After a three week layoff of racing activities at Citrus County Speedway, race starved drivers will get the command next Saturday to “Restart your engines.” They will get an opportunity to try the new resurface on Thursday night, March 30th, in their first practice session since March 4th.

With only two races in the books for the 2000 season many racers had three more weeks to get their ride, race ready without loosing too much in the points races. A number of racers in all divisions were just saving their cars for the April first race that will restart the season without any break until the end of the season on November 11th. The first of 19 sponsored Late Model races will feature the LaPerle Memorials L.M Feature for $1,300 to win and an additional $100 for 2nd and 3rd, provided by the sponsor of the race. David Pletcher picked up the win in the first race of the year but probably won’t be a regular at the Speedway this year so the points lead will really be up for grabs. Top ten, with just one race under their belts, are Dave Pletcher (40), Tate Pierce (38), Doc James Batson (36), Mike Bresnahan ((34), defending Champion Dan Johnson (32), Al Lawrence (30), Steve Griffin (28) (Driving his race truck), Jeromie Fehrenbach (26), Joe McCullough (24) and Bruce Smith (22). That is the way they finished in their March 4th, 2000 debut. Eighteen Late Models took the green in their first race of the year.

Bill Oestreicher (79) holds the Sportsman point’s lead with two top 5 finishes and a heat win. David Dollar (77) paired a feature and heat win with a top ten finish to hold a 2 point edge over defending champion Mike Veltman (75) who is the only other feature winner in the division. The balance of the top ten going into race three of season are Rex Struble (74), Travis Nichols (71), Mike Holm (59), Jim Smith (42), Mark Gillette (42), Alfred Tyrell (40) and last years runner-up, Robert Pilkinton (37). 20 cars raced in the first two races of the year. Thirty-two Street Stocks made the first two shows of the year and the Wilson trio holds down the top three spots in the point’s race. Taking the first feature of the year and a third in the second race, Wes Wilson (85) holds a five point lead over brother Sport Wilson (80) and their father Harley Wilson (79) moved into third after snatching the second feature of the year from Sport at the line. The balance of the top ten are Ernie Reed Jr. (72), Robbie Yoakam (72), Otis Hamilton (59), Victor Stanley (58), John LeVecque (54), Dean Lawyer (49) and Jason Waller (46).

1997 and 1998 Mini Stock Champion, George Neumann (84) tops the Mini Stock division points race on the merits of two top five finishes. Kevin Harrod (83) logged the first feature and has a top 5 finish and trails by just one point. Mark Sowell (75), Frank Coleman (74), John Coleman (64), Don Faunce (58), Jim Wear (52), Rick Coleman (51), Rick Sirmons (45) and Mike Moore (44) balance out the top ten of the twenty cars in the hunt.

Sixteen-year-old Chris Hooker had his eye on the three feature in a row bonus after winning the first race of the year. Hooker looked like he was going to notch his second feature in a row until Roy Perkins snatched it away from him late in the race. The two feature winners top their point’s race with 28 contestants already participating. Hooker (88) has a 13-point lead over Perkins (75) on an impressive 1 feature and 2 heat wins and a top 5 finish to kick off the season. Scott Teague (70), Mike Bell (64), J.D. Goff (60), Allen Jacobson (59), Richie Smith (58), Micky Burns (52), Mike Ruff (43) and Jimmy Peters (39) round out the top ten.

Figure 8’s will be back for the Saturday night action. With only one race under their belt, former champion Gary Swing managed to tuck away the first feature of the year with only 7 competitors going against him. Swing (40) leads by two over defending champion Robert Aaron (38). Ron Schriefels (36), 1998 champion is back in contention after taking a year off and holds down third. Ken Crews (34), Brad Cleaveland (32) and Larry Harris (30) round out the top seven. The field should be bigger this weekend.

Citrus County Speedway is located 2 miles south of Inverness on U.S. 41 at the Citrus County Fairgrounds. General admission is $10, seniors and Students to 17 - $8 and Children 12 and under accompanied by a parent are admitted free. All six divisions will be in action for the 6:30 start time Saturday night and the Late Models will go for $1,300 to win in the 30 lap LaPerle Memorials Late Model Feature.

-Larry MacMillan

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