IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 21, 2005 FSCR Patrick Thomas Tops Southern Sportsman 50 at Orlando SpeedWorld The Highland Homes Southern Sportsman Series came to Orlando Speedworld Friday night with thirty-three racers from all over the State of Florida. But when the smoke cleared at the end of the 50 lap race, it was a home town boy in victory circle. Thirty-two of the SSS cars that signed in took time with Lakeland's Craig Cuzzone earning quick qualifier with a lap of 15.523 seconds. Patrick Thomas was second quick at 15.616 with Ronnie Heard, Jr. timing third at 15.626 seconds. With so many cars signed in, the top twenty from time trials were locked in and the remaining 13 cars ran a B-main to set the final eight starting spots. Dustin Breeden of Bartow led all the way to earn the right to start 21st on the grid with Steve O'Lone, Stuart VanDevender, Brock Burns, Ricky Hoffman, Sheriff Bob Hart, John Hanuschick III and Robert Eddy also picking up starting positions in the main event. The faster qualifiers would not do well on the re-draw for starting positions with Cuzzone going from 11th on the grid, Thomas 7th, and Heard, Jr. ninth. Hal Vickery grabbed the lead from his pole position and was looking strong out front in the early going while Thomas was quickly on the charge moving into the top three just before the first of several caution flag periods took place on lap nine for John Hanuschick III's stalled car in turn four. Two laps later there was a big crash coming out of turn two involving several cars, most notably fast qualifier Cuzzone, who had considerable front end damage. Among the other cars involved were Kyle Tenbusch, Sam Cressman and Bart Weatherford, who retired his car with major damage. Edward Allen drove into infield and missed the crash only to pop a radiator hose. He eventually returned to the race but was many laps down. Vickery continued to set the pace with Thomas now right behind him but caution was out yet again for another multi-car mix-up in turn one. This time there was just minimal damage and all parties involved stayed in the running. Following the restart Thomas showed his power by zooming by Vickery for the lead with Ronnie Heard, Jr. following into second. Thomas began to build a comfortable advantage until another series of caution flags started on lap 24 for a solo spin by Robert Eddy. Two laps later, the third "big one" of the night took place - again in turn one - involving Tenbusch, Stuart VanDevender, Steve O'Lone and Brock Burns among others. Just after the restart, Derrick Heath climbed on top of Brian Teeters' car in turn four for yet another caution. Thomas was never tested the rest of the way as the battle was well behind him for second spot with defending Southern Sportsman Series Champion Aaron Williamson now getting in the mix. Two more cautions for minor spins slowed the action on laps 44 and 45, but no one had anything for Thomas as he cruised to the victory. Thomas, interestingly enough, was the only driver in the field that listed Orlando as his home town. Seffners's Ronnie Heard Jr. held off Mulberry's Aaron Williamson for second but lost that spot when he was DQ'd in tech. Williamson moved up to the runner-up spot and Vickery ended up third after apparent third place finisher Sam Cressman was also set down in the tech shed. Richard Elkins, Jr. had a rough start to the race but rallied back to fourth with Aaron Williamson's dad David Williamson rounding out the top five. Columbia Motorsports Park regular Kelly Barber drove his lime green Camaro to a solid sixth place finish after starting 17th with Scott Holly, James Wright III, point leader Travis Nichols and Derrick Heath rounding out the top ten. A good field of Super Late Models were on hand and it would be an exciting race from start to finish with a surprise ending. The race would not get off to a good start as newcomer Win Ingersoll pounded the back stretch wall considerably shortening the front end of his new car. Mack Hanbury led the opening three laps of the 25 lap feature until Ronnie Roach got by him to claim the front-runner position. Michael Williams was on the charge and got by Roach just after the green came out following a caution on lap nine for Ricky Wood's spin. Williams drove away from the field to take the apparent victory, but his car came up light on the scales and he was disqualified handing the win to Roach, his second of the year. Justin Drawdy made his first start of the year and came home second ahead of point leader Jared Allison, Patrick Conrad, and Mike Hinegardner. Wood, Greg Brooke, Charlie Vest, Scott McKinley, and Hanbury completed the top ten. Heats were won by Hinegardner and Hanbury. There was only one caution