IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 7, 2004 FSCR Jay Middleton Wins First Florida Pro Race of the season at Columbia by Marty Little LAKE CITY, Fla. - Defending Florida Pro Series super late model champion Jay Middleton kicked off the 2004 FPS season with a bang Saturday night as he handily won the 100 lap feature event on the high banked half-mile at Columbia Motorsports Park. Wayne Anderson was the night's fastest qualifier but on the redraw pulled a 10 which put Mac Johnson at the point of the 19 car field. As the field took the green flag it was Johnson in command over Rich Pratt, Doyle Boatwright and Middleton. It didn't take long for the yellow flag to appear as Brian Finney spun on lap two, the victim of a broken rear end which necessitated extensive track clean up. It was back to green with Johnson still in command as Middleton and Anderson worked their way forward. Anderson's night was done before the halfway mark as suspension failure saw him slide off the track. On lap 49 Middleton disposed of Boatwright for third and took care of Pratt five laps later to move to second. Now the chase was on to catch leader Johnson. On lap 76 Middleton ducked under Johnson for the top spot and was never headed as he wheeled his North Florida Medical entry to the checkers. Pratt claimed runner-up honors ahead of newcomer Jim Smith, Mark Mitchell and Jody Turner. The second five consisted of Louisiana invader Chet Morrison, David Hussey, David Hodges, Jr, rookie Gale Grayer and Boatwright. In the companion Florida Modified 15 lapper it was Charles Seroki to the stripe first leading early leader Matt Walker, Greg Nordstrom, Dale Mosley and David Ponton. Second generation wheelman Nevin Gainey wrestled the lead from Ray Wheeler on lap 21 and went on to victory in the 25 lap street stock finale. Gainey and Wheeler battled with both leading from the seventh lap and had the large opening night crowd cheering in approval. Wheeler was second ahead of Seroki, David Hart, and Andy Kennedy. Pure stock action saw Jeff Walden the victor over Derek Pearce and Brad Inman while Doug Mikesell topped the visiting TQ late models over Darryl Graves and Terry Dugger. Complete finish of Florida Pro Series 100 showing finishinig position and driver. 1. Jay Middleton, 2. Rich Pratt, 3. Jim Smith, 4. Mark Mitchell, 5. Jody Turner, 6. Chet Morrison, 7. David Hussey, 8. David Hodges, Jr., 9. Gale Grayer, 10. Doyle Boatwright, 11. Mac Johnson, 12. Kiki Thomas, 13. Fain Skinner, 14. Steve Dorer, 15. Wayne Anderson, 16. Mike Henderson, 17. Brian Finney, 18. Kevin Finney, 19. Tal Etheridge. - 30 - Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!