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| Classic Cars Gear Up for 2004 Winternationals | by Dave Westerman
Drivers from Florida and several other states are getting poised for five consecutive nights of racing as the Dan Webster for U.S. Senate Classic Auto Racing Series begins the new season with the 2004 Winternationals at Orlando Speedworld.
2003 CARS Champion Ben Booth is hoping to run the entire week and steal some of the thunder from the out-of-state drivers which will include Tennessee lead foot Brian Ball who swept the Thanksgiving weekend races at Orlando and New Smyrna in November. Ball again will be behind the wheel of Steve Harrison's immaculate 1940 Ford coupe while Booth will be tooling his red and white 1934 Chevy Sedan.
Some bad news was received earlier this week when it was found that another Tennessee stand\ out, "Rocket" Robbie Sands would not be able to compete. An ulcer problem has put Sands between the sheets for awhile, but he is expected to be OK. However, a number of competitors representing Tennessee will be competing, most of whom compete during the regular season at Atomic Motor Speedway.
The Maryland/Pennsylvania Circuit will be represented as well. Among the drivers from that area will be Classic Car veteran Bill Brown Sr., of Woodbine, MD.
Among the Florida contingent who have indicated they will run are two-time CARS Champion Jim Rahman of Clermont, Ray Frazee of Oak Hill, Bud Spencer of Palm Harbor, and 2003 points runner-up Daryl Grief of Deland.
Several rookie drivers are looking to get their "feet wet" during the Winternationals. Tim Ousley of Windermere ran a handful of races in 2003 and will go after the 2004 Rookie title in earnest. Cleveland "Beaver" Daughtrey is another driver who plans to run for Rookie of the Year and will use the Winternationals as a "tune up" for the regular season. Daughtrey has quite a bit of experience at Speedworld in Four Cylinder Bombers and Super Stocks and hopes to be "as competitive as I can be."
Another young driver who is eligible for Rookie of the Year is Kyle McGill. However, McGill's job may prevent him from running every race, so he and his dad have gotten a "hired gun" to wheel the car in some events. They've got a good one too, as the driver is Corey Freed, the 2003 Super Stock Champion at Orlando Speedworld.
Action gets under way at 7PM on Tuesday and continues through Saturday.
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