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| FASTRUCKS/FASTKIDS AND MOD/OPEN WHEEL LITES Top SpeedWorld Weekend | by Dave Westerman
There will be plenty of action this weekend at Orlando Speedworld as the FASTRUCK Series heads to the three-eighth's mile for the first time this year Friday evening along with the new FASTKIDS Series while Saturday night, both former Dwarf Car Groups - the Florida Open Wheel Lites (FOWL) and the Modified Lites under sanction by the Florida Welterweight Racing Association will both be on the same program in a unique format.
FASTRUCK is known for wild and sometimes controversial racing with a mix of journeymen racers, raw rookies, and young lions looking to make a name for themselves.
Tommy King of Bartow, the 2003 FASTRUCK Champion, comes into Friday's 50 lap race as the point leader by just eleven markers over George Morales. Marty Zehr is only three points behind Morales in a very close points battle.
Speedworld favorite Sean "Weasel" Bass will be in the field driving a Dodge owned by long-time Speedworld competitor Jeff "Jinx" Moyer. Bass, already a two-time winner in Mini Stocks at Orlando this year, is currently seventh in FASTRUCK points.
Other drivers expected in the line-up are Jimmy Gill, Tim Shaffner, Jeff Firestine, James Wright III, fast rookie David Pollen, Jr., Shawn Icely, Gary Foxworth, Dustin Skinner (son of NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver Mike Skinner), Big Al Neumann, Chargin' Charlie Worth, and former Speedworld Super Late Model racer Johnny Gazdacko who has moved into FASTRUCK in 2004.
The FASTKIDS division continues to grow with Speedworld RE/MAX Legends Car competitor Sam Watts of Winter Springs already making a big impact by winning in his very first Series start last weekend at Charlotte County Speedway.
Matt Martin, young son of NASCAR legend Mark Martin, continues to lead the FASTKIDS points race in a tight battle over Dalton Zehr, Spencer Taylor, Cody Pitts, Amanda Gogel and Josh Crenshaw.
The youngsters will duke it out for 25 laps with Watts and Martin getting to race on their "home" track in a truck for the first time.
Martin raced Bandoleros here along with his Quarter Midget program before turning to FASTKIDS this year.
Sportsman, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, and Strictly Stocks will also be in action.
Defending champion Richard Hight of Intercession City leads the Sportsman points race by 32 over rookie Bobby Joe Woodley who picked up his first Sportsman feature win two weeks ago. Bruce Gayton, Earl Beckner, and Justin Hall round out the current top five in Sportsman points.
Chad Ashley leads fellow Auburndale resident Sean Bass by just six markers going into Friday night's Mini Stock action. Bass will be doing double duty with both his Mini Stock and truck. Rounding out the current top five in Mini Stock points are Dick Laszlo, rookie Stephen Simpson, and R.J. Arnone.
Although he hasn't won a feature yet, consistent and clean driving has Bob Beiler on top of the Super Stock point standings. Despite a two week suspension, Ron Whaley is in second place, 32 points behind Beiler and just eight markers ahead of Ted Head. Corey Freed, Bill Loomis and Dave "White Fire" Wright round out the current Super Stock point leaders.
For years, race fans around Florida were treated to great action by the Dwarf Cars. In recent years though, the word "dwarf" has been done away with and various rules changes and body style changes have caused a split in the ranks.
Two groups, the Modified Lites, under sanction by the Florida Welterweight Racing Association which also sanctions the Pro Challenge division, which allows the newer style "Dirt Modified" bodied cars, and the Florida Open Wheel Lites (FOWL) who run only the "traditional" bodies have been running races at various tracks in the state.
Although both draw very good fields of cars, Speedworld has worked out a unique deal that will bring both groups together this week.
Each group will run a feature, however members of both groups can run in both races if they wish. "I think this is great for the fans," says Speedworld General Manager Dick Westfall. "Both of these groups put on such an incredible show, the fans will get twice their money's worth. Plus toss in the Legends, Pro Challenge Cars and the Hurricanes and where else can you get more entertainment for five bucks?" he says.
So far this year, Mark Landis of Delray Beach has been the big winner in Mod Lite action at Speedworld with FOWL regular Ron Towles of Jacksonville stealing the spotlight on two occasions including the last race here. Mark Landis' brother George hopes to end his "Harry Gant Syndrome" this week as he's finished second in every race this year at Speedworld.
Among the Mod Lite/FOWL contingent expected this week include Stan Hope, Brian Gingras, Robert Hight, Rick Lundeen, Robert Crandall, Bob Quick, Nick Shadid, Kevin Baxter, Wild Bill Burback, "Spanky" McFarland, Dan Nyhan, Jim "Big-un" Biglin, Phil Krauthoff, Todd Diers, Wayne DeClerck and a host of others.
Another good weather forecast should bring out plenty of RE/MAX Legends Cars this week after a much needed week off following Crash-A-Rama to re-group a bit after a hard-fought several consecutive weeks of racing.
Patrick Conrad of Clermont continues to lead the Legends Car point standings with brothers Kevin and Kory Abbott, Sam Watts, and several others in a tight battle for second.
The always competitive Pro Challenge Cars will be in action featuring the Sanders brothers, Brad and Ron in their trucks against the likes of two-time Speedworld winner Todd Currier, Howard Brennan, Mark & Tyler David, Ken Watts, Mark Lago and many more.
The Hurricane class continues to grow with the guys to beat right now being Bobby Crites in his VW Rabbit, Greg Bruce in his Ford Escort and the Dodge Daytona of ageless wonder Red "Pop" Honaker.
For the special FASTRUCK/FASTKIDS program, pit gates will open Friday afternoon at 2PM with a FASTRUCK/FASTKIDS only practice session from 3-4:30PM.
Open practice for all divisions will take place from 4:30-6PM with FASTRUCK/FASTKIDS time trials beginning at 6:30PM. Grandstand gates open at 6PM and racing starts at 8PM.
Saturday, pit gates open at 3PM with grandstand gates open at 5:30PM and racing starts at 7PM. Again fans are reminded that grandstand admission every Saturday night is just $5.00, so if money is a little tight, you can still afford to got to the races!
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