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| FREED GETS 50-LAP SUPER STOCK WIN ON DQ, EBERSOLE TOPS SPEEDWORLD SLM | by Dave Westerman
After a full month off due to the Fourth of July break and rain, Orlando Speedworld was finally back in action Friday night and there was action aplently throughout the evening. The main attraction of the night was the 50-lap mid-season championship for the Super Stock division.
Twenty-two racers showed up for a shot at the $500 first-place prize with Ted Head setting quick time at 16.425 sec. to earn the pole for the feature. Head wasted little time building up a huge lead as the rest of the field scrambled around him. The caution flag was out on numerous occasions for minor spins eventually allowing Duane Freed and Rich Clouser the opportunity to close on Head. Head's machine was beginning to run hot, but he was still managing to hold off a tremendous side by side battle between Freed and Clouser, who were both trying to pass Head while trying to pass each other. The great race suddenly turned ugly as the leaders lapped Duane Freed's son Cory who then appeared to be blocking for his dad keeping Clouser at bay while starter Chuck Rush was madly waving the move-over flag.
During the next caution flag period, Clouser and Cory Freed got together on two occasions, eventually ending in a confrontation in front of the flagstand. Cooler heads prevailed and both cars were removed from the track with track officials eventually handing down an indefiniate suspension to Cory for unsportsmanlike conduct. Freed did everything he could to pass Head over the final twelve laps, but Head crossed the line and enjoyed the victory lane ceremonies. However, his car did not pass inspection and the win was awarded to Duane Freed, his third of the season. Bill Loomis came from near the rear of the starting grid and also survived the "tech shed" to place second while Big Bob Wines drove a steady race to claim third spot. Ted Helmes had to pit after a tangle on the first try to get the race started and came from dead last to place fourth in his first visit to the speedway. Bob Beiler had a great run, his best of the season, to place fifth. Mike Snyder, Warren Schurr, Tim Russell, Leonard Story, and Rip Dyal rounded out the top ten.
Point leader Rusty Ebersole dominated the Super Late Model 25-lapper, winning easily in his Garrett Fastning Systems Ford Taurus. The race was red-flagged twice. The first came on a lap eleven restart when Mark Emberson climbed over the front of Joel Haas' machine in turn four. Neither driver was hurt, but both cars were out for the duration. Craig Reynolds, making his first start here in several years, got loose in turn one on lap 19 and backed into the wall splitting his fuel cell. Fortunately there was no fire but it took several minutes to clean up the mess. Reynolds was a bit shaken but otherwise unhurt, just mainly disappointed.
No one had anything for Ebersole as he dashed to his fourth win of the year. Scott Reeves had his best run in quite some time placing second while Jared Allison was back after taking a "bit of time off" to place third in a car that had been in the garage for almost a year. Fourth went to David King while fifth went to Don Fenn who debuted his new Ford Taurus in style. Eddie King actually crossed the line fifth, but he was set back one spot for jumping on the final restart.
Jason Boyd took his fifth win in the Modifieds but had to withstand race-long pressure from veteran Rob Underwood who was making his first Speedworld start in his new open-wheeler. Shane Held took third spot while former Mini Stock champion Pedie Allison placed fourth in his first start in the class. John Bennett blew the engine in his car late in the race but still was credited with fifth.
It was the Tim and Tim show again in the Mini Stock division as Tim "Missleman" McPhail came from the rear of the grid to pass Tim Clark for the lead at the halfway mark of the 15-lapper and then went on to score his fifth win of the season. Clark was second followed by Jeff Davis, Bobby Orr and Rose Dickerson.
Ronnie Quarno, Jr. outlasted a strong field of Strictly Stock machines to score his first victory in the class. Paul Hudson crossed the line in second followed by David Smith, Charlie Pitts, and John Stevens.
A full six-division show is on tap for next Friday night along with an appearance by the South 40 Motorsports Classic Auto Racing Series.
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