IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 11, 2009 The Bigley's sweep up 4 Cylinder Switch off race By Melanie Beckner Chris Onken back in the winners circle, this time in the Road Warriors Punta Gorda, FL. - Saturday night was full of racing action at The Charlotte County Motorsports Park. Nine different divisions competed on the 3/8 mile track, along with something different for the fans. Sparky, the wheel standing fire truck was also on hand, to put on a patriotic display of remembrance for the rescue workers, who lost their lives on 9/11. Local church Pastor's competed in the twenty five lap Faster Pastor race. Scott Borden, of First Alliance Church in Port Charlotte was the pole sitter and jumped to the early lead at the start of the race. The only caution came out on lap thirteen when Rich Rutzkey of St. Vincent Depaul Church in Ft. Myers, spun out in turn four and ended up in the infield. Scott Borden led the entire race and captured the victory. Craig Nelson, out of United Methodist Church in Naples came in second and Jim Ammen from First Alliance Church in Port Charlotte was third. Jesse Dutilly started on the pole for the Mini Stock feature. Dutilly lead the entire twenty five lap feature. On the start of the race, Robert Carter spun out on the front straightaway just as the green flag waved. Once the race did get started, they whole race went caution free. Jesse Dutilly took home another victory, while John Bailey had to settle for second and Ashlee Williamson captured third. The Road Warriors ran a fifty lap Dan Benoit memorial race. Dan Benoit had raced for several years in the Road Warrior division at CCMP and lost his battle last year to cancer. Both of Dan's sons, Codey and Billy raced in memory of their father. Steve Steindurf was the polesitter for the feature race. Charlotte County Race Results are Sponsored by Don's Electric of Port Charlotte Logan Leonard brought out the first caution, when he spun out his car in turn four on the first lap. Chris Scott got into the back of Codey Benoit on lap four, with Benoit getting his spot back and Scott having to restart from the rear of the field. On lap sixteen Richard Dupont and Billy Benoit got together and brought out another caution. Bill Ryan and Codey Benoit were battling hard for the second spot when the two got together on the front stretch and brought out another caution. Codey had to take is car in the pits to change a tire. Benoit made it back out on time for the restart of the race, but had to come from the back of the pack since he went in the pits. Chris Onken took the victory. Logan Leonard was second, the first race for him in the Road Warriors and Codey Benoit came storming through the field to come back in finish third, in his father’s car. Outlaw Modified were back at the Charlotte County Motorsports Park. Cliff Steinman won the thirty five lap feature with Doug Hooper in second and Billy Campbell coming in third. David Williamson sat on the pole for the fifty lap Sportsman race. Williamson led until lap eight, that is when another Williamson took over the lead. Aaron WIlliams grab the lead and lead for the rest of the race. Ed St. Angelo brought out the first caution on lap eleven, when he spun out in turn two by himself. The other caution to come out was on lap thirty five for debris. Aaron Williamson cruised to the victory. Brian Richardson and Timmie Lowe completed the top three. The Pro Challenge cars had not raced at CCMP in years and returned for a thirty five lap feature. The only caution to come out was on lap twenty one when Daniel Miller and Jarrett Snowden was battling for the lead and Miller went spinning in turn four. Snowden was sent to the rear of the field, while Miller got the lead. Daniel Miller went on to win the Pro Challenge feature. Paul White was second and Jarrett Snowden, came back from the rear of the field to finish third. Austin Craig started on the pole for the fifty lap feature race for the Florida Suncoast Outlaw Street Stocks. On the start of the race in turn one, Adam King got into Richie Shepard causing a multi-car wreck. Shepard had to go to the pits, but was able to make it out in time for the restart of the race. Danny Daniels Jr brought out the first race caution on lap thirteen, when he spun out in the back straightaway. The caution came out for the last time on lap twenty one, that is when Dave Davis and Richie Shepard made contact. Adam King won the feature, but was disqualified in tech. That then gave the win to second place finisher Shane Leonard. Second place went to Stuart Vandevender, and third went to Danny Daniels Jr. The last race of the evening was a thirty lap 4 cylinder switch off race. John Rizzo started on the pole for the first part of the race. Billy Benoit brought out the first caution on lap thirteen; when he spun out in turn one. The next caution came out on lap fifteen, when Jason Perkins car came to a stop in turn two. When the caution waved Ken Smith got into the back of John Balzarano sending Balzarano head on into the turn four wall. After the race Ken Smith said the contact was not intentional. At that time the drivers switch cars with Billy Bigley winning the first half of the race and putting his son, Dylan Bigley in the car for the last part. John Rizzo finished second and Wally Smith took over the driving duties. John Balzarano managed to still finish third, but the car was not able to continue. Dylan Bigley started on the pole for the second part of the race. The entire half of the race went caution free. Dylan Bigley won the second race, making it a Bigley sweep. Kirk Risner brought his team car with Ryan Collvier in second and Eugene Connell finished third with John Pummel Jr has his co-driver. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!