Mike Franklin Jr. picked up right where he left off last year. The defending Limited Late Model series champion at Charlotte County Speedway captured the first 100-lapper of the 2006 season Saturday night at the Punta Gorda paved oval.
Franklin, who lives in Spring Hill, had a super 2005 season in capturing the 2005 CCS Limited Late series. He finished in the top five in nine of 10 races, winning three. Franklin pocketed a $5,000 bonus for winning the 2005 series at the Punta Gorda 3/8-mile paved oval. He is certainly off on the right foot in 2006.
Saturday nights race was one of the cleanest ever as far as 100 lappers at Charlotte County Speedway. There was only one caution, that coming on lap 80 when Jeremy Goddards 39 car spun coming out of four.
Franklin started sixth in the field and began methodically working his way to the front. By lap 20, he passed Buzz Martin to move into third place. Six laps later, he got around Mike Hovis and into second. Franklin passed polesitter Goddard for the lead on lap 33. From there, he went out to a big lead.
Veteran Randy Fox wouldnt let Franklin win in a cakewalk, however. By lap 49, Fox passed Goddard for second place. From there, he stalked Franklin, catching up to the No. 12 by lap 70. Fox tried to take his No. 4 car around Franklin on the outside. They raced side by side for a spell. In the end, Franklin had just enough to hold off the Lehigh Acres hotshoe.
Hovis placed third, Goddard was fourth and Martin was fifth. The 2005 points runnerup Joe Winchell was noticeably absent from the grid. Saturday was opening points night for four regular divisions at Charlotte County Speedway.
In Super Stocks, defending points champ Chris Grubb took the checkered flag ahead of Charles Parsons and Rob Popkin. Thunder Trucks action saw the 33 Ford of Don Van Acker come to the stripe ahead of Richard Dupont and James Wright.
In Road Warriors, 2004 champ Chris Onken climbed in the 39 car and piloted it to victory lane. Bob Waltz Jr. was second in the 8 Ball Jr. car, while Robert Hendry entertained the fans with a wild ride to third. In the new Hound Dog division (formerly called 4-Cylinders), Imran Kid Rocket Sattar smoked the field in the 12 car. Randy Kile was second and Walter Forbes was third.
Fastrucks and Fastkids ran their final non-points races of the season. Sarasotas Anthony Campi won the Fastkids while Dan Anderson edged J.R. Garcia and David Wilson in a wild Fastruck 35-lapper.
This coming Saturday, the Sportsman cars will run their first 50-lapper of the new season.
