Gainey and Storer take the Wins on Easter Weekend at Orlando SpeedWorld
By Dave Westerman
It was a chilly night Friday at Orlando Speedworld but the action was red hot as the Southern Sportsman Series and Florida Mini Stock Challenge made their first visit of the year to the high-banked three-eighths mile.
Twenty-two Florida Mini Stock Challenge four-bangers were in the pits but only 19 were able to take time as Bob Kelchner, Josh Hermann and Mitchell Webb all broke during warm-ups.
Ronnie Larson, driving the same car Richard Kelley had driven to victory in the first FMSC race two weeks earlier at Bronson Motor Speedway, set quick time at 15.095 seconds ahead of Jared Allison's 15.124 quick lap.
The top five were inverted for the start of the 50 lap feature race putting Robbie Storer and Dustin Perez on the front row.
The field was unable to complete the opening lap though as a wild crash brought out the first of two red flags during the event. Jesse Henley and James Ellis crashed hard in turn four with Ellis' mount flipping on it's side before coming back down on all fours. Ellis' car was eliminated from the running as were the cars of Justin Curtis and Matt Sprenkel. Henley returned later in the race although he would finish 21 laps down.
The second try at getting the race started was much better as Storer jumped out to an early lead. Johnathan Camp and Jared Allison took up the chase but fast qualifier Larson was on the charge and eventually worked his way into second while both Camp and Allison suffered mechanical problems and dropped out.
Larson was closing on Storer when his engine exploded going into turn three on lap 21. Larson's car backed hard into the wall with enough force to put the right rear tire in the front passenger seat. To make matters worse, third-running Dustin Perez slid in the oil and crashed into Larson's stalled machine. Fortunately both drivers were OK.
Storer continued to set the pace following the restart with Robbie Yoakam taking up the chase. The "Robbie and Robbie Show" continued for several laps before Yoakam slid by Storer just as the five lap to go signal was about to be given. Unfortunately for Yoakam, the caution flew at the same instant for a spinning car in turn two. That negated Yoakam's pass and put Storer back out front for the final charge to the checker.
Storer would not be denied this time as he took the win over Yoakam and Cody Blair. S.C. Klinger came from 12th starting spot to fourth at the finish with Mickey Wright having a good drive to fifth. Scotty Sharpe was sixth ahead of Mike Berk, Rex Christiensen, Chris Zimmerman and Henley as only ten cars were still running at the finish. Larson was credited with 11th with Perez, Jamie Kennedy, Allison, Camp, Ellis, Sprenkel and Curtis completing the finishing order, all as DNF's.
Steve Gainey tripped the clocks at 15.007 seconds to set fast time for the Southern Sportsman Series 50 lapper ahead of Patrick Thomas who ran a lap of 15.105 and Arthur Conquest's 15.191. A total of 31 cars took time.
The re-draw saw the top three inverted for the start putting Conquest on the pole and he jumped out to an early lead. It took Gainey just up to lap 11 to snare the lead from Conquest, bringing Thomas with him.
Despite several caution periods and a red flag for Tommy Conquest's blown engine, Gainey would hold off Thomas the rest of the way to take the win. Craig Cuzzone had a great run for third while Arthur Conquest held on for fourth over Richard Elkins, Jr. who tangled with Ronnie Heard on the final lap while fighting for the fifth spot.
For the second week in a row, Alan Bruns zipped out to an early lead and ran off with the Open Wheel Modified feature. The race was slowed by just two cautions although Shane Held spun out of third spot under green and lost a lap to the leader before he could get back on track.
Doc McKinney trailed Bruns to the checker with Jimmy Winks making his return in Bob Judkins' famous #2X to grab the third spot. Ricky Moxley was fourth and Bobby Joe Woodley fifth. Completing the top ten were Art Kunzeman, Gary Fountain, Sr., Kelly Jarrett, Joe Guzzio and Held. Held and Moxley won the heats.
The Super Stock feature was a wild one with and even wilder finish. Jeff Parrish led the first four laps until Jason Vail slowed in turn two with a broken transmission and brought out the first caution. On the restart, turns three and four became a junk yard as James Frisbie, Lee Wagner, Dave Wright, Billy Hinson and a few others got into each other and the wall. Only Frisbie was able to continue.
As the race went back to green, Vince Keeler grabbed the lead only to see caution out again a lap later as Ron McCreary was spun into the front stretch wall. McCreary's car suffered very little damage and he restarted from the back of the field.
Keeler held the top spot for the restart but not for long as Bobby Simcox drove by into the lead. Simcox would hold the spot until turn one of the final lap when he ran into the lapped car of Jack Kennedy. That allowed Roger Benton to speed past him to take the lead and the win, his first of the year. Keeler also got by Simcox and took second as Simcox recovered for third.
McCreary roared back through the field to take fourth while Ray Mullis was fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Parrish, Dan Rising, Matt Jarrett, Frisbie and Scott Keena. Super Stock heats were won by Benton and Keeler.
