|
| New Smyrna Speedway Closes Down 2002 with a Rip Roaring Night of Racing | by Jane Smith
Samsula, Fla - Twenty nine Classic cars filled the pits
at New Smyrna Speedway plus all the regular divisions
for one last night of action for 2002. Fans were not
disappointed as the action was hot and heavy inspite
of the coolness of the night air.
The Classics put on a great show with 29 cars int he pits.
Jim Rahman was on the pole for the 50 lap event with a
mandatory midway pit stop for gas since they only have
8 gallon fuel cells.
Wally Smith gave the crowd a freak moment when he hit the
frontstretch wall flipping his car on it's roof and sliding
down the track until he came to rest in the edge of the
grass. Smith was fine, his car was done for the night.
Taking home the win for the second night of the Classic
Auto Racing National event was Gary Kelley followed by
Brian Hull, Rodney Eary, Eddie Thornton, E.T. McGhee,
Bud Spencer, Al Hagan, Russ A., Jackie Kelley and Jim
Rahman.
Ed Kuhel sat on the pole for the last Open Wheel
Modified race of 2002 but it was Mark Vandevender who
fought off Jared Allison for the win.
Vandevender and Allison put on a great show for the fans,
going nose to tail most of the race. The #31 was third
followed by Ed Kuhel, Tim Dyson, and Ken McCracken.
Randy Dye sat on the pole for the Late Model division
and took the point with a hard charging Kenny Crites on
his bumper. Crites and Dye got together and both were
sent to the rear of the field.
Rick Clouser, who also ran in the Super Stock event
and the Sportsman event and drives for Bobby Sears,
took the lead and as they say, never looked back.
Following Clouser to his second win in the Late Model
division was Charlie Merz, Kenny Crites, Randy Dye and
Steve Redditt.
The Sportsman event saw a number of Sportsman trying
their luck for the last time in 2002. Brett Bultemeier
had the pole but it was Rich Clouser who jumped to the
early lead. Clouser suffered a blown engine or mechanical
problems and had to retire from the race giving the
lead to his uncle Dale Clouser.
Just as it looked like Dale Clouser might have the win,
the 2002 Sportsman Points Champion Donnie Williams took
over the lead. Williams dominated the Sportsman class
most of the 2002 season.
Following Williams to the checkers was Dale Clouser,
Dennis Gilliam, Steve Redditt, Mike Trocki, Chris
Pedulat, Terry Wright, Ron Lufcy, Michael Albert, Marty
Wolf, Mike Soukup and Brett Bultemeier.
Brent Hobbs had the pole for the Super Late Model feature
but it was Jacob Warren who took the point on the green
and never looked back. Also joining the Super Late Model
field was Larry Gibson with his Super Late Model that he
had in his hauler along with his Classic Car.
Ricky Wood tried to catch Warren but was never able to
get him although Gibson did pull up close to Wood for
second but was unable to make a pass. Following Warren
to the checkers was Ricky Wood, Larry Gibson, Chad Pierce,
Don Keithly, Bobby Fleckenger, and Brent Hobbs.
The Mini Stock was a wild race with David Castello on the
pole. But it was Tim "Missileman" McPhail, in a #61 car
which his dad will drive during the World Series of Asphalt
Stock Car Racing in February, that took the point.
As McPhail and Castello were going nose to tail for the
lead, they get together with Castello pushing McPhail
down the track sideways. Castello pitted for some sheet
metal removal and McPhail continued on. Both were sent
to the rear.
Dick Laszlo thrilled the crowd with his perfect 360
while running in the third spot. Laszlo was sent to
the rear and the leader of the race was Ted "Mr Mini
Stock" Vulipus.
Vulipus held on to the point and took the checkers for
the last time in 2002 followed by Tim "Missileman"
McPhail, David Castello, Rex "Boneman" Hollinger, Rex
Christensen, Dick Laszlo, Kory Kaiser, and Katherine
Thomas.
Mike Soukup had the pole for the Super Stock feature but
it was Rich Clouser leading all 15 laps. James Adams
and Jeff Colburn both smashed their cars badly on the
last lap of the race on the backstretch. Colburn had
a tire come off rolling down the track in front of
Adams who had no place to go. Both drivers were fine
but not the way they wanted to end the season.
Following Clouser to the checkers was Ron Whaley, Mike
Soukup, Bill Cuddy, Alan Dillon and Tim Ryan. Ryan,
who drives in the Cyclone class at Hialeah Speedway,
was making his first trip to the high banks of New
Smyrna Speedway and said "I'll be back in 2003."
The Strictly Stocks saw Curtis Smith on the pole and
leading for the first few laps until Faris Crews took
the point. Smith and James Smith got together on the
frontstretch with Curtis Smith going into the wall very
hard. Luckily, Smith was able to climb out of his car
and was fine. The car was toast for the night.
Crews held the point on the restart but it was Tim
Edmundson who took over and crossed the checkers first.
Following Edmundson was James Smith, #58, Faris Crews,
Robert Ward, Robert Ladeau, Jeremy Hovencamp, and Ralph
Jones.
New Smyrna Speedway will be closed until January 4, 2003
when the Super Late Models take to the track for the Rey
Eye 100. On Janaury 18th, the first race of the Sunbelt
Super Late Model series will run the Pete Orr Memorial 125.
See ya in 2003, happy holidays to all.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
news@karnac.orgor send a letter to the editor!
|
