AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY FINALLY RETURNS TO ACTION SATURDAY FOR FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT

It was June 24th when a wheel last turned in competition at Auburndale Speedway and even that night was interrupted by Mother Nature. The planned “Summer break” was extended due to a mean old lady named Irma, but damage from the hurricane has been repaired and the track will return to action this Saturday night for Harvest Meat Markets Faith & Family Night.

Church members who bring a church bulletin, ID or shirt will receive $5 off the regular adult admission. Also, teen groups and their leaders will be admitted free just by contacting track Marketing Manager Rick Bristol (407-497-0448).

It’s also Big Brother and Big Sister Night as well plus the Fellows Trucking Kids Club for ages 5-12 begins at 5:15 pm. Kids can still sign up for the Kids Club before things get under way, so get the youngsters there early to get signed up and have some fun.

As far as the racing goes, the Sunshine State Challenge Series (SSCS) Street-Stocks will compete for 50 laps while the V-8 Bombers will duke it out for 40 circuits of the speedway. The popular antique and classic Stock Cars, Modifieds, Sprint Cars and Midgets of the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association (DAARA) will be featured along with action for the Q Mini Stocks, Scramblers and Mini Cup cars.

Ander Jackson of Punta Gorda currently holds a 19 point edge on Venice driver Kenny Gibson in the SSCS Street Stock points. Danny Caylor of Lehigh is third in points, some 24 markers behind Gibson. Bradenton’s James Nanney is fourth in points while local Auburndale driver Steven O’steen rounds out the current top five.

James Wright III has all but wrapped up the 2017 V-8 Bomber title even though there are several races left for the class. Wright is now exactly 100 points in front of Danny Burchfield who is 20 points up on third place Bubba Healey.
In the Q Mini Stocks, veteran Chris Narramore, Sr. has a comfy 75 point advantage over Colt Cecil with Jonh Cummins, Jr. nipping at Cecil’s heels, just five points behind him. The Mini Cup class is the closest right now as Russell Bush has seen his big point lead trimmed to just 13 by youngster Douglas Herrin, Jr. In the Scramblers, Dustin Wilson has been the dominant force as he now sits 65 points up on Keith Cantrill while William Kerns is just nine markers behind Cantrill.

Pit gates open Saturday afternoon at 3 pm with practice getting under way at
3:45 pm. Grandstand gates open at 5 pm with qualifying for the SSCS Street Stocks and the V-8 Bombers at 6:15 pm. Racing gets under way at 7 pm with eight lap heat races for the Scramblers, Mini Cups, DAARA cars and the Q Mini Stocks.

The Scramblers will be first up for feature race action followed by the Mini Cups and then the 50-lap contest for the SSCS Street Stocks.

After intermission the DAARA teams will compete in their feature events followed by the Q Mini Stocks. The 40-lap V-8 Bomber headliner will then wrap up the evening’s activity.

Adult admission for the evening of action is just $15 with seniors 55+ $13.
Children ages 5-12 are only $5 and all kids 4 and under get in free. The family 4-pack is just $32 for two adult and two children’s admissions (a $40 value). Pit passes are $30 per person and all parking is free. Again, church members who bring a church bulletin, ID or shirt will receive $5 off the regular adult admission.

Photo Credit: Robert Howell Photo

By |2017-09-28T18:09:27-04:00September 28th, 2017|Auburndale Speedway, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY FINALLY RETURNS TO ACTION SATURDAY FOR FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT

Andrew Hopkins Wins Third Feature Of The Year In Late Model Sportsman and Eric Moon Wins Second Feature Of The Year In Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds At East Bay Raceway Park

GIBSONTON — At East Bay Raceway it was Wade Evans picking up the win in the Micro Sprints, Jim Baker in the Hobby Stocks, Eric Moon in the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Danny Bowman, Jr. in the 4 Cylinder Bombers and Andrew Hopkins in the Late Model Sportsman.

In the 15-lap Micro Sprints it was Wade Evans picking up his third win of the season over second place Joseph Taylor and third place Cliff Evans.

In the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature it was Jim Baker picking up his first feature win of the year over second place David Barwick, II and third place Buck Woodhouse.

In the 15-lap Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified feature it was Eric Moon winning his second feature of the year over second place Bill Howard, Sr. and third place Paul Shead.

In the 4 Cylinder Bomber 15-lap feature it was Danny Bowman, Jr. picking up the win over second place Robert Kissam and third place David Wilber.

In the final feature of the night in the 15-lap Late Model Sportsman it was Andrew Hopkins picking up another feature win over second place Forrest Gough and third place John Bradley.

Action continues this Saturday August 5th with Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Outlaw Fours and Mini Sprints. For information, visit eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223.

