Heveron Wins the 19th Annual TBARA Jim Haynes Memorial
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - Round 6 of the TBARA 2003 schedule was the 19th annual Jim Haynes Memorial race at Sunshine Speedway, Pinellas Park, FL. 22 cars turned out for the event making for 3 heat races of 8 laps each.
For the second race meet in a row, the 33C car of John Sambor took the pole for the first heat race, but was passed on the back straight by the 22 car driven by Doug "Patrick" Heveron which had started the heat in third position, and which went on to win the heat.
Sonny Hartley in the 32 car lined up on the pole for heat two. The first start to the heat was waved off due to an untidy line up, but the second start saw Sonny retain his pole position. Whilst Sonny was leading, there was an intense battle for third place between 4 other cars, which resulted in a spin for Sonny's son, Bo Hartley in the 3X car. No other cars appeared to be involved in the spin, and Bo rejoined at the back of the field. Sonny went on to win the heat, with Bo finishing in sixth position. The 51 car driven by rookie driver Mark Gimmler from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, took the pole for the third heat, and led the heat from start to finish.
The feature event began with the TBARA performance of the breathtaking 4 abreast formation lap, followed by a missing man formation lap in memory of Jim Haynes. For the race itself, Sonny Hartley in the 32 car had the pole position and held onto it as the race commenced.
On lap 3 the 79 car driven by David Slawiak spun high up on the track going into turn 2, narrowly missing contact with the wall, but also causing Shane Butler in the 18 car to make evasive maneuvers and spin lower down on the track . A caution light was thrown, but both drivers were able to keep their engines running. While the 18 car made it's way to the back of the field for the re-start, the 79 car exited the track and the race.
On the restarted lap 3, the 32 was passed between turns 3 and 4 by the 00 car driven by Wayne Reutimann Jr. Wayne Jr's lead proved to be short lived when only one lap later he slowed to a stop at the top of turn 4, reportedly suffering with drive line problems. He was pushed to the infield and retired from the race.
The 32 regained the pole, with Joey Aguilar in the 96 car following behind in second place. A close race ensued, and on lap 15 whilst passing back markers, the 96 made a move for first place at turns 3 and 4, but ran into the 32 car causing them both to spin, and breaking the front axle of the 32 car ending Sonny Hartley's race. The 96 was able to continue the race, but had to go to the back of the field. This put third place man Doug Heveron in the 22 car, and winner of the previous TBARA race, in pole position on the restart.
The 56 pulled into the infield prior to the restart with an overheating problem, and was soon joined by the 47 car and the last retiree in the form of the 88, car after the restart. Doug Heveron kept the lead to take the checkered flag for the second race in succession. Join us on April 11 at Orlando Speedway to see if he can make it three in a row.
TBARA Sunshine Speedway, March 29, 2003
HEAT 1
1) 22 Doug Heveron 2) 88T Taylor Andrews 3) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr 4) 18 Shane Butler 5) 19 Keith Butler 6) 33c John Sambor 7) 6 Skeeter Faulconer 8) 3 Richard Burnett
HEAT 2 1) 32 Sonny Hartley 2) 96 Joey Aguilar 3) 56 Bobby Rose 4) 29 Gary Gimmler 5) 68 Dude Teate 6) 3X Bo Hartley 7) 6F Bill Pettijohn
HEAT 3 1) 51 Mark Gimmler 2) 79 David Slawiak 3) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr 4) 88 Sport Allen 5) 2 Scott Adema 6) 47 Richard Waddell 7) 78 Tim Sharrone DNS
FEATURE
1) 22 Doug Heveron; 2) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr; 3) 29 Gary Gimmler; 4) 18 Shane Butler; 5) 68 Dude Teate; 6) 19 Keith Butler; 7) 2 Scott Adema; 8) 88T Taylor Andrews; 9) 3X Bo Hartley; 10) 51 Mark Gimmler; 11) 96 Joey Aguilar; 12) 33c John Sambor; 13) 6 Skeeter Faulconer; 14) 78 Tim Sharrone; 15) 6F Bill Pettijohn; 16) 3 Richard Burnett; 17) 88 Sport Allen DNF; 18) 32 Sonny Hartley DNF; 19) 56 Bobby Rose DNF; 20) 47 Richard Waddell DNF; 21) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr DNF; 22) 79 David Slawiak DNF
