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| Classics Do Double Duty this weekend at Orlando and Desoto, Fans Can Win Vacation with new Worst to First Challenge | by Dave Westerman
After over a month off, the Classic Auto Racing Series returns to action this weekend at both Orlando Speedworld and Desoto Super Speedway.
The Classics haven't raced since late May when Daryl Grief took his second win of the season at JAX Raceways, so the drivers are looking forward to getting back in the saddle at Orlando on Friday.
It will be the third of several appearances for the CARS machines this year at Speedworld with Bud Spencer and Jim Rahman scoring wins already at the fast three-eighth's mile. "We'll dust the cobwebs off this thing and see if we can make it two in a row there," says Rahman, the defending Classic Auto Racing Series Champion.
Actually, the CARS racers were supposed to run at Orlando twice in June, however the June 7th date was canceled because of the Crasharama festivities the night before which left the track unusable for the following night, then a scheduled race on June 20th was rained out.
Saturday night, the Classics make their first appearance at Desoto Super Speedway in several years. The last time the coupes and coaches turned a wheel at Desoto was in November of 1997 in a race won by now-retired Robert King of Sebring.
Ben Booth of Deland leads both the overall CARS point chase as well as the Door Operating Systems Rookie of the Year standings going into the weekend. Booth's overall lead is just one point over Daryl Grief while rookie contender Joey Strehle is 27 points behind Grief. Bud Spencer and E.B. Carr round out the current top five.
Beginning with Saturday's race at Desoto, The Classic Auto Racing Series is joining with A-1 Discount Vacations of Orlando to present the "A-1 Discount Vacations Worst to First Award" which will give two fans the opportunity to win a five day, four night vacation including three days and two nights on Ft. Lauderdale Beach and a two-day Nassau, Bahamas cruise courtesy of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines.
Following Friday's race at Orlando, the top two finishers will be required to start at the rear of Saturday's feature at Desoto. Two fans will be chosen by calling two rain check numbers from those fans who purchase regular grandstand admission tickets. The two fans will then pick their driver out of a hat and if their driver wins the race, they win the vacation! A-1 Discount Vacations will also be putting up the "Worst to First Award" at the remaining races on the CARS schedule for 2003 as well.
A-1 has a number of great discount vacation packages available to race fans for stays in the Orlando attractions area, Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau, Las Vegas and more. They can be reached at 1-800-783-1963. Make sure to mention the Classic Auto Racing Series.
Of course, the driver won't be left out if he goes from worst to first as Frank's Sandblasting of Ft. Pierce has posted a $100 award for any driver winning back to back races in the Series.
Driver Harvey Ewing of Brooksville is out for the season following major back surgery. The Classic Auto Racing seies would like to send its get well wishes to Harvey and his wife Sharen.
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS - CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES:
1) Ben Booth (R), Deland #12 346
2) Daryl Grief, Deland #1 345
3) Joey Strehle (R), Lake Mack #X11 318
4) Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7 294
5) E.B. Carr, Okeechobee #90 279
6) Hot Rod Hagan, Merritt Island #6 278
7) Greg Helton (R), Orange City #3 259
8) Patrick Sanders, Winter Garden #8 254
9) Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11 252
Bill Posey (R), Rockledge #00 252
11) Jim Rahman, Clermont #5 246
12) George Hall, Jr., St. Petersburg #32 241
13) George Hall III, St. Petersburg #9 232
14) Simeon Spagnuolo, Vero Beach #21 204
15) Harvey Ewing, Brooksville #17 170
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