IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

July 13, 2004 FSCR Morris Keeps His Cool in Limited Late Win By CLAUDE LEWIS Wayne Morris had a nervous feeling in his gut about Saturday night's Limited Late Model 100-lapper at Charlotte County Speedway. He knew he had a car that was bad fast, but at the same time he was worried about overheating. "We had a fast car Friday night at Orlando for the Goodyear Challenge race there, but it was pushing water so I had to park it," said the big guy out of Mulberry. "I was watching the gauge real close (Saturday) night." The 56 car was running a little warm, but the needle never got to the danger zone. Morris worries were calmed after he took the checkered flag and claimed his $2,000 winner's share. Joe Sumasky of Lehigh Acres was second, Joe Winchell of Davie third, Gary Padulla fourth and Al "The Tiger" Fradette fifth in the 18-car field. It was the second 100-lap victory for Morris this year at CCS. Winchell has also won two. Sumasky and Mike Hovis won one apiece. Morris pulled away from everyone on long greens Saturday night, but a number of cautions kept tightening up the field. "It never got above 215," said Morris, who has new sponsors in Lilley Air Conditioning and DoRite Communications. "I think the longer straightaways here helped." Mike Franklin Jr. recorded fast time in qualifying, but he fell from first to ninth early in the race and was never a factor. Steve Arnold also looked like he would be a force in the 19 car, but he was sent to the back for spinning Sumasky in a battle for second. Shortly afterwards, Arnold parked his car. Hovis was also at the Punta Gorda paved oval Saturday but he was never a factor and pulled into the pits before a quarter of the race was in the books. Frank Welch fans also didn't have much to cheer about, as be bowed out of action before the halfway mark. He made it as high as fifth before exiting. Jeremy Goddard's No. 40 car was sent to the back for rough driving. He was then black flagged and disqualified when his crew members were cited for unsportsmanlike conduct. Fradette was pleased with his fifth-place finish. His 36 car proved very competitive. Another big race was the Sportsman 50. This race drew 22 cars. L.B. Skaggs' 71 car was the class of the field. In back of him, a sprig season points championship was being decided. Dale Dean III entered the race with a 20-point lead over James DuBose. DuBose finished second and Dean sixth. That leaves them in a tie for the points crown. John Garrett also entered the race with a chance to steal the title, but he finished back in 12th. L.B. Skaggs and team in Winners Circle Garrett's 74 car and Dean's 19 got together fighting for position. Dean's had to go to the back, hurting his chances to clinch the title outright. George Ellsworth was third, Jeremy Goddard fourth and Steve O'Lone fifth. Jerry Bryant started near the from and looked like he might have had something for Skaggs, but he had to pit because something under his car was scraping the track. He came back and salvaged a 10th. The 12 car of David Williamson was black flagged for dragging a muffler. Since he didn't notice Russ Gillett waving the black, DuBose helped with a well-timed hit rocketing Williamson to the infield. Two point leaders went out with victories. John Garrett won again in Thunder Trucks. Chris Loney clinched the 4-Cylinder Kids crown with a win. The 4-Cylinder Adults race was captured by young Troy Yates. Champion Walter "Sponge Bob" Forbes was third. Clete Trimmer passed Charles Parsons late in the race to take checkers in Super Stock. Points champ John Hanuschik was fourth. Chris Huntoon had already clinched Road Warrior, so he concentrated on Sportsman (where he finished seventh) and let buddy Joe Bossey drive the No. 30 Road Warrior. Bossey finished fifth. Dan Benoit won the race in the 87 car. Del Beckner took second in the MOO 2. In TQ Midgets, points leader Brandon Cagle of Spring Hill was the winner. Jack Duffy, a 73-year-old out of Sarasota, was second. Charlotte County Speedway will be dark this coming Saturday but there will be a special program July 24 with Fastrucks, Mini-Stock Challenge and Southern Sportsman headlining. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!