BOUCHARD GETS FIRST AT BRONSON, WEBSTER CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN STYLE
by Dave Westerman Not even a little rain could dampen the pre-holiday spirits of fans and competitors Saturday night at Bronson Motor Speedway. Racing was interrupted for just under an hour by a passing shower as lightning from heavier storms lit up the skies in the distance.
Williston's Al Bouchard didn't mind the delay as he stormed from his pole spot to lead every lap of the Super Stock feature for his first win of the 2001 season. Point leader Doc Batson shadowed Bouchard's every move for the entire 20-lap distance but could never get fully alongside to challenge and settled for second spot. Rob Cooper finished third just ahead of Dwight Pinner and Bob Brennan.
Doug Webster celebrated his birthday by winning the Pure Stock main. The Ocala driver jumped out to an early lead but lapped traffic gave Krystal Batson a shot at him on the white flag lap, but she came up just short at the checker. That gave the "Batson Bunch" a pair of second place finishes on the night. Jason Holbrook finished third followed by Dwight Pinner (who had a pair of fourths) and Frank Buchanan. Point leader Mickey Burns had car trouble all night and finished the feature in ninth spot.
Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. added to his point lead with a wire to wire run in the Mini Stock feature. The Ocala driver was sporting new sponsorship on his car from Ampco of Ocala as he easily outdistanced the field after Larry Goolsby had engine problems while running second behind Stalnaker. Tim Riviere wound up in second spot ahead of Josh Hars and Chet Marlow. Goolsby held on for fifth.
Fans were treated to the first "Car Wars" four-cylinder demolition derby sponsored by Swan Truck Sales of Deland. A light rain began to fall as the little cars began smashing and crashing into each other and when all was said and done, regular Mini Stock competitor Dave Westrich was the last one running. That made up for a frustrating evening for Westrich who blew the engine in his racer in hot laps.
OFFICIAL FINISHES - BRONSON MOTOR SPEEDWAY 6/30/01:
SUPER STOCK (20 Laps): 1. Al Bouchard #14 2. Doc Batson #B4 3. Rob Cooper #98 4. Dwight Pinner #24 5. Bob Brennan #15 6. Brody Giddens #71 7. Bubba Hodge #18
PURE STOCK (20 Laps): 1. Doug Webster #72 2. Krystal Batson #4 3. Jason Holbrook #17 4. Dwight Pinner #8 5. Frank Buchanan #07 6. David Knutson #1 7. Larry Welters #58 8. Gregg Dick #71 9. Mickey Burns #22 10. Randy Bryant #62 (DNS) 11. Steve Seymour #88 (DNS)
MINI STOCK (20 Laps): 1. Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. #11 2. Tim Riviere #3 3. Josh Hars #04 4. Chet Marlow #72 5. Larry Goolsby #27 6. Lawrence Usher #30 7. Jeff Stalnaker, Jr. #10 8. William Stalnaker #59 9. Kenny Drow #05 10. Dave Westrich #6 (DNS)
