Bubba Raceway Park | Karnac Racing News

Five Divisions to Challenge Ocala This Friday Night

By BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- After persistent rain showers washed away opening night on March 4th, Ocala Speedway will try again to kick off the 2011 racing season on Friday, March 11th, with a $1000 to win Open Wheel Modified feature headlining the night. In addition, Ocala’s Hobby Stocks, Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Gladiators, will all hit the clay for the first points races of the year.

The Modified Division at Ocala Speedway has been dominated by Jeff Mathews, and he will be looking to extend that domination in 2011. But the problem with being at the top is that everyone else is gunning for you, and a list of capable challengers will be aiming to knock “The Repo Man” down a few notches this season. Kyle Bronson would be the most likely candidate to unseat Mathews and has beaten him solidly in the past, but has yet to do it consistently enough to replace Mathews at the top. Perhaps 2011 will see those fortunes change, and a $1000 cash carrot dangling in front of the field certainly will provide ample motivation.

There will be changes in the Hobby Stock Division in 2011 as 2010 champion, Dean Jarvis, has taken his final bow and exited the building into retirement. One would assume that Heath Walker would be the most likely to succeed with Jarvis gone, but Walker handed his ride over to his son, Devin, who has moved up from the Gladiators. So now the door is wide open for whoever wants to jump into the early season lead, and no doubt there will be a heated scramble for the top position when the green flag waves this Friday. And if Daniel Miller Jr. can keep the rubber side down and all of the pieces and parts attached, he might just be the man to beat.

Ocala’s Amsoil Thunder Stocks were set to do battle on opening night but never got that chance, so Friday the 11th will be their first shot at Ocala’s tough 3/8ths mile since their $500 to win exhibition back in February. This time there will be points to earn instead of just a paycheck and some trophies, so the pressure will be on to see who can take control of the division. Jason Gamble got the win in February, proving that he still has what it takes to pose for frontstretch pictures after races, and will be one of the top contenders for the championship now that 2010 champ Scott Mooers will be wheeling a modified in 2011.

For much of the season in 2010 Ocala Speedway was the only option for racing Mini Stocks on dirt in the state of Florida. That has changed with the opening of the 2011 season, and rules changes enacted by the racers last year have changed the face of Mini Stock racing. Nick and Dan Kerr will be back and battling for another championship run, but other top racers have moved on and opened the door for new faces to keep the Kerrs looking over their shoulders. If no one can rise to the challenge, then the season may be another father versus son battle for the Mini Stock Championship.

As the 2010 season wound down last year, several different racers shared time at the top of the Gladiator points list. But in the end it was the consistency of Matt Shea that captured a championship, as he came from way behind over the course of the year to take the prize. This time around there will be new faces in the crowd and some of last year’s contenders will have stepped up to bigger challenges, so those who remain are left to figure out who can jump out in front of everyone else. And as was the case before, consistency and dedication to run every race may be the key to the championship once again, with the only question being who has the strength to get it done.

Ocala Speedway will open the grandstand gates at 5PM on Friday night, with hot laps at 7PM and heat races at 8PM. For more information such as ticket prices and directions, please visit America’s Dirt Track online at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or call the track at 352-622-9400.

By Scott|2011-03-07T17:00:43-05:00March 7th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Race Results|Comments Off

Ocala Speedway Opens 2011 Racing This Friday

By BJ Cavin-Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- Florida’s oldest speedway will open the 2011 regular racing season this Friday, March 4th, with the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series headlining the night in a $3000 to win feature event. Ocala Speedway’s own Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks and Gladiators will also hit the clay in the first points races of 2011, rounding out a full evening of heated racing action.

Ever since the asphalt surface at Ocala was covered in top quality gumbo clay, the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series has been a regular staple on the yearly schedule, and per the usual tradition will open the racing season both for Ocala Speedway, and for the racing series itself. 2010 Champion Mark Whitener was at the track this past Saturday getting the Big Frog Motorsports ride dialed in for Friday’s race, and so were a number of other regionally well known late model teams. Whitener drove the 58 machine to both the UDLMCS and the Ocala Speedway championships and would love to repeat that feat, but the other racers and their crews have other ideas about that. Whitener easily had the fastest car in the Saturday practice session, and looked to be ready to face all challengers when the green flag waves on Friday.

