Punta Gorda, FL - The first annual Lee's Auto Repair Paul Pojafsky Memorial Road Warrior Race took place at Charlotte County Speedway on August 19. The popular Pojafsky died several weeks ago of a massive heart attack while driving in a rain storm in Lee County with his 10 year old daughter, Kelsey. Fortunately, young Kelsey had the fortitude to bring the vehicle to a safe stop despite her father's foot being stuck on accelerator and then getting out of the car to try to flag down help in the torrential downpour. Fellow competitor and friend Mark Ludvigsen led the fans, drivers, crews and officials in a toast to Pojafsky and a presentation was made to the family by the Junior Fan Club.

The race began with the 29 car field doing a missing man formation lap for Pojafsky in which the pole position was left open in his honor. Eric Smith (Bonita Springs) led the first few laps until he was overtaken by Bob Williams (Naples). On the 25th lap, Williams' team mate took the lead. The field completed 29 laps and Ludvigsen then came out onto the racing surface in Pojafsky's brand new race car that he never had the opportunity to race to take the checkered flag and a symbolic victory in Pojafsky's honor. He further honored his friend by turning the #58 car around and driving a Polish Victory Lap in the tradition of departed past Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki. The entire road warrior division donated their evening's winnings to the Pojafsky family and also passed the helmets during intermission to further benefit the family, showing the world why the racing family at CCS is so special. Earlier in the evening Billy Lentz (Fort Myers Beach) took his first heat win and Denny Ray, Jr. (Naples) also took a heat win.

The Outlaw Modifieds made their monthly appearance at CCS running a 25- lap feature race. Ted Hoversen (Key West) took the win and was followed by Howard O'Steen (Lakeland) and Ted's son, Lance Hoversen (Key West). Tom Anglescy (Fort Lauderdale) and Ted Hoversen (Key West) took home heat wins.

Darrell Suggs (Arcadia) dominated the Marlow-Werner Sportsman feature race until Wally Bolyard (Punta Gorda) and James Dubose (Arcadia) put him in the middle of a sandwich on lap 15 with Bolyard coming out ahead and taking the win. Mark Chapman (Fort Myers) and Jerry Bryant (Punta Gorda) rounded out Top Three. Heat winners were Darrell Suggs (Arcadia) and Raymond "Super Frog" Jones (Arcadia).

Elbert Butts (Arcadia) dominated the Clear Channel Pure Stocks after taking the lead from Cliff Simer (Cape Coral) on Lap 9. However, Points Leader Chuck Sweet (Port Charlotte) made his way steadily through the pack to take the lead from Butts. Butts in turn sent Sweet spinning through Turn 2 but was penalized to the rear of the field. Sweet took the win with Christine Gibson (Lehigh Acres) finishing close behind, however, she was disqualified in post race technical inspection, leaving Joe Reese (Bonita Springs) in second. This moved Kevin Brinkley (Estero) up to a third place finish. Mark Ludvigsen (Fort Myers Beach) took a heat win in honor of his fallen comrade Pojafsky but suffered a bent tie rod in the feature race, forcing an early retirement. Gibson also took a heat win.

Dave Oblinger (North Fort Myers) took an impressive win in the Oldies 95 Open Wheel Modifieds. Wayne "Rocket Man" Jefferson (Pinellas Park) finished second and Chris Dean (Fort Myers) was third. Oblinger and Jefferson also took heat wins.






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