IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

January 31, 2009 Shaffer and Wallace Victorious at Ocala Speedway by BJ Cavin Thousands of race fans braved chilly air to see outstanding racing action at the famed Ocala Speedway on Friday night, and they got quite a show. After a rainout on Thursday night, the track crew at Ocala worked hard and provided the racers with a good racing surface for Friday's action, and the racers provided an outstanding card of awesome racing action. Kenny Wallace had teased Jeff Mathews at practice on Wednesday that Mathews was the man to beat at Ocala, but the Wallace's statement reversed when it came time for racing. Wallace jumped Mathews at the start and led the race flag to flag, with Mathews giving him fits on restarts. But Mathews never was able to find a route around the yellow 36 machine and settled for a second place finish. After racing ended the pit gates were opened for the fans to meet and greet the teams, and Kenny Wallace signed autographs and posed for pictures with everyone who asked. Fans mingled with the best in sprint car racing as well and got an up close look at the machines that they usually only see on television. Tim Shaffer used some late race heroics to grab a win in the O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions feature event on the night. Shaffer's car responded to changing track conditions late in the race to rocket into the lead, giving him the season points lead after the first event of the season. Danny Lasoski had looked like the man to beat on the night, but his engine expired early in the feature event, sending him to the work area and ending his night. The pit gate will be opened after racing tonight at Ocala, once more allowing the fans to get a more personal view of the race teams. And once again there will be World of Outlaws teams competing head to head with the O'Reilly All Stars teams in a rare joint appearance, thus affording race fans an exciting opportunity to see the best of both worlds in sprint car racing. The O'Reilly All Stars and the UMP DirtCar Modifieds will turn it loose again tonight at Ocala Speedway, with the grandstand gates opening at 4PM. Admission for tonight's events is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, with infants and carried toddlers admitted free of charge. Pit passes for tonight are $35. Fans will see extra races and more laps added to the features for the Saturday card, making it the biggest night of the event. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!