IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

February 22, 2009 Keith Butler Takes Checkered Flag Sprint Series Opener By Curtis Whalin The Checkered Flag Sprint Series (CFSS) kicked off its second year and the start of the 2009 season at Charlotte County Motorsports Park on Saturday February 21. The pill pull system was used to set the line ups for the two heat races. Amanda Ferguson in the 21A car had the pole for the start of the first heat race and held the lead for the first two laps. On lap 3 she was passed by Mark Gimmler in his 51 car who had come from fifth starting place to take the lead. Even after a caution on lap 5 when the 5s of Stephen Sinwald spun between turns three and four, the 51 held onto the lead and took the first heat race win of the season. The pole position for the start of the second heat went to Jeff VanDusen in the 56D. Jeff took the initial race lead but was passed on lap two Gary Gimmler in the 50M car who had started the race in third position. Gary in the 50M went on to win the heat while Jeff VanDusen retired the 56D to the infield after six laps. Pills were again pulled to determine the feature race line up, which by strange coincidence put the two heat race winners on the front row in the order in which they had won their heats � Mark Gimmler in the 51 had the ppole and Gary Gimmler in the 50M was on the outside. As the green flag dropped it was Mark Gimmler who made the best start and took the early race lead, leaving his brother Gary behind him to do battle with Keith Butler in the 19 car over second place. After a few laps of close competition it was Keith who claimed second place but Mark already had a good lead. Jeff VanDusen was forced to retire the 56D car to the infield for the second time that evening on lap 13. It looked like it was going to be a caution free race until contact between the 21A of Amanda Ferguson and the 20 of Billy Boyd Jr sent them both sliding into the infield between turns three and four and brought out the first of two cautions. Billy Boyd Jr in the 20 car was able to restart and rejoin the race but Amanda’s night was over due to a pin that was missing from a shock. The race went back to green with Mark Gimmler in the lead and Keith Butler chasing at his heels, but Mark was able to hold Keith back and keep the lead, but only one lap later the second caution flag came out when Scotty Adema in the 67 car spun coming out of turn two. Mark Gimmler was not so lucky on the second restart and Keith Butler found a way past him which also opened up door for Gary Gimmler in the 50M, pushing Mark Gimmler back into the third place slot, and that is how they finished with Scotty Adema in the 67 taking fourth and Dustin Henderson in the 22 car rounding out the top five. Feature 1) 19 Keith Butler; 2) 50M Gary Gimmler; 3) 51 Mark Gimmler; 4) 67 Scott Adema; 5) 22 Dustin Henderson; 6) 20 Billy Boyd Jr; 7) 5s Stephen Sinwald; 8) 37 Jason Bradford; 9) 21A Amanda Ferguson; 10) 56D Jeff VanDusen Heat #1 1) 51 Mark Gimmler (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) 2) 21A Amanda Ferguson (Montverde, FL) 3) 20 Billy Boyd Jr. (Gibsanton, FL) 4) 5s Stephen Sinwald (Springhill, FL) 5) 37 Jason Bradford (Port Charlotte, FL) The 15JR of Geoff Styner was unable to start the heat race due to an oil leak Heat #2 1) 50M Gary Gimmler (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) 2) 19 Keith Butler (Riverview, FL) 3) 67 Scott Adema (Ft. Myers, FL) 4) 22 Dustin Henderson (St Cloud, FL) 5) 56D Jeff VanDusen (Englewood, FL) Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!