Stacey Roberts and Michael Lloyd Winners in NLMS Asphalt Doubleheader Weekend
Waycross Ga. May 03,03, When the “Southern Dirt Tour” makes it’s way onto Asphalt, excitement is in store, and this weekend with the Florida swing was no exception. Racing kicked off on Friday night at the Ocala Speedway with late models taking to the speedway. The large crowd on hand at the beautiful facility witnessed one exciting night of short track racing.
Sylvester, GA driver Stacey Roberts passed fast qualifier and early leader Richard Sauter at the halfway mark then cruised to victory as the National Late Model Series dirt cars thrilled fans at Ocala Speedway Friday night. .
Sauter set fast time among the 22 entrants to claim the Jameson Inn‘s “A-Prefect-Lap Deserves-A- Prefect-Stay-Award”, won the first of three Mary Jane Cardwell Heat Races, and started from the pole, but he was hounded lap after lap by Roberts who finally made the move at the end of lap 24 following a long caution period needed when Aaron McQuaig's throttle stuck and he pounded the turn one wall on lap 23. McQuaig's was the only serious incident of the race and a total of only three caution flags were needed. McQuaig was unhurt in the accident.
Once in the lead, no one could touch Roberts' "Topless Taurus." Michael Lloyd got around Sauter for second on lap 38 but could never mount a serious challenge and settled for second. Sauter held on for third followed by Gene Ross and Charles Sealey.
Johnny Collins, NLMS point leader Patrick Sheltra, David Clegg, Jimmy Britts, and Cecil Eunice rounded out the top ten.
Saturday night the Series traveled up 1-75 to Ellisville just south of Lake City Fla to Columbia Motorsport Park. Stacey Roberts picked up where he left off on Friday night claiming the Jameson Inn Qualifying Award. Roberts would just edge out popular Jacksonville Fla’s Jimmy Britt for the top spot. Michael Lloyd would win the first heat race to start in the front spot for the feature event with Britts on the outside of the front row. David Clegg of Deland Fla would win the third heat race. With the green waiving Britts would jump to the lead with Lloyd regulated back to second. Roberts would race in the third position with Clegg in fourth. Young Tal Ethridge of Sylvester Ga. would turn in a solid performance running in the fifth position. Britts who would run a flawless performance would cross the finish line first with Lloyd in Second. Roberts would mount a charge on Lloyd however Lloyd would hold onto the second position with Roberts settling for third. Britts car would fail post race inspection giving the win to Michael Lloyd. “I know how Britts feels” said Lloyd. “I’ve lost one that way and just a few weeks later to win one” said Lloyd. Roberts and Lloyd with their feature wins will be invited to the B&K Sportswear All-Star Feature Winners Dash For Cash later in the year.
Next race for the Southern Dirt Tour will be at Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro GA. On Memorial Day weekend.
