Wayne Anderson Works Veteran Magic Again, Claims Powell Memorial
By Jack Smith
Wayne Anderson is congratulated by speedway owner Mike Peters
Two of the most surprised racers for the 12 Annual Powell Memorial at Ocala Speedway were Mike Fritts and Steve Dorer, both playing unlikely roles in the event. With James Powell and wife Kim expecting a baby any hour, the due date being 4 days earlier, anticipation and expectation had been running high all week.
With one of the better fields for this event in recent years, the Powell Memorial race honoring the memory of Powell's family tragedy shaped up to be a fan's delight. It did not disappoint, and overflowed with irony.
Around 5 PM on Friday afternoon, just hours before qualifying, Florida super late model star Mike Fritts got a call from Powell, asking him to fill in and drive the number 77. The time had come for a baby to be born.
"It means a lot to me, I raced with James back when all that happened, we were running the Florida Pro Series together." Mike Fritts also told us in a pre-race interview. "I was sitting there at the shop today, thinking how I needed to be over here running this race to support the deal, and I got a call about 5 o'clock. I was honored to come over here and run this race for him. I am proud of him for keeping going the way he has."
After a lengthy rain delay, the skies cleared, the Space Shuttle launched a little after 7:30 to clear eastern skies, and the night's activities got started in earnest at the the 3/8th mile speedway in Central Florida.
Fans were treated to autograph and photo opportunity with the drivers at the Powell memorial
Steve Dorer, driver of the number 10 car from Lakeland, was found to be leaking oil just prior to qualifying and was pushed off the track. Brian Finney fired his number 80 and qualifying for the 27 cars was underway. Wayne Anderson ran a lap of 14.790 around the dog legged speedway, but that wasn't going to get the fast time award this night.
That honor seemed to belong to last year's winner Patrick Williams who out ran Rich Pratt, Scott Millar, Daniel Webster and teammate Tim Russell, all very fast cars with a 17.386. Three cars were left to qualify and after Mike Franklin, Jr. posted a 14.977, several photographers were seen snapping off shots of Williams.
That's when the number 10 reappeared and to consternation of several drivers, got to run two full qualifying laps and just nipped Williams. "I don't have any idea how we did that", Dorer said shortly after. Dorer was in a car recently brought down from Michigan, and the team had worked day and night getting it ready for this race. "I am proud to set fast time in an event that honor's his family."
Of course these events are often influenced by the pill draw and this was no exception. After speedway owner Mike Peters' $1000 offer for one of the top qualifiers to try and win from the rear was turned down Daniel Webster pulled the number one spot. Keith Zavrel, driver of the 47 car started outside pole, with Wayne Anderson getting the third spot. With Williams and Russell pulling the 10th and 12th place pills the stage was set, with fans being assured a good show.
The race was halted nine times for cautions, but the fans saw a lot of green flag racing as most were short and with no major incidents. Daniel Webster led the field for the first 116 laps, several times pulling away to comfortable leads over Anderson.
Scott Grossenbacher, in the familiar blue 09, started fourth quickly moved into third and for most of the race led a train consisting of Scott Millar, Williams, Russell, Kurt Jett and Ryan Sieg.
Things heated up considerable around the 80th lap, as Williams Russell and Millar began to put real pressure on Grossenbacher. Meanwhile, Anderson was glued to to Webster's rear spoiler. Millar started to fade and the Rinnai Sponsored twin machines of Williams (136) and Russell (36) knew the time had come to catch Anderson and Webster. Just after lap 100 both cars got under Grossenbacher on the backstretch, and set their sights on the 84 car.
Patrick Williams is interview by announcer Scott McAllister
Anderson finally got by Webster on lap 116 and shortly thereafter Webster left the race with mechanical issues, having thrilled his many local fans with a stellar performance.
Anderson was able to celebrate his sixth Powell Memorial win, Williams took second, Russell third.
Young Cody Pitts, racing this year in the ASA Late Model series and fifth fastest in qualifying was out on lap 6, involved in a wreck that also retired the popular Rich Pratt in his #0 car.
Jeremy Gerstner, another ASA Late Model racer, blew up in a huge cloud of smoke on lap 12. He had just put a super late model motor in the car.
Mike Fritts, never a factor in the #77, ended up with a 20th place finish. Dorer left the race after being sent to the rear after a caution and took 21st.
Jim Smith tore the front of his #21 up in a nasty collision coming off turn four. Outside pole sitter #47 Keith Zavrel had to be towed off the track after hitting the back straight wall on lap 72.
Ryan Sieg felt he had nowhere to go when he and Millar got together on lap 89 in turn one. Sieg, from Tucker GA ended up with another good run in the Florida super late models, settling for 10th. Millar was later disqualified for conduct.
Two youngsters who had impressive runs were Kurt Jett (Orange Park) Blake Lehr (Orlando), finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
Anderson collected the $5000 first prize and said from the winners circle, "I thought I was going to run second to be honest with you, the three did a great job, Daniel Webster's dad works for me and I think he is learning way too much because he is running doggone good. I am really tickled to win this thing six times."
[Editors Note] As this article goes to press this Saturday afternoon, James and his wife Kim are dealing with complications with their new daughter and race fans across Florida are praying for the family as she is in the Intensive Care Unit.
12th Annual Powell Memorial 125 1) 84 Wayne Anderson 2) 136 Patrick Williams 3) 36 Tim Russell 4) 09 Scott Grosenbacher 5) 9 Kurt Jett 6) 4 Blake Lehr 7) 97 Mike Franklin 8) 80 Brian Finney 9) 28 Scotty Crockett 10) 93 Ryan Sieg 11) 56 Kevin Durdin 12) 01 Robbie Smith 13) 28 Don Hale 14) 54 Kevin Bryant 15) 3 Daniel Webster 16) 0 Troy Robinson 17) 21 Jim Smith 18) 47 Keith Zavrel 19) 23 Edward Allen 20) 77 Mike Fitts 21) 10 Steve Dorer 22) 04 Shane Bastow 23) 21 Fain Skinner 24) 70 Jeremy Gerstner 25) 11 Cody Pitts 26) 0 Rich Pratt DQ (conduct) 20 Scott Millar
Scott Grossenbacher, in the familiar blue 09, started fourth quickly moved into third and for most of the race led a train consisting of Scott Millar, Williams, Russell, Kurt Jett and Ryan Sieg. 
