Night 1 of World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing
by John Barker Race 1 of 9
SUPER LATE MODELS
SAMSULA, FLORIDA – Donald Long of Pensacola, FL in his Panhandle Paving Chevrolet rolled up the asphalt behind him winning a 25 lap race one of Super Late Models in the 37th Annual World Series of Stock Car Racing Friday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
The quick 30 car starting field battled each other more than the one-half mile high banked oval reeking havoc on their Super Late Models in a strong effort for track position.
Long took charge quickly taking the point in the opening lap with Jeff Emery of Longwood, FL, and James Powell III of Astor, FL following. Wayne Anderson of Wildwood, FL was fourth and Louie Mechalides of Tyngsboro, MA followed in fifth.
Powell and Anderson got together in lap 12 and lost their positions early. At halfway, Long still in the lead had Emery behind him with Mechalides and Freddie Query of North Carolina in hot pursuit. Junior Hanley of Campbellville, Ontario was fifth.
Mechalides and Query bumped on the front straightaway dropping them out of the top five and changing the running order. Long still in the lead had a consistent Emery and Hanley following. Anderson had motored to fourth and Michael Williams of Mims was fifth.
Hanley got sideways on the front straightaway after Anderson a bump and run incident and the top five changed once again.
Long opened up a 10 car lead as Emery fell off the pace in lap 21. Anderson was now second with Williams and Aric Almirola of Tampa, FL following.
Anderson tried to close up on the leading long, but his best efforts fell short.
Long crossed the stripe followed by Anderson and Williams.
Rounding out the top five were Almirola and Emery.
NASCAR TOUR TYPE AND SK MODIFIEDS
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT driving his Sherm’s – Sunoco Troyer 358 had just too much for the 23 Modified starting field and won the 25 lap feature with room top spare.
Bo Gunning won the SK Modified Series race finishing 13th overall.
Christopher moved to the lead in the opening circuit as two quick cautions slowed the 23 car starting field.
By lap 10 Christopher had a five car lead over second place runner Ed Flemke Jr. of Berlin, CT in his Hillbilly Racing Enterprises ride and a 30 car advantage over a 30 car lead over the third place runner.
By lap 16, it was still Christopher in strong control followed by Flemke and Rob Summers of Manchester, CT driving his Start/Finish – TAS Homes Troyer 358 Modified.
Summers coming out of lapped traffic tried to make up some of the long distance to challenge for second place, but was unable to catch the top two front running cars.
Christopher crossed the finish line with Flemke and Summers following.
Rounding out the top five were Dan Meservey Jr. of Brewster, MA in his Lou Gehrigs MOA Troyer 362 and Donny Lia of Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. driving the Huntington Honda Troyer 362.
LATE MODELS
Chevrolet driving Mike Murphy of Clermont, FL won the 20 lap Late Model Feature with an unexpected win as a strong running race leader Randy Dye of Daytona Beach, FL was sent to the rear following a somewhat controversial call.
There was a 26 car starting field with last years World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Champion Jason Boyd looking for his 10th straight Late Model win, but it was not to be and Boyd would finish 19th.
Murphy was running a smooth and consistent fourth when in the waning laps A.J. Curreli of Daytona Beach, FL gave the race leading and stout running Dye a nudge sending him into the wall in turn one. Curreli had challenged Dye several times, but was unable several times to make a clean pass.
Both Dye and Curreli were sent to the rear, because of bringing out the caution. Dye continued to race, but Cureli left the speedway, because of what he thought was an unfair ruling. Dye would finish 12th and Curreli 17th.
With Dye on the point early Curreli tried several times from lap 8 to make a pass, but Dye had enough motor on the straights to stay in the lead. Curreli in his Chevrolet appeared to be loose in the corners.
Murphy crossed the stripe followed by Kenny Crites of Christmas, FL. Tim Russell of Apopka, FL followed and Kirk Hooker of Chatham, Ontario was fourth.
IMCA/FLORIDA MODIFIEDS
Jerry Symons of New Smyrna Beach, FL picked up where he left off last season winning 2003 IMCA/Florida Modified race one a 20 lap feature race.
Symons won eight of eight Modified feature race last season of nine events and claimed the World Series of Asphalt Stock Racing Modified Championship. He was unable to rune one race in 2002, because of a previous commitment.
It was the same Symons again using the outside groove to move to the point doing so before five laps were in the books.
During lap eight an oil leak caused a red flag while race officials checked all Modifieds for leakage.
In lap 10, Symons still held the lead followed by D. J. Hoelzle, who had passed Jason Boyd of Orlando, FL for second three laps earlier. Brad May of Orlando, FL was fourth.
Hoelzle chased Symons on the outside, but it was for naught as he appeared to be a little loose. Symons had just too much car for Hoelzle and held a 15 car lead over Boyd, who was followed by Wayne Parker and May.
Symons crossed the stripe followed by Hoelzle and Boyd.
