SATSUMA, FL (10/4) - Once again, Modifieds delivered another twist ending to the fans at Putnam County Speedway as the leader at the 20-lap mark failed to finish the final ten circuits. Marion Sizemore wrestled the early lead but was quickly hunted down by Robby Barris. A stellar move on Barris’ part while maneuvering through uncooperative traffic earned him the point on lap nine. Barris was completely in control until looping his car on the 23rd lap, which sent Barris for a spin. When racing resumed Sizemore had no equals in contention and cruised to an uncontested win. Sizemore slightly enhanced his points lead over runner-up Jason Lowe. Chris Hammond was third followed by Barris and Matt Hartley.
Street Stocks held a bruising 30-lap scrap as less than half of the 19-car field finished their main event. After three attempts to start the race Timmy Dowling assumed the lead. A few laps later Kenny Durham momentarily swiped the honors from Dowling, then both cars tangled coming out of turn two. This thrust Mitch Wise into the spotlight who enjoyed his view up to the halfway signal when his car gave out. Bobby Layman was the next in line but suffered a similar fate six laps later. Richard Adams was the third beneficiary of the night and might have won had his right rear tire been able to go the distance. Billy Costello inherited the lead with two laps remaining and kept his car together to notch the win. Adams limped across for second ahead of Fred Sowles, Floyd Martin Sr., and Glenn Henry. After the race Costello announced that he had sold his car earlier that evening and was moving up to challenge in the National Late Model Series in 2004.
Peyton Nesmith started on the outside of the front row, grabbed the lead going into the first turn, and led every lap of the Limited Late Model feature. The best race of the evening, and arguably of the 2003 season, was waged between Travis Rhoden and Floyd Martin Sr. Both drivers proved equally proficient in running the high and low lines of the 3/8-mile speed plant. A combination of many laps of side-to-side racing with few incidents of contact garnered the respect and applause of the grandstand fans. Martin beat out Rhoden by a narrow margin to earn second. Bill Kopka and Jeff Terrell were fourth and fifth respectively.
Pure Stocks blessed the track with a large field of cars and with a blistering race that displayed many exciting moments and few cautions. Mike Tripp overcame a poor starting spot in the heat race and oppressive lapped traffic to claim another victory and extend his points lead. Early leader Jake Hartley held off a determined Hollywood Owen at the stripe for second. Points runner-up Scott Booth followed for fourth and Rick Ferraro came home fifth.
Four divisions of racing will headline next Saturday evening’s card at Putnam County Speedway. Racing action begins at 7 PM. The Fall Brawl, which stars the Super Late Model and USCS Sprint cars, will take place on Friday October 24 and Saturday October 25. All four regular classes will also compete on those evenings.
