IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 4, 2008 Saying Goodbye is Never Easy by Jane Smith Lakeland, Fl (May 3, 2008) Last night at USA International, a sad part of today's economy saw the end of the Extreme Modified Series. Although Rick and Mel Hall did their best to promote the series and get drivers to come and join them to race, it was just not to be this year. Quite a few drivers joined the series to run all year since they wanted to go to new places and not just stay at their local tracks but no one knew in the beginning of 2008 that things would and did get so bad for everyone. The price of gas to travel to a race has not helped and most drivers don't have deep pockets. If you must make a choice to race or save your house or put food on table, racing is the last thing you can do. It is very sad to see this series come to an end and say goodbye to those drivers who came and supported the series. We will miss seeing your smiling faces and those great modifieds you brought to race, your crews, your family, and your support. Following is the last story to report for the Extreme Modified Series. It was very hard to write because endings are never pleasant but somehow deep in my heart, I know that we will see you again and times will get better. Thank you for your support from all of us involved in the Extreme Modified Series LAST STORY FOR THE EXTREME MODIFIEDS - THANKS GUYS, YOU ARE THE BEST Lakeland, FL (May 3, 2008) Tonight at USA International, the Extreme Modified Series ended their season. There is no more Extreme Modified Series due to lack of cars and today's economy and how it has affected the drivers in racing. It was a night of sadness as the drivers saw their last race but without the support of the drivers, there can be no series. Fourteen modifieds showed up for the 50 lap race but only thirteen ran as Bobby Joe Woodley blew his motor on Friday night during practice. Wayne "Rocketman" Jefferson did not come to USA International to race. He came to enjoy a day of watching racing with his family. But Kevyn Terry had other plans for Jefferson as he put Jefferson in his back-up car for the night. Skip Honaker came to race also but due to a bad back, he had Michael Williams in his #2 Modified. Williams, who can definitely drive a modified, was happy to help his friend since the car was there and ready to race. When qualifying time came, it was once again Rocketman who set fast time with a 21.645 followed by Kurt Jett with a 21.987, Alan McCafferty 22.061, Micheal Williams 22.083 and Lee Collins 22.100. Jett, who was prepared to do double duty with his Late Model also at USA, saw that hope demolished when his motor blew during the ASA Southeast practice so he was happy with his qualifying position with the modified. Rocketman pulled a zero for the inversion, starting the field straight up. It was Rocketman's race from beginning to end as he led all 50 laps. On the green, it was Jefferson, Kurt Jett, Michael Williams, Robbie Cooper, and Alan McCafferty leading the way. But on lap 3, Lee Collins had to go into the pits having his car slow due to water in his fuel. It took several laps for his crew to fix the problem but Lee returned to the field to finish the race on lap 8. Jefferson had a huge lead over Jett as Cooper pulls up on the rear-end of Michael Williams for third. By lap 10, Cooper had third as Williams slows and goes into the pits done for the night. On lap 12, it was Jefferson, Jett, Cooper, McCafferty and Alan Bruns leading the way. Lap 14 saw the yellow come out for Art Kunzeman who lost a motor as he went into turn 1. The race is red flagged for track clean-up. On the restart, it is Jefferson, Jett, Cooper, McCafferty, Bruns, Pete Close, Jerry Symons, Kevyn Terry, Eric Rudd and Collins. Symons puts the heat on Close but Close holds his sixth place postion not leaving Symons any kind of opening to pass. In the meantime, Jefferson is building a bigger and bigger lead over the field. Now it is Bruns turn to look on McCafferty for fourth but McCafferty shuts the door and maintains his postion. For the rest of the race, it is Close and Symons battling for sixth but Close held the position and never gave Symons an inch. Lap 39 see Kevyn Terry on pit road and climbing out of the car as he is done for the night. With ten laps to go, Symons keeps the heat on Close but Close holds his own. Jefferson takes the checkered followed by Kurt Jett, Robbie Cooper, Alan McCafferty, and Alan Bruns. Jefferson thanks Terry for the opportunity of racing his car as the drivers say goodbye to the Extreme Modified Series. OFFICIAL RESULTS EXTREME MODIFIED 50 USA INTERNATIONAL - MAY 3, 2008 1. #1 Wayne Jefferson, Pinellas Park 2. #9 Kurt Jett, Orange Park 3. #98 Robbie Cooper, Bronson 4. #32 Alan McCafferty, Clermont 5. #4b Alan Bruns, Clermont 6. #86 Pete Close, Ocala 7. #66 Jerry Symons, New Smyrna 8. #12 Eric Rudd, Naples 9. #13 Kevyn Terry, Citra 10. #89 Lee Collins, Immokalee 11. #7 Mark Vandevender, Pt. Orange 12. #9X Art Kunzeman, Deltona 13. #2 Michael Williams, Mims 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!