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May 2002

By Tim Southers

Bobby Gill has not only dominated the 2002 USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern season but the Victory Circle located on the front straight of USA International Speedway's 3/4 mile oval as well.

Six straight wins have set a new record for consecutive wins in a single USAR season and reaching back to the 2001 season conslusion it is a total of seven conse- cutive ProCup victories for Gill.

The 3 time ProCup champion has also swept the win in every ProCup race at the Lakeland track since the beginning of 2001.

A Sarasota native; who now dividies his time between home in Dalton, Georgia and the race shop near Charlotte, North Carolina; Bobby has traveled the hard road to success in racing.

Wife, Elaine, runs the family restaurant business in Georgia and tends to their nearly one-year-old son, Robby Lane. "I've been up here more this year than last and I've gone home a couple of times because he forgot who I was," quips Gill, who has proudly held his young son in Victory Lane most times this year.

At 44, Gill's confident style reflects an attitude that emphasizes his driving and mechanical ability foremost. It's this focus of attention to his car and team which most times leaves Bobby with little to say outside his family or the inner circle of his racing operation.

Bobby prefers to let his steering wheel do the talking.

Growing up while watching and helping his father, Billy Gill, compete on the bullrings of Florida, Bobby observed closely and spent many hours help- ing in the garage which provided an education as well as the foundation to build his career.

Early in life Bobby worked as a plumber and then a diesel mechanic before finally making a full time career of being a racecar driver. Gills' experi- ence before the ProCup Series was primarily in the Late Model type cars and throughout the success of 3 ProCup championships it has still been a long learning curve.

When asked about the ProCup and USA streaks, Bobby points out "2000 was not to good, we were beat every time there (USA). The more we run the more we learn and learning about these cars has helped."

Stepping up the efforts for 2002 included testing a lot more than what had been the norm and it is what was learned over the winter that has helped make a difference this year as Bobby further explained.

Has this run of luck been stretched to it's limit and can the streak continue? Bobby responds with what has become a typical demeanor, causal but matter of factually, "We go to win but if we run second, we run second. It's not a bad deal for us. With the point championship races the way it is, we could win all 14 (Southern Division races) and still lose the championship."

Although his primary concern is about his car, crew and preparation; Gill places Steve Christian, Hal Goodson, Shane Huffman, Jason Sarvis and Michael Ritch on the short list of those who could bring the streak to a stop.

Does the Ford have a decided advantage over the other makes? "Ford is not really dominate. Just my Ford. Dorton builds engines for me and for Sarvis and if I wasn't in the picture he would have 2 wins" reasons Gill.

The argument seems to have some validity when it is considered that Sarvis and Goodson in Chevrolets have finished second twice this season and Huffman and Christian in Fords have a second place finish each.

250 lap around the 3/4 mile Lakeland oval this Saturday, June lst, will determine if Bobby Gill will extend his winning streak or a new name is added to the winners list for 2002.

Qualifying gets underway at 5 PM and the start of the Jackaroo Sauces 250 presented by Discount Auto Parts at 7:30.

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Cope Holds off Drawdy, Boyd for Third A.A.C.S. Win

By Rick Anges

Bradenton, Fl. - The A.A.C.S. Super Late Models hit the high banks of DeSoto Speedway during the heat of the day for qualifying Saturday and most of the cars were having a hard time hooking up. Justin Drawdy didnt show any signs of problems sticking to the hot surface and once again was fast qualifier on the 3/8 oval. With the roll of the die though Drawdy and second fast qualifier Joe Boyd #5 were relegated back to the fifth row to start the one hundred and twenty-five lap main event.

Johnny Jackson #1 was the early leader jumping out to a comfortable five-car length lead over second place Bobby Coyle #64. But Mr. Excitement Jimmy Cope #61 was on a tear coming through the field from his eighth starting position and by lap twenty he passed Jackson on the outside to take the lead.

The first caution of the night came out when Mason Love in the #71 appeared to have broken something in the front end and slammed the turn three wall hard. Love looked a little shaken when he got out of his ride but was able to walk away from the battered race car.

On the restart all eyes were on the young gun Drawdy, as he was able to put his car anywhere on the track using the inside and outside grooves to make passes at will. Also on the move was Boyd, the black #5 was hooked up and moving towards the front.

