IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 2, 2008 IT'S THE LIFE OF RILEY IN SUPER STOCK 50 AT ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD by Dave Westerman The Super Stock Division took center stage Friday night at Orlando Speedworld as the class ran for 50 laps and an increased purse. A good field of cars turned out for the event on a perfect night for racing. Before time trials, 2007 Super Late Model champion Jared Allison offered the fast qualifier an extra $100 if he would start the race from the tail of the field and win. Sixteen year old Matt Jarrett, a three-time winner already this season, had the hot hand in qualifying with a lap of 16.13 seconds with the 16.22 lap of Bobby Simcox second quick followed by defending track champ Lee Wagner and Bobby Riley. Jarrett then took Allison up on his offer and started scratch in 18th spot. Twenty cars were scheduled to take the green but both Jim Erb and Jason Pick had problems and loaded up early. The top four were inverted from time trials placing Riley and Wagner on row one for the start. Once Riley grabbed the early lead it was plain to see that it was his race to win or lose. Wagner was able to stay close with the help of several caution flags, but Riley and his Billy Cuddy Painting Chevy were the class of the field on this night. Seven yellow flags dotted the action with the most serious incident coming with just two laps left. David Gould, who already had to go pit side to change a flat tire during an earlier caution and had worked his way back into the top five, locked horns with Simcox coming off turn two and hit the wall ending his night. Gould exited his car and expressed his displeasure with Simcox's driving before having his car taken back to the pits by the wrecker. Riley had no trouble fending off Wagner for the green-white-checker finish as he took the win by two car lengths. Wagner was second followed by Chad Pierce, John Hodge and Ray Mullis. Jarrett had worked his way up to fifth at one point, but in his words had "used up his car" and slipped to sixth at the finish. Jared Allison was impressed with Jarrett's run and gave him the $100 anyway, as a "fast time award." Simcox came back from the altercation with Gould to claim seventh while Dennis Snyder, William Hindman and Austin Carr rounded out the top ten. Completing the finishers were Jeff Parrish, Todd McCreary, Gould, Mike Amato, Richard Todd, Brian Frank, Billy Belflower and Scotty Edwards. After the race a thorough inspection was held among the top three finishers and all three passed tech with flying colors. Lately in the Sportsman class, one guy just can't win while another guy can't help but win. It happened again this week as Rapid Ron Dicandio led every lap to claim what appeared to be his first win here in several years. Dicandio looked to be a sure winner the week before as well but was spun out on the white flag lap handing the win to Andy Nicholls. This week, DiCandio and his crew celebrated in victory lane but the celebration turned sour in tech as he was disqualified for unapproved rocker arms in his engine. So, guess who had finished second and wound up with the win? That's right, point leader Andy Nicholls was again the benefactor and picked up his fourth checkered flag of the year and padded his points lead even more. Derrick Wood came home with the second spot ahead of Timmy Todd, Jr., Steve Farris and Jessie Cuddy. Nicholls won the heat race. Jared Allison's racing night did not turn out as well as he'd expected. Back behind the wheel of his dad Pedie's Mini Stock, Allison was leading the heat race when something broke and he coasted to the infield. The car could not be repaired in time for the feature and he became a spectator as he watched fellow Cocoa driver R.J Arnone lead flag to flag for his second win of the season. David Russell continues to improve on his car each week and was Arnone's shadow the entire distance but had to settle for the runner-up spot trailed by Randy Blakeslee, Rob Reynolds and John Cook. Arnone was also the heat race winner. Bomber Bill Loomis grabbed the win in the Action Gator Tire Strictly Stock feature driving the Tyler's Towing 6-cylinder Chevy Camaro. Loomis had the race pretty much in hand all the way as he fended off a couple of challenges from young Devon Cuddy. Mike Dresch crossed the stripe in third spot followed by Glen Rhodes and Neal Kirby. Completing the top ten were Ricky Solomon, Jr., Tim Walters, Jr., Tom Stewart, Miguel Barrenechea and Danny Binda. Heat wins went to Loomis and Cuddy. Next week, the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model series returns for a second time in 2008 along with a full racing program. OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD MAY 2, 2008 SPORTSMAN 1. #66 Andy Nicholls 2. #33 Derrick Wood 3. #25 Timmy Todd 4. #7 Steve Farris 5. #64 Jessie Cuddy 6. #20S Ron Dicandio DQ'D MINI STOCK 1. #30 R.J. Arnone 2. #31 David Russell 3. #77 Randy Blakeslee 4. #A1 Rob Reynolds 5. #24 John Cook 6. #92 Jared Allison DNS STRICTLY STOCK 1. #0 Bill Loomis 2. #4 Devon Cuddy 3. #54 Michel Dresch 4. #63 Glenn Rhodes 5. #8 Neal Kirby 6. #19 Ricky Solomon, Jr. 7. #29 Tim Walters, Jr. 8. #22 Miguel Barrenechea 9. #66 Tom Stewart 10. #27 Danny Binda 11. #86 Shane Smith 12. #81 Bob Heina 13. #48 Mano Ezequias DNS SUPER STOCK 50 1. #52 Bobby Riley 2. #74 Lee Wagner 3. #1 Chad Pierce 4. #00 John Hodge 5. #316 Ray Mullis 6. #98 Matt Jarrett 7. #61 Bobby Simcox 8. #11 Dennis Snyder 9. #89 William Hindman 10. #8 Austin Carr 11. #05X Jeff Parrish 12. #54 Todd McCreary 13. #16 David Gould 14. #2x Mike Amato 15. #0 Richard Todd 16. #46 Brian Frank 17. #15 Billy Bellflower 18. #7i Scott Edwards 19. #44 Jason Pick DNS 20. #32 Jim Erb DNS 21. #55 Denny Johns DNS Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!