May 10

FSCR

Clouser takes runner up spot in Goodyear Challenge Series

Rick Bristol / C.A.R.S. Racer Marketing

May 8th - Orlando FL. - Rich Clouser would use early patience and smart moves to challenge veteran Joe Winchell for the win at New Smyrna Speedway.

Clouser would begin by qualifying fifth of the 27 Late Models that assembled for competition. A nine car inversion would place him 6th for the start of the 100 lap affair.

On the green Clouser was able to get down quickly and into the fifth position and would use patience early in the event to avoid a couple close calls. Later in the event on a restart leader Jason Boyd and second place Doug Samion tangled when Boyd missed a shift. Clouser was just able to avoid the Samion car that hit the front stretch wall a ton and nearly rolled over. When the smoke cleared Clouser would restart second behind Winchell.

The rest of the race was marred by several cautions and red flags and some disqualified drivers. Clouser tried to pressure Winchell but the numerous cautions did not play into his hands.

" We needed some long runs, car was real good but needed some laps to get going. I really wanted those last 25 laps to go green but it just did not happen. It was a good night in the points the car is one piece and now we can get ready for Lakeland" said Clouser.

" We had a better car than Winchell, we saved it for the end but just got killed by the cautions and reds. It was pretty bad, we only ran about 38 laps under green. Well Lakeland is next and we don't have to fix ours so that's not bad, and we took over second in the points" said car owner Bobby Sears.

The Sears race team came with a new color and paint scheme and is currently looking for sponsorship help for the rest of the 2004 season.

The next event is June 5th at the USA International Speedway as a companion event with the Hooter's Pro Cup event.

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