Thomson Takes RE/MAX Legends - Mini Cups put on a Show at SpeedWorld
by Dave Westerman
There was action aplenty Saturday evening at Orlando Speedworld including a Florida Mini Cup Racing Association feature that earned the drivers a standing ovation from the fans.
Nineteen RE/MAX Legends Cars showed up to do battle with heat wins going to last weeks feature winner Kory Abbott and Andy Logan, who was driving a brand-new car after a hard crash the week before. However, luck of the draw put Brandon Thomson on the pole for the feature and he would lead every lap before all was said and done although it would not be as easy as it looks on paper.
Thomson grabbed the lead at the start as Logan settled in behind him. Logan's new machine was running perfectly and he was, in his words, "just biding my time waiting for the moment to make a pass." The story of the night though would be the difficulty the leaders would have with lapped cars. On lap six, Leonard Hearndon, making his first-ever start in a Legends Car, spun on the front stretch while being lapped by the leaders.
Abbott, trying to avoid the spinning car, got sideways as well and was clipped by the car of Shaughn McCormick. Abbott took his car to the pits for quick repairs and restarted at the tail of the field.
Thomson continued to set the pace with Logan right on his bumper. Once again, the leaders approached lapped traffic on lap 12 with one of the cars moving directly into Thomson's path as he headed into turn one. Thomson had to apply the brakes hard with Logan trying to slide by but instead hitting the lapped car of Tim Harris. At this point, Mitch Verhaagh came along with nowhere to go and slammed into Logan's machine.
For the second week in a row, Logan ended up with a mangled racer while Verhaagh's horrible string of luck continued as both cars went to the pits on the hook along with Harris.
Thomson now had to contend with Chelsea Schillig who made her presence known throughout the remainder of the 25 lap feature, getting a fender inside of Thomson on several occasions, but never able to make the pass. "My car was handling really good, but he could out-run me down the straightaways", said Schillig.
Thomson took the win with Schillig right on his bumper. Masters Division driver Mike Verhaagh had his best run in a long time with a great third place finish just ahead of Bryan Silas and Jimmy Norman. Matt Bowers came back from some pit stops during the cautions to get sixth trailed by Abbott (also up from the back of the pack), Jimmy Rodriguez, McCormick and newcomer Gary Verdier. Completing the finishers were Doug Hall, Troy Mahrt, Josh Antley, Wild Willie Wilson, Logan, Mitch Verhaagh, Harris and Tony Sansom.
The Florida Mini Cup Racing Association was back and provided some nifty racing action despite being a little short on cars. In the Pro Division, second heat winner Doug Smith looked to be on his way to a win but suffered a flat tire under a caution flag and had to go to the pits.
Jason Schroeder took over the lead and held it the rest of the way while the fans were treated to a great race for second between three drivers who swapped spots nearly every lap.
Schroeder would take the win, his first in Mini Cup action, while Brandon Beach came from last on the grid after missing his heat race to win the battle for second over Francois Pellitier and Tom Mellin. Mike Holt was fifth ahead of Brett Jameson, Smith, Rick Fiore, Nando Pinto and first heat winner Jennifer Crossman who dropped out of the race in the early stages
The FMCRA Junior Division only had seven cars in attendance, but it would make little difference as this one would leave everyone buzzing at the end as the youngster put on one of the best races seen here all year.
Ray Black, Jr. checked out in winning the heat race, but elected to start seventh in the 25 lap feature. Everyone figured it would just be a matter of time before Black stormed to the front, but that would not be the case even though he ended up being the winner.
Black, Devin McLeod, Brady Marshall and Daniel Miller would end up swapping the lead back and forth nearly every lap. After Black eventually took the lead, he was immediately freight-trained back to fourth before coming back to grab the top spot with two laps to go. Black held on to take the victory ahead of McLeod, Miller and Marshall who were in a photo finish for second.
As the drivers pulled into victory lane they were given a standing ovation by the fans. Jack Sims would end up in the fifth spot with Thomas Warnick and Zack Hoyt rounding out the field.
Mark Hooven topped both the heat and feature races in the Bandelero Bandits taking the feature win over Donovan Ponder, Nicholas Baluch, Critter Saile, Zach Harris and Shawn Hooven.
Gerald White, Jr. made quick work of the Bandelero Young Guns feature taking the win over Kristina Baluch and Kaleb Hearndon. White also won the heat race.
Rob Reynolds topped a nice field of Hurricane cars taking the win despite starting dead last in the 15 lap feature. Richard Barrenchea was second ahead of Dave Thompson, Mark "Hello" Walls, and Steve Anderson.
Daniel Steele was the Junior Stock winner.
There will be no racing on Saturday, July 29th as the Legends cars will run a PBG Tour race at Citrus County Speedway.
