| FLORIDA WORLD FIGURE 8 CHAMPIONSHIP KICKSOFF AT AUBURNDALE | Special Report: From Behind The MIC, by BILL GREEN
Auburndale, FL - Friday night's start to the World Figure 8 Championship weekend at Auburndale Speedway was a stellar success.
A total of 25 of the highly modified, high horse power machines were in the pits for night one, of the three day series and the 50-lap Feature was a thrill ride throughout with Northern driver, Casey White besting the field.
NASCAR's drive for diversity veteran, Michael Cherry surprised local fans, as he was on hand to show his skill at the World Figure 8 Series stop in central Florida. Cherry will enter his second year in the high profile Nascar diversity program in March, as he builds on an impressive 2008 performance.
 "The Diversity Program is great," said Cherry, of NASCAR's attempt to help minorities into the highest level of stock car racing. "Last year I set my goal at being in the top-10 in points and I managed a 4th place finish with Rookie of the Year honors. This year I would hope I could contend for the points Championship."
Cherry realizes the work he'll have to put into the program, but knows that no matter the out come, he will be a better race driver and team member. His entry into the Figure 8 Championships took most of Florida's NASCAR fans by surprise, but it seems Cherry enjoys the thrill of Figure 8 racing.
"John LaValle, kept calling me about the event and I thought it would be fun," stated night ones second place finisher. "I wasn't ready for the heat race start, but managed a second in the heat and just hung with the leaders all night in the feature."
After 50 long laps, Cherry was ready for "a good sleep", but looked forward to getting on to Saturday's 100-lap Feature and Sunday's 50-lap feature, knowing that two more good showings would give him major bragging rights back in South Carolina in the NASCAR Whelen Series.
"Oh, if I won this Championship, I'd hold it over there heads for a long time," laughed Cherry at the possibility of two more good finishes making him king of Florida's figure 8's. "But, I think there's to many good (Indianapolis) Speedrome and local drivers here for that to happen. I'm really pleased with the first nights result and will try to continue the top-5 finishes."
Along with Michael Cherry, local Florida figure 8 fans will recognize names like, "Big" John LaValle, Cliff Rousseau, Robbie Hague, Wayne Calkins, Ron Sorenson Jr, Bobby Towe, Rodney Davis and Jimmy Thompson. But they'll also learn names like Casey White, Ben Tunny, RJ Norton III, Gary Bedell and Florida native, now Speedrome resident, Eddie Van Meter.
Racing continues Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Visit: AuburndaleRacing.Com for tickets, location and race time information or call the Auburndale Speedway office at 863-551-1131.
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February 13, 2009
Auburndale Speedway
Florida Championship Results
50 Lap Figure 8 Feature
1. Casey White
2. Eddie VanMeter
3. Michael Cherry
4. Ben Tunny
5. Gary Bedell
6. RJ Norton Jr.
7. John Baranauskaus
8. Wayne Calkins
9. Bob Hague
10. Darryl Hage
11. Cliff Rousseau
12. Neil Herne
13. Rodney Davis
14. RJ Norton III
15. Tony Anderson
16. Tim Taylor
17. Bobby Towe
18. Robbie Hague
19. Ron Sorenson Jr.
20. Jimmy Thompson
21. Paul Grynewicz
22. John Lavalle
23. Charles Herne
24. Robbie Powell (DNS)
25. Erik Sharrone (DNS)
Trophy Dash Winner: Ben Tunny
Heat Winners: Eddie VanMeter, Tony Anderson, Wayne Calkins, Cliff Rousseau
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