IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 9, 2004 FSCR Neumann Smokes Florida Pro 100 Field by Larry MacMillan Local drivers seemed to be the dominant force in the first of two Florida Pro Series races scheduled for Citrus County Speedway in 2004. Time trials, on a very hot 3/8ths mile race course, made for driving experience to be the key to beating the clocks. Jay Middleton, coming off a fast qualifying run and an 11th place finish in the ASA race Friday night in Kentucky, got a few hours sleep at home in Lake City before having to unload that race car and reloading the short track racer for the trip to Citrus to defend his Championship in the Florida Pro third race of the season. Jay found the right groove to turn fast qualifying time at 13.562 seconds followed by track record holder Scott Grossenbacher at a 13.580. Middleton pulled the 8 pill indicating that the top 8 qualifiers would pull for starting positions. Local former champion Danny Johnson won the pole with the latest Late Model winner John Chance picking up the outside pole. When the green flew Johnson took the point and held on for the first 10 laps before Lakeland’s Steve Dorer found his way under to lead in lap eleven. Dorer was only able to hang on to the point for the next 8 laps before having to give up the lead to another track champion, fifth starter Herb Neumann Jr. Neumann wasted no time showing the rest of the field that he was the power house of the night pulling away from the race for second at will, despite four caution flags. The final 82 laps had the fans centered on the see saw battle for second involving Steve Dorer, John Chance who recovered from a slide back to fifth, and another local Jim Smith who started 10th in the field and currently holds third in the point’s race in Florida Pro and looking for Rookie of the Year honors in the series. When the checkers flew Neumann took the win in a breeze followed by a nose to tail finish with John Chance, Steve Dorer, Jim Smith and Florida Pro Point leader Jay Middleton. Rounding out the top ten were Anthony’s Richard Pratt who has a win and second place finish in the first two races of the year finishing sixth. Danny Johnson held out for 7th followed by Brooksville Late Model rookie Daniel Webster, Sylvester, Ga.’s Tal Etheridge and Doyle Boatwright out of Starke, Fl. Race fans were also treated to a pair of Hobby Stock 20 lap features with Tommy Smith, Curtis Neumann, Tim Anderson, Alvin Williamson and Don Teague taking the first five spots in the 17 car first race. With 16 cars starting Dean Lawyer took his second win of the year over Bobby Taylor, James Batson, Artie Hewitt and Bob Becker in the second feature. Chris Hooker and Steve Griffin started at the rear of the 12 car Mini Stock field for their 25 lap feature run. The two point leaders had the fans on their feet for the final five laps in their side by side battle for the checkers with Hooker beating out Griffin for the win. David Curry came off the pole to hold on to third over Mike Lawhorn and his brother Jim Curry. Steve Anderson had it all together after his D.Q. last week motoring to his first win of the year in the 15 car Super Street 25 lap main. Anderson launched his black #48 from sixth to first in 10 laps for the win over Steve Olone, James Batson, Richie Smith and Joe Viverito. Rick Badessa won out in a five lap battle with Wayne Heater for the win over the 23 starters in Thunder Stock action. Heater made the pass on pole sitter Stuart Madison 5 laps into the race while Badessa was working his way through traffic from his 8th starting spot. Madison held out for third over John Sullivan and last week’s winner Jerry Hoover. Another short field in 4 Cylinder Bombers saw Harold Barup win his first race of the year. Clark Pittsley held out for second while Kyle Helt kicked off his racing career with a third place finish over pole sitter Festus Barup. Next Saturday will see the return of the Mod Squad in a 30 lap feature run plus Super Streets, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers all in heat and feature action. Citrus County Speedway Results 5/8/04 Advance Auto Parts Florida Pro 100 – 13 Cars 1. #98 Herb Neumann – Inverness 2. #61 John Chance – Floral City 3. #10 Steven Dorer – Lakeland 4. #32 James Smith – Inverness (Rookie) 5. #74 Jay Middleton – Lake City 6. # 0 Richard Pratt – Anthony 7. #96 Danny Johnson – Crystal River 8. #1X Daniel Webster – Brooksville (Rookie) 9. # 8 Tal Etheridge – Sylvester, Ga. 10.#57 Doyle Boatwright – Starke 11.#16 David Hodges, Jr. – Valdosta, Ga. 12.#30 Cyrus Robinson – Spring Hill 13.#09 Scott Grossenbacher – San Antonio (DNF) Fast Qualifier - #74 Jay Middleton – 13.562 Super Street Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 15 Cars 1. #48 Steve Anderson 2. #20 Steve Olone 3. # 4 James (Doc) Batson 4. #77 Riche Smith 5. #72 Joe Viverito Mini Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 12 Cars 1. #1X Chris Hooker 2. # 3 Steve Griffin 3. #00 David Curry 4. # 44 Mike Lawhorn 5. #20 Jim Curry Hobby Stock Feature #1 – 20 Laps – 17 Cars 1. #42 Tommy Smith 2. #01 Curtis Neumann 3. #88 Tim Anderson 4. #09 Alvin Williamson 5. #2X Don Teague Hobby Stock Feature #2 – 20 Laps – 16 Cars 1. #19 Dean Lawyer 2. #66 Bobby Taylor 3. #77 James (Doc) Batson 4. # 9 Artie Hewitt 5. #17 Bob Becker Thunder Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 23 Cars 1. #88 Rick Badessa 2. #71 Wayne Heater 3. # 2 Stuart Madison 4. #33 John Sullivan 5. #30 Jerry Hoover 4 Cylinder Bomber Feature – 20 Laps – 4 Cars 1. # 3 Harold Barup 2. #64 Clark Pittsley 3. # M Kyle Helt 4. #69 Festus Barup Have an opinion on this story? 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