IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

October 24, 2004 FSCR Colangelo sees Winner's Circle at SpeedWorld Saturday Night by Dave Westerman A pit full of race cars greeted fans Saturday evening at Orlando Speedworld and the drivers did not disappoint by putting on one of the best shows of the year capped by young Jeremy Colangelo's second straight win in the RE/MAX Legends. After Patrick Conrad and Brandon Thomson Split the heat races, Thomson had the pole for the 25 lap feature with Conrad starting fourth. Thomson assumed the point on the initial start with Kory Abbott, Conrad and Colangelo tucking in behind him. Conrad was on the move, passing Abbott on lap six bringing Colangelo with him. Conrad then snared the lead from Thomson on lap eight with Colangelo following into second spot. The only caution came out on lap ten as Jeff Deggeller spun in turn four while running a strong fifth. Colangelo began to hound Conrad on the restart and was able to make the pass for the top spot on lap 13. From that point, Colangelo raced away to an easy win as Conrad held on for second with Abbott third. The win was made even sweeter for Colangelo as his grandmother was in attendance and got to join him in victory lane. Wesley McLeod made a late pass to get fourth spot with Thomson fifth. Bobby Byars, Jared Cawley, Ricky Wood, Mike Verhaagh and Derrick Wood rounded out the top ten. The remaining finishers were Darin Coker, Deggeller, Bob Wilson, Paddy Rodenbeck, Kyle Dombeck and Brian Silas. The Open Wheel Lite drivers were finally able to run the Wayne DeClerck Memorial after delays for rain outs and hurricanes. The race honored Lite driver Wayne DeClerck who passed away suddenly following a race at Desoto Speedway in early July. The race would be a big night for Jacksonville drivers as Rick Lundeen and his "Flying Grape" led the first five laps before fellow Jax resident Ron Towles got by and raced to an emotional win. Lundeen held on for second followed by Mark Belusar, Phil Krauthoff and Howard Brennan. Fifth through tenth were Kevin Baxter, Harvey Johnson, Spanky McFarland, Zane Davis and Bill See while Todd Diers, Nick Shadid, Chris Harrison, Dan Nyhan, and Bill Burback completed the field. Dan Berry blew an engine in his heat and was unable to start. Open Wheel Lite heats were won by Lundeen and Krauthoff. The Pro Challenge cars had a fantastic competitive race that saw plenty of bumping and banging and three-wide racing at times. Brad Sanders led the opening 16 laps before Brett McLain worked his way from deep in the field to take the lead. Cumming, GA driver Terry Mathis came from last on the starting grid to take second with Sanders holding on for third just in front of his brother Rod Sanders. Todd Hart was fifth with David Hall, Bobby Robillard, Mark David, Howard Brennan, Ken Watts, Tim Hart and Tyler David rounding out the finishers. It was the usual excitement being provided by the Florida Mini Cup Association racers starting with a wild heat race crash that saw top runner Doug Smith hit the wall a ton then flip on his lid right in front of the main grandstands. After the car was put back on all fours, Smith popped out unhurt but his car was done for the night. Larrry Folino, in a Richard Petty look-a-like car, took the lead from Rick Auriemma on lap 15 and held off young lady driver Wendy Kash for the win. Nando Pinto drove a great race to get third over Auriemma and Rick Blair. Mike Holt, Heather Suggs, Daniel Zukowski, Eric Cunningham and Dan Suggs completed the top ten with the remaining finishers being David Taylor, Francois Pellitier, Terry Tullis, Paul Tyson and Ed MacKenzie. Blake Eden took the lead from Gerald White, Jr, on lap three then went on to post his second win of the year in Bandelero Bandits action. White was second and Donovan Ponder third. White won the heat. Brandon Thomson won the heat then led all the way in the Bandelero Young Guns, but he was DQ'd in tech for having spacers in the wrong place on the front of his car. Second finisher Scott Jarrett was thus awarded the win over his brother Matt Jarrett and Chelsea Schillig. Evan Russell out ran Dave Jarrett to win both the heat and feature in the Bandelero Outlaws. Doug Webb took his first win in the Hurricanes after a great race with Brian Bleau that saw the two trade the lead several times. Danny Davis was third over Zach Colangelo. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!