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Wayne Anderson Captures Third Governors Cup
By Jack Smith
Though runner-up Tim Russell led in the early going and gave him a good run, it was a very strong third Governors Cup win at the end of 200 laps for Wayne Anderson. Anderson set fast time and started on the pole in the running of the 43rd Annual Governors Cup at new Smyrna.
The race had nine cautions, but there was several very long green flag runs making for some good racing for the fans who braved the chilly temperatures.
Twenty-six cars took the green flag with not only the Cup title on the line but the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series and Triple Crown Championships as well.
Jeremy Colangelo came in with a 13 point lead over Russell, but the youngster from Deland could only manage a 9th position finish giving Russell the Sunbelt crown. A double disappoint for Colangelo as Brian
Finney (Merritt Island) finished two spots ahead of him to squeeze out the Triple Crown title by a few points.
.........
REST OF THE STORY! |
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The Florida Governor's Cup
was  commissioned by then
Governor Haydon Burns and was first awarded to Wayne Reutimann in 1965. The Cup was created to pay tribute to Al Keller, long time promoter of Florida stock car tracks. The Cup continues to be the premier race of the season through all these
years in spite of set backs and the immense changes our state has gone through.
The race was originally run at Golden Gate Speedway in Tampa until environmental issues forced the temporary closing of the track
in 1979.
Sunshine Speedway hosted the race in 1979, with the race moving back to Golden Gate for the next three years, under the direction of Don Nerone. The
DeSoto Speedway hosted the race until 1987, though the Cup was not officially competed for. It was at that time that Clyde Hart, the builder and owner of New
Smyrna Speedway stepped forward and revived both the race
and it's history. The race has been run at New Smyrna's half-mile ever since. In 1998 the Governor's Cup was promoted for television by Terry Wall and Jack Smith, and
was shown for the first time to fans all through the South via FOX and Sunshine Networks |
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The 2001 Governor's Cup 200 at New Smyrna Speedway was very special indeed. Governor Jeb Bush was the Grand Marshall and in the wake of the September 11 attacks his appearance was both inspiring
for the fans and gave a much needed lift for all in attendance.The newly refurbished Grandstands at the New Smyrna Speedway were ready and an awesome field of the very best Late Model teams put on
the show of the year for Florida race fans. This was THE RACE of the Year!!
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In Memory of Al Keller
Al Keller migrated from White Plains, N.Y., to Tampa in 1948. He immediately began an association with frank Dery, Jr. not only as a race driver, but
also as a partner in the speed equipment  business.
Keller drove Dery's modified at Plant Field, Speedway Park, Phillips Field and many other tracks in Florida. His famous flame set many records at local tracks. Al Later set his sights on
the Indy 500 and in 1961 qualified 26th in afield of 33 cars. He finished 5th.
Late in 1961 Keller journeyed to Phoenix, Arizona, to the famous one mile dirt track there. On his way to the races he stopped
briefly in Tampa and talked to Dery on the phone. He went to Phoenix and set a one lap record that fateful Sunday. Later, during the 100 mile race Keller received fatal injuries in a crash.
The racing fraternity lost a fine competitor and gentleman with the death of Al Keller. It a a fine tribute by the State of Florida, and by our Governor, to honor him.
-Jim King |
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The #32 of Dave McInnis, winner of the first Florida State Championship. |
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courtesy Florida Retrosprctive Pictorial |
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