IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

July 8, 2007 Bruce Rocketman Durden Scorches CCMP N/S Shootout Saturday Finale Fort Myers Florida 7-7-07 Bruce they call him "The Rocketman" Durden was flying high this past Saturday night as he and Crew Chief Tommy Denton put it all together in what has to be one the biggest upsets in Florida Sprintcar Racing in 2007. You see this was Durdens only second time ever racing pavement in a dirt car.Friday was his first and he ran fourth against some of the best competition of this kind in Florida. RC Roper started on the pole in the # V8 Maxim. Alongside Teammate Mike "Wingman" Tharp's # J1 Gambler.Directly behind was Ryan Partin's # 14 Avenger and Bruce Durden's # 17d Maxim chassis.Roper shot out to the lead followed by Tharp. The battle was on as Durden and Tharp and Partin scrambled for position back and forth with Greg Leonard and Mike Schroeder immediately in tow. Durden worked his way around Tharp and set sail after Roper. He caught RC and the war was waged for five or six laps of side by side racing that had the crowd screaming and on thier feet! The two drivers never touched as car control was at a premium. Near lap eleven Durden squeezed his way bye for good and set sail. Meanwhile moving up was Greg "The Jet" Leonard #85 who was fast closing and got by Roper on lap thirteen. The race was on again as Leonard was closing on Durden. However that was not made to be as Greg would run out of time. Mike Tharp's # J1 came home fourth and Ryan Partin's # 14 incidentally who was driving his first ever race brough home a fine 5th pace finish. RC Roper driving the "Victory is Jesus" Sticks Pest Control Maxim would take the Mid Season Championship and the Final USA Championship ever by finishing 1st in points. Roper was closely followed all along this season by fellow friend and teammate Mike "Wingman" Tharp in the Victory is Jesus Gambler chassis.Greg "The Jet" Leonard would wind up third in the final rundown. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!