IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

July 18, 2009 SEVERAL NEW WINNERS AT ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD by Dave Westerman Mother Nature did her best to put a damper on things Friday evening at Orlando Speedworld. A late-day rain shower put the show about a half hour behind and the "gloom and doom" forecast kept the car count on the low side. However, a nice crowd braved the wet stuff and saw a very competitive show that produced three first time winners. The Sportsman cars were back for the first time since May 8th for a 30 lap event that turned out to be a slam-bang affair. Rapid Ron Dicandio looked to have the field covered in this one as he sped to a substantial early lead only to see his chances go away as his machine stalled on lap 23. Timmy Todd, Jr. took over at that point as things came to a head in turn one for Donny Williams and Duane Best when they tangled sending Williams hard into the wall backwards. With smoke billowing from his racer, Williams drove around the track and proceeded to spin Best's car around under caution earning himself a DQ for the race. Todd was able to lead three laps but could not hold off Andy Nichols who led the final four circuits to claim the win, his second of the year although this was just the fifth race this season for the Sportsman drivers. Nichols had a bump and run with Best earlier in the race that seemed to upset his handling, but after the final caution the car was back on track and Nichols won easily. Best, who made the trip from Florida's West Coast to compete, came back to take second while Todd was third over Robert Glover, Dicandio and Williams. Alan Bruns made quick work of the Modified field as he grabbed the lead at the drop of the green and led all the way for his second win of the season. It looked like the Modifieds would run the 25 lap contest green to checker, but Matt Jarrett's spin on lap 18 allowed the field to close up on Bruns. Bruns was true to the task as he quickly drove away from the pack and took the victory trailed by Chad Pierce, Mark Emberson, Matt Wheeler and Stuart Lycett. Shain Held, Ted Head, Jarrett and Andy Saffioti rounded out the finishers. Bruns looked like he might double up on the night as he led the opening twelve laps of the Late Model feature. Steven Nasse moved up to challenge but spun after contacting the left rear corner of Bruns' car. Bruns's machine was never the same after that as Todd Allen took over on the restart and led the rest of the way despite late pressure from Nasse who raced back up to second. For Allen, who had Florida racing legend Dick Anderson helping him set up the car, it was his first Late Model win here. Bruns came home third followed by Matt Cohen and Zach Harris. After several close calls, John Bennett finally earned his first victory in the Super Stock class as he snagged the lead from Joe Bandur on lap six and led the rest of the way to the checker. Bandur took a career-best second place finish over Brian Lynch, Jr., Billy Belflower, Scotty Edwards and Shannon Kelly. Alex Kempf once again dominated the Legends Car feature, taking the point from Rick Wetmore on lap six and leading the remaining distance for his eighth win of the year. Wetmore held off a determined Zach Harris for second with Critter Saile taking fourth ahead of Roger Englund, Ted Ruffo and Mason Ketterman. Noah "Lil' Gater" Cornman took his first-ever win in the Bandoleros topping Tanner Cornwell and Michael Held while William "Huggy Bear" Hindman led from start to finish in the Strictly Stocks taking the victory over Tim Walters, Jr., Dale Meade, Luis Guillen, Jr. and Dan Binda. OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD JULY 17, 2009 LATE MODELS 1. #55 Todd Allen 2. #51 Stephen Nasse 3. #4B Alan Bruns 4. #46 Matt Cohen 5. #1 Zach Harris MODIFIEDS 1. #4B Alan Bruns 2. #38 Chad Pierce 3. #30 Mark Emberson 4. #96 Matthew Wheeler 5. #7 Stuart Lycett 6. #55 Shain Held 7. #92 Ted Head 8. #72 Matthew Jarrett 9. #1 Andy Saffioti SPORTSMAN - 30 1. #66 Andy Nicholls 2. #3 Duane Best 3. #4B Timmy Todd Jr 4. #38 Robert Glover 5. #20 Ron DiCandio 6. #31 Donny Williams SUPER STOCKS 1. #721 John Bennett 2. #316 John Bandur 3. #54 Brian Lynch Jr 4. #14 Billy Belflower 5. #7i Scott Edwards 6. #23 Shannon Kelly LEGENDS 1. #99 Alex Kempf 2. #06 Rick Whetmore 3. #54 Zach Harris 4. #12 Critter Saille 5. #51 Roger Englund 6. #50 Ted Ruffo 7. #54T Mason Ketterman STRICTLY STOCKS 1. #89 William Hindman 2. #29 Tim Walters Jr 3. #26 Dale Meade 4. #8x Luis Guillen Jr 5. #27 Danny Binda BANDOLEROS 1. #30 Noah Cornman 2. #54 Tanner Cornwell 3. #55 Michael Held Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!