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| Full Moon Syndrome? at Ocala Speedway | The racing was anything but spectacular at Ocala Speedway Saturday night. Many attributed the strange night to the full moon. What- ever the cause, it was crazy and won't soon be forgotten.
The Diamond "H" Air and Heat Modified division was the first feature of the night. David Baxley #64 took the lead from the start followed by Troy Robinson #0 and Alan McCafferty #32. Baxley never experienced a challenge from the rest of the field, but McCafferty worked Robinson hard from lap 1.
He was finally able to get inside of Robinson in turn 1 on lap 11 and cleared him on the backstretch. On lap 14, Rick Brewer #9 blew an engine and oiled the entire track. The drivers were consulted about restarting the race and they decided against it since there were only two laps remaining. The race was called and Baxley was declared the winner with McCafferty in 2nd and Robinson in 3rd.
The Steven A. Bagen Sportsman division was next on the track. Tom Posavec #01 took the green flag followed by Michael Mennenga #16 and Bob Masciarelli #72. Masciarelli and Pete Close, Jr #86 were able to get around Mennenga on lap 1. Posavec got loose in turn 4 on lap 4 and Masciarelli and Close, Jr. went by him on the inside. Close, Jr. stayed right on Masciarelli's rear bumper and was able to get an advantage in turn 4 on lap 9.
By the time they got to the backstetch, Close, Jr. had cleared Masciarelli and managed to hold him off for the win. Masciarelli finished in 2nd place followed by Posavec in 3rd.
The Dwarf Car series made their 2nd appearance this year at Ocala Speedway Saturday night. After a couple of quick cautions on the first few laps, everyone settled down and it looked like it would be a good race to the finish. Unfortunately, another caution came out on lap 11 and then again on lap 14.
The allotted time for the race expired and the race was called. The #77 finished lst followed by the #17 and the #74.
The WTRS Pure Stock division started out great. Paul Fletcher #94 sat on the pole with Bobby Valeo #8B on the outside. Fletcher took the green flag and the race was on.
Caution came out on lap 4 because of a minor incident between Darren Dukes #4 and J.T. Schimborski #0. When the race was restarted, Fletcher jumped out to take the lead once again. Behind him, Valeo was trying to hold off Chuck Stewart #8 but to no avail. Stewart was able to make the pass a couple of laps later. Valeo now had to content with Kyle Maynard #72.
Maynard was able to get inside of Valeo going down the frontstrech and cleared him by the time he got to turn 2. Stewart was right in front of him! Going into turn 2 on lap 12, Maynard was on the inside of Stewart and as they started down the backstretch, they made slight contact sending both cars spinning into the infield.
Valeo and Bobby Carter #99 were able to go by them on the high side but just as Justin Durbin #77 was about to go by, Stewart shot up the track right in front of him. Stewart was hit in the passenger side door and then into the retaining wall.
With only a couple of laps remaining in the race and the concern for both drivers on everyone's mind, it was the consensus of all who were polled (officials, drivers and spectators) that they call the race and aslo call it a night. Fletcher was declared the winner with Vale in 2nd and Bobby Carter #99 in 3rd.
Stewart was transported to Monroe Regional Hospital complaining of neck pain. He was treated and released. Durbin was taken to the hospital by family members. He was complaining of a sore wrist and a knee contusion. There was no word on his condition.
The features for the Coca Cola 4 Cylinder Bomber division and the Thrifty Nickel Hobby Stock division which were not run Saturday night will be run at the beginning of the race night on May 4, 2002.
The schedule also includes a 30 lap Modified feature plus all regular divisions. For complete race results or more information, call the Speedway office at (352) 622-9400 or visit the web site at www.ocala speedway.com.
Diamond "H" Air & Heat Modifieds
David Baxley #64
Alan McCafferty #32
Troy Robinson #0
Mike Wilson #79
Shawn Nichols #25
Rick Brewer #9
Jamie Tinkham #98
Steven A. Bagen Sportsman
Pete Close, Jr. #86
Bob Masciarelli #72
Tom Posavec #01
Frank Buchanan #07
Gary Crouthamel #28
Michael Mennenga #16
William Edwards #08
James Higginbotham #76
John Smith #31
WTRS Pure Stocks
Paul Fletcher #94
Bobby Valeo #8b
Bobby Carter #99
Justin Durbin #07
Michael Fiddia #41
J.T. Schimborski #0
Darren Dukes #4
Dan Greer #65
Rick Hart #13
David Danielson #70
Brian LaFrance #11
Michael Rosa #76
Rick Bass #21
Chuck Stewert #8
Kyle Maynard #72
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