The FMRA began the season Sunday at the big track near Bradenton FL. At the drop of the green Ralph Wheeler jumped out front and paced the field for two laps before Mark Gimmler dove under him to steal the top spot. Gimmler, a veteran midget shoe at Desoto, slowly pulled away from the pack to eventually win with a little more than a straightaway lead.

The race for second was anything but a runaway however. Wheeler held second for a few laps before Bradenton's own Mike Elder got under him for second. Elder would not pull away however as Wheeler followed closely looking to hard to grab second back. With 2 laps to go the duo was followed closely by #4 Ted Durfee and #21 Gary Gimmler in a fine new ride coming from last place to join the fray. Going into turn 3 Wheeler tried Elder on the high side but the two drifted high and Wheeler swung low and slightly ahead coming off turn 4 and down to the white flag. But the two were quickly approaching lapped cars, and Wheeler was now trapped in the slow groove. But the #52 of Elder bobbled, bouncing off a lapped car and spinning. Wheeler had to check up and veteran Gary Gimmler swept around to grab second. The two screamed into turn 3 with no cautuion light on, and to Wheeler's good luck, G. Gimmler's car was leaking oil and Gary spun in his own oil. Wheeler and Durfee squeezed by to grab 2nd and 3rd for their best ever midget finishes.

The midgets return to Desoto next month for their next race.

1. #51 MARK GIMMLER, PALM BEACH GARDENS
2. #15 RALPH WHEELER, ROYAL PALM BEACH
3. #4 THOMAS DURFEE, BRADENTON
4. #61 BEN FRITZ, OCALA
5. #80 WENDY MATHIS, OCALA
6. #54 NORMAN JOHNSON, ZEPHRYHILLS
7. #10 SHAWN NAMOR, CORAL SPRINGS
8. #52 MIKE ELDER, BRADENTON
9. #21 GARY GIMMLER, PALM BEACH GARDENS


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