EAST BAY RACEWAY
Saturday’s results
Micro Sprints (15-lap feature)
1. 10 Wade Evans
2. 29 Joseph Taylor
3. 17 Cliff Evans
4. 7 Mike Meyers
5. 23 Paul Seburn
6. 19 Chad Mears
7. 0 Jerod Meyers
8. 3 Joe Bartow
9. 27 Michael Nicosia
10. 5 Mariah Austin
11. 60 Dylan Varn

Hobby Stocks (15-lap feature)
1. 69x Jim Baker
2. 89 David Barwick, II
3. 55 Buck Woodhouse
4. 75h Stephen Hohlbaugh
5. 57 Thomas Haynes
6. 51 Allen Bailey
7. 71 Richard Livernois, Jr.
8. 64 Doug Johnson
9. 270 Matthew Grissom

Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds (15-lap feature)
1. 18 Eric Moon
2. 22 Bill Howard, Sr.
3. 7s Paul Shead
4. 47 Bill Howard, Jr.
5. 22 Dale Kelley
6. 67 Garret Stewart
7. 15 Roger Crouse
8. 117 Patrick Vareika
9. 84 Ronnie Whitley
10. 9c Don Crandall

4 Cylinder Bomber 2nd Feautre (15-lap feature)
1. 46 Danny Bowman, Jr.
2. 911 Robert Kissam
3. 24 David Wilber
4. T2 Thomas Adams
5. 14b Bailey Purcell
6. 21 Rodney Martin
7. 07 Wayne Kissam
8. 3d Daniel Casey
9. 4 Rick Rutledge, Sr.
10. 4x Britt Mann
11. 124 Ricky Rutledge, Jr.
12. T4 DJ Taylor (DQ – No Right Rear Brake)

Late Model Sportsman (15-lap feature)
1. 13 Andrew Hopkins
2. 21 Forrest Gough
3. 52 John Bradley
4. 15 Roger Crouse
5. 102 Jason Pope
6. 7t Jonathan Thomas
7. 27 Timmy King, Jr.
8. 03 Tanner Cobb
9. Wesley Livernois (DNS)

By |2017-08-09T16:33:01-04:00August 2nd, 2017|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on Andrew Hopkins Wins Third Feature Of The Year In Late Model Sportsman and Eric Moon Wins Second Feature Of The Year In Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds At East Bay Raceway Park

Substitute Driver Captures $5,000 Florida SLM Championship

Speed51.com – Showtime Speedway in Pinellas Park, Florida brought in the best racers from around the state to put on one heck of a show Saturday night with the $5,000-to-win Florida State Super Late Model Championship 100.

With big names such as Florida short track ace Jesse Dutilly, young gun Michael Atwell and super team Mike Cope Racing in town, it was Aaron Williamson in only his third ever start in a Super Late Model who took the win.

Williamson, who had gotten the call up to substitute for the injured Colin Allman on Thursday night, had been driving for owner Chad Allman for most of the year in the team’s Sportsman car.

300×250 Seekonk Speedway PPV 2017.07.12“Colin called me about seven o’clock on Thursday night to come change the seat and drive it,” Williamson told Speed51.com powered by JEGS in a post-race interview.

“It was incredible. I can’t thank everyone who supports us enough. Jesse, of course, has a dominant car wherever he goes. It’s unbelievable to beat him, let alone pass him on the outside. I cannot believe how the season has come with the Sportsman car and now the Super Late Model here for a race. I’m shaking I’m so excited. It’s great.”

When pressed to find out how he got around Dutilly on the outside for the win with only a handful of laps to go, Williamson simply said, “I had a good coach on the radio”.

The one on the other end of the radio was none other that Colin Allman himself.

“Colin supported me for my decision to step to the outside of him from the first turn and told me to keep digging, keep digging, that we were going to get him, and sure enough we did.”

Jesse Dutilly chalks up his second-place finish to handling issues his team had been struggling with all weekend.

“I needed to be on the top, but I couldn’t get off turn four. I thought I would just be a sitting duck, so I tried the bottom and the car just wouldn’t run the top,” Dutilly explained. “I practiced the bottom for three weeks, committed to the bottom when the grove was in the top so we could pass cars. Low and behold at the end of the race I couldn’t get off the top of the race track.”

Devon McLeod came in third with a car that more resembled a Florida Modified than a Super Late Model in the closing laps.

“The car was great. It was awesome, and then I just got caught up in someone else’s mess,” he said. “It was tough keeping these things down in the bumps. It’s such a small track you don’t think downforce means much, but when you have to hit the gas and the brake so much to get the car to roll through the center, I think if we had a nose on the car it would have been a good three-car race or they would have been chasing us. The car was that good.”

More information, highlights, and interviews from Saturday night’s race at Showtime Speedway can be seen by visiting 51’s Trackside Now.

Next on the schedule at Showtime Speedway is the Racecar Engineering Wheel Man Sportsman Series 50 with support from the Pro Trucks, Mod Minis, Mini Stocks, Strictly Stocks and Street Stock divisions on July 15.

