As if there wasn't enough excitement in Punta Gorda with the Air Show on March 25, the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association marked their return to Charlotte County Speedway as well. Always a crowd pleaser, these winged sprint cars fly through the turns at CCS on two wheels and hit the straight-aways at speeds of over 100 MPH. Wayne Reutimann took the checkered flag first, followed by Ernie Teed and Jim Childers. Tommy Nichols, Keith Butler and Teed took home heat trophies.

The Outlaw Modifieds returned to CCS for the first time this racing season. 1999 Champion Randy Sands in his Pink Bathtub started the Outlaw season off by taking his first win of the year. Larry Brown and Tom Rahrle rounded out the Top 3. Sands and Jason Woelbing took home heat wins.

Also, adding to the open wheel spectacular evening, the Florida Midget Racing Association returned in their miniaturized vehicles. Sixty-eight year old Jack Duffy (Sarasota) showed the rest of the field how to win a race, passing Race Leader Mike Elder (Bradenton) on the last lap for the win, leaving Elder second and Mark Gimmler third. Heat winners were Heat winners were Elder (Bradenton) and Wendy Mathis (Ocala)

In regular division racing action, the Oldies 95 Open Wheel Modifieds, ran a 25-lap feature race. A racing altercation on the second lap between Race Leader Kevin Williams (Port Charlotte) and 1999 Champion Chris Turner (Naples) sent Williams to the pits for the evening for unsportsmanlike conduct. Chris Turner (Naples) went on to win the feature, followed by Kent McLean (North Fort Myers) and Ronnie Barnett (Port Charlotte). Turner and Bob Parker (Sebring) took home heat wins.

In the Q Country Pure Stocks, Billy Vandevender (Cape Coral) took home a feature and a heat win. Joe Williamson (Pine Island) and Chuck Sweet (Port Charlotte) came home second and third. Sweet also took a heat win.
The Big Wheels Mini Stocks ran a curfew-shortened race with Doug Wilson (Cape Coral) taking the win, followed by Johnny Allen (Lehigh Acres) and Billy Ray (Port Charlotte). Wilson also took a heat win, as did Travis Kuykendall (Punta Gorda).

The open wheel modifieds return to CCS on April 1 for the running of the season's first 6-Pack race. Joining them will be the sportsman, pure stocks, mini stocks and road warriors. Late model racing fans get a double treat as they pay visits to the Speedway on April 8 and 15. Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, and follow the Charlotte County Airport signs. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing gets underway at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 941/575-2442.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY RACE RESULTS 03/25/00
TBARA SPRINTS
1. Wayne Reutimann #22
2 Ernie Teed #87
3. Jim Childers #111
4. Kevin Cahill #63
5. Shaun Farr #68

OUTLAW MODIFIEDS
1. Randy Sands #8
2. Larry Brown #11
3. Tom Rahrle #2
4. Dean Bartholomew #16
5. Steve Quick #1

FMRA MIDGETS
1 Jack Duffy #3
2. Mike Elder #52
3. Mark Gimmler #51
4. Ben Fritz #61
5. Wendy Mathis #80

OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS
1. Chris Turner #95
2. Kent McLean #8
3. Ronnie Barnett #72
4. Scott Adema #22
5. Mike Greenwell #39

PURE STOCKS
1. Billy Vandevender #84
2. Joe Williamson #65
3. Chuck Sweet #81
4. Mark Ludvigsen #711
5. Kay Jackson #91

MINI STOCKS
1. Doug Wilson #22
2. Johnny Allen #68
3. Billy Ray #41
4. Steve Arnold #19
5. Frank Welch #96

-Robin Meiser




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