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| Jack Cook Winner At New Smyrna Speedway | by Jane Smith
SAMSULA, Fla. (Nov. 2, 2002) - Fans were greeted by clear skies and cool weather as the action at New Smyrna Speedway was anything but cool. With the 2002 point season almost at the end, only more more regular night of racing, drivers are desperate for those last few valuable points.
In the Late Model division, it was one of those nights for their heat race. On the start, Chris Lawrence spun, Larry Osteen had a bent hood, and Donald Hess with the oreo cookie. Coming to the end of the heat, Donald Hess spun on the frontstretch causing a cloud of smoke. Mark Smith, Cynthia Strahley, and Steve Redditt were hit by a cloud of smoke as they rounded turn 4.
Not knowing or being able to see, the three cars entangled. Smith was totaled, done for the night before it even began. Strahley was pushed off but was able to repair her car for the feature as was Redditt.
Debuting in the Late Model division was the new no. 9 owned by Bobby Sears, built by South 40 Motorsports, and driven by Richard Clouser.
Many remember when Bobby Sears was the "King" of the Mini Stock division and then moved on to be the "King" of the Late Model division. Now Sears is the proud owner of one of the fastest Late Models in the state of Florida.
On the pole for the Late Model feature was Larry Osteen but it was Richard Clouser who jumped to the lead in his first race as the driver of the no. 9 Late Model. Once Clouser took the point, there was no stopping him. He led from gteen to checkers in the caution free race.
Chris Lawrence made a valiant effort to catch Clouser but just could not get enough steam. Following the "First Time Winner" in his new ride was Chris Lawrence, Larry Osteen, Randy Dye, Donald Hess, Charlie Merz, Cynthia Strahley, and Steve Redditt.
Randy Dye took the heat win.
Mike Trocki sat on the pole for the Sportsman feature and led every lap looking like a sure fire first win for Trocki. But on the last few laps, Trocki spun with Jamie Skinner hitting Trocki. Bill Love, who was running second to Trocki, tapped Trocki in turns 1 and 2 and sent him into the spin. Love was put in the rear on the restart.
This found Dale Clouser in the lead for the last few laps and holding on to take the Sportsman feature win. Following Clouser across the checkers was Ron Lufcy, Chris Pedulat, Steve Redditt and Marty Ward.
Mike Trocki took the heat win.
With the Governor's Cup next weekend, 11/9, a few familiar faces were seen that we normally don't see very often. Jack Cook, Jared Allison, Joe Fitos were just a few that came to practice for the 37th running of the Governor's Cup 200.
Joe Fitos sat on the pole for the Super Late Model feature and led for the first few laps until Fitos spun. Also involved were Bobby Fleckenger, Wayne Parker and Jared Allison. Parker was now doorless but able to continue. Allison and Fitos were sent to the rear of the pack and Fleckinger was fine but his car was toast retiring to the pits.
On the restart, Jack Cook took the lead with a very hot Dodge on his heels. The race then became the Cook - Rogers show with Cook leading the way and Rogers right on his bumper. Rogers looked everyway - high, low, up, down but could not pass the hard running Cook. Cook held strong and took the win with David Rogers, Wayne Parker, Joe Fitos, Brent Hobbs, George Kennedy, Jared Allison, Robert Jenkins, #6, and Bobby Fleckinger.
David Rogers won the heat race.
In Mini Stock action, Ted "Mr Mini Stock" Vulipus sat on the pole for their feature event. With the 100 lap Florida Mini Stock Challenge State Championship also on the card for next Saturday night, drivers are fine tuning their cars for 100 laps of action.
When the green was thrown, it was Tim "Missileman" McPhail who took the lead over Vulipus, Clint Foley, Dick Laszlo and David Castello. Whit Satterwhite brought out the caution when he had mechanical problems and had to retire to the pits. On the restart, McPhail once again took the lead.
David Castello, who has the points championship tied up this year and won the Valvoline Cup National Points Championship beating Frank Kimmel by 5 points, went side by side with Foley as Vulipus chased McPhail.
As the four were doing battle, Foley saw an opening and slipped thru taking the point from McPhail. McPhail fell back to fourth with Vulipus in second and Castello in third.
Foley, who runs Ocala Speedway and Bronson and has seen Victory Lane at both tracks, took the win followed by Ted "Mr Mini Stock" Vulipus, David Castello, Tim "Missileman" McPhail, Dick Laszlo, Rex Christensen, Vern Rozier, Chad Carpenter, and Ben Hutto.
Ted Vulipus and David Castello took the heat wins.
Modifieds were short this week with only four in the field. Allen Bruns sat on the pole for the feature race but it was Wayne Parker who jumped to the point and never looked back. Close behind Parker was Bobby Blake but Parker was not to be beaten. Following Parker to the checkers was Bobby Blake, Allen Bruns, and Ed Kuhel.
Bobby Blake took the heat win.
Josh Wronkowski sat on the pole for the Super Stock feature but it was points leader Ted Helmes who took the lead on the green. Coming up fast was Ron Whaley on a mission to pass Helmes for the point.
Whaley had to fight but in the end, got the lead position putting Helmes second. With no cautions, it was a dog fight for positions.
Following Whaley to the checkers was Ted Helmes, Jack Lenzen, Charlie Collins, Josh Wronkowski, Bill Stacy, Mike Soukup, Nick Vogler, Randy Jones, Steve Cochran, Shane Stacy, Rob Watford, Allen Dillon and Ron Paradise.
Charlie Collins and Ted Helmes took the heat wins.
Jerry Mitchell sat on the pole for the Strictly Stock feature but it was Kenny Marshall who took the lead on the green. Marshall fought hard but Todd Driscall fought even harder passing Marshall for the point. Alot of beating and banging with Driscall taking the checkers followed by Kenny Marhsall, Curtis Smith, Tim Edmundson, and Jerry Mitchell in the top five.
In tech, all top five cars were disqualified and the win was given to James Smith Sr. followed by Jerry Hovencamp, James Smith, Ed Rockhold, and Buddy Mullens.
Next weekend at New Smyrna Speedway, the 37th running of the Governor's Cup 200 Sunbelt Super Late Model race and last leg of the Triple Crown sponsored by South 40 Motorsports and South 40 Graphix. Also on the program, 100 laps of non-stop Mini Stock action with the State Championship in the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series.
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