IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 18, 2004 FSCR Hevron Conquers The Bullring By Curtis Whalin Bronson Motor Speedway was the setting for the 8th TBARA race of the 2004 season, 15 cars signed in for the event, to run two 8-lap heat races and a 25-lap feature event. Ben Fritz in the number 16 car took his second consecutive heat pole position for the start of the first heat race, with Richard Waddell in the 47 car alongside in the second place starting slot. The first start was recalled after an uneven start, and the second start only got as far as turn one when the back row consisting of Dude Teate in the 68 and Doug Heveron in the 22 both spun out and had to be restarted. It was third time lucky for heat race number one and Ben Fritz in the 16 car took the early lead. On the third lap, the 16 was passed by Wayne Reutimann Sr in the 99 who had started the race in fifth position. Wayne Sr went on to win the heat, with Wayne Reutimann Jr finishing second. John Sambor in the 33C took the pole for the second heat. This heat made it safely away on the first start and John Sambor led the race for the first four laps. On lap 5 he was caught and passed by Keith Butler in the number 19 who had started the heat in fourth place. Keith went on to win the heat with John Sambor finishing in second place. The 16 car driven by Ben Fritz took the pole for the start of the feature race alongside John Sambor in the 33C. At the start of the race, Wayne Reutimann Sr in the 99 spun out at turns 1 and 2 whilst trying to avoid a collision as the field bunched up in front of him going into the turn. The 118 also spun at that time but Stan Butler was able to keep the motor running and rejoin the pack. The cars lined up for a complete restart. Ben Fritz made a good start and led the pack. On lap 4, the caution flag was brought out when David Slawiak spun out at turn 3 in the 79 car. There were no other cars involved in that spin. During the laps under caution, Mark Gimmler retired his number 51 car to the infield due to mechanical problems. Racing got back underway and on lap 6, the number 6 car driven by Troy Decaire began to slow down and on lap 7 he brought the car into the infield. When the car came to a stop, the front right tire kept going and the tire rolled away into the infield and a lucky escape for young Troy. As a close battle for third place was taking place, Doug Heveron in the 22 car caught up to the race leader and took the lead on lap 17. Doug went on to win the race with Wayne Reutimann Jr taking second place in the 00 car. Points leader going into the race, Dude Teate in the 68 car took third place, Keith Butler in the 19 car was in fourth and Wayne Reutimann Sr in the 99 car rounded out the top 5. This was Dougbs second feature win this season. The next TBARA race will be at New Smyrna Speedway on May 1st. FEATURE 1) 22 Doug Heveron; 2) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr; 3) 68 Dude Teate; 4) 19 Keith Butler; 5) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr; 6) 7 John Gilbert Jr; 7) 16 Ben Fritz; 8) 33c John Sambor; 9) 118 Stan Butler; 10) 29 Gary Gimmler; 11) 79 David Slawiak; 12) 6F Joe Ligouri; 13) 47 Richard Waddell; 14) 6 Troy DeCaire DNF; 15) 51 Mark Gimmler DNF HEAT 1 1) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr 2) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr 3) 22 Doug Heveron 4) 68 Dude Teate 5) 16 Ben Fritz 6) 6 Troy DeCaire 7) 51 Mark Gimmler 8) 47 Richard Waddell HEAT 2 1) 19 Keith Butler 2) 33C John Sambor 3) 118 Stan Butler 4) 79 David Slawiak 5) 29 Gary Gimmler 6) 7 John Gilbert Jr 7) 6F Joe Ligouri Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!