|
| UPM Mod Squad Opens 2004 at Citrus Pre Season Finale | by Larry MacMillan
Citrus County Speedway goes back into action Saturday night for their 2004 Pre Season Finale with a full race card on the schedule. The previously announced Figure 8 season opener will be delayed until April 10th due to a conflict in the traveling series schedule. The speedway will be closed for the entire month of March to make way for three weeks of Citrus County Fair activities and some extensive repairs to the fairgrounds in preparation for the fair.
The UPM Modifieds will open their season Saturday night with time trials and a special feature to kick off their point’s pursuit for 2004. Open wheeled aces like Wayne Jefferson who won the August 2003 race in their 100 lap special will go against the likes of Dwayne Dempsey who led 73 laps in that race for a second place finish. Add to the line up Steve Gainey, Alan McCafferty, Lee Collins, Jerry Symons, Joe Federico, John and Jeremy Gerstner to the line up and you have the best in the division. They will make numerous appearances in 2004.
Super Stocks get on track after the appearance of the Southern Sportsman last week giving them the night off. Steve Olone will probably be back to try to make it two in a row at the 3/8ths mile. Owen Leigh was able to pull off a second place run followed by Chris Cross, Frank Buchanan and young Dusty Bremmer on their last outing. There was a short field of 10 cars last time out but there are still quite a few in the garage getting ready to make their opener in April when the 2004 official points season starts.
After last week’s Mini Stock barn burner special that drew 43 entrants it will be regular racing for the locals this week. Chris Hooker will be back to defend his 2003 championship along with Chris Thornton, Dustin DesChamps, Steve Griffin and maybe last week’s winner Robbie Yoakam will take another crack at his home track. Some of the locals took the week off and should be back in action this weekend.
Twenty two Hobby Stocks went wheel to wheel in an exciting 50 lap main last week. Many will be back in regular heat and feature action this week to get a head start on the regular point season in what might be termed a fun testing and tuning race before they have a month off to really super tune their racers when the point season begins. Richie Smith will be back to defend his third championship against more experienced young guns like Curtis Neumann, Neil Herne and Gordon Cade. Twenty one cars showed for the first race on February 7th and put on a very competitive race.
Thunder Stocks have been showing up in big numbers with 28 taking the green flag last week. Jared Kessler was able to outrun perennial winner and defending champion Pat Veltman last week but Pat was right there at the end being chased by Glen Colyer Sr., Rick Badessa and Jerry Hoover for their top five finish. There are some new names that will come to the top before this season is over in this beginner class.
Another new inexpensive beginner division has come to roost as regulars at Citrus County Speedway. The 4 Cylinder Bombers have only had about 12 drivers take part since its inception late last season but is expected to grow as the season gets off the ground in April. They will put the finishing touches on the full race card this Saturday night.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