-By Allick Jorgensen, Speed51.com Southeast Correspondent – Twitter: @AJorgensen24

-Photo credit: Speed51.com

Florida State Super Late Model Championship Official Results

Showtime Speedway (FL) – July 8, 2017

Pos # Driver
1 67 Aaron Williamson
2 30 Jesse Dutilly
3 21 Devin McLeod
4 03 George Gorham
5 5 Joe Boyd
6 51 Michael Atwell
7 20 Anthony Sergi
8 17 Nick Neri
9 12D David Green
10 59X Becca Monopoli
11 00 Anthony Cataldi
12 37 Michael Goodard
13 25 Paul White
14 2 Robby Lyons
15 32 Harold Crooms II
16 53 Charles Kopach
17 47 Chris Fontaine
18 128 Dylan Bigley
19 24 Jamie King
20 26 Travis Cope
21 23 Mike Smith
22 88 Justin Larson
23 09 Scott Grossenbacher
24 5K Daniel Keene Jr.
25 01 Robert Whitaker

By |2017-07-11T18:52:10-04:00July 11th, 2017|Front Page News, Local, Showtime Speedway|Comments Off on Substitute Driver Captures $5,000 Florida SLM Championship

Phillip Cobb Wins Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap Feature In Dramatic Fashion At East Bay Raceway Park

GIBSONTON — At East Bay Raceway it was Brian Barse winning in the Outlaw Fours, Jamie Tinkham in the Mini Sprints, Justin Webster in the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints, Danny Bowman, Jr. in the 4 Cylinder Bombers and Phillip Cobb in the Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap feature for the Late Models.

In the Outlaw Fours it was Brian Barse picking up the win over points leader Greg Pae who finished second and Billy Dukes, Jr. finishing in the third spot.

In the Mini Sprints it was Jamie Tinkham picking up his third feature win of the year while Dirk Miller finished second with teammate David Hall third.

In the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints it was Justin Webster picking up back to back wins while Hayden Campbell finished second and Dylan Colding third.

In the 4 Cylinder Bombers it was points leader Danny Bowman, Jr. picking up his fourth win of the year while DJ Taylor finished second and Robert Kissam finishing third.

And in the final race of the night it was the Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap Late Model feature with Phillip Cobb spinning backwards after got tangled with Doug Horton who was battling for the win out of the final turn. Cobb got the win over second place Jack Nosbisch, Jr. and Shan Smith finished in the third position.Official results are pending tire sample results.

Action continues this Saturday July 8th with the Late Model Sportsman having double features, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, V8 Warriors will run double features also, 4 Cylinder Bombers and the Micro Sprints. For information, visit eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223.

EAST BAY RACEWAY
Saturday’s results
Outlaw Fours (15-lap feature)
1. 5 Brian Barse
2. 65 Greg Pae
3. 15 Billy Dukes, Jr.
4. 53 Brandon Yates
5. 7 Nick Hebrank
6. 19 Jake Hampton
7. 48 Vernon Hart, Jr.
8. 41e Mark Moniz
9. 96 Robert Lilly
10. 21 Corey Hall (DNS)

Mini Sprints (15-lap feature)
1. 51 Jamie Tinkham
2. 66 Dirk Miller
3. 67 David Hall
4. 86 Russ Heider
5. 101 Brent Lebo
6. 2 Richard Braylon
7. 33 John Inman
8. 17 Austin Craddock
9. 64 Adam Barnes
10. 79 Frank Hurst
11. 15 Bill Whitley (DNS)

Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints (20-lap feature)
1. 21 Justin Webster
2. 5 Hayden Campbell
3. 23d Dylan Colding
4. 50 Joe Zuczek
5. 01 Anthony D’Alessio
6. 22g Johnny Gilbertson
7. 11b Billy Bridges
8. 3t Johnnie Alexander
9. 55 Kurt Taylor
10. 3k Guy Bos
11. 96x Rick Voisey
12. 96 Nikki Voisey
13. 6 Brandon Grubuagh
14. 9 Billy Boyd, Jr.
15. 12b Bryan Eckley

4 Cylinder Bombers (15-lap feature)
1. 46 Danny Bowman, Jr.
2. T4 DJ Taylor
3. 911 Robert Kissam
4. T2 Thomas Adams
5. 4x Britt Mann
6. 14b Bailey Purcell
7. 3 Patrick Fiore
8. 0 Gary Lucas
9. 24 David Wilbur
10. 124 Ricky Rutledge, Jr.
11. 3d Daniel Casey
12. 4 Crissy Wood

Late Models (50-lap feature)
1. 03 Phillip Cobb
2. 12 Jack Nosbisch, Jr.
3. 28 Shan Smith
4. 21p Josh Peacock
5. 311 Kenny Monahan
6. 52 John Bradley
7. 9 Jimmy Waldrop
8. 11 Doug Horton
9. 141 Steve Brendle
10. 11m Megan Meyer
11. 13 Thomas Burnside
12. 87 John Norris
13. 0 Rich Pratt
14. 6 Adam Boyd

By |2017-07-05T18:41:25-04:00July 5th, 2017|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on Phillip Cobb Wins Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap Feature In Dramatic Fashion At East Bay Raceway Park

MOTHER NATURE WINS IN THE END BUT FOUR FRESH FACES STILL GRACE VICTORY LANE AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

It looked like Auburndale Speedway was going to miss the rain that built up in the distance just after racing began but a light drizzle began to fall around
8:30 pm and with the precipitation expected to last a bit longer, coupled with very high humidity that would have made it difficult to dry the track, track officials canceled the remainder of the program after four features had been run. The Street Stocks, Mod Minis and Figure-8 cars would fall victim to the wet stuff, though.

