IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

August 19, 2007 Curreli Tops Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 At New Smyrna Speedway By Jane Smith Samsula, Fla. (August 18, 2007) Just when you think you are going to melt, a slight breeze is felt and things are better. That is how it was at New Smyrna Saturday. Hot, but not as hot as it could be. In spite of the heat, twenty nine Late Models made their way to New Smyrna Speedway for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100. Qualifying at 6 p.m., it was A.J. Curreli who topped the timing charts with his 18.383 lap. A.J. recently won at Desoto Super Speedway and was still high from that win. Second fastest was Chuck Burkhalter followed by Doug Moff, the points leader in the Goodyear Challenge, Rich Clouser, who runs second in points, and Darren Brown. Our newest member to the world of stockcar racing, Ricky Carmichael, was sixth fastest followed by Earl Beckner, who was running his ASA car and just returned from the ASA race at Orange County Speedway in North Caroline. Chad Akins, John Ripley and Joe Winchell completed the top ten. All five cars passed tech with Curreli pulling the nine pill for the inversion. But Earl Beckner decided not to run in his qualifying position and dropped to the rear putting Joe Winchell on the pole with John Ripley on the outside. Fans gathered around the Late Models for their on-track autograph session and to get up close to the cars and drivers. Then it was time to go with Ms. Katlyn Clouser, daughter of Rich Clouser, giving the command "daddy and drivers, START YOUR ENGINES." Joe Winchell quickly jumped to the point but before a lap was down, there was a massive pile-up in turns 3 and 4 involving Chuck Abell, Greg Kaouk, Jeremy Goddard, Brandon Thomson, J.R. McMickel, Daniel Keene, Jr., and Richard Douglas. Abell, Keene, and Douglas had major damage and were out of the race. Kaouk had sheet metal damage and was able to return. Since no lap was down, a complete restart was in order. Winchell took the point followed by Ripley, Chad Akins, Ricky Carmichael, and Darren Brown. It was another short run as Chuck Burkhalter and Ricky Carmichel got together with Burkhalter spining in turns 3 and 4 breaking a control arm and finding himself out of the race. Carmichael was sent to the rear for the restart. Winchell took the point once again on lap 5 followed by Akins, Ripley, Brown and Curreli. Curreli wasted no time as he passed both Ripley and Akins and took over third. Brown found a mirror full of Moff who passed Brown and took over fourth when the caution came out once again for Earl Beckner who found himself against the turn 1-2 wall. Beckner was fine, but also done for the night. On the restart Curreli took over the lead from Winchell, but once again the caution came out one lap later for Greg Kaouk who spun in turns 1 and 2. Winchell was put back in the lead for the restart on lap 21 followed by Curreli, Akins, Moff, and Justin Larson. Once again as the racing got hot, the caution came out on lap 29 for Drew Brannon who spun in turns 3 and 4. On the restart Curreli proved he does have the fastest car as he passed Winchell for the lead followed by Winchell, Moff, Akins and Larson. Completing the top ten were Brown, Clouser, Thomson, Ripley and Steve Gill. Dustin Deschamps brought out the next caution on lap 42 when he went hard into the turn 2 wall. Deschamps was fine, but done for the night. Twenty one of the twenty nine cars were left for the restart as Curreli led the way over Winchell, Moff, Larson and Akins. Brown, who is the top rookie in points in the Goodyear Challenge Series, put pressure on Akins for fifth, but Akins held. Moff looked high and low on Winchell for second but Winchell held. Jeremy Colangelo retired his car on lap 68 as the crowd watched his crew slowly push the 05 back into the pits. Running order was Curreli, Winchell, Moff, Larson, and Brown. Winchell, Moff, and Larson were running nose to tail as Curreli set sail in the front on lap 72. Moff went to the outside, Winchell on the inside as Moff took over second on lap 77. Suddenly the caution came out for Larson as Drew Brannon headed into the pits. Brannon had gotten over-heated and found he must exit the car before he passed out. Brannon was fine, but needed water and cooling off. --Advertisement-- With Larson out of the top five, Curreli took the point on the restart followed by Moff, Winchell, Clouser and Brown. With no further cautions, Curreli led the way and took the checkered followed by Doug Moff, Joe Winchell, Rich Clouser and Darren Brown. The next event for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series will be at USA International in Lakeland on September 1. For more information on the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series go to www.fascartours.com. OFFICIAL RESULTS NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY AUGUST 18, 2007 GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL 100 1. #2 A. J. Curreli, Daytona Beach 2. #46 Doug Moff, Ft. Meyers 3. #57 Joe Winchell, Dade City 4. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay 5. #53 Darren Brown, Ormond Beach 6. #60 Chad Akins, Port Orange 7. #54 Brandon Thomson, St. Cloud 8. #5 Steve Gill, Sarasota 9. #23 Cory Collum, Cape Coral 10. #00 John Ripley, Sanford 11. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples 12. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines 13. #4 Ray Black, Jr., Palm Coast 14. #07 Randy Beeken, Groveland 15. #4x Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee 16. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor 17, #08 Drew Brannon, Miami 18. #27 Brennan Palmiter, Ormond Beach 19. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland 20. #119 JR McMickel, Davie 21. #25 Steve Smith, Lakeland 22. #07x Steven Simpson, New Smyrna 23. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville 24. #36 Earl Beckner, Orlando 25. #47 Davey Gibbs, Deltona 26. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont 27. #6 Richard Douglas, Christmas 28. #16 Daniel Keene, Jr., Weeekie Wachee 29. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka FAST QUALIFIER: #2 A. J. Curreli TOP ROOKIE: #53 Darren Brown Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on The Real Racin USA Florida Fan Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!