Fans got a sneak preview of the Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks in action in February as they raced in a $500 to win, Sunday night affair that saw Jason Gamble make a return to Victory Lane. But this time around there will be points scored toward the season championship, so the necessity of getting off to a good start will have Gamble looking over his shoulder. The Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks have earned the reputation of being a tough and rugged bunch at Ocala, and the use of fenders and bumpers will probably be as prevalent in 2011 as it was in 2010. So racers and fans are expecting yet another physical affair to crank up the points season, while Jason Gamble, and a host of others, look to unseat Scott Mooers as the division champion.

The Ocala Speedway Gladiator division will have a different look this season as some heavy hitters have moved up and moved on, leaving room for others to fill the top rungs of the season points ladder. That suggests a quick scramble as those still left in the division, plus some newcomers, all vie for those spots on the opening night of racing, and that should result in a hard fought race. But while some top names have left the division, others are still out there and ready to take on all comers, and the potential is there for the Gladiators to provide the tightest points race of any division again in 2011.

The Ocala Speedway grandstand gates will open at 5PM on Friday evening, with hot laps and Late Model qualifying to follow. Heat races will begin at 8PM. Special event pricing will be in effect for Friday’s races, so fans should check the season schedule at www.OcalaSpeedway.com for further information, or call the track at 352-622-9400.

By Scott|2011-03-01T12:34:11-05:00March 1st, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News|Comments Off

Ocala Speedway Open For Practice This Saturday

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- The 2011 racing season at Florida’s oldest racetrack begins on March 4th, so Ocala Speedway officials are giving the racers an open practice this Saturday, February 26th, so they can put the finishing touches on their machines. Thanks to an extended Winternationals schedule this year, this will be the only opportunity for drivers to test and tune at Ocala before racing begins.

The Ocala Speedway pit gate will open at noon on Saturday with practice by division on the track from 1PM until 4PM. Admission is $15 per person with children under 12 admitted free of charge. Spectators are welcome to come and either wander through the pit area or watch from the turn 1 bleachers, but must pay admission and sign a pit waiver in order to enter. The grandstands will not be open for the practice session.

For more information on the practice session, or to find out more about the 2011 opening night featuring the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series, please visit America’s Dirt Track at www.OcalaSpeedway.com.

By Scott|2011-02-23T10:09:54-05:00February 23rd, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park|Comments Off

Gardner Takes Two Out Of Three at Ocala

Written by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL – February 19, 2011 – For the third consecutive night, fans crowded into the historic Ocala Speedway to see white hot action from the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series and the UMP Modifieds, as part of the Second Annual Bubba Army National Sprint Car Winter Games. The night’s races wrapped up the 2011 version of the Ocala speedway Winternationals, and also marked the end of only the second annual visit to Florida for the nation’s top wingless sprint car series. And before wrapping up the action on the oldest track in Florida, officials from USAC announced that an agreement has been reached for the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series to return to Ocala in 2012.

The track crew at Ocala Speedway provided what turned out to be a near perfect surface for Saturday’s races, and their efforts were verified when lap times in qualifying began dipping lower and lower still. Tony Stewart Racing’s Levi Jones set the fast time, driving a backup car that until that moment had never been on the clay. Jones’ blistered the clay with a new track record of 14.758 around the tricky circuit. (more…)

By Scott|2011-02-21T23:17:35-05:00February 21st, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results, Series|Comments Off

Clauson and Spatola Win Ocala’s Second Night

by BJ Cavin- Ocala speedway Media

OCALA, FL- Friday night brought a second round of blistering action to the historic Ocala Speedway as the Bubba Army Sprint Car Winter Games continued at America’s Dirt Track, and the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series provided another round of non winged action on the clay. The UMP Modifieds were also back to challenge the southeast’s toughest 3/8ths mile, and seemed to be under the spell of the full moon overhead as controversy surrounded the race.

Ocala’s gumbo clay showed a slightly dryer side to the USAC racers on Friday, slowing things down a notch in qualifying. Tony Stewart Racing’s Levi Jones set the fast time with a 15.211, while Bryan Clauson followed with a 15.288. The previous night’s winner, Damion Gardner, was third fastest with a 15.391, but failed to transfer to the feature event in his heat race later on. In fact, Gardner had to rely on a dominant showing in the B main in order to make the A main field on Friday. Heats produced four winners, including Casey Riggs, Chris Windom, Jon Stanbrough, and Scotty Weir.