As stated previously, four classes did get to complete their feature events and four drivers who either had not won in their class this year or had not won in awhile took home the checkered flag.

The Legend Cars saw just two of the cars out of the potent SAR Racing team at the track, one for last week’s winner Kyle Pitts while the other, the #5A car normally driven by new daddy Michael Cherry, was assigned to Bobby Diestler for the night.

Veteran driver Mike Verhaagh, who comes up from Ft. Myers to race here, had his new car running strong and won the heat race, coming out on top of a great four-way battle. Verhaagh had the pole for the feature but Diestler was on the outside pole and quickly jumped to the point with Verhaagh settling into second. As Diestler sped away from the field, Verhaagh was doing all he could to hold onto second before Pitts slipped under him on lap 14.

With no cautions in the race, Pitts was too far behind to do anything with his SAR teammate as Diestler hit his marks every lap and won by a comfortable margin. For Diestler it was his first Legend Car win (after only a handful of
starts) and just his second overall victory at Auburndale Speedway. Pitts raced home second with Mike Verhaagh getting his first podium finish of the year in third. Point leader Alan Hiefnar was fourth trailed by Mike Verhaagh’s brother Mitch Verhaagh in fifth. Rounding out the finishers were Dave Fusco, Blake Boyette (in Travis Guard’s #31) and Cale Nolen.

The Mini Stocks had a very interesting night to say the least. During the heat race, the fuel pump broke on point leader Chris Narramore’s machine and he thought his evening might be over as John Cummins, Jr. raced to the eight-lap heat win. Chuck Frazier offered his ride to Narramore for the feature but several drivers and crew members went to work and replaced the fuel pump on Narramore’s car to get him out in time for the 20-lap feature run.

Donald Gatlin, who gave everybody a scare the week before when he had to be taken to the hospital after he had trouble breathing, looked like a “new man”
out there in the feature as he bolted out front and looked like he had a chance of taking home his first win. However, the engine of his machine was not in tune with Gatlin’s heavy right foot and it expired in a plume of smoke going into turn one just after Gatlin had taken the crossed flags for half way bringing out the caution.

Bruce Cozad took over for three laps only to see the caution fly again for a turn three tangle involving Danny Leet and Fred Martin. There was some “bumping and grinding” following the restart and Cozad slowed with a flat tire to keep the caution out. After pitting for a “new shoe” Cozad returned to the rear of the line-up as Chuck Frazier took over the top spot.

Despite heavy pressure late from Narramore, Frazier held on to claim his first Mini Stock win of the year. Narramore and Colt Cecil were close behind in second and third while Cummins took the checker in fourth ahead of Cozad, Leet, Martin and Gatlin.

Clay Samuels found victory lane for the first time in quite some time in the Mini Cup feature race that ran green to checker. Heat race winner Douglas Herrin, Jr. was second ahead of Bill Rychel.

The Scramblers were on track when the rain began to fall but their race did run eight laps before the red flag came out. The field was actually under yellow at the time after Andy Travis and point leader Dustin Wilson had tangled in turn three. Before that, William Kerns and Keith Cantrill had been putting on a great side-by-side show for the lead. Kerns was leading at the completion of lap eight and thus was declared the winner, his first in quite some time. Heat race winner Cantrill was second followed by Bubba Healey, Wilson and Travis.

Although the Street Stocks and Mod Minis saw their feature races called due to the rain, they did get their respective heat races in with Steven O’Steen taking the checker first in the Street Stock heat while Kenny Nurse, Jr.
topped the Mod Mini heat race.

Auburndale Speedway will now be closed for Stock Car racing until September 9th. Many big events are scheduled for the fall racing season and the new Fellows Trucking Kids Club will debut on September 23rd.

By |2017-06-27T14:37:19-04:00June 27th, 2017|Auburndale Speedway, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on MOTHER NATURE WINS IN THE END BUT FOUR FRESH FACES STILL GRACE VICTORY LANE AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

Justin Webster Wins 2nd Feature In Dramatic Form And Mother Nature Spoils The Rest Of The Night

GIBSONTON — At East Bay Raceway it was Almost Full House Night at East Bay Raceway Park with Tim Gay winning in the Hobby Stocks, Wade Evans winning in the Micro Sprints, Justin Webster in the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints and Eric Moon winning in the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. Mother Nature came and spoiled the rest of the nights events.

