The Southern Sportsman Series tackled the tricky Ocala Speedway Friday night, and as is normal with this series, the racers put on a great show on the track. The race was not decided, however, until after the post race tech inspection.
Aaron Williamson set the fast time, turning the track in 15.924 seconds, followed by Arthur Conquest with a lap of 16.107 seconds. Williamson pulled a 7 in the draw for inversion, and the line up was set.
The SSS racers pulled onto the track for their feature event with Ron heard Jr and Joey Catarelli on the front row, followed by Craig Cuzzone, Bart Weatherford, Richard Elkins Jr, Arthur Conguest, Aaron Williamson, Derek Slade, Derrick Heath, and Roger Welch filling the top 10 spots. Noticeably absent from the line up were Steve Gainey, with engine problems, and Mark Peterson with damage to his racecar from a practice incident with the wall.
As the race got underway, Heard and Catarelli raced side by side, with neither driver able to gain an advantage. The first caution of the evening came on lap 2 as the 26 of Derek Slade had a hard encounter with the wall exiting turn 4. The field lined up for the restart with Heard, Cuzzone, and Catarelli holding the top 3 spots. The race went green, but it was short lived, as Conquest and Elkins got together in turn 3 with Elkins spinning, and cars dodging all over turn 3. The field was once again reset, with Heard out front, followed by Cuzzone, Catarelli, Weatherford, Heath, Peludat, Welch, McMehan, Raiser, and Cushing in the top 10 positions.
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The SSS does a Delaware style double file restart, and this put Catarelli on the outside for the start. As Heard held the top spot, Cuzzone and Catarelli raced side by side for quite a few laps. It was great racing, as both drivers were giving 110%, while still racing clean and close. The fans were loving it, and more was to come. Cuzzone finally prevailed and pulled ahead of Catarelli, and began to close the gap on the leader. Meanwhile, Williamson was working thru traffic, getting closer to the front of the pack, and Tommy Conquest was coming from his last place starting spot, and making his way steadily thru the field toward the front.
By lap 20 Cuzzone had closed in on Heard and was trying to make a move for the lead. Heard was not yet ready to give up the front spot, and was not making any mistakes to allow Cuzzone to drive by. The caution waved on lap 28 for track conditions after the engine of Arthur Conquest gave up the ghost and ended Conquest’s evening. After track clean up, the field once again lined up for the restart with Heard, Cuzzone, and Catarelli in the top 3 spots.
Chris Peludat lined up in 4th spot, having his best run of the year.Williamson had moved into 5th, followed by Weatherford and Tommy Conquest. As this was the 3rd caution, it would be the last of the double file restarts, and as the field took the green, Catarelli made a big move on the outside and grabbed 2nd spot from Cuzzone. Williamson followed Catarelli on the outside and was working Cuzzone for 3rd poaition.
Williamson was able to make the pass, and grab the position. The caution waved again as the car of Cuzzone spun in turn 1. The field lined up for the restart with Heard, Catarelli and Williamson in the front 3 spots. On the restart, Williamson went to the outside again, and was racing Catarelli for second spot. Williamson was able to make the pass, and began closing in on Heard.
With 10 laps to go, Williamson made a move on Heard, and passed on the inside of turn 1 to take the lead. Williamson went on to take the win by about a 10 car length margin. Heard followed in second, with Catarelli, Peludat, and Elkins claiming the top 5 spots.
During Post Race technical inspection, the car of Williamson was deemed to not be in compliance with series specifications, and was disqualified.
Ronnie Heard Jr. was declared the official winner.