The 30 lap feature event saw Blake Fitzpatrick take control as soon as the green flag waved. With just five laps completed Fitzpatrick began to deal with traffic at the rear of the field, and as the race continued under green the traffic woes worsened. In fact, the race went green to checkers without a caution, and was completed in a rapid 8 minutes and 27 seconds. And because there were no cautions to bunch up the field, the concept of “open track” was nonexistent.

No matter how hard Fitzpatrick might have tried to stretch his lead, slower cars kept a determined Bryan Clauson close enough to pester the leader at various points in the race. And Clauson’s repeated attempts at getting around Fitzpatrick finally paid off on lap 23, as he shot under the race leader coming out of turn four and blew by as the two passed the flagstand.

But traffic was just as hard on Clauson as it was on Fitzpatrick, and the Indiana driver was unable to stretch his lead very far. At the same time Fitzpatrick had to deal with the same traffic problems, as did third place runner, Scotty Weir, so no one had a clear shot at each other in the final laps. Bryan Clauson scored the win, followed by Blake Fitzpatrick and Scotty Weir. Damion Gardner fought his way from a dismal starting position to fourth place, and Hunter Schuerenberg was fifth.

The Victory Lane celebration took on a far more emotional tone as Shane Hmiel joined the top three finishers on Ocala’s frontstretch, making his first venture to the races since his horrific accident back on October 9th of last year. Hmiel was happy to be there, speaking to the crowd and joining the winners on the podium for photos. And he was greeted with a rousing ovation from the grandstand and from the racers in the pits as well, as he said that this was his first real time outside of a hospital setting since his accident, and stated that he planned to win this latest race despite long odds.

As the UMP Modifieds made their way onto Ocala Speedway for their feature race, a new face in the crowd was there to challenge the supremacy of repeated Ocala track champion, Jeff Mathews. Devin Dixon had never raced at Ocala, and the Apollo Beach racer had something for the Tampa area’s “Repo Man”. And Dixon wasted no time in showing it, as he jumped in front of Matthews and the two of them battled lap after lap while Kyle Bronson and Illinois’ Mike Spatola had their own tussle over third and fourth places.

Late in the race it was Mathews who took a big shot at getting past Dixon as they exited turn two, and contact between the two racers resulted in a caution flag. Dixon nearly spun into one of the tractor tires on the infield at the bottom of the track, and came to a stop just off of the backstretch as Mathews continued around the circuit. Under caution the race officials determined that both racers were at fault, and under UMP rules sent both to the rear of the field, which did not set well with either one. Both made their exit to the pit area, and the race continued with Mike Spatola leading Kyle Bronson and Jason Miller.

Spatola had made the statement early in his 10 day stint in Florida that he was not going home to Illinois without a win, and with just a one lap dash to the checkers he knew that this was his best shot at not becoming yet another permanently transplanted midwesterner in the Sunshine State. And with Kyle Bronson all over him for the lead, Spatola blasted his machine through turns one and two, leaving Bronson behind and claiming his first Florida win. Tampa’s Kyle Bronson would settle for second place while Jason Miller finished third. Kentucky’s David McWilliams and Panama City’s Todd Neiheiser were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Saturday night marks the absolute last chance for race fans to see the USAC non winged sprint cars this year at the famed Ocala Speedway, and the UMP Modifieds will be back for another round of action as well, this time with a couple of axes to grind over Friday’s controversial final laps. The grandstand gates will open at 4PM, hot laps are scheduled at 6:15 with qualifying to follow, and heats will begin at 7:30. For directions to America’s Dirt Track, or more information on the final night of the 2011 Winternationals, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or phone the track at 352-622-9400.