In the Hobby Stocks 15-lap feature it was Tim Gay picking up the win after starting in the rear of the 13 car field. Picking up second was Tommy Hill and third went to Jim Baker.

In the Micro Sprints 15-lap feature it was Wade Evans picking up the win over his brother Cliff Evans finishing second with John Inman finishing third.

In the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints 20-lap feature it was Justin Webster picking up his second win of the year after spinning and going to the rear of the 17 car field. Picking up second was Matt Kurtz and third went to Dylan Colding.

In the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds 15-lap feature it was Eric Moon picking up his very first Open Wheel Modified feature win. Coming in second was Bill Howard, Sr. and third went to Buzzie Reutimann.

Action continues next Monday on July 3rd with the Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap for the Late Models. Also racing Monday night will be the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints, the Outlaw Fours, 4 Cylinder Bombers and the Mini Sprints. For information, visit eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223.

EAST BAY RACEWAY
Saturday’s results

Hobby Stocks (15-lap feature)
1. 90 Tim Gay
2. 1h Tommy Hill
3. 49x Jim Baker
4. 12 Jesse Brown
5. 55 Buck Woodhouse
6. 57 Buddy Beckhum
7. 9 Randy Tyler
8. 09 Jessica Robbins
9. 51 Allen Bailey
10. 64 Doug Johnson
11. 71 Richard Livernois, Sr.
12. 24 Dennis Williams
13. 75r Jason Russell

Mini Sprints (15-lap feature)
1. 10 Wade Evans
2. 17 Cliff Evans
3. 59x John Inman
4. 32 Michael Eaton
5. 19 Chad Mears
6. 3d Don T. Quinn
7. 7 Michael Meyers
9. 1 William Burnside
10. 23 Paul Seburn
11. 3 Joe Bartow
12. 13 Henry Burnside (DNS)

Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints (15-lap feature)
1. 21 Justin Webster
2. 82 Matt Kurtz
3. 23d Dylan Colding
4. 3t Johnnie Alexander
5. 22g Johnny Gilbertson
6. 12b Bryan Eckley
7. 11b Billy Bridges
8. 01 Anthony D’Alessio
9. 11 Andy Kelley
10. 96 Nikki Voisey
11. 3k Guy Bos
12. 96x Rick Voisey
13. 9 Billy Boyd, Jr.
14. 3a AJ Maddox
15. 19 Keith Butler
16. 12 David Kelley
17. 55 Kurt Taylor

Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds (15-lap feature)
1. 18 Eric Moon
2. 22 Bill Howard, Sr.
3. 00 Buzzie Reutimann
4. 15 Roger Crouse
5. 47 Bill Howard, Jr.
6. 84 Ronnie Whitley
7. 9c Don Crandall
8. 08 Drew Jackson (DNS)

By |2017-06-26T15:59:46-04:00June 26th, 2017|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on Justin Webster Wins 2nd Feature In Dramatic Form And Mother Nature Spoils The Rest Of The Night

It’s Showtime for Devin McLeod!

Lakeland, FL (June 19, 2017) Mother Nature had postponed racing in the Brandon Ford Wheel Man Series for nearly 2 months, so when drivers and teams began rolling into Showtime Speedway this past Saturday, there was a feeling that racing might be challenging for the 50-lap feature event at the tough quarter-mile bullring in Clearwater, FL.

The most recent Series winner, Jesse Henley, continued his momentum by setting fast time and winning the QA1 Fast Qualifier Award, but unfortunately suffered engine issues during the race which relegated him to a 17th place finish.

Chris Lewellen started back in the 13th spot, but was able to work his way through serious traffic for a 5th place finish. Brooke Storer started just behind Lewellen and followed him through the field to finish 4th.

Series points leader Aaron Williamson showed nerves of steel as he was tested from all sides. Despite being knocked out of the racing groove a couple of times, Williamson showed his focus, determination and professionalism to bring home a well-deserved 3rd place finish.

Travis Roland provided the Showtime Speedway fans with some of the best driving of the season after he was sent to the rear of the field for a restart violation early in the race. Roland methodically weaved through tight traffic and by lap 30, slotted into the 2nd spot and held on for his best finish of the year. Roland was awarded the Sweet Steering “Sweet Move of the Race” for his effort.

Devin McLeod knew he had a strong car, just missing the pole by .002 seconds, and after the inversion, rolled off 9th on the grid. McLeod had his share of issues to deal with as well. After being caught up in an early incident, he dealt with suspension problems throughout the 50-lap event, but despite the difficulties, drove the #5 Underground Utilities Chevrolet to his 2nd victory of the Brandon Ford Wheel Man season.

Daniel Webster was awarded the Driven Steering “Hard Charger” award.

