Gilbertson Dominates Putnam Sprints While Hollywood Stars in Pure Stocks
by Jon Harney
Satsuma, FL (5/17) - Outside polesitter Johnny Gilbertson manhandled the Sprint Car field at Putnam County Speedway as he grabbed the lead into turn one and led every lap unchallenged. The 30-lap feature would have been free of cautions if not for an incident on the last lap. Red Stauffer was a distant second with Tom Winegarden Jr. third, Daryl Smith fourth, and points leader Roland Johnson fifth.
Points leader Rick Singler outgunned polesitter David Showers on the start to capture the early lead in Limited Late Models. Singler wasfirmly in command until encountering problems just short of half way. Michael Lloyd hadn’t raced at Putnam for years; however, he proved to be a quick study and led the remaining laps for the win. Showers was second, Jeff Terrell nipped Peyton NeSmith at the line for third, and Richard Ferry followed.
The pure stock main proved to be a duel between Scott Booth and Hollywood Owen. Booth held off repeated attacks throughout the race only to succumb on the 28th circuit when Owen found racing room on the inside groove. Owen had no rest the final two laps as Booth fought back to regain what had once been his, but to no avail. Owen won his second feature of 2003 trailed by Booth, Jason Pipkins, Steven Key, and David Moody.
Marion Sizemore left nothing to chance in taking the lead into the first turn and leading every lap in Modifieds. By the time the Modifieds took to the track, much rubber had been laid down on an already hard surface, which usually plays into Sizemore’s hands. Predictably enough on such a night, Sizemore won going away. Jason Lowe outlasted everyone else for runner-up. Robby Barris, Chris Hammond, and Kevin Byers Sr. followed Lowe in that order.
In the final event of the evening, Chris Vogel took the early lead in Street Stock but couldn’t keep pace with points leader Kenny Hall. Tiny Greene made steady progress through the field, overhauled Vogel for second, and gave Hall an honest run for his money. At the pay window the order read Hall, Greene, Vogel, Tim Dowling, and Kenny Durham.
Saturday May 23 hails the return of the Super Late Model division along with the regular four local divisions. On Saturday May 30, both touring series take a vacation as the local divisions run for extra laps and extra points. Pits open at 3 PM, grandstands open at 5 PM, and racing begins at 7 PM.