Bubba Army Sprint Car Nationals, Night 2

1- 7 Bryan Clauson

2- 10 Blake Fitzpatrick

3- 1G Scotty Weir
4- 71 Damion Gardner
5- 35 Hunter Schuerenberg
6- 81 Robert Ballou
7- 10E Shane Cottle
8- 53 Jon Stanbrough
9- 20 Levi Jones
10- 29 Bud Kaeding
11- 37 Casey Riggs
12- 4 Tracy Hines
13- 5X Chris Windom
14- 5 Bobby East
15- 40 Justin Grant
16- 10T Bill Rose
17- 36 Brady Short
18- 14 Coleman Gulick
19- 69 Jerry Coons Jr.
20- 32 Chase Stockton
21- 83 Wes McIntyre
22- 17R Kyle Robbins

UMP Modifieds, Night 2

1- 89 Mike Spatola
2- 40B Kyle Bronson
3- 12 Jason Miller
4- 18 David McWilliams
5- 72 Todd Neiheiser
6- 67 Garret Stewart
7- 56 Dave Barber Jr.
8- 07 Jeff Thomas
9- 1S Keith Smith
10- 05 David Wietholder
11- D4 Dave Jamison

12- 2 Devin Dixon
13- 33 Jeff Mathews
14- 11 Chuck Gustafson Jr.
15- 99 Jim Passino
16- 12M David Moheng
17- 21 Gary Brooks
18- 13 Cory Hupp

By Scott|2011-02-19T18:59:21-05:00February 19th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results, Series|Comments Off

Gardner and Mathews Win First Night Races at Ocala

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA FL- Near perfect weather greeted a huge crowd of excited fans as Ocala Speedway hosted the opening night of the Bubba Army Sprint Car Nationals, featuring the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. Twenty nine wingless sprint cars took on the southeast’s toughest 3/8ths mile on Thursday night, and as expected the D shaped oval claimed a victim or two before it was over. Fans also saw heated action from the UMP Modifieds, which featured a contingent of Florida racers who were not very hospitable to the visiting racers from other states.

Ocala’s track crew provided the USAC National Sprint Car Series with a smooth and fast surface, and Hunter Schuerenberg took advantage by setting a fast qualifying time of 14.801. Four exciting heats and a hard fought B main set the field for the 30 lap feature race, with Chris Windom, Tracy Hines, Jerry Coons Jr, and Shane Cottle, all claiming heat race wins. Casey Riggs took the win in the B main, with Blake Fitzpatrick, Bill Rose, Robert Ballou, Justin Grant, and Wes McIntyre, all following to qualify for the A main. And credit Justin Grant for making the field after tumbling down Ocala’s frontstretch in his heat race after hard contact with the turn four wall. (more…)

By Scott|2011-02-18T21:00:25-05:00February 18th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results, Series|Comments Off

O’Neal Recovers To Take Ocala

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- A huge crowd braved a chilly north central Florida night to see some of the top dirt late model racers in the nation take on each other and the southeast’s toughest 3/8ths mile, in Ocala Speedway’s “Battle Between the Coasts.” The 50 lap, $8000 to win race attracted a stellar field of competitors to Florida’s oldest race track, plus provided plenty of drama that kept the final outcome of the race uncertain until the final lap.

The drama began during qualifying runs, as the session became a constant game of “Top this!” The early qualifiers dealt with a slick track, but as the session continued the surface began to gain grip and times began to shrink. Time after time, racers held the fastest time for a bit, then saw it topped by another, until Josh Richards finally topped them all with a 15.014 to become that Kistler Engines Top Qualifier. Richards also collected an extra $300 bonus from East Palatka Tire Brake and Lube for his efforts.

Four heat races and two B mains set the field for the 50 lap feature, with Brad Neat winding up with the pole position. But Bub McCool would jump out to the early lead at the green flag as Austin Hubbard moved up to the second spot and Scott Bloomquist hung onto third place. Hubbard would find a route past McCool on lap 13 and take the lead until Josh Richards assumed the lead three laps later. Hubbard would make contact with some lapped traffic after retaking the lead soon after, then contact between Don O’Neal and John Lobb led to the first caution after 29 laps under green.

O’Neal would have a tire go down as the result of the contact, so a trip to the pits under caution led to his being relegated to the rear of the field for the restart. Hubbard would restart with the lead while Josh Richards gave chase and Scott Bloomquist slipped back to fifth place. O’Neal wasted no time making his way back toward the front of the field, and quickly caught up with Bloomquist, who he passed for the fourth spot.

Austin Hubbard’s place as the race leader looked very secure until lap 46 when a flat tire caused him to make contact with the backstretch wall, and at virtually the same time Josh Richards blew a right rear tire as well. After the resulting caution for Hubbard’s problems, Don O’Neal found himself back in the lead as two more flats resulted in top contenders, Shane Clanton and Bub McCool, exiting to the pits in the final laps.

