Lake City, Fla. (May 6, 2006) Saturday night at Columbia Motorsports Park, fans saw one of the best Late Model races this year. Nineteen of the best Late Models around the state were in the field with Rookie Travis Cope setting fast time for the race pulling the number 3 pill which put Points Leader Joe Winchell on the pole position.
After fans got to meet the drivers, get autographs even a few shirts, it was time to start. But the field had narrowed down to 18 cars with the No. 73 of Sam Watts withdrawing from the event.
As Rick Hall flew the green, Winchell quickly jumped to the point followed by Jonny Kay, Travis Cope and Dustin Deschamps. But Deschamps found his hands full of Rich Clouser who quickly took the fifth place position from Deschamps. Kay in the meantime was looking all around Winchell but Winchell held strong and Kay remained in second.
As Winchell and Kay were fighting for position, Chuck Burkhalter found his eighth place position being challenged by Jason Boyd who was driving A.J. Curreli's back up car due to Curreli's absence. Boyd was all over Burkhalter but Burkhalter was having nothing to do with it and held his position.
Just as the whole field is getting very hot and heavy, the caution comes out for Jeremy Goddard and Dean Farri who have gotten together on the backstretch. Chuck Abell and Alli Owens spin to avoid Goddard and Farri and were given back their spots as Farri and Goddard go to the rear of the field for the restart.
Joe Winchell, after leading and having problems earlier with his car, finds himself dead in the water going into turn 1. Luckily Winchell is not hit by anyone and has to be pushed off the track to retire in the pits endiing his lead. Jonny Kay takes over the lead on the green followed by Rich Clouser, Travis Cope, Troy Hall, Justin Larson, Chuck Burkhalter, Jason Boyd, Dustin Deschamps, Amanda Gogel, Gary Padula, Greg Kaouk, Charles Kopach, Alli Owens, Chuck Abell, Joe Strehele, Dean Farri and Jeremy Goddard.
Cars are passing each other for position as Kaouk passes Padula and Larson passes Hall. But the yellow comes out for debris on the track as one car has a fender fly off. On the restart, it is Kay, Clouser, Cope, Larson and Hall and Burkhalter doing some side-by-side action for fifth. But another pile-up in turns 3 and 4 causes the red to be shown this time. Involved are Jeremy Goddard, Greg Kaouk, Amanda Gogel, Alli Owens, and Charles Kopach. All are able to continue racing but Kopach and Owens who retire to the pits.
Kay holds the lead on the restart as Cope is all over Clouser but Clouser holds his position. In the meantime, Burkhalter has his hands full of Boyd who is looking every way he can to pass Burkhalter. But Burkhalter wants nothing to do with it and is able to hold off Boyd. This goes on for quite awhile.
Just as everything is really, really hot, the caution comes out for Amanda Gogel who has spun. Gogel goes in for some quick pit attention and returns to the rear of the field for the restart. Kay holds the point on the restart followed by Clouser, Cope, Larson and Burkhalter. Burkhalter puts the heat on Larson and is able to pass for fourth with Boyd on his coattails for fifth and Larson settles into sixth. As Burkhalter goes for third and challenges Cope, Cope gets squirrelly and cannot hold on any longer. Cope slides backwards catching his ride as Burkhalter takes over third with Boyd once again on his coattails for fourth.
Joe Strehele brings out the caution as he spins coming off 4. Strehele is fine but retires to the pits ending his night. Goddard also has problems and is pushed into the pits for the night. Kay once again holds the point on the restart but Boyd is all over Burkhalter for third. Burkhalter shuts the door but Boyd gets on the inside with Burkhalter on the outside and finally is able to complete his pass taking over third as Burkhalter slides into fourth. Boyd now sets his eyes on Clouser for second as cars battle it out in the rear of the field.
The caution comes out for Travis Cope and Chuck Burkhalter who have done some little "too" close racing with Burkhalter spinning in turn 4. Burkhalter is fine but both Burkhalter and Cope rejoin the field in the rear. By lap 80, there are 12 cars left in the field on the restart. Kay holds the point as Clouser shuts the door on Boyd who is after second. But just as it is getting hot and heavy, Gary Padula hits the frontstretch wall hard bringing out the yellow. Padula is fine but his car will need some attention. Padula is able to walk into the pits as his car follows on the wrecker.
The last 10 laps must be under green as Kay has the point on the restart. Boyd is able to pass Clouser and takes over second and then sets his eyes on Kay. Kay puts up a great fight but Boyd is able to pass for the lead on the last few laps and takes the checkered followed by Jonny Kay, Rich Clouser, Justin Larson and Dustin Deschamps.
A lengthy tech follows in the pits with the win being given to the third place car of Rich Clouser. Fans saw an outstanding stock car race and nothing can be taken away from Jason Boyd or Jonny Kay for running a great race. Both had great nights and did outstanding jobs. But as all fans know, tech has the last say and this time it was said that the third place car was the winner.
OFFICIAL RESULTS COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK MAY 6, 2006
1. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay 2. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor 3. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville 4. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont 5. #30 Troy Hall, Coral Springs 6. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson 7. #31 Greg Kaouk, Pembrooke Pines 8. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka 9. #99 Dean Ferri, Deerfield 10. #36 Gary Pedula, Pompano 11. #4k Amanda Gogel, New Smyrna Beach 12. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples 13. #83 Joe Strehle, Deland 14. #53 Charles Kopach, Clermont 15. #22 Alli Owens, South Daytona 16. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie 17. #2 Jason Boyd, Orlando 18. #48 Jonny Kay, Deerfield Beach
FAST QUALIFIER: #26 Travis Cope TOP ROOKIE: #88 Justin Larson
