Bradenton, Fl Sun pelted down on the “South’s Fastest Short Track” as twenty-two of the top Open Wheel Modified’s of the Gulf Coast Modified Series rolled in for their fifty lap feature.
Many of the drivers were having a hard time hooking up to the hot surface during their qualifying runs. It came down to “the Rocket Man” Wayne Jefferson being edged out by John Sarppraicone Jr. by a narrow margin.
Sarppraicone drew the number six pill for the nights feature putting him on the outside of Jefferson in row number three. The newest “Hot Shoe” in Open Wheel racing young Brad Bischoff was on the front row. Bischoff jumped out to the early lead and showed why he will be a force in the Modified class in the near future. Bischoff, who has two feature wins under his belt this season, dominated the race with some heavy hitters racing hard behind him.
Sarppraicone and Jefferson were battling hard trying to get around points leader Lee Collins for the third spot with Bobby Baldwin and Bischoff pulling away for the top spot.
Sarppraicone was able to get around Collins for the spot and Jefferson was getting ready to do the same when a yellow came out on the speedway. Under the caution Jefferson dove into the pit due to gear oil coming out of the over flow leaking onto the track. As the field was getting ready to go green Jefferson roared back out onto the track.
The Rocketman made a show of his misfortune as he charged through the field and was able to get a sixth place finish on the nights run.
Up front Bischoff had his hands full as Baldwin and Sarppraicone put the heat on the youngster. Bischoff showed his skill but also his youth as coming out turn four nearly lost it, almost going sideways in front of the field. Just when it looked like the front-runners would be taken out Bischoff gathered the car up, moved out of the way and slid right into the third spot. Baldwin and Sarppraicone were side by side when they crossed the stripe and into turn two, but it was Sarppraicone who was the leader coming out of turn two.
From the point on it was all “Junior” as went unchallenged and roared to his first win in the GCMS. Always the showman after winning a race (last feature win he climbed into the flag stand) Sarppraicone threw his racing gloves into the stands.
Bobby Baldwin had a solid second place run, Bischoff (who lead the most laps) finished third across the stripe, Mike Hinegardner moved closer to points leader Collins with a good run in fourth, Andrew Alderman rounded out the top five.
