HIALEAH, Fla. - Coming from dead last in the field, former track champion Bobby Beauchemin grabbed the lead on lap four with a nice outside pass and went on to win Saturday night's 25-lap late model sportsman headliner at Hialeah Speedway.

Defending division titleist Gary McGoron set the pace for the first three circuits, but Beauchemin, using the outside lane to his advantage, got the lead and notched his first win of 2000. McGoron checkered a distant second over Tim Shaffner, point leader Bob Regula and Greg Kaouk.

Last year's street stock champ John Covington inherited that division's win when apparent winner Gary Russell could not get his Pontiac to pass post-race tech inspection. Chasing Covington's No. 37 to the stripe was Gary Padula, Bob Hogan, Curt Haywood and Chalo DeCastro in the 25-lap event.

Buddy Sizemore held on in the closing laps to win the 25-lap mini stock run. Starting from the pole, Sizemore enjoyed a sizeable lead at times, but as the laps wound down smoke began to roll from beneath the Toyota as the engine was self-destructing. Despite his problems Sizemore held on for his first win this season ahead of Kenny Strong, Steve Quick, Ken Chaiser and Bill Calder.

Cyclone action saw Mike Powers jump out front at the drop of the initial green flag to lead all 25 laps for the win, his first this season. Roger Bohannon chased Powers and closed the gap at the end but settled for second money over Gabe Hernandez, George Ruhlie and Dominick Fulco.

Tony Barreca topped the 15 lap figure- 8 run over John Bentley and Roger Pfau.

The speedway will be closed this Saturday (Feb. 19) for Daytona Speedweeks but will be back in action on the 26th.

-Marty Little

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