Samsula, Fla. (October 7, 2006) Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway one driver was on a mission and after months of bad luck, he finally got the monkey off his back and saw victory once again.
Chuck Burkhalter of Clermont has had bad luck for most of the middle of the season in the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series. Wrecks, bad motors, you name it, he had it. But Saturday night proved that things do and can change.
Rich Clouser of Palm Bay set fast time for the 50 lap event but pulling pills is not Rich's best asset as he pulled the number 5 pill for the inversion putting Alan Bruns on the pole. Rich, who will celebrate his birthday on Monday, currently is thje points leader for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series. Their final race is November 3 at Orlando SpeedWorld and Rich is staying busy behind the wheel to keep his racing skills sharp.
As the green flag was flown, it was Chuck Burkhalter who took the lead over Alan Bruns, Jared Landers, Daren Brown, and Rich Clouser. Clouser was on the move as he passed Brown and took over fourth. Alan Bruns, who is running second, is challenged for the position by Landers and gets loose. Bruns slides backwards as he regains control over his racecar as Landers takes second, Clouser third, Brown fourth and Rusty Ebersole in fifth
Landers brings out the yellow as he spins and restarts at the rear of the field. Burkhalter holds the point followed by Clouser, Brown, Bruns, and Ebersole. Landers quickly makes his way back up front as he takes over fifth from Ebersole. The caution comes out once again as young Brennan Palmiter spins on the backstretch. Palmiter is sent to the rear and the race goes back green.
On the restart it is Burkhalter, Clouser, Brown, Bruns and Landers. Landers and Bruns do some great side-by-side action for fourth Bruns holds his own but eventually Landers takes over fourth with Bruns to fifth.
The final caution comes out on lap 47 for Frank Buchanan who spins on the backstretch. The cars are realigned as Clouser looks high and low on Burkhalter but Burkhalter proves this is his victory. Burkhalter takes the checkered followed by Rich Clouser, Darren Brown, Jared Landers, and Alan Bruns.
Joe Gerard had the pole for the Mini Stock feature but it took Ted Vulpius no time to get to the front and take the lead. Following Vulpius was Steven Simpson, James Dixson, Joe Gerard and Pug Puglisi. The only caution of the race comes out for Jamie Dixson who spins. On the restart Simpson tries but cannot take the lead from Vulpius. Vulpius takes the checkered followed by Steven Simpson, Joe Gerard, Pug Puglisi, and Jamie Dixson.
John Nusbaum had the pole for the Sportsman feature and quickly jumped to the point on the green followed by Dale Howard, Donny Williams, Ron Lufcy, and Bruce McGonigal. Williams works his way past Howard and takes over second . Lap 7 it looks as if Nusbaum slows and Williams passes him for the lead. Williams crosses the checkered followed by John Nusbaum, Dale Howard, Ron Lufcy, and Bruce McGongial.
The Super Stock feature ended on lap 17 as rain moved in. But what a race it was until lap 17. , Mike Wofford had the pole for the 20 lap event but before a lap was down, Mike Amato spun coming off 4 causing a complete restart. Wofford once again took the point on the green followed by Bobby Holley, Mike Amato, Barry Parks and James Frisbie. Billy Boggs and Jason Foster bring out the next caution as they get together in turns 1 and 2. The rain has now begun coming down softly but enough to get the track slick. A few more cautions and alot more rain and the race is called on lap 17 declaring points leader George Spears the winner followed by Johnny Brown, Jason Foster, Rich Clouser, and Scott Smith.
The Strictly Stock and Modified features were rained. Both divisions will run double features on November 21.
OFFICIAL RESULTS NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY, OCTOBER 7
Late Model:
1. 1x Chuck Burkhalter 2. 9 Rich Clouser 3. 53 Darren Brown 4. 66 Jared Landers 5. 4B Alan Bruns 6. 31 Rusty Ebersole 7. 27 Brennan Palmiter 8. 3x Earl Beckner 9. 22 Sondi Eden 10. 07 Frank Buchanan 11. 11 Michael Weaver 12. 47 David Gibbs
Sportsman:
1. 111 Donny Williams 2. 70 John Nusbaum 3. 63 Dale Howard 4. 07 Ron Lufcy 5. 6 Bruce McGonigal, Sr. 13 Gerad Chancey DNS 4 Travis Towell DNS
Mini Stock:
1. 71 Ted Vulpius 2. 07 Steven Simpson 3. 5 Joseph Gerard 4. 11 Pug Puglisi 5. 6x Jamie Dixson 07x Dick Laszlo DNS
Super Stock:
1. 18 George Spears 2. 86 Johnny Brown 3. 49 Jason Foster 4. 17x Rich Clouser 5. 01 Scott Smith 6. 92 Bobby Simcox 7. 1 Robert Skinner 8. 27 Barry Parks 9. 15 Mike Wofford 10. 3x James Frisbie 11. 56 Bobby Holley 12. 9 Billy Boggs 13. 23 Ed Barber 14. 21 Mike Dahm 15. 2x Mike Amato 16. 43 Andy Wolfe 3 Jeff Colburn DNS
