|
| EBERSOLE TUNES UP FOR JOSLIN MEMORIAL | By Dave Westerman
Car owner Mike Garrett said they were going to dial in Rusty Ebersole's Garrett Fastening Systems Ford Taurus for next week's Joslin Memorial races and they did just that with a convincing win in the 20-lap Super Late Model feature Friday night at Orlando Speedworld.
Ebersole totally dominated the event, pulling away to an easy victory while veteran Eddie King made a late pass on Russ Thomson to make it a 1-2 Ford sweep. Thomson ran third in his Charles Fry Painting/Auto Parts of Taft Chevy followed by Jim Erb and Robert Hight.
Frank Polly took over the wheel of now-retired Bruce Thompson's modified machine after his own car was destroyed in a crash the previous week and led every lap to win the modified 15-lapper. Heat winner Darren Gould tried every move in the book to get around Polly but had to settle for second. Rounding out the top five were Ted Head, Shain Held and Mark Emberson.
When track officials arrived at the speedway, they were surprised to see about ten Florida Dwarf Car Association cars already in the pits even though the class was not on the schedule. A scheduling mix-up was the problem, but with a total of 21 of the machines in the pits, the Dwarfs were added to the evenings activities and they didn't disappoint.
Jacksonville's Bob Quick lived up to his name by leading the entire feature flag to flag, but not without constant pressure from second and third finishers Mark Landis and Brian Paradis. George Landis and Phil Krauthoff crossed the line fourth and fifth while Dennis Diehl, Alain Paradis, Daniel Renay, Rick Lundeen, and Andre Gagnon completed the top ten. Dwarf car heats were won by Quick, George Landis, and Stan Hope.
When Ronnie Allen came to Orlando from North Fort Myers to take a contractors exam, he decided to bring his Mini Stock with him and give Orlando Speedworld a try. That proved to be a good move as he won the Mini Stock feature in his very first race here.
Tim Clark made Allen work for the win but had to settle for second with lady drivers Rae Williams and Rose Dickerson following. Jamie Dixson made his first start of the year and came home fifth.
Bill Loomis had quite a night winning both the Sportsman and Super Stock feature events.
Loomis dominated the Sportsman run in his Ron-John's Automotive Monte Carlo with young Bobby Mara doing an excellent job coming home second. Kelly Jarrett came from the rear of the starting grid to net third spot followed by Doug Samion and Richard Hight.
When early leader Duane Freed dropped out, Loomis was there to capitalize and he took the Super Stock feature driving Darren Gould's All Auto Salvage/L'Allure Fashions Monte Carlo. Big Bob Wines was a close second at the finish with John Hodge having his best run of the season in third. Veteran Rick Johns was fourth ahead of rookie Ron Edwards, who also had his best run of the season to date.
The brother act of Don and David Smith finished 1-2 in the Strictly Stock feature in their Quarno's Auto Salvage sponsored machines. Charlie Pitts, John Stevens and Steve Hoerner rounded out the top five.
Next week it's the annual Joslin Memorial night with 50-lap races scheduled for the Super Late Models and the Ugly Duckling Car Sales FASCAR Pro-Modified Tour. Both races will pay $1500 to win. It's also Old-Timers night at the speedway with former drivers from around the state invited to the races and a big cook-out free of charge. Drivers wishing to have their name placed on the guest list should contact Dave Westerman at (407)340-4194 by Wednesday, May 16th.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
