Senokossoff Wins Final Leg of Bearden Oil/Southern Race Fuels Gulfcoast Triple Classic
by Jane Smith
onson, Fla. (November 9, 2003) Twenty five of Florida's finest Open Wheel Modified drivers ventured to Bronson Motor Speedway on a cold Sunday afternoon for the final leg of the Bearden Oil/Southern Race Fuels Gulfcoast Triple Classic.
Even the packed stands did not help the fans who thought it was still summer as a cold front moved thru and left racers and fans quite chilly. In spite of the chill in the air, there was plenty of hot racing action on hand.
John Anderson took fast qualifier with his 13.275 lap around Florida's "Little Bristol". Drivers were brought to the frontstretch to draw for starting positions with Anderson pulling a three and points leader Billy Mowery pulling the number 1 position.
Each driver was introduced to the fans with that magic word "Gentleman, Start your Engines" being spoken by a young race fan. As the flagman waved the green, it was Tim Moore followed by Billy Mowery, John Anderson, Kevin Durden, and Teddy Nelson. Mowery puts on the heat and takes over the lead by lap 1. On lap 3, Kevin Durden gets into the rear of John Anderson with Anderson spinning. Durden is sent to the rear of the field with Anderson going back to his spot.
The race restarts on lap 9 with Mowery on the point followed by Moore, Anderson, Jason Glover and Chet Senokossoff. The yellow is thrown again on lap 10 when Chris Robbins spins in turn 2. Lap 13 sees the restart with Mowery, Moore, Anderson, Glover and Senokossoff in the top five. Johnny Allen brings out the yellow on lap 23. Mowery holds the point on the restart.
By lap 29, Senokossoff has passed Glover for fourth but Glover does alittle fighting back but Senokossoff takes the spot. By lap 36, Senokossoff has passed Anderson who was third with Anderson sliding back to fourth. Anderson and Glover now do alittle dancing but it is Glover who takes over fourth with Anderson in fifth.
On lap 50, Lee Collins and Rob Partelo get together coming off turn 4 going down to the frontstretch. Both cars are sent to the rear for the restart. But it is a short green as the red flag comes out on lap 51 for Mike Hinegardner who has climbed the backstretch wall and gone over on his roof. Hinegardner is fine but done for the night.
The race restarts on lap 51 but before a lap was down, Rob Partelo and Buddy Hughes get together on the restart in turn 1. The race is again restarted but the yellow comes out again for Rob Partelo who has spun coming off 4 going to the green.
Finally the third try is the charm with Mowery out front followed by Moore, Senokossoff, Glover and Anderson. By lap 52, Senokossoff moves to second with Moore sliding all the way back to seventh and Teddy Nelson running fifth. Lap 55, L.B. Scaggs brought out the caution as he takes a little dirt ride coming off turn 2. Mowery holds the point on the restart but again another short green as the yellow is thrown again on lap 57 as Rob Partelo and Kyle Owen get together in the turn 1 wall. The race restarts as Mowery leads the way with Senokossoff, Glover, Anderson and Nelson in the top five.
Butch Bassett brings out the caution on lap 61 as his machine has broken and he is stranded up on the top of the track. The race goes back green with Mowery on the point.
Lap 66 Mowery finds his hands full with a hard charging Senokossoff on his rear bumper. Mowery holds but by lap 74, Senokossoff has proven that he has the stronger machine and now leads the way for Mowery, Glover, Anderson and Nelson.
On lap 85, Dan Partelo spins going off the track and back on as Anderson has to spin avoiding contact with Partelo. The officials give back Anderson his spot and Parelo retires to the pits.
From lap 85 to 91 it is green flag racing but on lap 91, Jeremy Gerstner brings out the yellow as he spins up in turns 3 and 4. The race goes back green with Senokossoff leading the way and taking the checkered for the final leg of the Gulfcoast Triple Classic. Following Senokossoff across the checkered was Bill Mowery, John Anderson, James Glover and Teddy Nelson.
Billy Mowery expressed his gratitude to the Gulfcoast Triple Classic and thanked them for a great series and looks forward to the next in 2004.
In Victory Lane, the top ten drew for prizes with each winning the following:
1. Billy Mowery - 4 Hoosier Tires 2. John Anderson - Reutimann Body 3. Rob Partelo - 4 Bilstein Shocks 4. Timmy Moore - 4 Goodyear Tires 5. Ralph Bowman - 55 Gallons of Race Fuel 6. Tommy Bower - Chassis 7. Teddy Nelson - 4 Landrum Springs 8. Mike Hinegardner - $1200 in Machine Work 9. Lee Collins - Gulfcoast Spec Engine 10. James Glover - $500.00 cash #88 Chris Robbins won 4 Hatrack Shocks
FICIAL RESULTS ARDEN OIL/SOUTHERN RACE FUEL GULFCOAST TRIPLE CLASSIC LEG 3 BRONSON MOTOR SPEEDWAY
1. #61 Chet Senokossoff 2. #5x Billy Mowery 3. #1x John Anderson 4. #5 James Glover 5. #84 Teddy Nelson 6. #7D Darren Jackson 7. #19L Larry Goolsby 8. #11 Gene Owen 9. #3 Ralph Bowman 10. #88 Chris Robbins 11. #89 Lee Collins 12. #007 Jeremy Gerstner 13. #57 Tim Moore 14. #98 Johnny Allen 15. #93 Rob Partelo 16. #51 Tommy Bower 17. #1 Kyle Owen 18. #71 L.B. Scaggs 19. #9 Dan Partelo 20. #23x Butch Bassett 21. #13 Kevyn Terry 22. #14 Buddy Hughes 23. #23 John Kaht 24. #1H Mike Hinegardner 25. #07 Kevin Durden
