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| Gigon Gets Gone in Putnam Hobby Feature | by Jon Harney
SATSUMA, FL (11/10) - Well over 100 cars packed the pits as Putnam County Speedway capped a successful 2001 season with its season finale. Double points and double purse along with the upcoming 3-month break gave the drivers plenty of incentive to give their all.
Hobby Stocks maintained their rough-and-ready image with a fender-bending 20-lap feature. While other contenders faltered and wrecked, George Richards looked to have them all covered until just past the halfway mark. Bobby Gigon had designs of his own and dogged Richards for several laps as both cars zigged and zagged through heavy traffic. Gigon made his move inside on lap 16 and took the checkers going away. A wild melee on the last lap scrambled the running order and the remainder of the top five was Richards, Bill Littell, Ronnie Soltis, and Dave Dowling Jr.
J. O. Nobles did what he had to do in his quest for the Limited Late Model points championship as he won the feature in dominant fashion. Unfortunately it was not enough as Holly Hill's Bill Kopka finished fifth and earned enough points to hold on to the championship. In between those drivers, a tight battle for second in the race saw David Crews outhustle Jeff Henry and Patrick Williams in that order at the stripe.
Nobles had the pole position for the Street Stock main, but could not pull off the exacta as Mitch McCoy beat him to the first turn to take the lead and eventually the race. Nobles stayed close throughout the event and rode home in second. Kenny Hall came from tenth to finish third ahead of John Reiter and Robert Ammons.
A full field of 24 Modifieds answered the call for their feature. Robbie Hager started on the point and successfully converted that advantage into a feature win in the #5 Haseleu's machine. Overall the race was a sloppy affair as repeated yellow flags tested the patience of the drivers and fans as well as the aerobic conditioning of the flagman. Robby Barris couldn't catch Hager, nevertheless he scored a personal victory as he held off multiple feature winner Marion Sizemore for second. James Jeffers finished fourth and Jason Lowe pulled off a fifth place finish.
Ken Durham concluded his 2001 season in stellar fashion as he took his third consecutive Pure Stock feature. L. J. Klemons provided plenty of competition, but the wily veteran held off the youngster and survived the backmarkers en route to victory. Following Durham and Klemons to the line were David Miller Jr., John Lester, and Mike Tripp.
An abbreviated field of Mini Stocks wrapped up the evening with Mike Gibbs besting the 11-car field. Drew Smith was second, Art Souther, Stanton Mills and Brack Gill finished out the top five.
Congratulations to our 2001 points champions: Bill Kopka - Limited Late Model, Marion Sizemore - Modified, Kenny Hall - Street Stock, Ronnie Soltis - Hobby Stock, L. J. Klemons - Pure Stock, and Mike Gibbs - Mini Stock.
Putnam County Speedway will be closed for the winter, but will not be asleep as track owner Bob Potter plans many improvements to the 3/8 mile speedway during the break. Racing will resume February 1, 2002 which will kick off the points season.
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