IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 8, 2005 FSCR Adema tops Sprints at Hialeah by Marty Little HIALEAH, Fla. - Sprint car wheelman Scott Adema survived a mid-race tangle and stormed back to easily defeat all challengers in the 25 lap USA Sprints main event Saturday night at Hialeah Speedway. Adema, a winner here a month earlier, started near the rear of the dozen car field and quickly blasted through traffic to challenge leader Mike Schroeder on lap eight. The two made contact and spun to bring out a yellow flag as Dennis Misuraca took the point. When the green waved again,it was Adema from the tail of the field as he hustled through the pack to gain the lead on lap 17. From there on it was no contest with Adema a half-lap ahead of Musuraca at the checkers. R.C. Roper claimed third money over teenagers Dakotah Stephens and Michael Smith. The accident-marred limited late model event was slated for 75 laps but two early incidents reduced the car count to a mere half-dozen and the distance was reset for 50 laps. Mike Kohut took the early lead before Bob Regula zipped in front on lap two. Regula began to stretch out the lead but it was Tommy Styer, in his rebuilt No. 2, that was the strongest this night as he drove around Regula on lap 16 and never looked back to score his first victory of the season. Richie Henry was across the stripe for runner-up honors followed by Regula, Ari Zaragarian and David Myer. Street stock action saw John Garguilo motor away from the field at the outset but had to hold off the challenges of Todd Cooper for the last half of the 25 lap run for his first score of the season. John Bentley, point leader Buddy Ryan and Myer completed the top five. Veteran Bill Calder held off the late race challenges of Greg Kaouk to claim his second victory of the season in the 20 lap mini stock finale. Calder led early but was overhauled by David Russell on lap six. Russell's Toyota died five laps later and Calder took the point again but it was points leader Kaouk on the move and he filled Calder's mirror right to the checkers. Ken Chaiser, Ricky Thorpe and Steve Lotts rounded out the top five. In the closest run of the evening, Chris Stockton held off the last lap challenge of Eddie Lawler to cross the line first by a bumper. Stockton set the pace from the pole in the 25 lapper while Lawler came from deep in the 20 car field. As the laps clicked off it was evident there would be a challenge but the lapped car of Ryan Bennett almost spoiled the show as all three cars came to the checkers together with Stockton just inches ahead when it counted. Tony Crowder finished third to gain the points lead with Robert Seymour and Wally Koppel completing the top five finishers. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!