Winners of the Gagels Auto Parts Tire Giveaway were Rex Struble, Anthony LaPointe, Jesse Henley and Sean Bass.

The next event for the Brandon Ford Wheel Man Series is this Saturday at Citrus County Speedway. Pit gates will open at 2pm and practice will begin at 3:00.  Also on the schedule are Pure Stocks, Outlaw Street Stocks, Mini-Stocks and the always popular Demolition Derby.

For more information about the Brandon Ford Wheel Man Sportsman Series, find us on our Facebook page @WheelManSeries.

 

The Brandon Ford Wheel Man Sportsman Series Presented by Gagels Auto Parts would like to recognize their marketing partners for the 2017 season which include: Brandon Ford, Gagels Auto Parts, BA Chassis, Sweet Manufacturing, Driven Steering, Five Star Bodies, Finish Line Fabrication, Allstar Performance, ARbodies, Bassett Wheels, Bilstein Shocks, Chad Pierce Motorsports, Checkered Flag Graphics, Crooms Towing & Fleet Services, Finney Racing, Howe Racing Enterprises, Intercomp Racing, JOES Racing Products, Driven Oil, Longacre Racing, Maxima Racing Oils, QA1, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Speed51.com, Tilton Engineering, Tiger Rear Ends, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wilwood Engineering, Phillips Racing Wire, Royal Tees, Sunoco Racing Fuel, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat System

By |2017-06-22T00:38:21-04:00June 22nd, 2017|Front Page News, Local, Showtime Speedway|Comments Off on It’s Showtime for Devin McLeod!

SPRING DOES HIS THING AGAIN IN SSCS MOD MINIS AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

Auburndale Speedway finally got around to beating Mother Nature Saturday night as the track celebrated Father’s Day through the courtesy of Max 98.3 Radio as all dads got $5 off their general admission.  The skies were dark all around the speedway and a light drizzle began to fall around 6 pm.  However, the heavy rain moved well to the north and the track was easily dried in time to get things under way at the scheduled start time of 7 pm.

Headlining the show for the night were the Sunshine State Challenge Series (SSCS) Modified Mini Stocks.  Because of the precipitation, Mod Mini qualifying was canceled and the drivers drew for position for their 35-lap contest.  The initial start was called back when Jeff Firestine and Scott Bumgardner got tangled up in turn four.  Once the field took the green flag in was Ken Nurse, Jr. nabbing the early advantage.  Point leader Chris Spring made a bold three-wide pass to take third spot on lap two just as the caution flew for a Bumgardner spin in turn two. Spring wasted little time bolting to the front on the restart with Firestine a close second.  The final caution of the race flew on lap eight as Colt Cecil, running his “regular” Mini Stock in the race, spun in turn two and was collected by David Myers, Sr.  Neither car was damaged and both were able to continue. From that point it was all Chris Spring as he dominated the rest of the event despite losing his power steering just after the lap eight restart.  Spring crossed the stripe well in front of Firestine and Nurse while Mike Kerrivan and Josh Smith followed.  Sixth went to Marshall Parr ahead of Cecil, Bumgardner and Myers.

The V-8 Bombers ran a pair of 25-lap races.  While lining up for the first race, the rear end broke in Ricky Norman’s car before he could even get to the flag stand.  That caused a delay to clean up a ton of rear end grease that was left on the front stretch.  Once the race got under way it was Mike Hubbard the early leader before Ed Shultz and Jeff McCaw tangled on the back stretch to bring out the yellow flag on the third lap.  On the restart it was James Wright III powering his way to the point. Things came to an abrupt halt on lap seven as David Purvis got loose going down the back stretch then slid directly into the end of the pit exit wall. The red flag was displayed as Purvis climbed from his battered car in OK shape.  The car itself, though, looks to be a write-off.  After another lengthy track clean-up, Wright assumed his place up front with Bubba Healey scooting into the second spot.  Green stayed out until Adam Briggs blew a right front tire and came to a halt at the top of turn four on lap 18. Wright had no problems out front as he again pulled away on the restart and was cruising to the checker when Danny Burchfield and Brey Holmes got tangled up in turn four with two laps left.  Again Wright pulled away on the restart to claim the win over Healey and Hubbard.  Holmes and Burchfield battled back to take fourth and fifth.  Jody Gill claimed sixth followed by Shultz, Briggs, McCaw, Purvis, Ronnie Abney and Norman.

