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| Florida Pro Series Opener Set for Columbia Motorsports Park | by Dave Westerman
The Florida Pro Super Late Models Series opens its 11th season this Saturday night with the traditional season-opener at Columbia Motorsports Park near Lake City.
Twelve races are already on the Florida Pro schedule for 2003 with the possibility of two more being added shortly.
One thing that won't be the same as years past will be Dick Anderson defending a Florida Pro Series championship. Anderson, the 2001 and 2002 title holder, has semi-retired and rumor has 2002 Governor's Cup champion Mike Fritts wheeling Anderson's new machine this year (he was in the car at New Smyrna's World Series along with Anderson's son Wayne), while Anderson will also be working with some of the younger Super Late Model drivers who are trying to gain a foothold in the sport.
The Florida Pro Series' 2002 season saw its ups and downs, but finished the year strong allowing promoter Bert Ashelman to have a good outlook toward 2003. "Everything is so up-in-the-air right now, " says Ashelman. "The economy, the threat of war, high gas prices... they all combine to give every promoter in this business an uncertain outlook.
At least this year, we're pretty much working together, so we'll open up the gates and see if we get a flood or a trickle," he said.
A number of top teams are poised to get at it for the season opening 125-lapper Saturday night including the North Florida Medical team of 2002 Florida Pro Rookie of the Year Jay Middleton, who lives in Lake City and considers Columbia his home track.
Doyle Boatwright of nearby Starke, a winner at CMP in Florida Pro action last year, is poised and ready and thinks he can claim the 2003 championship.
Other North Florida drivers ready to go Saturday include young up-and-comer Fain Skinner, Mac Johnson, Kevin Dicks, Donnie Oden, Michael Faulk, Kent Bissell, and Mark Mitchell of Tallahassee.
Jacksonville's David Browning has indicated he'll run the asphalt this year with Florida Pro while there is a good possibility fan-favorite Jimmy Britts may be in the field.
Mid-Florida hotshoes expected include Citrus County Speedway leadfoot Mike Bresnehan, Anthony's Rich Pratt, and Kevin Durden of Gainesville.
South Florida will be represented by David Froelich, Kevin Gillum and Craig Seewald while the State of Georgia will have David Hodges, Jr. of Valdosta and Jeff Gordon of Albany in the field.
An open practice will be held on Friday evening with pit gates opening Saturday afternoon at 4PM with practice at 5PM and qualifying at 6:30PM and racing, including the season opener for Columbia Motorsports Park's regular divisions, starting at 7:30PM.
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