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| Florida Pro 100 Takes Citrus Center Stage Saturday | by Larry MacMillan
(Inverness, Fl. 7/27/04) Nineteen Late Models were disappointed last week when the Citrus County Speedway Late Model Twin 50’s were postponed due to the rainout. It would have given them the opportunity to test and tune for this week’s Florida Pro Super Late Model 100. Hopefully Mother Nature will be more understanding for the second appearance of the 2004 Florida Pro Series at Citrus.
Last time out it was two local drivers taking the top two spots. Herb Neumann Jr., currently third, and John Chance, leading the points, are hoping that home track advantage will be in their favor one more time in this big race. Rich Pratt comes into the sixth race of the season with the series point lead being chased by another local driver Jim Smith who is dedicating this season to becoming “Rookie of the Year” and possibly the series Championship and is looking for his first series win Saturday. Jay Middleton is third in the point race, taking his second win of the series on July 10th at Bronson and finishing fifth in May here at Citrus. Doyle Boatwright, Steve Dorer, Brian Finney, Tal Etheridge, Wayne Anderson, Kevin Finney and David Hodges are all expected to make the race to defend their position in the top ten.
Other local drivers that are expected to run in the 100 lap special are former track champion Danny Johnson, rookie Daniel Webster, Rex Struble, Cyrus Robinson and track record holder Scott Grossenbacher just to mention a few. Add the possibility of Perry Lovelady, Raymond Lovelady, Bill Oestreicher, former Mini Stock contender Dustin DesChamps to the list as possible entries after making the field last week for the Twin 50’s. Former Late Model Champion Gary Grubbs made a surprise return to the race last week after a 7 year absence and he may be back to drive Keith Zavrel’s #47 in the big one. Jeremy Goddard and Ralph Goddard were two other new names who showed up last week as well. You just never know who will show up for this one and we are praying for some great weather for this final 2004 Florida Pro Race at Citrus.
Added to the program will be the 38 car Super Stock entries which are chasing Joe Viverito for the point lead. Sixty one Hobby Stocks will continue to work on Tommy Smith’s lead. Thirty four Mini Stocks are after rookie Jim Curry who has a slim 13 point lead in the division. Fifty three Thunder Stocks have their work cut out for them in overtaking Jerry Hoover. And the 4 Cylinder Bombers will round out the race card.
The postponed Twin 50’s have been rescheduled for Saturday, August 7th which will be “Back to School Bash” night with driver autographs and will add the Sportsman 40 and Figure 8’s to the program. Rain checks from last week’s rainout will be good for either show. Race drivers and pit crews are reminded to bring their wrist bands from last week so there is no entry problem in the pits. That is your ticket or rain check and no “tickey no racey” without paying again.
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