This weekend the Sunshine State will offer something for every race fan's appetite.

USA International Speedway hosts the United Speed Racing Alliance sanctioned Hooters ProCup for the third time this year. The talent that has emerged in the series in 2000 has certainly brought the competition to a completely new level. Young stars Brian Vickers, Jon Wood, Regan Smith, and Clay Rogers, are battling on even terms with veterans like Bobby Gill, Mario Gosselin, and Jeff Agnew, Charlie Ford. Vickers, a sixteen year old driver from North Carolina, is the only rookie with a win. In fact he has two of them including the last USA outing in June.

More and more of the Hooters ProCup drivers are finding their way to the Busch Grand National ranks, or at least making some solid attempts to stick with the Series. Mario Gosselin, Jay Fogleman, Johnny Rumley, Chad Chaffin, and 1999 winner at St Augustine Michael Ritch have all had Grand National appearances. Gill has been in a few Craftsman Truck races this year, and last year's ProCup Champion is leading the points race in 2000, and is at the front regardless of starting position. Florida fan's will also see Rookie contender David (Buggy) Pletcher, Jonathan Brown, and B.J. McLeod in Saturday's 250 lap race. The race starts at 8:00 PM. USA Speedway is located off I-4, East of Exit 33.

Much more on the USAR Hooter's ProCup is available on the KARNAC ProCup Report, the premiere Internet site for ProCup coverage.

TBARA and ARA Racing Series at Florida Speed Park.

The Tampa Bay Area Racing Association returns to the fast half-mile at Florida Speed Park in St Augustine this weekend, and along with the up and coming American Racing Association Late Models should provide quite a show for the local fans.



The ARA tour series uses a points system which encourages passing, similar to the local ARA divisions that race at Florida Speed Park. The result has been ferocious, often relentless battles up front.

Four-tenths of a second separated the top 27 qualifiers at Hickory Motor Speedway two weeks ago, says ARA Director of Competition Terry Treadwell. Thats how competitive this series has become, and its a flat our war when the green flag drops.

Greg Marlowe, a veteran Late Model Stock big show journeyman in the
Carolinas, heads into the double points, 200 lap St. Augustine feature having clinched the points championship. However, Marlowe is the only driver whose points position is sewn up. 19 of the remaining top 20 all have a shot of finishing in the top five.

With a double points event, the whole field is wide open, says Treadwell. Frampton Ferguson, Kevin Piercy, Westley Huffman, 13-year-old Stephen Leicht, Tom Pistone, JR Robbs and Billy Catfish Parker all have a shot at the runner-up position.

Joining the field will be one of Florida Speed Parks weekly competitors, Larry Osteen. Osteen, the defending track Late Model division champion, will drive the Late Model Stock owned by North Carolinas Jimmy Young.

Stephen Leicht, the 13-year-old driver of the No. 99 goracing.com Ford Taurus, will be at the Bozard Ford dealership in St. Augustine on Friday, September 1st, from noon to 6:00 pm to sign autographs. Leicht, who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Late Model Racer, is currently fifth in the ARA Kool Seal Late Model Stock All-Star Series points standings. Leicht was one of the original ARA drivers who competed in St. Augustine in February, his first ever Late Model race. He finished seventh.

The ARA Late Model Stock All-Stars will be competing for $5,000 to win, part of an overall $22,000 purse. Bozard Ford, of St. Augustine, has offered a $10,000 bonus for the top qualifier to start at the rear and win the race.

The TBARA asphalt sprint car series points leader is Jim Childers with a 23 point lead over Wayne Reutimann Sr. Childers has piloted his #111 to two consecutive wins, those coming at Columbia Motorsports Park and New Smyrna Speedway in July. Reutimann has won both races at the St. Augustine oval this year.

Joining the TBARA Winged Sprints and the ARA Series are the local Alpha Communications Hobby Stock and Tattoo Dees Old Rooster Mini Stock divisions.

The ARA series will qualify at 6:45 pm, followed by TBARA heat races. An on-track autograph session featuring the Late Model Stocks will begin at 7:45 pm. Features will begin at 8:15 pm, with the running the ARA Late Model Stock All-Stars 200. Grandstand gates open at 5:00 pm.

In the event of postponement due to weather, the event will be run on Sunday, September 3rd, at 3:00 pm.

Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $2 for ages 7-12. Under 7 is admitted free. A Family Pack allows 2 adults and children 18 and under in for $45.

Other Action

Citrus County Speedway returns to action this Saturday night with the Street Stocks going in a 40-lap Labor Day special. Added to the race card will be the return of the Figure 8s and the first of two demolition derbies for the 2000 season. With just 11 weeks left before the end of the season, point races are becoming more and more important and the object is to make and finish every race in all divisions to even have a chance at the top ten-bonus money.

And if you want to see the very best Late Model drivers who travel the state in search of Victory Lane, DeSoto Speedway has just what you're looking for. Besides the fireworks for the young and young at heart, there will be plenty of fireworks on the high banks of DeSoto as the top drivers try to outrun the "King of Short Track Racing" Dick Anderson. Anderson has been unbeatable in the last few months, but there are several drivers who are certainly giving the 'old man' a run for his money. Mike Williams, Mike Franklin, Jr, Lee Collins, and Randy Fox will be trying to get by Anderson. In addition the TQ Midgets, and the rest of the Speedway's regulars will battle in Mod minis, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Mini Stocks.

Wherever you satisfy your racing fever this weekend, stay safe, and have a great weekend.

-Jack Smith