October 22, 1999

                    The Race Already Begun!
 
Two weeks ago the Late Models ran at New Smyrna Speedway with Wayne Anderson taking the win over David Rogers with Pete Orr in third place. That may have set the stage for a wild 1999 Governor’s Cup as it lead to rules changes at New Smyrna for this year’s version of what is considered the State Championship.

Not that the win by Anderson should have surprised anyone, after all he is the 1999 NASCAR Slim-Jim All-Pro champ, beating out Billy Bigley, Jr. for the title.  But early this week B.J. Mcleod showed up at new Smyrna for practice and discovered the motor in his machine didn’t cut the mustard. In fact that same type of motor which he runs in the Southern All Stars (SAS) series has been declared unfit for the Cup race. Gary Balough was scheduled to pilot McLeod's back-up car in the race, and he’s out too. The fan’s ose on that one.

Meanwhile Wayne Anderson, son of the ‘king of short tracks’ Dick Anderson will also have to find another motor for his car or another car as it also is considered illegal for the race. Dick Anderson meanwhile went to work to get a motor together that fit the FASCAR and Sunbelt Series standards. Dick Anderson may or may not be upset about the changes but in any event he will be there, and when either Anderson is on track they are not to be taken lightly.

Interestingly, the race had been promoted to SAS and other drivers from Southern states to come down for the race, and at least a few are expected to be on hand. Hopefully we won’t be poor guests to our invited friends from the Carolinas, and word has been gotten out to them about the changes.

There are of course plenty of fans, and at least a few drivers, who feel the rules change was made to benefit the local drivers from New Smyrna. That’s doubtful the case, but it makes one wonder why Wayne Anderson wasn’t DQ’ed two weeks ago.

The crux of the controversy is all about horsepower and how much one motor may or not have over another. Reminds one of the hoopla last year in the Winston Cup over aerodynamics of Ford vs Chevy vs Pontiac. Talking with people from both camps only serves to confuse since it’s not clear whether the Alabama-North Carolina motors really do have 75 HP more as some suggest or whether there’s some first class political action taking place. Some say there’s only 15 horse power difference and the 125 pounds of the extra weight the cars would have to carry takes them out of a competitive stance. But the fact of the matter is David Rogers usually wins at New Smyrna this year, except when Wayne Anderson shows up.  Also it may be noted New Smyrna Speedway upset more than a few people during Speedweeks  when Junior Hanley came down and won the Late Model Championship only to learn that by pre-registering David Rogers was awarded extra points thus giving him the championship instead.

But all the rumors and message board banging aside, when the green flag waves Saturday night there will be turn to turn excitement and the matter will be settled, and a champion will get his name inscribed on the Governor’s Cup.

Promoter Don Nerone, who probably knows more about the Cup and cares more than most is already looking forward to the year 2000, and wants to incorporate the Governor’s Cup into a Triple Crown with the final race being the Governor’s Cup. Don Nerone promoted the Governor’s Cup in the early eighties at Golden Gate Speedway and had worked all over Florida’s short track scene.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s it was common to have drivers from all over the country showing up, but in recent years the Cup race has gotten a little dusty. Part of that is due to running FASCAR rules, which ties into the major problem of seemingly every late model series running different tires, different motors etc etc. Don Nerone hopes to help change this a bit and it would certainly be to our benefit as fans to see the best drivers competing with equal equipment.

Will the motor rule changes affect who wins the race? Probably not, as enough top talent is expected to ensure a solid field of accomplished racers. What do you think? How should we go about creating a real Florida State Championship?  Pletcher, Shelnut, Bigley, Orr, Rogers,
W. Anderson,  D. Anderson, Cope, or someone else?

Who is the top Late Model driver in the State?

GOVERNOR'S CUP 200 RULES OF THE RACE

200 Laps--every lap will count.

Last 5 laps will run under GREEN.

Must take the checkered flag to Win.

Yellows will count and be scored.

Each car has to provide 1 scorer.

Single file restarts.

Lap cars may double up on inside for restarts.

Cars bringing out the yellow flag will go to the rear. (The rear is the end of the longest line.)

DO NOT PASS PACE TRUCK!  (One (1) Lap Penalty)

Pits will be open for lead lap cars 1st time Pace Truck passes the opening  (One Lap Penalty)

Lap cars may pit the 2nd time Pace Truck passes the opening (One Lap Penalty)

You may advance the field on the inside to the Pace Truck to pit.

The pits will be closed under Red Flag conditions.

You MUST start the race on the tires you qualify on.

4 tires in Pits per car, that must be marked with car # before the start of the race.

6 crew members per car over the wall.  Must have long pants and gloves.

Car can not go over or under air hose.  1 manual jack only
QUALIFYING

2 laps--1 chance to Qualify.  1 Lap penalty for not Qualifying within 2 positions of where you draw.

There will be no inversion the race will start straight up in the
minimum of first (1st) 20 positions.  36 car maximum, other spots after 20 may be determined by heat or consi races if
needed.

PIT GATE WILL OPEN 12:00 P.M.
TECH WILL BE 12:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M.
PRACTICE   2:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M.
QUALIFYING        6:00 P.M.

                                       -Jack Smith