|
| Figure Eight Racing Returns to Ocala Speedway Friday Night | by Dave Westerman
The wild and wooly world of Figure Eight racing returns to Ocala Speedway for the first time in almost three years as part of yet another big evening of racing Friday night.
Figure Eight racing was a popular draw in past years, but until recently, the only track running Figure Eights on a regular basis has been Sunshine Speedway near St. Petersburg. Now Ocala Speedway will be back in the Figure Eight fold while other tracks like Bronson Motor Speedway, Citrus County Speedway, and Hialeah Speedway will also be running the criss-cross action in 2003. Even Charlotte County Speedway will close down for a period of time this summer for the purpose of putting in a Figure Eight track.
"There's an element of danger to all motorsports, but never is it more apparent to the fan than in Figure Eight racing. It's a race and a thrill ride all rolled up in one," says Ocala Speedway General Manager Tim Christman.
A number of drivers around the State of Florida still specialize in Figure Eights and it will be interesting to see who shows up to challenge the tough Ocala "X" and how many local drivers will also stand up to the challenge.
It's back to regular weekly racing action for the Steven A. Bagen Super Late Models following the Sunbelt Super Series race last week.
2002 Ocala Champion Robbie Smith will have a new car at his disposal for this week's action and several other cars have been completed and are ready to join the run for the Super Late Model title.
WIND-FM Modified opening night winner Rick Hall of Tampa blew an engine in the Cordele, GA UPM race last weekend and it's not yet known if he'll have his car ready for action this week. Nonetheless, look for a strong field of fenderless flyers this week.
It looks like it will be almost a toss-up each week when the green flag fall on the Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman class. With so many strong running Sportsman cars in the pits each night, this division is quick becoming a fan favorite.
Cars, cars, and more cars is the word in the K-Country Street Stocks, but the big fields haven't slowed down Belleview's Tommy Roberts. Roberts, who runs a local cleaning service, has "cleaned house" in both features run so far this year and also saw his son Todd make a respectable debut in the class last week as well.
Who can stop the Durbins? That's the question in the Four Cylinder Stocks as the Durbin brothers Joey and Justin have claimed the division's two checkered flags so far. This class has seen the biggest growth of any class so far this year and fans are being treated to some great action by the stock four-bangers.
Pit gates open at 4PM, Grandstand gates at 6PM. Super Late Model time trials are slated for 7:30 with heat races starting at 8PM.
All fans are urged to wear red, white, and blue in support of our troops overseas.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
