IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

September 20, 2004 FSCR Colangelo Finally finds Victory Lane at Orlando SpeedWorld by Dave Westerman After what seemed like weeks and weeks of dealing with Hurricanes Charley and Frances and the rain and wind they brought, Orlando Speedworld finally got back in action Saturday night with a first time winner gracing victory circle after the 25 lap RE/MAX Legends Car feature. Things weren't perfect as there were a few bugs left following the storms. Concession supplies had not been re-stocked yet, so a local hot dog vendor set up in the pits and fans were allowed to bring their own food and drink in coolers for this one night. Electrical problems kept the PA system and the track safety lights from working, but track officials did a great job in keeping the program moving swiftly and safely. The RE/MAX Legends drivers hadn't run a feature in nearly two months and they showed up in force. Three qualifying heats were needed and were won by Brandon Thomson, Jeremy Colangelo and Kevin Howard. During the first heat, Sam Watts and Florida Semi-Pro point leader A.J. Fulgenzi got together going into turn three while battling for the lead with both hitting the wall. Fulgenzi made repairs and started the main event but Watts packed it up for the night. Brandon Thomson grabbed the early lead only to see rookie driver Jeff Hall loop his mount in turn one to bring out the caution. Thomson held the point on the restart but Jeremy Colangelo was on the charge and took the top spot on lap three. Brian Silas pounded the turn four wall extremely hard on lap eight bringing out the red flag. Silas was shaken but unhurt although his car looked like Hurricane Charley had gotten a hold of it. Colangelo continued to set the pace with Thomson a solid second. On lap fifteen, Paddy Rodenbeck spun going into turn three causing Kyle Dombeck and the father/son team of Doug and Jeff Hall to tangle up trying to avoid him. Only Rodenback was able to continue. Lap 18 would prove disasterous as six cars would eventually drop from competition. Jared Cawley got tangled up with Bobby Byars and Matt Bowers with Byars and Bowers both slamming the wall nearly head-on. All three cars were eliminated. During the red flag period, Fulgenzi's car was towed off with a broken tie rod, Rodenback retired his car to the pits and the battery went dead on Wesley McLeod's car and he too was pushed pit-side. Following the restart, Thomson seemed to catch fire as he began to put the pressure on Colangelo with both drivers looking for their first career win. After numerous second place finishes, Colangelo was not to be denied on this night as he took his first RE/MAX Legends win since moving up from the Quarter Midget ranks. Thomson equaled his career best with second while Kory Abbott pleased his parents by bring home his car not only unscathed but in third place. Kevin Howard had a solid run for fourth while young Derrick Wood drove a head-up race to get fifth. Darin "T-Bone" Coker took sixth followed by Mike Verhaagh, Mike Fazio and "tagless" Wild Willie Wilson who was ninth and the last car running at the finish out of 22 entries. McLeod, Rodenbeck, Cawley, Byars, Bowers, Fulgenzi, Dombeck, Jeff Hall, Doug Hall, Mitch Verhaagh, and Silas completed the field while Watts and Spike Sabo did not start. Fall championships were held for the Bandelero classes with each feature going for 20 laps. Gerald White, Jr. led all the way to capture the Bandits feature although Josh Williams kept things respectable. Ryan Rust was third trailed by Lance Daubach and Donavan Ponder. Likewise, Scott Jarrett led all 20 circuits of the Young Gun feature with Brandon Thomson getting his second runner-up finish of the night followed by Chelsea Schillig and Matt Jarrett. Evan Russell grabbed the early lead and outdistanced Kara Clarke and Dave Jarrett to win the Outlaw main event. Thunder Roadsters made their first appearance since the Winternationals with Jim Wade picking up the win over Don Beardslee and Hutch Hudson. Greg Bruce topped Sly Cawley in a two car Hurricane match race. It was not revealed which one was "Charley" and which one was "Frances." FAST Kart winners were Whitney Poole (Junior Champ), Robert Lyerly (Star Champ), Mike Phelps (Shifter), Dana Messier (Pro Stock), Rusty Chancey (Junior Restricted), Bubba Potts (Junior Sports Champ), and David Witherby (Senior Champ). Orlando Speedworld finally gets back to a Friday-Saturday Schedule this weekend as it looks like the hurricanes are going to leave us alone for awhile. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!