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| Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 set for July 29th at New Smyrna Speedway | Samsula, Fla. (July 26, 2006) The Goodyear Challenge Late Models roll into New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday, July 29th with tight points and only three races left in 2006. The points lead has changed a number of times thus far this year with Joe Winchell on top of the points going into Saturday's race.
Winchell has been very strong this year having a bad night when his battery ran out of juice but has made that up since then. Winchell leads the points with 625 over Rookie Dustin Deschanps who has 601 points. Right behind Deschamps is the 2005 Goodyear Challenge Late Model Champion Rich Clouser who has led the points longer than anyone thus far this year.
"We had a bad night the first night of the series and a bad night at Columbia when the car ran hot and we had to withdraw from the race," said Clouser. "But the car is fast and ready for New Smyrna and we are hoping to move back up on top Saturday night."
Travis Cope, also a rookie and winner of three races thus far this year, stands fourth in points, only 12 points behind Clouser. Travis, son of Mike Cope owner of Bronson Motor Speedway, has improved throughout the year and has proven that even though young, he can definitely wheel a racecar.
Troy Hall has plenty of Late Model experience coming out of the old SARA Late Model Series and stands fifth in points. Right behind Hall is Chuck Burkhalter who saw his car demolished once this year. Burkhalter had bad luck also at Columbia when his brand new engine had no oil pressure and he was forced to sit the race out.
Justin Larson, also a rookie, sits seventh in points and has adjusted very well from Mini Stock to Late Model. A.J. Curreli stands eighth followed by Greg Kaouk in ninth and 2005 Rookie of the Year Sam Watts in tenth.
Other drivers expected at New Smyrna are Charles Kopach, Chuck Abell, Alli Owens, Dean Ferri, Jeremy Goddard, Jeremy Colangelo, Brad May, and the list goes on. May, who won at USA International, hopes to make this his second win of the year and says he has a strong car for New Smyrna.
Pit gate will open at 2 pm on Saturday with practice for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model drivers only from 3 to 4 with division practice to follow. Qualifying will begin at 6:30 pm with racing action at 7:30 pm. Along with the Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 will be the Open Wheel Modifieds, Pro Trucks, Sportsman, Super Stock, Mini Stock and Strictly Stock.
General admission is $20.00, students and seniors $15.00, children 11 and under FREE. For more information go to www.fascar.org.
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