March 30, 1999
Race Fans Support Ted
On the Saturday night of March 20th, events were to make Hobby Stock driver Ted Novinger known well beyond his home track of Ocala Speedway. That was the fateful night we all learned again the hard cold fact of the dangers of motorized racing.
For Ted Novinger things went terribly wrong that night. Ted’s 1974 Chevrolet Camaro flipped on it’s roof and became engulfed in flames, trapping him in a hell that nightmares are made of. He was able to get free, but the searing heat and flames had done it’s damage. Ted was airlifted to Shands Hospital Burn Unit, where he remains in critical Condition as this is written.
On Friday night owner Robert Hart of New Smyrna and Orlando Speedways and his staff started a collection to aide the family in their time of need. They raised $500 Friday at Orlando, and another collection taken at new Smyrna on Saturday night brought the total to $1246. Citrus County Speedway also collected money for the family on Saturday in the amount of $1012. The amount of communication on the Florida Stock Car Racing Message Board about the incident is an illustration of the emotion everyone connected to racing has when one of the guys or gals who provide the shows we love are injured, especially involving fire.
We have also learned that drivers at several tracks have increased the safety level of their equipment in response to this incident. If you would like to help Ted and his family, call the Ocala Speedway and let the staff there know what you can do. You can reach the speedway at 9050 N.W. Gainesville Road Ocala, Florida, 34482. Phone number is (352) 622-9400. -Jack Smith
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