flag in the Mini Stock feature for a harmless spin, but it would prove costly for the leaders. Robbie Storer and Keith Lilley crossed the finish line one-two but were both set down a spot for jumping the restart. Josh Hermann took the checker third but was awarded the win with Storer second and Lilley third. Pedie Allison took the fourth spot just in front of Sean Bass who had graduated with honors the night before from Auburndale High School. Bob Miller, in his unique Mitsubishi Mini Stock, led five laps but faded to sixth although he had to be happy he's finally getting the bugs worked out of his immaculate new machine. New driver Steven Emmanuel, in just his third race, impressed everyone by leading the opening two laps before coming home seventh ahead of John Cook and Michael Seay. Hermann also won the Mini Stock heat race. The Super Stock race was easily the best race of the night with three drivers exchanging the lead five times over 15 laps. When the dust settled, Jason Foster was in the winners circle for the second week in a row but it wasn't an easy task as several drivers are showing marked improvement and proved it on this night. Paul Cornelius grabbed the early advantage and led the opening eight laps until Bob Starr took over with Foster following him into second. Starr and Foster ran side by side, trading the lead back and forth several times before Foster was able to take command following a late caution flag restart. John Castro slipped by Starr for an apparent second place finish behind Foster, but was set back a spot for jumping the restart allowing Starr, who seems to really be getting the handle on his new car, to claim second ahead of Castro, Cornelius, and Brett Woodley. Johnny Brown, Ron Parrish, Buck Atherton, Robert Ward, Tom Vento, and Ron Catterson completed the finishers. Foster and Castro won the heats. The Strictly Stocks put on yet another wild show, but no one had anything for ageless Red "Pop" Honaker as he drove his Dodge Daytona to an easy win. Rudy Bronson came home second in a Honda followed by the Toyota of Bobby Crites making it a top three sweep for the four cylinder cars. Ray Brown took fourth in the first V-8 powered car just ahead of P.J. Mascaro. Rounding out the top ten were Justin Collier's Mazda pick-up truck, Gary Cameron, Honakers's grandson Jacob Lewis, Steve Santropietro, and Andy Richards. Heats were taken by Honaker and Richards. Next week the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series pays a visit to Orlando Speedworld for a 100 lap event. The Open Wheel Modifieds return along with the FASCAR Sportsman, Super Stocks and Strictly Stocks. OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD - MAY 20 SOUTHERN SPORTSMAN 50 1. #25 Patrick Thomas, Orlando 2. #13 Aaron Williamson, Mulberry 3. #31 Hal Vickery, Oneco 4. #55 Richard Elkins Jr, Winter Haven. 5. #12 David Williamson, Mulberry 6. #15 Kelly Barber, Alachua 7. #1x Scott Holly, Dunedin 8. #56 James Wright III, Auburndale 9. #20 Travis Nichols, Brooksville 10. #2 Derrik Heath, Parkland 11. #12R Rikk McMehan, Hudson 12. #20x Steve O'Lone, Clearwater 13. #44 Brian Teeters, Palmetto 14. #2H Bob Hart, Seminole 15. #36 Stuart VanDevender, N. Ft. Myers 16. #40 Brock Burns, Auburndale 17. #10 Kyle Tenbusch, Port Charlotte 18. #7 Dustin Breeden, Bartow 19. #42 Steve Elder, Cocoa. 20. #40x Robert Eddy, Kissimmee 21. #32 Ricky Hoffman, Palm Harbor 22. #23 Edward Allen, Lecanto 23. #61 Craig Cuzzone, Lakeland 24. #59 Todd Blevins, Live Oak 25. #1 Bart Weatherford, Lakeland 26. #63 John Hanuschik III, N. Ft. Myer 27. #00 Ronnie Heard Jr. DQ'D, Seffner 28. #97 Sam Cressman DQ'D, Winter Haven SUPER LATE MODEL 1. #14 Ronnie Roach 2. #12 Justin Drawdy 3. #18 Jared Allison 4. #2 Patrick Conrad 5. #15 Mike Hinegardner 6. #33 Ricky Wood 7. #44 Greg Brooke 8. #32x Charlie Vest 9. #12m Scott McKinley 10. #45 Mack Hanbury 11. #2 Win Ingersall 12. #26 Eric Deffendall 13. #32 Michael Williams DQ'D SUPER STOCK 1. #49 Jason Foster 2. #40 Bob Starr 3. #5 John Castro 4. #31 Paul Cornelius 5. #99 Brett Woodley 6. #46x Johnny Brown 7. #05 Jeff Parrish 8. #07 Buck Atherton 9. #25 Robert Ward 10. #55 Tom Vento 11. #6 Ron Catterson MINI STOCK 1. #98 Josh Hermann 2. #9 Robbie Storer 3. #99 Keith Lilley 4. #92 Pedie Allison 5. #94 Sean Bass 6. #02 Bob Miller 7. #01 Steven Emmanuel 8. #24 John Cook 9. #10 Michael Seay STRICTLY STOCK 1. #2 Red Honaker 2. #03 Rudy Bronson 3. #1 Bobby Crites Jr. 4. #4 Ray Brown 5. #48 PJ Mascaro 6. #276 Justin Collier 7. #69 Gary Gameron 8. #2JR Jacob Lewis 9. #12 Steve Santropietro 10. #33 Andy Richards 11. #33x Derrick Wood 12. #31 Joe Kelly 13. #98 Heath Phillips 14. #18 Kyle Peters 15. #15 Jamie Lancaster Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!