The Action Gator Tire Strictly Stocks again had a host of sponsors that raised almost a $250 purse for the class that normally awards just trophies. Sponsors for the event included Surgical Laser Solutions, Palm Bay Baptist Church, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Winter Park, PBS&J Environmental Services of Tampa, CCDI Home Inspection Service, Santa Claus, USA Bail Bonds of Sanford, Ted Head's Racing Supply of Auburndale, Kepple Services, Road Ends Shooting Range of Davenport and Chester's Fab, Weld and Diving out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
At the end of the wild 15 lap affair, it was the A-1 Shed Transport team in victory lane once again but with Steve Anderson the one taking the win, his first of the year. Neil Kirby led the early laps but settled for second in his new ride with William Hindman, Todd McCreary and Richard Barrenchea third through fifth. Rounding out the top ten were James Newton, Miguel Barrenchea, Denny Johns, Dave Czerwinski, Jr. and Bob Heina. Anderson and David Leeper II won the heats.
The Palm Tree Computer Systems/BCS Welding & Fabrication/Orlando Graphix Junior Stocks saw a first-time winner in the 12-15 year old class as Jason Rosarius picked up the win over Cory Gowin, Zachary Curtis, Derek Binda, Dylan Curtis and Victoria Tabor.
Wes Railing, Jr. grabbed the 8-11 year old Junior Stock win over Luke Burke.
OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD APRIL 6
FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE
1. #9 Robbie Storer, Zepherhills 2. #19 RobbieYoakam, Hernando 3. #81 Cody Blair, Winter Prk 4. #87 S.C. Kinger, Hileah 5. #9x Mickey Wright, Clearwater 6. #89 Scotty Sharpe, Lakeland 7. #68 Mike Berk, Pinellas Park 8. #v3 Rex Christensen, Port Orange 9. #29 Chris Zimmerman, Largo 10. #23 Jesse Henley, Homossasa 11. #61 Ronnie Larson, Clearwater 12. #62 Dustin Perez, Tampa 13. #99 Jamie Kennedy, Lakeland 14. #92 Jared Allison, Cocoa 15. #61x Mike Muroski, Orlando 16. #13 Jonathan Camp, Beverly Hills 17. #98 Jamie Ellis, Brooksville 18. #63 Matt Sprenkel, Palm Bay 19. #42 Justin Curtis, Palm Bay
SOUTHERN SPORTSMAN
1. #79X Steve Gainey, Bradenton 2. #25 Patrick Thomas, Oveido 3. #97 Craig Cuzzone, Lakeland 4. #89 Arthur Conquest, Bronson 5. #55 Richard Elkins, Jr., Auburndale 6. #12 David Williamson, Mulberry 7. #98 Roger Welch, St. Pete 8. #73 Mark Peterson, Sarasota 9. #21c Chris Peludat, New Smyrna Beach 10. #9 Wes Fityaw, Brooksville 11. #2 Derek Heath, Parkland 12. #19 T.C. McElyea, Dania Beach 13. #3 James Frisbie, Palm Bay 14. #00 Ron Heard, Seffner 15. #121 Gordon Cade, Ocala 16. #21 Vince Keeler, Sebastian 17. #6 Greg Gorniak, Homestead 18. #15 Joey Cattarrli, Pinellas Park 19. #71 John Marcovich, Lakeland 20. #7 Tim Raiser, Naples 21. #12R Rikk McMehan, Hudson 22. #72 Tommy Conquest, Jr., Bronson 23. #36 Chad Cushing, Largo 24. #41 Michael Carr, Palm Bay 25. #13 Aaron Williamson, Mulberry 26. #1 Bart Weatherford, Lakeland 27. #44 Bob Beiler, Melbourne Beach 28. #26 Derek Slade, Clermont 29. #51 Kyle Alford, Haines City 30. #21 Daniel McClain, Auburndale 31. #89 Ronnie David, Jr., Pinellas Park
1 - 27 Steve Anderson 2 - 8N Neal Kirby 3 - 89 William Hindman 4 - 1.3 Todd Mccreary 5 - 20X Richard Barraechea 6 - 35 James Newton 7 - 22 Miguel Barrenechea 8 - 45 David Czerwinski Jr. 9 - 3 Bob Heina 10 - 63 Glenn Rhodes 11 - 15 Tobi Smith, Jr. 12 - D2 David Leeper Ii 13 - 66 Tom Stewart 14 - 28 Brian Glover 15 - 28X Jason Kies 16 - 10 Sebastian Pulido 17 - 76 Gary Thomas 18 - A1 Rob Reynolds 19 - 80 Steven Streight 20 - 15.3 Shane Sutorus
Super Stock
1 - 14 Roger Benton 2 - 32 Vince Keeler 3 - 92 Bobby Simcox 4 - 24PK Ron Mccreary 5 - 316 Ray Mullis 6 - 05X Jeff Parrish 7 - 98X Dan Rising 8 - 98 Matthew Jarrett 9 - 3X James Frisbie 10 - 97 Scott Keena 11 - 41 Michael Poole 12 - 72 Nathan Haystead 13 - 33 Roger Wright 14 - 29 Alaine Grogan 15 - 79 Jack Kennedy 16 - 74 Lee Wagner 17 - 65 Dave Wright 18 - 95 Billy Hinson 19 - 11S Dennis Snyder 20 - 8X Jason Vail
Modified
1 - 4B Alan Bruns 2 - 31 Doc Mckinney 3 - 2X Jimmy Winks 4 - 38 Ricky Moxley 5 - 98X Bobby Joe Woodley 6 - 9 Art Kunzeman 7 - 33 Gary Fountain Sr 8 - 55X Kelly Jarrett 9 - 58 Joe Guzzo 10 - 55 Shain Held 11 - 05 Mike Murphy 12 - 9 Scott Bramlett