Don O’Neal notched the win and got a celebration on Ocala Speedway’s frontstretch after overcoming misfortune and a very unforgiving race track, while Scott Bloomquist wound up claiming the second spot. Jonathan Davenport was the third place finisher, followed by Ryan Urzicker and Josh Richards for fourth and fifth places.

Ocala Speedway’s rough and tumble Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks were going after a $500 paycheck courtesy of Astor Recycling as they started their 20 lap feature, with 2010 Division Champion Scott Mooers leading the field to the green flag. Mooers would hold the lead until Luke Sadler briefly stole it on lap 3, but lost it again two laps later. Meanwhile Jason Gamble had moved into the 3rd spot and was on his way forward while being challenged by Kevin Durden for the position. Sadler would spin and be sent to the rear on lap 7, and shortly thereafter Durden was in position to challenge for the lead.

Scott Mooers continued to hold the lead until a mechanical issue with the right rear suspension slowed him on lap 9. Mooers would slip to third place while Jason Gamble pounced on the opportunity and jumped into the lead, followed by Chris Fontaine. Mooers would continue to slip as Eddie Lake passed him for fourth place then Durden passed him for fifth.

Jason Gamble was untouchable through the final laps as he claimed the victory and the payoff from Astor Recycling. Chris Fontaine followed in second place and Eddie Lake was third. Kevin Durden was the fourth place car and Alan Peacock rounded out the top five.

February Winternationals action continues at Ocala Speedway this Thursday night as the USAC wingless sprint cars come to America’s Dirt Track for the Bubba Army Sprint Car Nationals. Joining the wingless sprints will be the UMP Modifieds on all three nights of competition, including Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at 8PM. For more information on the remainder of the Winternationals schedule at Florida’s most historic race track, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com.

By Scott|2011-02-14T12:24:06-05:00February 14th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results, Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Racers Ready For Ocala’s Battle Between the Coasts

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- Dirt racing fans will have something extraordinary to cheer about this weekend as many of the top dirt late model racers in the nation converge on the toughest 3/8ths mile in the southeast for “The Battle Between The Coasts.” This event will be another first for Florida’s oldest and most historic speedway, and the second scheduled event in Ocala Speedway’s February Winternationals for 2011.

This rare Sunday night dual race event at Ocala Speedway will pay $8000 to the winner, and is strategically scheduled on what had been a day off between Speedweeks events at East Bay Raceway, and at Volusia Speedway Park. And since the top late model racers in the country didn’t come to Florida to take time off, most of the top names have said that they plan to use the Sunday night race to find out what makes Ocala’s odd layout so challenging, and get a fair shot at making some money as well. And because the “Battle Between The Coasts” is scheduled between the other Speedweeks events which feature racers from both of America’s top dirt late model touring series, racers from both the World of Outlaws Late Models and from the Lucas Oil Series will be free to come to Ocala to take on the track and each other.

In addition to exceptional late model action, Ocala Speedway’s own V8 Thunder Stock Division will take to the clay in a unique preseason exhibition that pays $500 to the victor. Astor Recycling has come on board for this event as a sponsor, allowing the purse for this race to pay out more through the field, which will benefit all of the racers no matter where they might finish or how their fortunes might go in the feature event. And as Ocala’s race fans already know, the V8 Thunder Stocks at Ocala Speedway are the most competitive division during the regular season, and racers are not afraid to use fenders, bumpers, or the wall, in their efforts to get to the front of the pack.

Ocala Speedway will open the grandstand gates at 4PM this Sunday afternoon, with racing action scheduled to begin at 7PM. Admission for adults is $25, with kids aged 5 to 16 admitted for just $12. Children 4 and under are free. Racers that have informed Ocala Speedway of their intentions to race include Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr, Josh Richards, Russ King, Darrell Lanigan, Clint Smith, Justin Ratliff, Frank Heckenast Jr, Mike Marlar, Brad Neap, Jonathan Davenport, Chub Frank, Rick “Boom” Briggs, and Shane Clanton, just to name a few. Race organizers are expecting upwards of 50 top late model teams to be on hand for this event, depending on their fortunes during racing at East Bay during the week.