Getting to the front was the easy part for Drawdy, getting by the veteran Cope was another thing. Lap after lap Drawdy would make the move on Cope only to have him take him high and retain the lead. Not making it an easier was Boyd right on the #12s bumper looking to move into the second spot and challenge for the lead.

With the fans on their feet and cheering like there was no tomorrow Drawdy made his move late in the race but made contact with the #61 who went around in a cloud of smoke.

Much to the dismay of the crowd Drawdy was sent to the rear of the lead lap.

Within five laps of the green Justin showed just how much power he was putting to the asphalt and had made his way back up past Boyd and was once again looking at Copes rear bumper.

Drawdy made a gallant last lap effort but came up just a nose short with Cope just holding him off at the stripe as the crowd went wild in the stands.

Boyd held on for a strong third place finish, B.J. McLeod #78 took a solid fourth and rounding out the top five was the Felda Flash #89 Lee Collins.

By Larry MacMillan

Forty-four Late Model hot shoes showed up for practice on Friday night in preparation for the 7th Annual Powell Memorial with thirty-three registering for time trials Saturday afternoon.

With a full house in the grandstands only thirty-one were able to make the two lap run for the top sixteen starting spots with Dickie Anderson dropping an engine during his first run. Defending track champion Herb Neumann Jr. had a mechanical problem that kept him out of the running for the entire night.

Friday night practice was showing most of the drivers running in the mid to high 13s on a cooler racetrack. Mike Bresnahan was the only dirver able to get into the 13s when it counted with a 13.918 second run paying him a $1,000 bonus for fast qualifier.

Ricky Carlton picked up an extra $200 as runner up and Mike Franklin Jr. held out for $100 as third fast qualifier. The top 16 were not that far off with 16th qualifier James Powell III turning a 14.278.

The balance of the field was decided on the basis of Consi race that put the top six finishers in the main event with Jason Boyd taking the win in his first ride in this racecar.

A fifteen lap B main had eleven cars scheduled to start but only 8 made the green flag and it was former track champion Danny Johnson taking the wire to wire win.

In lieu of accepting the $1,000 win purse he elected to accept the 25th starting spot in the main event. The two promoter choices were Billy Bigley Jr. and Johnny Kay.

In interviews with each of the drivers before the green flew for the 125 lap Powell Memorial most of the drivers expressed their feelings for the race and for the most part they felt the respect for James Powell and the loss he suffered when his family was lost in an airplane accident was their primary reason for running in this race.

The money certainly was an incentive as well but to quote two-time winner Wayne Anderson he felt "the most important incentive for running this race was the Memorial that has been held for the 7th year on behalf of the Powell family". As he said, he would "race in this event even if the money wasnt there as an incentive".

When the green flew, it was a drag race to turn one by pole sitters Dave Pletcher and Wayne Anderson, with Pletcher winning and setting the pace for the first 19 laps before giving up the lead to Anderson.

Five caution flags came out during the first 50 laps with only 3 laps counting during each caution for a total of 15 laps. The final 75 laps were all run under green and Anderson maintained the lead until lap 107 despite five more cautions that reduced the field to 19 cars.

Eleventh starter Mike Fritts made his way through some heavy traffic to second by lap 96 and then made the pass on Anderson on lap 107. The final caution came out in lap 108 with two restarts in that lap taking out 2 more cars before it was over and sent two other front runners to the rear of the field for the second restart with damage to Mike Bresnahan, Freddy Query and David Rogers who lost the whole drivers side of his racer.

The final seven laps saw Mike Fritts outrun Wayne Anderson to the checkers and picking up the $10,000 win purse. Anderson took home $5,000 while fourth starter Ricky Carlton banked $4,000, fifteenth starter Freddy Query held out for fourth and $3,000 in a Chevy Monte Carlo.

David Rogers was able to come through with a lot of body damage to hold out for a fifth place finish after starting 12th and picking up a $2,000 payday.

James Powell came up with a sixth place finish from his 16th starting spot and from his restart from the rear in lap 108 to finish sixth. The balance of the top ten were Scott Grossenbacher, Mike Bresnahan, Jeff Sloan and Daniel Keene Jr.

In accepting the $10,000 check from Promoters Billy Hooker and Jimmy Ware, Mike Fritts expressed his love for James Powell and thanked the Citrus County Speedway promoters for carrying on the Powell Memorial Tradition.

