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| USA International Speedway to Showcase Florida's Best | 
(KNS)Last year about this time the top drivers in the state all got together at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida to race Pro Late Models, Limited Late Models, and Open Wheel Modifieds. Some of the them 'got together' a little more than they wanted to, as many drivers dealt with the lightning speed of USA's 3/4 mile high banked racetrack for the first time in their careers.
Many will remember the race for the awesome performance of Dewayne Dempsey, starting all three races with an eighth place in the Florida Pro Late Models, followed by third in both the SARA Modifieds and the Limited Lates. Others will remember the show Dick Anderson put on in the Pro Late Model field, with Pete Orr and David Rogers trying vainly to run him down. And no one who was there will ever forget the spectacular crash and fire as several SARA Limited Late Model race cars burned to the ground.
This Saturday the finest, most modern short track in the state will host the SunbeltPro Late Models, and both Southern Automobile Association (SARA) series.Fans will again be treated to the best the state has to offer in late model and modified racing. The 125 laps of Pro Late Model action begins at 8 PM followed by 100 laps of the SARA Late Models , and then a 35 lap Open Wheel Modified event.
The Sunbelt Series points leader, Jimmie Cope, is being chased by series rookie  Travis Kittleson and young B.J. McLeod . McLeod's team will be at USA for an extensive test session on Wednesday, and is very excited about making his first start at USA International.
Winners in the first four Sunbelt events are Jimmy Cope, Mike Fritts, Wayne Anderson, and James Powell. While Wayne Anderson, along with Billy Bigley and David Reutimann will be at Caraway Speedway in the Slim Jim All Pro, the other previous winners will be on hand to try and get number win number two. But the task won't be easy with veterans like David Rogers, Dick Anderson, Mike Franklin, and Shane Sawyer in the field. Series Director Don Nerone said he is expecting nearly 50 late model drivers to attempt to qualify for the 36 starting spots.
Friday practice sessions at USA International Speedway begins with the opening of pit gates at 3 PM and drivers on the track from 5 PM-9 PM. Saturday pits are open at 9 AM and front gates open at Noon, with afternoon practices until 3 PM and qualifying at 4 PM. Pre-race activities begin at 7PM with an autograph session and driver introductions with the green flag waving at 8 PM.
In the Sunbelt Series 125 lap event yellow flags will count but will not be scored, will feature single file restarts and allow two tires to be changed during the race. 30 cars will make the field from the time trials and the other six provisionals will be decided by the series director.
The Southern Automobile Racing Association Late Models are expected to bring over 40 cars with 28 starting the 100 lap second feature. Jeff Scofield is the series points leader with Bobby Beauchemin, Mike McCrary Jr, Michael Faulk, Joe Boyd, and Eddie Miller in the top five. Brian Hutcheson, the "Iron Man" Dewayne Dempsey, and PARTS Pro Truck top rookie Kim Sheffler-Hays will be in the field. The SARA Late Models have had six winners in as many races this year.
The evening will conclude when the Open Wheel Modifieds roar to life on the big track. Jerry Symons, Larry Martin, and Jamie Burrows lead the Open Wheel points race, with Symons the only two race winner in the series. Lee Collins, former DeSoto Speedway Open Wheel Champion, will be in the hunt in his #89, along with Dewayne Dempsey, Robert Ham, and last year's Rookie of the Year Perry Brown .
Ticket prices for this Saturday's racing is $15-20 on the front straight, and $12.00 on the back straight.
The Racing For Kids Club will have their cars on display at the speedway. The Racing for Kids Club, Inc. is a non-profit organization open to kids ages 10-16 who want to learn about and drive race cars and compete on a local level. The Headquarters for Racing For Kids Club is near Lakeland, Florida and has been in existence for 7 years.
Of course the KARNAC team will be there to get the stories, the photos, and the behind the scenes goings on, and report them to you Sunday and Monday.
-Jack Smith
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