The SARA BMD Title Loan Late Models and Bearden Oil Open Wheel Modifieds roared into the USA International Speedway last Saturday night to do battle on the mile facility. Jeff Scofield would come into the night leading the Late Model points race by 36 points over Bobby Beauchemin, and Jerry Symons leading the Modified Series by 55 points over Larry Martin. Forty-Five Late Models would come to the Lakeland, FL track along with 22 Modifieds. Chip Shell would take the ARP Racing Bodies Fast Qualifier Award and pick up an additional $100 in cash. Bobby Beauchemin would qualify 2nd, and Kevin Ingram in 3rd. Qualifying for the Bearden Oil Modifieds was cut short by rain, which swept through the Lakeland area. The Modified line-up would be determined by points.

Pills were drawn for the SARA Late Models and Sonny Hughes found himself on the pole with Bobby Beauchemin on the outside of row one. The fast rising driver from Orlando, FL, Jason Boyd along with Chip Shell made up the 2nd row. Action got underway immediately when several cars got together on the 1st lap in turn 1. This allowed Bobby Beauchemin to literally push his car to the pit area and repair his broken drive shaft suffered on the start. On the restart, Jason Boyd started 2nd and on the 4th lap took the lead from Hughes and never looked back. Florida favorites Dwayne Dempsey, Wayne Morris and Chip Shell would succumb to motor problems. Leading rookie driver, Michael had his usual steady run, starting 15th and finishing 6th. Mike Hovis had a great race, finishing 4th. Beauchemin made a spectacular run after tagging the rear of the field on the initial restart and working his way back to finish 4th.

Points leader Jeff Scofield started 16th and courageously finished 3rd in an ill handling race car. In the end, the youngster Jason Boyd found himself in front of the field being challenged by Mike McCrary who himself, has won several times already at the 3/4 mile facility. Boyd kept his poise to win the 100 lap event in front of 5000+ fans. McCrary finished 2nd and take over 2nd place in the points race, only 32 points behind Scofield.

The Bearden Oil Modifieds started with Jerry Symons on the point and he too would take advantage of the pole position to power his way to victory lane. Florida modified favorites Lee Collins and Teddy Nelson finished 9th and 10th respectively. Larry Martin challenged Symons for the lead but fell short in the end, finishing 5th, but hanging on to 2nd in the points race. Dwayne Dempsey who had already run in the two races prior, had started near the middle of the field, maneuvered his was toward the front and finished 2nd. Jamie Burrows continued his steady performance, finishing 3rd. Leading rookie driver Dewayne Lawhon finished 4th.

The next race in the 2000 racing season for the BMD Title Loan Late Model Series will be August 12th at Auburndale Speedway for a 100 lap event, and the Bearden Oil Modifieds will be August 19th at New Smyrna Speedway.

-Scott Hawkins

PHOTOS FROM USA INTERNATIONAL

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