For additional information, plus directions to the track and more, please visit America’s Dirt Track online at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or call the speedway at 352-622-9400.

By Scott|2011-02-10T08:22:54-05:00February 10th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Ocala Speedway Winternationals Rained Out For Saturday

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA FL -February 5, 2011- Due to a heavy downpour of rain that has left the clay at Ocala Speedway unworkable, Saturday’s Winternationals events featuring the O’Reilly All Stars and the Florida Mini Sprints have been cancelled. Unfortunately, scheduling problems prevent the series and the track from having a makeup date for these events.

The next Winternationals event at Ocala Speedway will be the Late Model Battle Between the Coasts, featuring most of the top dirt late model racers in America, to be held on Sunday, February 13th. For more information on this event, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com.

By Scott|2011-02-05T21:27:56-05:00February 5th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Front Page News|Comments Off

Shaffer and O’Donnell Are Victorious at Ocala

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

Photos by R.E. Wing Photo

OCALA, FL -February 4, 2011- Race fans crowded into Ocala Speedway on Friday night to see the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions break in the clay to begin their 2011 racing season, and those fans were not only treated to a fantastic show, but also were graced with a warm and rainless night that was near perfect for dynamic racing action. Joining the All Stars on the night were the always competitive Florida Mini Sprint Association, who provided quite the battle up front in their feature event.

From the start of the night it appeared that the man to beat might be Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz. Schatz qualified next to last and turned a blistering 13.039 on his second lap to take the Kistler Engines Fast Qualifier Award, then gave last year’s Rookie of the Year, Aaron Ott, major fits in the Dash race for starting positions. But Donny Schatz’s night would end early with a spectacular front stretch flip in the feature race as he became entangled in some lapped traffic. After racing ended Tony Stewart himself was spotted assessing the damage to Schatz’s machine in the pit area, as the team attempted to regroup.

Tim Shaffer may not have set the fastest qualifying time, but in the Dash for starting positions he rose to the top and remained there to nab the pole position for the feature race. Traffic is always a problem in the tight and odd shaped confines of Ocala Speedway, but between cautions that gave Shaffer clear track ahead, and Shaffer’s own skill at dealing with slower machines, he managed to avoid obstacles and maintain his lead. Early chasers like Aaron Ott and Donny Schatz slipped back and were replaced by Daryn Pittman and Tyler Walker late in the race, but Shaffer held on to claim victory in the 25 lap event.

Tim Shaffer got to enjoy a huge victory celebration on Ocala’s front stretch, while Daryn Pittman claimed the second place finish. Pittman was followed by Tyler Walker in third place, with Aaron Ott and Dale Blaney filling out the top five finishers.

The Florida Mini Sprints may well be the most exciting and competitive traveling series in the state, and they certainly did not disappoint at Ocala on Friday night. Almost from the start of their feature event an all out back and forth brawl developed between 2010 FMSA Champion Brett O’Donnell, and returning veteran Harold Matthews, and those two competitors provided plenty of action and had the crowd cheering them on. In fact. O’Donnell and Matthews managed to pull away from the pack late in the race and set themselves apart, as Gavin Thomas battled it out behind them with Andy Arnold and David Hall.

On lap 15 Matthews finally succumbed to O’Donnell’s aggressive chasing as O’Donnell made a daring pass to grab the lead for good. Paul Lanza’s late flip on lap 17 would provide a green-white-checker restart with the field again bunched together, but Matthews could not get himself back in front of the race leader.

Brett O’Donnell claimed the victory in his last weekend running with the Florida Mini Sprints before moving up to a full sized 360 sprint car for 2011, with Harold Matthews following for second place. Gavin Thomas was tough all night and wound up in the third spot, while Andy Arnold and David Hall rounded out the top five.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Circuit of Champions and the Florida Mini Sprint Association are set to go at it again on Saturday night on Ocala’s tricky 3/8ths mile, and certainly it will be another night of thrills and tough competition. Fans needing schedule information or directions to the track are urged to visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com, where they will also find a link to sign up for alerts to weather related delays and/or changes from RainedOut.com. As was the case on Friday, the grandstand gates will open at 5PM on Saturday with racing beginning at 8PM with heats, B-mains, and Dash events. Feature races will follow later in the evening.

By Scott|2011-02-05T14:11:56-05:00February 5th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off