| Moff Puts Win 3 Under his Belt | by Jane Smith
 Bradenton, Fla. (May 26, 2007) It was Joe Winchell who topped the 21 car field in qualifying at the Goodyear Challenge/Turner Tree and Landscape Late Model 100 Saturday night at Desoto Super Speedway. Winchell ran a very good 14.901 which was good enough to top the field. Completing the top five were Doug Moff, Justin Larson, JR McMickel and Jesse Dutilly. Winchell was on a roll as he drew the 0 pill starting the field straight up for 100 laps of excitement.
As the green was waved, Winchell took the point followed by Moff, Larson, Gill and Dutilly. But it was a short green as on lap 5 there was a massive pile-up on the front stretch involving Rich Clouser, Daniel Keene, Sr., Dwayne Barrus, and Greg Kaouk. Some were able to pit and bring out damaged cars for alittle more action where others were in the pits for a long time before being able to return. Just one of those racing things as they say.
Once the cars were finally cleared, it was back to racing as Winchell lead the way over Moff, Larson, Gill and Dutilly. But it did not take Moff long until he was able to pass Winchell on lap 15 and take the lead and build quit a space between him and Winchell. Lap 19, McMickel looks to pass Dutilly for fifth but Dutilly holds strong. There is no way he is giving up his position. Suddenly on lap 24 Dustin Chisolm slows and enters pit road, his night done. Also exciting the track is Barrus who is also done for the night after suffering damage in the first wreck of the night.
Once Moff got the lead, he began to build space between him and the second place car of Winchell. There was no catching him. By lap 30 it was Moff, Winchell, Justin Larson, Steve Gill, Jess Dutilly, JR McMickel, Darren Brown and Daniel Keene on the lead lap.
It was more mechanical problems than damage that took some of the cars out of the race. Jeremy Colangelo left the field on lap 52 with motor problems. On lap 53, Drew Brannon had a wild spin on the frontstretch but was able to continue but only for alittle while.
On the restart, Moff took the point but it was very short as McMickel and Dutilly get together fighting for the fifth place position and bring out the caution. Both cars are fine but sent to the rear for the restart. This changes the front running five to Moff, Winchell, Larson, Gill and now young Darren Brown.
Lap 67 sees Drew Brannon have more bad luck as he comes off 4 and hits the backstretch wall with a large thump felt in the stands. Brannon is fine but the same can't be said about his car which is now definitely done for the night.
At this time, second in points going into the race Rich Closuer returns sixty laps down but running in the conclusion of the race. Rich definitely has a beautiful modified now instead of a Late Model but it does run.
Just when you think it is almost over and safe, the caution comes out again on lap 73 for JR McMickel and Lonnie Miller who get together hard on the backstretch. Both are fine but done for the night.
The race goes back green on lap 76 with Moff leading the way over the 12 car field left still standing. Dutilly, who had been sent to the rear when he and McMickel brought out the caution, has made his way back up to the top five as he passes Brown for fifth.
With the laps slowing ending, it is the Justin Larson/Joe Winchell show as Larson tries his best to rattle Winchell's cage but Winchell has nothing to do with it. Justin looks and tries everything to pass Winchell for second but Winchell is an old master and knows the tricks of the trade. Winchell, as only Joe Winchell can, did not let the pressure get to him and came home second as Moff took the checkered for this third win in the Goodyear Challenge Late Model 2007 season.
Moff, as any good man will do, thanked his wife for all her help as he took home the trophy and she picked up the money. One footnote, it was great and a pleasure seeing Daniel Keene Sr. back behind the wheel of a racecar although it was too short lived. It has been too long since the fans have seen father and son racing together. It was a true pleasure for the fans.
The next Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 will be June 9 when they go for 100 laps of Late Model action at Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City. For more informaiton on the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series go to www.fascar.org.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY MAY 26
GOODYEAR CHALLENGE/TURNER TREE & LANDSCAPE LATE MODEL 100
1. #46 Doug Moff, Ft. Myers
2. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie
3. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor
4. #5 Steve Gill, Bradenton
5. #30 Jesse Dutilly, Bradenton
6. #53 Darren Brown, Ormond Beach
7. #16 Daniel Keene, Jr., Weekie Wachee
8. #12 Cliff Bifaro, Naples
9. #41 Gus Coorssen, Sarasota
10. #03 Raymond Folwell, St. Pete
11. #63 Timothy Grogan, Bradenton
12. #119 JR McMickel, Davie
13. #81x A.J. Isbister, St. Pete
14. #08 Drew Brannon, Miami
15. #98 Lonnie Miller, Myakka City
16. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland
17. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay
18. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines
19. #33 Dwayne Barrus, Ellenton
20. #7 Dustin Chisolm, Seminole
21. #5x Daniel Keene, Sr., Tampa
FAST QUALIFIER: #57 Joe Winchell
TOP ROOKIE: #53 Darren Brown
HARD CHARGER: #12 Cliff Bifaro
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