Florida Mini Stock Challenge at New Smyrna Speedway
By Rick Warren
Raymond Folwell
Chilly weather greeted the fans and racers Saturday evening at the High Banks of New Smyrna Speedway. The racers of the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series were on hand for 50 laps of Green Flag Racing, and a chance to meet and greet the fans during an on-track autograph session.
The FMSC racers rolled onto the track at 6:15 to take their qualifying runs, to determine starting positions. After all the racers had taken their best run at the clock, Robbie Yoakam,in the Weston Properties entry, came out on top with a lap of 20.531 seconds, followed by Jim Smiths’ J.D. Smith Pest control entry, and Rick Sirmans in the Fascats Cattery Machine.
After the drivers meeting, the draw for starting order was held, and the pole position was drawn by Jonathan Guy in the #42 Florida’s Barns entry. Second spot went to Jared Allison in his unsponsored entry.
The starting field was put in place on the racetrack during intermission, and the fans were allowed onto the race track to meet the drivers of the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series. The fans and drivers all had a good time, and really got excited about the race. After the Autograph Session was completed, it was time to race, for 50 green flag laps.
The starting field lined up behind the Pace Truck, with Guy and Allison filling the front row, followed by Jim Smith, Raymond Folwell, Rick Sirmans, James Ellis, Chuck Frazier, Gary Roebuck, Mary Green, and Mark Moniz rounding out the top 10 starters.
After several laps behind the Pace Truck to bring the race cars up to operating temperatures, the green flag waved for the start, with Allison powering to the front, with Guy right on his bumper. The battle for position in the lead pack was tight, with passes being made every lap, and lots of side by side racing. Early in the race, the #42 of Jonathan Guy slowed with mechanical problems, and was forced to pit, ending his evening. With Guy no longer a factor, Folwell, Smith, Roebuck and Sirmans took up the pursuit of Allison, looking for the lead. The first of only 2 cautions slowed the field on lap 8 for a minor spin on the back straight.
The field was quickly reset, and back to green flag racing. Allison continued to hold the lead, while Sirmans had moved into second, and was putting pressure on the leader. Allison drove a smart and consistent race, and was giving the challengers no opportunity to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, Yoakam was moving rapidly through the field, working his way toward the front.
Yoakam's progress seemed to slow slightly when he took over third spot, but it didn’t take long for the #8 of Yoakam to progress toward the front. After taking second spot, Yoakam stayed on Allison’s bumper like his shadow, waiting for a chance to make a move for the lead.
Yoakam finally got his opportunity as Allison slipped high, coming off turn 2, and Yoakam made his move, taking over the lead. The lead pack remained hotly contested, as several drivers made runs toward the front, and were changing positions every lap. Lapped traffic began to play a part in the race, and several positions were gained and lost in the lead pack, while the leaders were dealing with the traffic.
Yoakam was beginning to open a comfortable lead, when the second and final caution came out on lap 47 for a minor incident. The field was reset and came to the green for a 3 lap shootout for the win. Yoakam stayed in control, as the battle behind him was intense, Coming for the White Flag, Folwell was able to get around Allison for second place.
Folwell Makes What Will Turn Out To Be The Winning Pass
The field took the Checkered Flag with Yoakam in first, followed by Folwell, Allison, Sirmans and Smith.In post race Technical inspection, it was determined that the #8 car of Robbie Yoakam did not meet FMSC specifications, and the car was disqualified.
That gave the win to Raymond Folwell, whose very nice white flag move around Allison for second spot proved to much bigger than he had expected. This was Folwell’s first win with the FMSC. The hard charger award went to Chris Thornton, in the Gulf to Bay Enterprises entry, coming from 21 starting position to finish sixth.
The FMSC will in Lake City at Columbia Motorsports Park on April 8, 2006 for their next event. The racers of the Southern Sportsman Series will also be on hand for some exciting action. Mark your Calendars, plan to be there.
Visit www.fmscracing.com for all the latest news and points standings from the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series.
Final Results-March 25, 2006 Atlantic Building Materials /Sunoco Race Fuels Florida Mini Stock Challenge-New Smyrna Speedway
1. #03 Raymond Folwell St. Petersburg Fl. 2. #92 Jared Allison Cocoa, Fl. 3. #05 Rick Sirmans Pinellas Park, Fl. 4. #32 Jim Smith Inverness, Fl. 5. #24 Chris Thornton Clearwater, Fl. 6. #81 Cody Blair Winter Park, Fl. 7. #70 Marty Niekens Clearwater, Fl. 8. #41 Mark Moniz Zephyrhills, Fl. 9. #11X Mary Green Clearwater, Fl. 10. #98 James Ellis Brooksville, Fl. 11. #12 Justin Edwards Ft. Valley, Ga. 12. #17 Doug Schweir Boynton Beach, Fl. 13. #11 Billy Carlbert Ellenton, Fl. 14. #V3 Rex Christensen Port Orange, FL. 15. #40 Dennis Valdez Tampa, Fl. 16. #5X Joseph Gerard Orlando, Fl. 17. #96 Gary Roebuck Land O’Lakes, Fl. 18. #21 Chuck Frazier Avon Park, Fl. 19. #42 Jonathan Guy Auburndale, Fl. 20. #61 Rick Gamache Port Orange, FL.
