LAKE CITY, Fla. - Jimmy Cope continued his hot hand in Florida late model racing as he took the lead on lap 41 and sped to the win in the Florida Pro Series season opening 125 lap event Saturday night at Columbia Motorsports Park.

Former champion Shane Russ led from the outside of the front row but the race was only a lap old when John Lovelady crashed into the dirt bank off turn two to bring out a red flag. Knocked unconscious briefly, Loveland went to the hospital for observation.

When the race went back to green two-time FPS champion Mike Franklin, Jr. put his familiar No. 72 on the point and began to click off some great laps around the banked half-mile oval. As the leaders worked lapped traffic on lap 40 local driver Nelson Sweeney slid up the track in front of Franklin with the two making contact as both spun as did fastest qualifier James Powell III.

As the field went back to action on lap 41 it was Cope the new leader over Russ but most eyes were on the Franklin-Powell duo as they rocketed from the back of the 25-car field.

With the checkered flag almost in sight a yellow closed the field just as Franklin overhauled John Carter, Jr for third spot. They took their proper positions and ran to the checkers with Cope the winner of Russ, top rookie Richard Pratt, Carter and Franklin. The second five saw Powell lead Doc Batson, Rick Carlton, Mike Fritts and Rob Elting.

In local division action John Crawford proved the best of the Florida
modifieds as he topped the 15 car field to take win in the 20 lapper ahead of Gary Southard and Richard Ferry. Charles Seroki topped the street stock runners in their 20 lapper over Arthur Conquest and Randall Jackson while William Jerkins took the lead in the late going to win the 15 lap pure stock main ahead of Jerry Fortner and Robert Bradow.

COMPLETE FINISH OF FLORIDA PRO SERIES 125 AT COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, LAKE CITY, FL 3-11-00
Showing finishing position and driver.
1. Jimmy Cope; 2. Shane Russ; 3. Richard Pratt; 4. John Carter, Jr.; 5. Mike Franklin, Jr.; 6. James Powell III; 7. James "Doc" Batson; 8. Rick Carlton; 9. Mike Fritts; 10. Rob Elting; 11. Kent Bissell; 12. Travis Kittelson; 13. Tom McCann; 14. Mac Johnson; 15. Nelson Sweeney; 16. John Sindo; 17. Rob Partelo; 18. Jeff Emery; 19. Todd Kuntze; 20. Brian Finney; 21. Darryl Shelnut; 22. Mike Good; 23. Jonny Kay; 24. Scott Grossenbacher; 25. John Lovelady.

By Marty Little

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