SMITH, LOOMIS AND ROBINSON POCKET SATURDAY NIGHT SPEEDWORLD WINS
By Dave Westerman
It was a quick night of racing Saturday night at Orlando Speedworld with just three classes in action as all racing was completed before sunset!
The rejuvenated Classic Car division had their biggest field of the year as second heat winner John Smith jumped from the outside pole to the early lead. The first caution flew on lap three as newcomer Jarrod Murray's car stalled on the back stretch.
Smith continued to set the pace as David Nunes moved into challenge. The two ran pretty much nose to tail until Nunes spun on lap 12 to bring out the caution. Wayne Skinner spun in turn one on the restart to keep the caution out.
Smith continued to set the pace but caution flew again two laps later as Brad Norburg spun off turn three. Smith held the point over the final six laps of competition while Derrick Wood slipped by Ron Gustafson for second with four laps to go and went on to take the runner-up spot ahead of Gustafson. Nunes drove back through the field to claim the fourth spot while Jim Rahman was fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Norburg, first heat winner Greg Helton, Wayne Skinner, Andrew Gustafson and Ryan Williams.
Second heat winner Rob Reynolds led the early going in the ABC Towing Hurricane feature but could not hold off a hard-charging Bomber Bill Loomis as Loomis took the lead just before the half-way mark and sped to a convincing win. The only caution of the race came on lap three when Tom Stewart and Kenny Lokey tangled with Doug Webb hitting Stewart's car. All three continued but only Webb was able to actually make it to the finish.
Loomis took the checker a half-straightaway in front of Reynolds while Miguel Barrenchea had another good run for third. First heat winner Brian Cosier came home fourth just in front of John McMannen. Completing the top ten were Webb, Gary Thomas, Brenda Taylor and Stewart.
Anthony Robinson took home the Outlaw Strictly Stock win after a crowd pleasing side-by-side duel with Brian Sayne that went on for several laps. Third spot went to Gilbert Steele ahead of April McGowen, Bobby Jones and Rudy Arnold. Robinson also won the heat race.
