IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 11, 2005 FSCR Burkhalter Blasts Goodyear Field at Bronson Bronson Media It was another picture perfect night for racing at ASA Sanctioned Bronson Motor Speedway. The turn of the calendar saw the Goodyear Late model Challenge Series in town for 100 laps of ground pounding action. The man to beat in qualifying was rookie contender, Sam Watts. Watts laid down a hot lap of 13.304 seconds around the high banks of the racetrack. A straight up draw would allow Watts to start on the pole. Also on the front row would be up and coming fourth generation star, Travis Cope. Cope qualified with the second fast lap in time trials. These two youngsters would lead an extremely talented field to the start of the race. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities for the two young men would end. Cope scrubbed the outside wall on the first lap. Although with some excellent driving he was able to fall in line behind leader, Watts. The duo would race away from the field for the first 36 laps. On lap 37 though, Cope would make contact with the leader and Watts spun. After the penalty was accessed, Cope would find his way to the rear. This would move Bill Ostriker and Chuck Burkhalter into contention. Watts showed the way until lap 91 when he got shook up by Burkhalter. The lead group would race two and three wide in a furious battle for the point. Jerry Artuso would race from eight spot into the lead momentarily. Artuso spun in turn one, with Burkhalter involved. After a very sportsmanlike gesture, Artuso admitted he had a flat tire and Burkhalter was not at fault. With Burkhalter reestablished at the front, he would charge away to the win. Hungry Howie’s Sportsman had a tough act to follow as they were the next in action. Robbie Cooper and Matt Blum would race from the front row. The caution would fly early as contenders Arthur Conquest and Roger Damron made contact in turn two. After the restart, Cooper raced away to a large advantage sometimes as much as ten car-lengths. In the closing laps, Blum erased the advantage challenging for the win. In the end though, Cooper picked up another win on the young season. Twelve Pure Stocks would follow pole sitter, John Mamph to the green flag in their event. Mamph faced an early challenge from fellow front row starter, Jason Holbrook. Holbrook would spin and bring out the caution on lap sixteen. After the restart, Mamph was able to keep his JWM Transmission special out front to pick up his first win of the year. Tommy Conquest and Donnie Roberts finished second and third. Ronnie Hicks would start on the front row again this week. He hopped his fortunes would improve over last week’s effort. Hicks was able to lead again in the early going, but would be overtaken by Clint Foley. Soon after a trip through the infield with Josh Robertson would cost Hicks second. Foley ran away with another victory on this Saturday night. The always rough and tumble action of the Thunder Stocks would be the next to grace the high banks. Michael Holbrook won the drag race over Berlon Weeks to turn one. Holbrook would set sail with Randy O’Neal and Ken Sheffield following. In the latter stages of the event things got a little sloppy with three cautions in the last five laps. Holbrook survived a green, white, checkered finish to win again in Thunder Stock action. History would be made in the final event. The first ever Harvey Wall banger feature took the green flag. Don Welter was up to the challenge of Aaron Welter and Mike Peters to go down in history as the inaugural winner. Congratulations to all the competitors that participated in the night’s festivities. Next week, the ultra fast TBARA Winged Sprint Cars will be in action with the Bronson Racing Series. *Coming May 7th-Bronson’s First Ever Crash-O-Rama! Goodyear Late Model Challenge 1. Chuck Burkhalter, Christmas, FL 2. Bill Ostriker, Ridge Manor, FL 3. Sam Watts, Winter Springs, FL 4. Joe Wenchell, Davie, FL 5. A.J. Curreli, Daytona, FL Hungry Howie’s Sportsman 1. Robbie Cooper 2. Matt Blum 3. Roger Damron 4. Arthur Conquest 5. J.T. Reneau Pure Stock 1. John Mamph 2. Tommy Conquest 3. Donnie Roberts 4. Bobby Johnson 5. Tommy Ausburn Mini Stocks 1. Clint Foley 2. Josh Robertson 3. Morris Richardson 4. Ronnie Hicks 5. Billy Smith Thunder Cars 1. Michael Holbrook 2. Randy Oneal 3. Ken Sheffield 4. Larry Welter Jr. 5. Larry Welter Sr. Harvey Wall Bangers 1. Don Welter 2. Aaron Welter 3. Mike Peters Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!