February 6, 2000-(Barberville, FL) Late Model Sportsman driver Ivedent Lloyd has maintained a love-hate relationship with Volusia Speedway Parkover the years. Some nights, the Ocala native has things his way on the fast, half mile clay track. Other nights, things haven't gone well. Sunday night was not one of those nights as Lloyd won the 100 lap National LateModel Sportsman (NLMS) series race in style and captured $5,000.

Volusia Speedway Park hosted their first annual Kickoff to Speedweeks Saturday and Sunday. The highlight of the weekend was the 100 lap NLMS raceSunday afternoon. Qualifying on Saturday and a slew of support races filled out the card over the weekend. It was also the first opportunity for drivers to race on the new clay surface. Sixty-one Late Model Sportsman attempted to qualify for the event. Lloyd captured fast time, one of only two drivers to break into the 19 second bracket. Five heat races locked infifteen cars for Sunday's event. Two consolation races filled the balance of the field 25 car starting grid. Lawton Minchew and Keith Edge captured the consolation wins.

At the drop of the green flag for the feature, Lloyd jumped ahead of outside pole sitter Keith Philman. Meanwhile, the majority of the field engaged in a bumper car duel that involved over ten cars on the first lap. Early season jitters were out in force as several cautions slowed early action. Frontrunner #16C Johnny Collins had a massive engine failure on lap 6.Collins became one of several top NLMS stars to retire from the race.

When the drivers settled into a groove, Lloyd advanced to a steady lead over Philman and #20 Billy Godowns. Meanwhile, Minchew, Wendall Durant, and Rod Burton advanced up through the field. Godowns slipped past Philman on lap42 but was unable to close on the leader. At the crossed flags, the top five were Lloyd, Godowns, Philman, Mike Carter, and Chris Usry.

As the laps wound down and the attrition continued, Lloyd appeared to have the race locked up until a caution on lap 94. Lloyd pulled away on the restart but an accident in the field damaged three cars, setting up the final restart on lap 96. In the four lap dash to the finish, Godowns was unable to challenge for the lead. Ivedent Lloyd won by a comfortable 2.4 seconds.

Billy Godowns finished second with Chris Usry, Henry Carter, and Mike Carter rounding out the top five. Lawton Minchew, Keith Philman, Wendall Durant,and Rod Burton rounded out the cars finishing on the lead lap. Only 12 cars were running at the finish.

The Florida Mini Sprint Association (FMSA) was also on hand Sunday. Thirty cars took the green flag for a 20 lap feature. John Craddock from Orlando survived a late red flag to capture the checkers. Jeff Gaudlin finished second with Jesse Teed, Mike Schroeder, and Mike Sprague rounding out the top five. The Mini Sprints were running lap times during the feature that were faster than the Late Models in qualifying. Kelley Thornton, Teed, and Craddock captured heat race victories. The FMSA will appear next Friday and Saturday at Thunder Cross Motor Park in Okechobee, FL. I would like to extend a special thanks to Terry Schaeffer who helped with the Mini Sprint results.

Eleven year old Brock Ogelsby from Ocala, FL won the 15 lap Pure Stock feature. This was Ogelsby's first victory on dirt. Shannon Cleveland and Gary Hotelan rounded out the top three. Doug White turned in the wildestride of the night flipping onto the guard rail in turn two while battling forthe lead. White was not injured in the incident.

Twenty-one cars started the OB's Restaurant Hobby Stock feature. Dave Kinsey worked his way up through the field for the victory. Tim Hughes, RonSoultes, George Richard, and Garry Flynn completed the top five. Volusia Speedway Park will next be in action this Thursday night, February 10 when the officially open Speedweeks 2000 with All Star Sprints and UMP Modifieds. It will be a show you won't want to miss.

Volusia Speedway Park is located on State Road 40 in Barberville, FL, 15 miles west of I-95. Call (904) 985-4402 or visit their web site atwww.volusiaspeedwaypark.com for race information.

ForKARNAC.com
Online, I'm John Matthews


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