by Dave Westerman
Orlando Speedworld has crowned its champions for the year 2000 in five racing divisions.

The big story of the year 2000 was Super Late Model driver Travis Kittleson of Merritt Island. In only his second year of racing, Kittleson won the Speedworld Super Late Model championship in excellent fashion. With sponsorship from Bob Steele Chevrolet of Cocoa, Kittleson raced to nine wins, two seconds, and four fourth place finishes to claim the title.

1999 Super Late Model champ Bill Pratt of Cocoa had another good season, winning twice and finishing second eight times. Only two other drivers were able to score a pair of wins; B.J. McLeod and Michael Williams. Rusty Ebersole also had a good season with his low-budget team getting a victory to go along with five second and five third place finishes.

Groveland driver Mike "Smurfy" Murphy's Central Florida Septic Chevy dominated the Late Model division. Murphy scored seven victories while Scott Bramlett drove the same car to three wins as well. Kenny Crites also picked up a win behind the wheel of Murphy's car and took a pair of checkered flags in his own Kerryman's Irish Sports Pub car.

Young Jason Boyd of Orlando put it to the Modified contingent in 2000 driving the Judkins 2X open-wheeler to 14 wins in 26 starts despite running against top-notch competition week in and week out. Only two other drivers were able to score a pair of wins; Hank Sanders and Ricky Wood. One of Wood's victories came in the prestigious Joslin Memorial race in June. Frank Polly of Groveland came home second in points. Despite only one win, Polly was consistent, taking three seconds and finishing third nine times.

The year 2000 in the Mini-Stock class saw Kelly Jarrett and his Toyota dominate the first half of the season and claim the points title. Jarrett won ten times, nine of which were between March and June. The second half of the season belonged to Lakeland's Kenny Hankins as he took a dozen wins in his Volkswagen but came up short in the points race. Parity among car makes was evident in 2000 as Eugene Davidson took three wins in his Dodge while the Ford of Marty Pierce also visited victory lane on three occasions.

Consistency was Orlandoan Jeff Wright's fortay in the Sportsman division as he drove to five wins, six seconds and six thirds to win a close points battle with Doug Samion who had a season-high eleven victories. richard Hight also had a good season in the Sportsman wars taking his first career win on the final night of racing after placing second five times to go along with six thirds and six fourths.

Veteran Carl Peters of Winter Garden was on top of the Super Stock points standings for the first time after taking a career-high eleven season wins. His arch-rival, Duane Freed, was hot on his heels with six wins and a whopping eleven second place finishes. 1999 Super Stock champion Rich Clouser to five wins running a limited schedule while Homer Gordon to the checkered flag first three times.

The new season for Orlando Speedworld will begin in March 2001.

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