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| Kopach Sportsman Winner in Ocala | By Diana Brake
Ocala, FL, March 10, 2001 - Ocala Speedway was buzzing with activity under a big, orange moon. The regular features were filled with cars, and the first running of the Unlimited Pro Figure 8 proved to be exciting.
The Junior Cup Cars were first up. Conner Baxley (64) took the lead from where he started on the pole and held it all the way to the finish. Tyler Holley (89) moved up to take second, passing Victoria Gentry (60), who finished third.
The Coca-Cola Four Cylinder Bombers filled the track. Darren Dukes (4) sat on the pole and took the early lead. Pete Close (89) moved up quickly, followed closely by Joey Durbin (33). Dukes held his own from third. A couple of yellow flags slowed the action momentarily, but they didn't affect the leaders. After several laps of green flag racing, Close got bunched in by a pack of stragglers and Durbin slipped into the lead from the inside. But, before a lap could be completed, a yellow flag flew and Close regained his lead position for the restart. After one more yellow and two more laps, Pete Close took home the win. Joey Durbin finished second, and Darren Dukes came in third.
The WTRS Pure Stocks roared out of the pits. David Danielson (70) sat on the pole. The start went wrong at both ends of the track as cars spun in turn four and turn one. A full restart was called. Danielson went to the pits so Thomas Carter Jr. (112) moved up to the pole. The first half of the race saw some serious competition as Frank Buchanan (07) claimed the lead for several laps, then Doug Webster (72) moved up followed by Mark Mitchell (71) and Moose Alderman (7). Another yellow flag flew when a large group got tangled in turn four. During the yellow, two cars crunched on the front stretch and both went pitside. Webster continued to lead on the restart. With a final yellow for a broke car, and two laps to go, Doug Webster led the charge to the wire. Moose Alderman moved up to take second. Mark Mitchell finished third.
The Steven A. Bagen Sportsmen swept out onto the track. Charles Kopach (53) sat on the pole and battled Chris Fadling (33) for the lead for two laps. Kopach held on and Mike Wilson (79) moved up into second followed by Tommy Roberts (44). Although there was a bit of bumping the feature was caution free. Charles Kopach ran a top-notch race to take the checkered flag. Tommy Roberts managed to take second by slipping by Mike Wilson who finished third.
The Budweiser Modifieds filled the track tonight. Shane Nichols (65) sat on the pole. Nichols jumped well and took the lead followed by Johnny Newsome (31) and Eddie Kilbury (71). A yellow flew early when a car spun in turn four. Nichols continued to lead on the restart but Newsome had slipped back. Nichols fought hard to maintain his position but Kilbury was searching for any opening and when he found it, he slipped through, along with Red Vann (32). A caution slowed things down but Kilbury retained his lead on the restart. After a final caution, and with two laps to go, Vann slipped through a hole underneath Kilbury and took the lead. Nichols hoped to do the same, but Kilbury was able to hold him off. Red Vann took the checkerd flag. Eddie Kilbury finished a hard-running second, and Raymond Vann slipped by Nichols to finish third.
The Pro Figure 8 racers were in town tonight for the first $1000-to-win Pro Figure 8 feature for the season at Ocala Speedway. These guys put on a great show for the fans. Near misses in the crossroads and bouncing through ditches at the sides of the roadway were regular happenings. Sparks flew as undercarriages scraped the pavement. Rockin' Rodney Davis lead the hard-charging pack for whole feature and took the checkered flag for the win. Gordon Brown finished second followed by Curtis Voumans.
The Ocala Speedway 2001 season will continue with weekly racing. Next week, March 17th, will feature all the regular divisions plus a 35 lap Purestock Feature and Kiddie Rides. Come out every Saturday night during the regular season for the many exciting features. This is high-action racing fun for the whole family.
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