Saturday nights Sportsman 50-lapper at Charlotte County Motorsports Park was like an episode of Survivor.
One by one, the fast cars either wrecked or broke down.
The last cars standing would be the ones pulling up for post-race interviews on the front straightaway.
When the smoke cleared, Guy Sheets of Fort Lauderdale had won his first race ever in the 16 car. Port Charlottes Craig Amboyan, whose No. 18 Mustang led the first couple of laps, was around for a second-place finish. Arcadia teenager Kyle Casady nosed out Port Charlottes Mike Holmes for third.
The race was flagged by local wrestler Dead Man.
Hotshots like Ricky Bullard Jr., Dale Dean III and James Casady had their moments, but none could finish.
Arcadias Bullard returned to the Punta Gorda 3/8-mile paved oval after a long sabbatical. He was in Larry Shavers No. 2 rocket. Bullard got fast time and passed Amboyan for the lead on lap 3. But on a restart on lap 5, Bullard went for a wild ride as the left rear wheel came flying off, sending the car spinning down the front stretch.
From there, Dean grabbed the lead in the 19 car. He built a decent lead over second-place James Casady, who won the April race. Casady overheated and had to pit on lap 37.
On lap 40, Dean blew his motor.
That left Sheets, Amboyan, Holmes and Kyle Casady in a 10-lap shootout.
Not much changed except for Casady getting thord after contact with Holmes with two to go.
The Road Warrior 25-lapper was a competitive affair with a number of drivers within reach of the front.
In the early going, it was Jesse Gargus holding off Terry Price. Gargus felt the pressure an spun himself out. That left Price with the lead in the 3 car. Pricedidnt disappoint, as he flew to victory lane. Dan Benoit charged to second while Shane Leonard was third.
Thunder Trucks ran twin 20-lappers one a makeup from April 28. Jeff Thurman won the first race in the 5 truck. Thde second race went to Ryan Pancoast in the B52. It was Pancoasts first win in a truck. He passed Mike Bialeckis 8 truck on lap 14. Bialecki took second ahead of Randy Kiles 21. Thurman was blacked flagged.
Kile did get to the winners circle, as he captured the 20-lap Pro 4 (formerly Junkyard Dogs) race. Kile passed Les Couch for the lead. Couch held off Chris Lucas for second.
Jet car Green Mamba wowed fans by toasting up a Ford with its afterburners.