Before the second 25-lapper, David Purvis’ crew pulled the rear end out of his wrecked racer and installed it in Ricky Norman’s machine so he’d be able to get to run at least one of the races.  The cars on the lead lap of the first race were inverted for the second event as Shultz zipped to the front only to see caution quickly for McCaw’s stalled car.  Burchfield charged to the front to lead laps four and five only to see his momentum snapped by a debris caution on the fifth lap. Wright had worked his way up from a mid-pack starting position and he pounced quickly after the restart to take over a lead he would not relinquish.  At the checker Wright easily outdistanced Hubbard and Healey as that pair reversed their 2-3 finish from the first contest.  However, in post race tech, the heads on Hubbard’s car were ruled illegal and he was disqualified from his top-three finishes.  That moved Healey up to second in the finishing order of this one as Burchfield would end up claiming third place in front of Gill and Holmes.  Norman brought his car home in sixth ahead of Briggs, Shultz, Abney and McCaw. Wright was quick to thank his dad, James, Jr., for all the hard work he puts into his car.  “My dad is the reason this car runs so fast and is so easy to drive,” said Wright.  “He really works hard to make this race car better and better and what a better Father’s Day gift than to get both of these wins. There as much his as they are mine,” he said.

The Legend Cars were back in action and they did provide plenty of that, right down to a shocking ending that saw the top two cars on the last lap end up last and next-to-last when all was said and done in their 20-lap run. Joey Langis jumped out to the early lead only to give way to Donovan Ponder on lap four while heat winner Seth Adams pulled right up on Pnder’s rear bumper as the pair began putting on a crowd-pleasing battle.  During lap ten, Ponder went low to lap Wild Willie Wilson but Wilson also dropped to the low side and Ponder ran right over Wilson’s car, flew into the air and spun.  Wilson was black-flagged for not heeding the move-over flag and Ponder returned to the lead only to bring out the caution again just after the restart when his right front fender flew off going into turn one. Ponder remained on point for the restart but Adams was trying to take advantage of Ponder’s now ill-handling machine.  Adams eventually slipped past to take over the lead on lap 18 but Ponder would fight back making a final low-side charge on the final lap that led to the lead duo tangling out going down the back stretch on the final lap.  Third-running Kyle Pitts, Adams’ SAR Racing teammate on the night, came across the stripe as the surprise winner while Adams went gunning for Ponder who quickly exited the track with his racer. As Pitts celebrated his “crazy” win in victory lane, both Ponder and Adams were disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.  For Pitts, it was his second win of the year, the other coming behind the wheel of Adams’ car a few weeks back.  Langis took home second ahead of point leader Alan Hiefnar.  Mike Verhaagh was fourth with fifth going to Chase Lovelady in his first-ever Legend Car start. Completing the finishers were Dave Fusco, Blake Boyette, Cale Nolen and Wilson.

The Mini Stock feature saw John Cummins, Jr. lead the opening four laps before heat winner Bruce Cozad took over.  Point leader Chris Narramore, Sr. was on the move however and took over the point on lap nine never to be headed in the all-green flag affair.  Cozad’s engine went south on him during the 11th lap and he fell by the wayside after a strong run. Narramore breezed to yet another victory ahead of the late charge of Colt Cecil and Cummins who had yet another strong run.  Danny Leet was behind the wheel of Tony Davidson’s yellow #53 and he claimed fourth spot to end a very trying week for himself, personally, on a good note.  Fred Martin took fifth while Donald Gatlin and Cozad were DNF’s in sixth and seventh.  Unfortunately Gatlin had pulled to the infield because he was having trouble breathing and track officials were quickly notified of the situation just as the race ended.  Head track EMT Matt Nichols iced Gatlin down and gave him IV fluids.  Reynolds noted that Gatlin’s blood pressure was extremely high and had Gatlin taken to Winter Haven Hospital where he was joined by his wife. Gatlin’s wife indicated that the doctor attending to him said Gatlin was just seconds away from having a stroke.  Gatlin’s wife says she would like everyone to know that he is recovering nicely and wanted to tell everyone who helped him, informed her, and prayed for him, a huge thank you.

The Scrambler feature also ran green to checker as heat winner William Kerns led the first eight circuits before Dustin Wilson slipped by and went on to win his eighth feature of the season.  Kerns and Andy Trvis tangled on the final lap as Keith Cantrill moved up to second at the finish.  Anthony Carroll was third at the checker but was set down in tech for too much left side weight.  That moved Travis up to third spot followed by Kerns and Carroll.

Russell Bush dominated the Mini Cup action winning both the heat and feature. Bush led Clay Samuels, Douglas Herrin, Jr. and Bill Rychel to the stripe for the finish.

By |2017-06-21T17:09:34-04:00June 21st, 2017|Auburndale Speedway, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on SPRING DOES HIS THING AGAIN IN SSCS MOD MINIS AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

Roger Crouse Wins Larry Miller Memorial 50-Lap Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified Feature At East Bay Raceway Park

GIBSONTON — At East Bay Raceway it was Jamie Tinkham in the Mini Sprints, Tim Powers in the Hobby Stocks, Jason Burnside in the V8 Warriors, Roger Crouse in the Larry Miller Memorial Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds and Dan Darnell in the Florida Old Time Modifieds.

In the Mini Sprints 12-lap feature it was Jamie Tinkham picking up his second win in a row over second place Joe Metcalf and third place Lee Gower.

