SATSUMA, FL (11/8) – Steve Lade was the polesitter for the Limited Late Model feature but was unable to convert that to the lead spot as Richard Ferry jetted to the point coming out of the second turn. Ferry enjoyed his advantage until lap 10 when Lade found his groove and began to press the action. Lap 13 proved lucky for Lade when he found racing room on the inside to claim the top spot. Lade poured on the coals and walked away from the pack to take his first win at Putnam in 2003. Ferry was unchallenged for second while Rick Singler and Mark Davis had a lively duel for third for the final ten laps before finishing in that order. Jeff Terrell was fifth.
In Pure Stock action Hollywood Owen was able to successfully ascend from the pole to the lead and held that position for the first five laps. Mike Tripp relieved Owen of the lead and had his way for the next fifteen circuits. Buried farther in the pack at the start, Bubba Watson made steady progress into the top five, then the top three, then to the runner-up spot. Watson slipped past Tripp on lap 20 and showed impressive strength in claiming victory number two on the season. Watson’s mount also won with a handicap as he limped into victory lane with a flat left front tire. Finishing behind Watson and Tripp was Rick Ferraro, Ricky Adams, and Randy Moody.
The Modified race was shaping up to be a barnburner as Robby Barris returned with the 21B, which had smoked the field the week before. Marion Sizemore, not one to be deterred, brought out the heavy artillery in the #0. Barris took the heat race battle between the two; unfortunately, the feature race match up was short-lived when Barris’ ride snapped a ball joint in the opening laps that ended his evening. Chris Hammond inherited the lead for several laps before being bested by Sizemore on lap 16. From that point on it was a one-sided beating as Sizemore lapped everyone from fifth place back. Sizemore captured the easy win ahead of Hammond, Paul Sizemore, Richard Tipton, and Jerry Morgan.
Kenny Hall crushed ‘em all again in Street Stocks. He led from the green flag to the checkered flag and was never remotely challenged. Fans were far from bored, however, as the remainder of the 19-car field mixed finesse with force with fenders folding, paint peeling, and tempers flaring. When the dust settled the order at the payout window read Hall, Richard Adams, Bobby Layman, Bobby Gigon, and Marc Kinley. Before the race the drivers parked their cars on the front stretch, got out to visit the fans along the fence, and were introduced one by one to the enjoyment of the spectators as well as the contestants.
Racing returns this Saturday evening as all four regular racing divisions of Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, Modifieds, and Limited Late Models take on the high-banked 3/8-mile oval. Pits open at 3 PM, grandstands open at 5 PM, and racing starts at 7 PM.
