Storer takes FMSC, Gainey tops Southern Sportsman at SpeedWorld
By Dave Westerman
Two traveling Series visited Orlando Speedworld Friday night as the Florida Mini Stock Challenge and Southern Sportsman Series made their first appearance of the year on the high-banked 3/8th's mile.
The first order of business was time trials with 20 cars attempting time in each class. Hernando's Robbie Yoakam was by far the fastest of the FMSC cars as he turned the track at 15.045 seconds, over two-tenths quicker than the second fastest driver, Robbie Storer, who tripped the clock at 15.256 seconds.
Despite second quick time, Storer would have to start 11th per FMSC/SSS rules, having won the previous race at Bronson Motor Speedway.
Southern Sportsman qualifying was much closer with Auburndale's Richard Elkins, Jr. turning the fastest lap. Elkins, who paid a visit to Speedworld last week and raced with the FASCAR-legal Sportsman, made that "test" worthwhile by turning a lap of 15.324 seconds which was just a tick of the watch faster than the 15.335 effort of SSS point leader Aaron Williamson. Interestingly enough, both of the drivers who set quick time drew a "5" in the inversion draw.
Rick Sirmans of Pinellas Park in the Fascats Cattery machine had the pole for the 50-lap Florida Mini Stock Challenge feature and was looking to make it a run-away as he built up a huge advantage as the first 35 laps of the race were run under green.
Yoakam quickly moved up to second with Ronnie Larson shadowing his every move. At the half-way point it was Sirmans leading Yoakam, Larson, Storer, Chris Thornton, Chris Hooker, Raymond Folwell, Marty Neikens, Jeff Barnes and Jared Allison.
It was apparent the heat and humidity of the evening was beginning to start to take its toll as Allison dropped off the pace just after taking the half-way signal. Ten laps later, Yoakam slowed in turn three as his car began to overheat and he pulled into the infield with a car that looked more like a steam locomotive. That prompted track officials to put out the first caution of the race to check the track for fluid.
Larson's car had started to smoke as well and he was pulled off the track for leaking fluid as well during the caution flag period. On the restart, Sirmans' car began to slow and Storer zipped by for the lead just as the caution came out for Neikens, who had stalled in turn two. Now it was Sirmans' turn to head for the pits.
Storer set sail on the restart with point leader Chris Thornton settling into second only to see his engine start to go sour. Raymond Folwell was trying to slip under Thornton with two laps to go, but spun in turn one to bring out the final caution.
Storer sped to his second consecutive FMSC victory while the restart spelled trouble for Thornton who was freight-trained back to sixth at the checker. Chris Hooker came home second ahead of Jeff Barnes, Marty Neikens (who made a great run after pitting following the caution he brought out) and Folwell. Thornton, James Ellis, Mary Green, Kelly Jarrett and Matt Perkins completed the top ten.
Rounding out the finishers were S.C. Klinger, Dennis Valdez, Peter Lloyd, Sirmans, Larson, Yoakam, Cody Blair, Jared Allison, Chuck Frazier and Heather Suggs. While the FMSC race was fairly tame and full of mechanical failures, the Southern Sportsman race was a slug-fest with the yellow flag being displayed eight times over the course of 50 laps, mostly for minor skirmishes.
Robbie McAuliffe had the pole and took off in front with Steve Gainey right behind. McCauliffe would bring out the first of the many cautions on lap two as his machine lost power going into turn three. Gainey would end up being in a class to himself on this night as the Bradenton driver easily outdistanced the field on each restart and took his second SSS win of the year.
Ronnie Heard, Jr. drove a steady race and came home second in front of point leader Aaron Williamson Elkins, Jr., and Mike Soukup. Rounding out the top ten were Rick McMehan, Ricky Hoffman, Tommy Conquest, Jr., David Williamson and Craig Cuzzone. T.C. McElyea, John Hanuschik, Matt Bozeman, Mark Petersen, Adam King, Roger Welch, Arthur Conquest, Derrick Heath, Wes Fillyaw, and McCauliffe completed the finishing order.
In FASCAR racing action, Shain Held stormed by early leader Harold Crooms on lap 13 and led the rest of the way to claim his second Modified win of the year. Crooms, in just his second week out, held on for second over Dave Debelius, Mark Emberson, Alan Bruns, and Randy Froelich.
Bobby Riley jumped to the lead at the drop of the green and was never headed in the Super Stock feature. Riley drove his Billy Cuddy Painting Chevrolet to his third win of the season ahead of Jason Foster, Johnny Brown, Lee Wagner and Vince Keeler. The remainder of the top ten were Ron Whaley, Roger Benton, Jason Pick, Scott Keena and James Frisbie.