In the Hobby Stocks 15-lap feature it was Tim Powers picking up the win over second place Ronnie Heard and third place Jim Baker.

In the V8 Warriors it was Jason Burnside picking up the win after starting dead last. Coming home second was Tommy Hill and third place went to Jon Basquin.

In the Larry Miller Memorial Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified 50-lap feature it was Roger Crouse passing Matt Miller with two laps to go. Matt would go on to finish second with his brother Steve finishing third.

In the final feature of the night it was the Florida Old Time Modifieds with Dan Darnell picking up another win over second place John Godwin and third went to David Kelley.

Action continues next Saturday June 24th with a Feature’s Only night with the Late Models, Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints, Late Model Sportsman, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, V8 Warriors, Outlaw Fours, 4 Cylinder Bombers and the Micro Sprints. For information, visit eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223.

EAST BAY RACEWAY
Saturday’s results

Mini Sprints (12-lap feature)
1. 51 Jamie Tinkham
2. 19m Joe Metcalf
3. 22 Lee Gower
4. 96 Nikki Voisey
5. 14c Charles Roach

Hobby Stocks (15-lap feature)
1. 44 Tim Powers
2. 100 Ronnie Heard
3. 69x Jim Baker
4. 71 Rich Livernois, Jr.
5. 55 Buck Woodhouse
6. 09 Jessica Robbins
7. 51 Allen Bailey
8. 90 Tim Gay
9. 75r Jason Russell
10. 01 Kevin Mills
11. 9t Randy Tyler

V8 Warrior (15-lap feature)
1. 12j Jason Burnside
2. 5h Tommy Hill
3. 6 Jon Basquin
4. 105 George Handy
5. 27 Justin Rodgers
6. 26 Jeff Weaver
7. 93r Marco Reyes
8. 12 Nick Brown
9. 17w Jimmy Wagner
10. 2 Kalen Maynard
11. 23 Gary Lucas
12. 10 Juston Meeks
13. 99 Collin Kruse
14. 45 John Mang
15. 36 Robert Grant

Larry Miller Memorial
Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds (50-lap feature)
1. 15 Roger Crouse
2. 8m Matt Miller
3. 8s Steve Miller
4. 4 Mavrick Varnadore
5. 205 Travis Varnadore
6. 70b Shane Burrows
7. 22 Dale Kelley
8. 00 Buzzie Reutimann
9. 47 Bill Howard, Sr.
10. 18 Eric Moon
11. 08 Drew Jackson
12. 49 Randy Shields, Jr.
13. 50 David Markum
14. 78 Rich Pratt
15. 84 Ronnie Whitley
16. 56 Brett Koch
17. 00D David Reutimann
18. 64 Austin Sanders
19. 9c Don Crandall
20. 33x Scotty Williams
21. 33 Jeff Mathews
22. 47z John Zuidema III
23. 53 Phillip Cobb
24. 6 Dylan Browning

Florida Old Time Modifieds (12-lap feature)
1. 111 Dan Darnell
2. 22g John Godwin
3. 46 David Kelly
4. 22 Tom McDonald
5. 1 Gary Riccio
6. 4 Roger Herbach
7. 7a Charlie Sanders (DNS)
8. 3 Charlie Mixons (DNS)

By |2017-06-20T16:42:44-04:00June 20th, 2017|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on Roger Crouse Wins Larry Miller Memorial 50-Lap Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified Feature At East Bay Raceway Park

Jason Pope Wins Late Model Sportsman and Beats Mother Nature At East Bay Raceway Park

GIBSONTON — At East Bay Raceway it was Tim Gay winning in the Hobby Stocks. Also winning tonight was Greg Pae in the Outlaw Fours, Jason Pope in the Late Model Sportsman, Jamie Tinkham in the Mini Sprints and in the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association was Bob Jordan in the Midgets, Dan Darnell in the V8/6 Cylinder class and Josh Rynd in the Sprints.

In the Hobby Stocks 15-lap feature it was Tim Gay winning with Thomas Pratt finishing in the second spot and Jim Baker picking up third.

In the Outlaw Fours 15-lap feature it was defending Champion Greg Pae picking up his second win of the year over Brandon Yates who finished second and Billy Dukes, Jr. third.

In the Late Model Sportsman 15-lap feature it was Jason Pope picking up his second feature of the year with Roger Crouse second and Trent Wilson third.

In the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association it was Bob Jorden winning in the Midgets division, Dan Darnell in the v8/6 Cylinder division and John Runn in the Sprints Division.

And in the Mini Sprints it was Jamie Tinkham winning the feature.

Action continues next Saturday June 10th with the Donnie Tanner Memorial 50-lap Late Model Feature. Also racing will be the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, V8 Warriors, 4 Cylinder Bombers and the Micro Sprints and will be a Special Event. For information, visit eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223. (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:06:07-04:00June 5th, 2017|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off on Jason Pope Wins Late Model Sportsman and Beats Mother Nature At East Bay Raceway Park