Punta Gorda, FL - Last week Billy Bigley, Jr. (Naples) won the inaugural Kentucky 150 NASCAR All-Pro Series race at the brand new Kentucky Motor Speedway. Bigley, the current All Pro Series Points Leader, was the fast time qualifier this week at Charlotte County Speedway for the second race of the Circle One Limited Late Models 6-Pack Series.

However, it was Brad Barkis (Fort Myers) and Joe Winchell (Davie) who started on the first row of the 100-lap race. Barkis managed to maintain first place, building a big lead despite the yellow flag coming out numerous times, several in which involved him. The biggest battle of the evening was trying to beat the raindrops as they fell sporadically throughout the race, eventually causing the red flag to come out for a temporary halt to the racing program.

When the race resumed, Barkis was on the point but Joe Sumasky (Lehigh Acres) who had been running second had to restart in the rear as he had to change a flat tire under the red flag, which left Glenn Morris (Bokeelia) in second until he spun Barkis on lap 35 and was sent to the rear of the field.

A four car freight train consisting of Barkis, Rusty Hillman (North Fort Myers), Bigley, and Mike Greenwell (Alva) kept race fans on their feet. Yellow Fever hit the race track as the caution flag flew numerous times late in the race including one in which Bigley was sent to the rear after a racing altercation with Hillman.

Barkis again built up a sizable lead while Hillman, Greenwell, Mike "Hobo" Hovis (North Fort Myers) and Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acres) put on a great show for the spectators battling for position.

On lap 98, controversy took over the race as Hovis was sent to the rear of the field for an incident involving Greenwell. On the last lap Greenwell got loose, allowing Sumasky and Fox to get around him. Barkis took the win, followed by Hillman, Sumasky, Fox and Bigley. Greenwell was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct for hitting Sumasky's car after the race was over.

After the rain stopped and the track was dried, 27 Road Warriors hit the asphalt and after one complete restart were able to run 12 laps before the caution flag flew. Scott Barnes (Fort Myers) led the first 16 laps until "Tipover" Terry Price (Punta Gorda) passed him for the lead, taking Del Beckner (Naples) with him.

After a late caution flag on the 18th lap, Beckner passed Price for the win after starting in the 25th position, leaving Price second and Barnes third. Barnes was disqualified in post race technical inspection, which moved Chris Oncken (Fort Myers) to third.

Price did take home a heat win, as did Shane Bryan (Naples). Calvin Fillingame (Lehigh Acres) and Joe Reese (Bonita Springs) ran side-by-side for 15 caution-freelaps during the Q Country Pure Stocks feature until points leader, Chuck Sweet (Port Charlotte), got around both of them to take the lead briefly until Reese passed him again for the lead.

Reese took the checkered flag first, with Sweet finishing second, followed by "Outta My Way" Kay Jackson (Punta Gorda). Reese also took a heat win, as did "Gentleman" Jim Keating (Bonita Springs).

Chase Goodson (West Palm Beach) and Paul White (North Fort Myers) both hit the wall hard on the backstretch midway through the Big Wheels Mini-Stocks feature bringing out the red flag. Brian Richardson (North Fort Myers) led the entire race until he experienced mechanical problems on the 12th lap and Steve Arnold (Cape Coral) took over the lead, but time ran out on the 13th lap, forcing an early end to the race.

Top three finishers were Arnold, Jason Kuykendall (Punta Gorda) and points leader, Frank Welch (North Fort Myers). Kuykendall and Richardson took home heat win trophies.

Kevin Williams (Port Charlotte) led the Oldies 95 Open-Wheel Modifieds but current points champion, Chris "Big Fish" Turner (Naples), gave him a run for his money in the late stages of the race. Williams did hang on to take the win with Turner and Tommy Schnader (Largo) rounding out the top three. Heat wins went to Eric Rudd (Naples) and Schnader (Largo).

The Speedway will be closed on July 1 due to the running of the Pepsi 400 Winston Cup race in Daytona.

The Keels and Wheels Mid-Season Championship BLOW-OUT Weekend takes place July 7 and 8 with special events being held on Saturday and Sunday at the Speedway. All seven regular divisions including Limited Late Models, Open-Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Mini- Stocks, Road Warriors, and Cowboy Cadillacs will be racing with the Mid-Season Champion in each division declared at the end of the evening's racing action.

Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, and follow the Charlotte County. Airport signs. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 575-2442.



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