Richard Barrenchea looked to be on his way to a first-ever Strictly Stock win, but his car slowed on lap 11 handing the lead and apparent win to Adam Soukup. However, Soukup's Dodge was DQ'd in tech giving the win to Bob Snyder, his second of the year. Steven Streight was second with David Czerwinski third while Barrenchea chugged to a fourth place finish just in front of Charles Riley. George Brown, Joey White, Robert Remus, Miguel Barrenchea and Matt Sprenkel completed the top ten.
Zachary Curtis drove his new Honda Prelude to his third win of the year in the Junior Stock 8-11 year old feature out-running the CRX's of Wes Railing, Jr. and Luke Burke, making it a Honda sweep. Jeff Cuddy was fourth over Jessica Railing while Luke Gaier and Trey Edenfield were DNF's after a hard crash on the opening lap.
After building his Saturn all on his own, Shane Sutorus took the win in the Junior Stock 12-15 year old division holding off Alex Fortune, Jessie Cuddy, Daniel Steele and Justin Curtis.
OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD - JULY 21
FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE 50
1. #9 Robbie Storer, Zephyrhills 2. #6 Chris Hooker, Floral City 3. #5 Jeff Barnes, Largo 4. #70 Marty Neikens, Clearwater 5. #03 Raymond Folwell, St. Pete 6. #24 Chris Thornton, Clearwater 7. #88 James Ellis, Brooksville 8. #11x Mary Green, Clearwater 9. #97 Kelly Jarrett, Orlando 10. #99 Matthew Perkins, Seminole 11. #87 S.C. Klinger, Pembrook Pines 12. #40 Dennis Valdez, Tampa 13. #51 Peter Lloyd, Davie 14. #05 Rick Sirmans, Pinellas Park 15. #61 Ronnie Larson, Clearwater 16. #8 Robbie Yoakam, Hernando 17. #81 Cody Blair, Winter Park 18. #92 Jared Allison, Cocoa 19. #21 Chuck Frazier, Avon Park 20. #06 Heather Suggs, Geneva
SOUTHERN SPORTSMAN 50
1. #79X Steve Gainey, Bradneton 2. #00 Ron Heard, Jr., Seffner 3. #13 Aaron Williamson, Mulberry 4. #55 Richard Elkins, Jr., Auburndale 5. #45 Mike Soukup, Deltona 6. #12R Rikk McMehan, Hudson 7. #32 Ricky Hoffman, Palm Harbor 8. #72 Tommy Conquest, Jr., Bronson 9. #12 David Williamson, Mulberry 10. #61 Craig Cuzzone, Lakeland 11. #19 T. C. McElyea, Dania Beach 12. #83 John Hanuschik, N. Ft. Myers 13. #0 Matthew Bozeman, Lakeland 14. #73 Mark Peterson, Sarasota 15. #19x Adam King, Bartow 16. #98 Roger Welch, St. Pete 17. #78 Arthur Conquest, Bronson 18. #2 Derrik Heath, Parkland 19. #9 Wes Filyaw, Brooksville 20. #56K Robbie McAuliffe, Pinellas Park 21. #721 John Bennett, Orlando DNS
OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED
1. #55 Shain Held 2. #96 Harold Crooms 3. #38 Dave Debelius 4. #30 Mark Emberson 5. #4b Alan Bruns 6. #8 Randy Froehlich
SUPER STOCK
1. #52 Bobby Riley 2. #49 Jason Foster 3. #86 Johnny Brown 4. #74 Lee Wagner 5. #7 Vince Keeler 6. #2 Ron Whaley 7. #28 Roger Benton 8. #44 Jason Pick 9. #97 Scott Keena 10. #3 James Frisbie 11. #8 Tobi Smith
JR. STOCK (8-11)
1. #63 Zachary Curtis 2. #51 Wes Railing 3. #68 Luke Burke 4. #74 Jeff Cuddy 5. #17 Jessie Railing 6. #78 Luke Gaier 7. #31 Trey Edenfield
JR. STOCK (12-15)
1. #3 Shane Sutorus 2. #01x Alex Fortune 3. #64 Jessie Cuddy 4. #51 Daniel Steele 5. #42 Justin Curtis
STRICTLY STOCK
1. #16X Bob Snyder 2. #80 Steven Streight 3. #44 David Czerwinski 4. #20x Richard Barrenechea 5. #05 Charles Riley 6. #41 George Brown 7. #27 Joey White 8. #16 Robert Remus 9. #22 Miguel Barrenechea 10. #63 Matt Sprenkle 11. #14 Adam Soukup DQ'D
