putting Rich Clouser on the pole for the 100 lap event.
May, who knows USA well and has a number of wins in the Goodyear Challenge at USA, was weary as well as his crew after spending most of the night getting the car ready. "We did not even have numbers on the car yet," said May. "We were still putting the finishing touches on the car going into the race. We had a few problems and the car is still not up to par but we did finish tenth and she is in one piece and that is good."
For forty five laps, the green flag stayed out for the Goodyear Challenge Early lap leader A.J. Curreli looked very strong until around lap 17 when Travis Cope took over the lead putting Curreli second. Curreli's car stas rted out very strong but developed mechanical problems sending him into the pits on lap 31. Joining him in the pits only 11 laps later was Jason Boyd who hadu struggled for most of the first part of the race and had to finally give up and park it.
Lap 45 saw the first caution of the race when Justin Larson spun ending up in the turn 4 wall. Larson thankfully was not hurt but his car was done for the night. The track was cleared and cleaned as the green is flown once again on lap 57 with leader Travis Cope, Rich Clouser, Daniel Keene, Doug Moff and Joe Winchell in the top five.
Coming up from the rear and making little notice of himself was Derrick Kelley of Auburndale. Kelley, who did not qualify since he also ran the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup race, sta therted scratch and in Kelley style, was working his way to th carse front.
It was a short green this time with the yellow out again on lap 62 for Greg Kaouk and Alan Bruns who have gottent ogether. Both cars and drivers are fine as they rejoin the field in the rear of the pack.
Cope once again takes the lead on lap 66 with Clouser, Keene, Moff and Winchell in the top five.
Keene is looking and waiting as he challenges Clouser for second. Clouser is not one to slip up but realizes he is overpowered as Keene takes over second and Clouser settles into the third.
Keene is now setting his goal on first and Cope just as the caution comes out for Gary Padula In his No. 36 machine going down the frontstetch as Padula loses power. A caution that Cope was not wanting.
The field is drawn in together for the restart as Cope feels the heat from Keene. Keene is looking and Cope knows it but Cope holds his position up until lap 93 when the pair go three wide with a lap car coming down the frontstretch. The crowd is holding it's breath as the three pass with Keene pulling ahead of Cope and the lap car.
A lap car helped Keene to get the lead and a lap car also took away Keene's hope of winning on lap 96. A disappointed Keene retired to the pits on lap 96 with a flat tire after one heck of a good run. Cope crosses the checkered for his first win at USA International followed by Rich Clouser, JR McMichael, Joe Winchell, and Darren Brown.
The next event for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series will be Saturday, March 17, at New Smyrna Speedway. For more information on the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series, go to www.fascar.org.
OFFICIAL RESULTS USA INTERNATIONAL - MARCH 10 GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL 100
1. #26 Travis Cope, Bronwon 2. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay 3. #119 JR McMichael, Davie 4. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie 5. #53 Darren Brown, Ormond Beach 6. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermon 7. #46 Doug Moff, Ft. Meyers 8. #21 Derrick Kelley, Auburndale 9. #08 Drew Brannon, Miami 10. #10 Brad May, Oviedo 11. #100 Dean Farri, Deerfield 12. #48 Johnny Kay, Deerfield Beach 13. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples 14. #4b Alan Bruns, Clermont 15. #23 Dave Grosswiler, Margate 16. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines 17. #54 Mark Childress, Lakeland 18. #98 Ricky Lindner, Deltona 19. #16 Daniel Keene, Weeki Wachee 20. #36 Gary Padula, Ft. Launderdale 21. #88 Justin Larson, Pinellas Park 22. #26x Jason Boyd, Orlando 23. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach 24. #32 Stuart Dutton, Tallahassee
A lap car helped Keene to get the lead and a lap car also took away Keene's hope of winning on lap 96. A disappointed Keene retired to the pits on lap 96 with a flat tire after one heck of a good run. Cope crosses the checkered for his first win at USA International followed by Rich Clouser, JR McMichael, Joe Winchell, and Darren Brown.