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January 30,1999 -John Kaiser ROAD TO FLORIDA GOES THROUGH VALDOSTA
Valdosta, Ga. - Fans heading for Florida and the Speedweeks ‘99 activities
owe it to themselves to make a stop at Thunderbowl Speedway in Valdosta Ga.
on Friday and Saturday Nights, February 5-6 to see one of the most
competitive dirt track series in the Southeast, as the National late Model
Sportsman Southern Dirt Tour returns for the Road to Daytona 100. “THE BOYS
ARE BACK IN TOWN!”
This coming weekend will see the fourth event of the 1999 Southern Dirt
Tour schedule and already this season has seen four different drivers make
a visit to Victory lane and three different driver set the fast time in
qualifying. The list of winners so far this season is an impressive one
with David Browning, 1997 Champion Gene Maine, Billy Godowns Jr. and 1995
Champion Skip Pannell all securing their victories early on. However there
are still many drivers who will be at Thunderbowl who have the proven
ability to win at this track. 1998 Champion Cecil Eunice has won at
Thunderbowl in the past, Gene Ross is a proven winner on the series who
would dearly love to take home a victory in front of his home town fans and
Tracy Mimbs has won NLMS races in the past and has consistently run up
front this year.
The winner could well be one of a number of drivers who are quite capable
of getting that breakthrough first win on the series, such as Wesley Hood,
Johnny Collins, Lee Jackson, Randy Ellenberg or Charles Harris. The roster
of drivers likely to compete in this event will consist of no less than 12
previous winners on the Southern Dirt Tour and with the high level of
competition on the series anyone of the 26 starters is capable of winning
the race and collecting the $5,000 first place money.
Skip Pannell won the last NLMS event and with the win took over the lead in
the points from David Browning. But the lead is a slim one and should
either of the top two falter, Michael Lloyd is sitting in third place
waiting for the gaff. Wesley Hood holds down fourth place in the points
with leading Bert’s Transmission (WA-DON Racing) Rookie of the Year
candidate Anthony Meadows in fifth.
This coming weekend’s action at Thunderbowl will see the Thunder and
Lightning, Hobby Stock, Pure Stock, Mini Stock and the exciting Open Wheel
Modifieds all in action around the 1/2 mile oval. Fans and competitors will
also be able to register for a Hawaiian vacation package. Thursday night
there will be an open practice session for all classes and on Friday Gates
open at 4:00 PM with Racing getting underway at 8:00 PM. Saturday gates
will open at 3:00 PM with racing at 7:00 PM. For more information contact
Thunderbowl Speedway at (912) 794-3400.
-John Kaiser |
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