IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

October 20, 2004 FSCR Gene Lasker pulls a "Sling-Shot" pass for a last lap Victory in USA Sprints Action by R.C. Roper Gene Lasker drove a awesome race to make a "sling-shot pass" on the last lap of the USA Sprints/FSCA Sprints match race at Volusia Speedway Park Sunday night October 10th.This race was made possible when Otto Scrape who is also a driver in the FSCA extended an invitation this year to the USA Sprints for these special match races. The drivers have been competing for the overall purse but have maintained thier prospective points for each organization as usual. This has resulted in some of the very best racing seen anywhere in the State for Sprint cars. Dennis Misuraca from Sanford Florida driving his family owned beautiful white # 3d started from the pole and brought the field down for green out of turn 4. He was followed by # 22 of Tim Brininger from Jacksonville,Steve Stone # 71 and Dan Pickett # 27. The first start was aborted and another ensued allowing Andy Kelly who was alongside RC Roper in the 3rd row to blast up into 4th coming across for the first lap. Kelly immediately made it known he was going to be in contention for the Win Meanwhile Gene Lasker # 02 starting from 15th position patiently worked his way towards the front while battling with Otto Scrape # w3. The 2 FSCA Stars put on a show for the fans.Greg Leonard from Wimauma Florida who won the last Match race was relegated to a back row start .Leonard drove a very agressive race to put himself into position in the top10 by lap 11.He was now trailing the # 02 of Lasker and W3 of Scrape. The race had several cautions which bunched up the field and kept Misuraca from asserting himself and a commanding lead. At lap 15 the running order was Misuraca,Kelly,Lasker,Scrape,Leonard,Schaeffer,Roper,Stone,Brininger,Kaluzniak rounding out the top 10.Bob Schaeffer # 22 was running a great race in sixth when he and Greg Leonard who were battling for position got tangled. That resulted in the #22 Budwesier car out for the evening and on the hook. Lasker made his move on the next restart and blasted by Andy Kelly to take over 2nd on lap 18.RC Roper while running 6th just behind the # 85 of Leonard and the # w3 of Otto Scrape was overtaken the "hard way" by the # 56 of Alan Kaluzniak. This resulted in a bout with the fence,a few cartwheels followed by a flip.The car was badly damaged but RC was ok. The race was restarted on lap 21 by Misuraca with Gene Lasker and Andy Kelly in tow. Lasker was desparately trying Misuraca on both the high and low sides. he Track was very tricky and a narrow groove was the result so Lasker and most all the other drivers chose to pass off the corners on the bottom. Dennis was giving Gene fits and he was certainly up to the task but Gene Lasker was not going to be denied this cool Sunday night in Volusia County. Lasker made his move with 1 lap to go to just edge Misuraca at the line.Otto Scrape got by Kelly as well to take 3rd.Following Kelly across the line was Greg Leonard in fith to round out the top 5.A Again the fans were not dissapointed with a great race and a great drive by Lasker to take his first Win of the Florida Challenge Series. Gene was very colorful in Victory lane and dedicated the Victory to Dale Earnhartd Jr.The next and final race for the season for the USA Sprints will be back at Volusia Speedway Park on Saturday night November 6th.The USA Sprints will have a year-end barbecue and awards cerimony. So mark this down on your calenders. For more info call RC Roper c/o USA Sprints at 239-872-0168 or visit www.usasprints.com.For additional Track info and or directions call Glorida at the Track @ 386-649-5210. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!