Five other divisions rounded out the full night of racing at Citrus with Mark Dominique winning his second feature of the season and improving his point position in the Sportsman division.

Corky Miley logged his second feature win over a 21 car Street Stock division. Tommy Smith locked on to his sixth win over brother Richie in the 19 car Hobby Stock 25 lapper. Shawn Conner won his first ever Thunder Stock feature in the first of two 15-lap runs. Todd Downs wrapped up the night with his second win in Thunder II.

7th Annual Powell Memorial Results
Finish-Car#-Driver - Starting Position
1. 27 Mike Fritts 11th
2. 84 Wayne Anderson 2nd
3. 34 Ricky Carlton 4th
4. 31 Freddy Query 15th
5. 11 David Rogers 12th
6. 37 James Powell 16th
7 09 Scott Grossenbacher 7th
8. 3X Mike Bresnahan (Fast Qualifier) 5th
9. 31 Jeff Sloan 18th
10.5K Daniel Keene Jr. 21st
11.25 Jason Boyd 17th
12. 3 Rex Struble 9th
13.12x Sam Coghill 20th
14. 2 Wayne Bowman 19th
15.131 Bobby Beauchman (DNF) 5th
16.12 Billy Bigley Jr. (DNF) 23rd
17 34 Teddy Nelson (DNF) 22nd
18.75 Dave Pletcher (DNF) 1st
19 16 Tommy McCann (DNF) 13th
20.22 Herb Hoefler (DNF) 14th
21.96 Danny Johnson (DNF) 25th
22.137 Mike Franklin Jr. (DNF) 3rd
23. 6 Mac Johnson (DNF) 6th
24. 14 Aric Ariolla (DNF) 8th
25. 77 Johnny Kay (DNF)

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by Jane Smith

Samsula, Fl. (May 25, 2002) - Thirty six of Florida's best
Mini Stockers came out on a full moon to race the third
race of the Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series. Two
cars had trouble even before the full moon could rise
and lost engines and had to sit and watch as their
competitors qualified one by one at New Smyrna
Speedway.

Fast Qualifier Clint Foley #7x ran a 21.418 followed by
Marty Neikens 21.577; Robbie Storer 21.643; Corbin
Gibbs 21.648; and Rick Sirmans 21.804. The top ten
each drew a pill for their starting position with
David Castello #l drawing the pole and Clint Foley on
the outside. Matt Watts lost his rear end on his
second lap and was towed into the pits. By race time,
Watts and his crew had a new rear end in the car.

By race time, the full moon was in it's glory, high
above the track. Cars were lined up at a forty-five
degree angle on the frontstretch and all drivers were
introduced to the fans. Now, it was time to race.

It took two total restarts to get the first lap down
in the books. The first caution of ten came out for
the #99x Tom Clark when he hit the backstretch wall.
On the second restart, caution 2 came out for the #66
Donnie Lockard. Lockard was able to continue unlike
Clark.

When the green flew again. the #7x of Foley jumped to
the lead over Castello and never looked back, restart
after restart. Lap 3 brought out caution 3 for the
#82 of Timmy Warram. Since caution laps do not count,
only green flag laps, the #70 Marty Neikens, #v3 Rex
Christenson, #77x Randy Blakeslee all went on to pit
road for some crew attention.

Foley once again jumped to the lead on the restart with
#7 Tim "Missileman" McPhail, #30 Robbie Storer, #2 Corbin
Gibbs, and #3 Matt Watts filling in the top five spots.
Lap 9 saw caution 4 come out for the #07 Dick Laszlo who
spun on the bottom of turn 2. Both #29 Richie Acres
and #45 Joe Irwin went in and out pit road for assistance.

On Lap 10 on the restart, Robbie Storer passed Tim
McPhail for the second spot putting McPhail to the
third. The outside pole sitter, David Castello #l was
obviously having problems and was back in 8th place by
lap 10.

Lap 11 saw caution 5 when McPhail and #65 Joey Caterelli
got together coming off turn 2 and ended up at the
entrance into the pits. Both McPhail and Caterelli were
fine. Caterelli's car was towed into the pits, McPhail
came around on his own power but with a smashed front
nose. McPhail went to pit road for his crew to try and
make repairs to continue.

