Mother Nature Wins Night At Orlando But Fans Will Win In The End
By Bill Green
The Fast Motorsports Group will return to Orlando Speed World on April 29th to complete the Fast Motorsports Extravaganza ended by Mother Nature’s relentless late evening rains this past Saturday Night.
In an agreement with the AutoTrader.Com and Advance Discount Auto Parts, FMG will be able to offer the first ever “FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT” for all grandstand guests at next weeks Orlando Speed World postponed event! The show which was shaping up to be a great battle between some 21 Fast Kids, 24 Fast Truck Pros and 12 Late Models, plus 14 Classic Cars, will pick up where it left off when the rains came for a second time that evening. That along with a tornado warning for the greater Orlando area that pushed the decision to rescheduling of the event, it just may have been the best thing to ever happen for Orlando race fans.
Qualifying went well as the Fast Kids and Fast Truck Pros took to the track for time. Many new comers would get their first chance on the clock and prove that they have been doing their homework for their debut in both the Nationally known amature division and the Pro ranks as well. Also, an interesting fact showed up at the end of qualifying. The Fast Kids (15.28) top time, out qualified the Fast Truck Pros (15.43) by the narrowest of margins, but yet still a moral victory for the Kids. Fast Late Models were just that damn Fast.
The fastest Fast Kids was young 14 year old Austin Howe from Ormond Beach, Florida at the before mentioned 15.28, running the Bob’s Space Racers #96. Second quick was in line with the Pro times as Michael Pilla celebrated his birthday this week with a 15.45 run in his Master Auto Care #24 out of Jupiter, Florida. Third in line was Miami’s young gun Drew Brannon at 15.47 in his #08 special. Fourth went to new comer Josh Williams’ #6 at 15.50 and John Kidwell brought the familiar M&C Bobcat & Clean-Up Service #7NY to a top five in qualifying at 15.58.
Fast Truck Pro qualifying saw all 24 trucks take a time with “The Machine” J. R. Garcia III going 15.43 to put the Ramm Transport/Ambassador Racing ride on top of the list. Second would be “Hollywood” Mike Powers in the Cairo Lane Used Auto Parts Silver Bullet at 15.47. George Gorham made a good showing for the Barstow Transportation #75 that is For Sale, running a respectable 15.50 to be third quick. Fourth went to the very consistent #25 Racer Parts Whole Sale ride of Gary Foxworth at 15.53. Rounding out the top-5 would be Danny Anderson in the “Q” Auto & Injury Attorneys #50 at 15.56. The same time that young Levi Hobbs posted in his #9 Get-R-Done Motorsports backed Excel Communication ride, but Danny was first on the track to take the spot.
Fast Late Model qualifying clocked the fastest laps of the night, as the Autoway Chevrolet of “Hurricane” Cody Pitts blew thru a 14.14 lap, to continue his domination of the Fast Late Model program in it’s first three races. He won the first two outings at Charlotte and Ocala, and seems to have his sights set on a Three-Peat at Orlando next, but he'll have to do it from the 12th starting spot no matter what, due to the "previous winner rule." Hoping to spoil the Spring Time fun will be the beautiful #40 Burns Flooring & Designs ride of driver Brock Burns, who clocked a 14.20 to keep Pitts honest. Third on the timer was the new late model of Dalton Zehr, as the ex-truck racer went 14.24. Fourth in the tightly bunched field would be last years Fast Kids Truck Champion, Spencer Taylor in the Advance Auto Parts #46 at 14.31. Leaving Last Years Fast Truck Pro Champion Sean Bass in fifth at 14.33. Only two Late Models did not clock a 14 second lap, with the slowest Fast Late Model going 15.09, now that’s parity.
Classic cars came out for two heat races, in preparations for their 25-lap A Main Feature. Followed by two members of the Antique Sprint Car Club in a exhibition race that entertained the crowd. They were followed by Jason Jiovoni doing what Fast Drifter’s do, the controlled smoking skids of this sideways sliding ballet all the way around the track. Jason popped the left rear tire to prove he’s giving it his all.
Fast Kids came to the track in a straight up line up as fast qualifier Howe pulled the “O” pill. After a beautiful start that saw everyone patiently working their way into the bottom line. It was a few back to back cautions that saw a few jump the restarts and get saved from penalties as the heavens opened and the squall pounded Orlando Speed World into submission.
After a review of the weather and the receipt of the tornado warning information, OSW Manager, Rusty Marcus, requested the reschedule of the FMG Extravaganza for the safety of fans and racers in the pits. FMG agreed that next Saturday Night would be fine and the plan was made to make it the first ever “FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT” for all grandstand guests. While all grandstand entries will be FREE, race teams are reminded that April 22nd pit passes will be honored, so keep your arm bands. Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate for a great Saturday of racing and family fun, that will be FREE for the taking.
Plus, maybe many of our fellow truck racers will decide just to see for themselves, what makes Fast Motorsports better. In the end, everyone is welcome to come and race, or just be a part of the FREE family fun that is Fast Motorsports Racing. Isn't it about time you decided for your self? Come see us and bring your Boy Scout Troop, Girl Scout Group, Church group or any other gathering of neighbors for a great night of FREE Motorsports Entertainment.
We'll See You At The Fast Motorsports Extravaganza, FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT!