Lap 13 was "unlucky 13" as the #30 Robbie Storer blows
a motor and the #28 Sean Bass hits the frontstretch wall.
Storer goes high to avoid the traffic and makes it into
the pits with Bass being towed in. McPhail also takes
advantage of the caution to go in to the pits for more
repairs to the Missile.

By lap 15, Castello's car has died and goes in, the
#v3 of Christenson also retired along with the #7
of McPhail. Foley still holds the lead over Gibbs,
Watts, Sirmans, and #96 Frank Welch.

Lap 18 saw the yellow once again for the #112 of Justin
Edwards who spun. The field was quickly realigned and
Foley took off like a light. Lap 20 saw caution 8 for
#03 Richard Bueter who hits the wall coming off turn
3. The #12x of Mark Ross spins avoiding Bueter but
is given back his ninth position in the realignment.
The #28 Sean Bass returns to the field on this caution.

Foley maintained his lead on the restart and by lap 22,
#70 Mary Niekens is noticeably off the pace. On the
next lap, lap 23, caution 9 is thrown for the #112 Edwards
and the #16 Chase Goodson who both have spun coming off
turn 4. On the backstretch, the #29 Richie Acres has
also spun.

Back to green flag racing and the #2 Corbin Gibbs and
#3 Matt Watts played swope tag swopping second and third
place a few times. The #05 Sirmans looked to pass Watts
for third but Watts blocked keeping Sirmans in the fourth
place spot. The three, Gibbs, Watts, and Sirmans, are
nose to tail putting on a good show until lap 30 when
the motor in the #3 Watts has blown. This brings out
caution 10 and the final caution of the night.

On the restart, Foley leads Gibbs, Sirmans, Welch and
#02 Wes Pyburn. On lap 34, Sirmans passed Gibbs and
took over the second place spot with Gibbs in third.
Sirmans sets his eyes on Foley as the #96 Welch looks
high and low and is able to make the move on Gibbs for
third and makes it stick. It is now Foley, Sirmans,
Welch, Gibbs and Pyburn for the final ten laps of the
race.

Foley said "it has been two years since I won a big
event, I am extremely happy. I am just glad the monkey
is gone." All cars passed tech.

OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS.
1. #7x Clint Foley
2. #05 Rick Sirmans
3. #96 Frank Welch
4. #2 Corbin Gibbs
5. #02 Wes Pyburn
6. #42 Eddie Lowery
7. #12x Mark Ross
8. #24 Chris Thornton
9. #98 Jeff Davis
10. #45 Joe Irwin
11. #9ar Charlie Staats
12. #40 Dennis Valdez
13. #66 Donnie Lockard
14. #112 Justin Edwards
15. #4 Ron DuBeau
16. #29 Richie Acres
17. #16 Chase Goodson
18. #07 Dick Laszlo
19. #15x Don Strosahl
20. #6 Jamie Dixson
21. #28 Sean Bass
22. #3 Matt Watts
23. #57 Travis Kuykendall
24. #89 Scott Sharpe
25. #70 Marty Neikens
26. #03 Richard Bueter
27. #l David Castello
28. #7 Tim "Missileman" McPhail
29. #v3 Rex Christensen
30. #30 Robbie Storer
31. #65 Joey Caterelli
32. #77x Randy Blakeslee
33. #82 Timmy Warram
34. #99x Tom Clark












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-KARNAC Staff Report

Each week Billie May writes a race report for Auburndale Speedway and follows with a brief profile of a local driver.

Billie, previously a racer herself at Auburndale, started this little adventure late last year (2001) to assist KARNAC.com with news from the 1/4 mile track near Lakeland, and to help the track get more local and statewide publicity.

These days the local newspaper runs the weekly results and photos that Billie provides each week. Billie loves the racers and understands what they go through to make it to the track each week, and is an example of a 'real race fan', devoting some time each week to help promote the sport in any way she can.

The following are a few of the local Auburndale Speedway racers Billie has introduced to a statewide audience:

By Billie May

Terry Jones is the only woman that currently races at Auburndale, and she won the first night of the 2002 racing season.

Terry is 36 years of age from Zephyrhills, Florida. Her husband Steve Jones also races at Auburndale, and she has 3 children Justin, Tommy, and Hailey Paige.

Terry has been racing for 5 years. She runs in the 4-CYL Bomber class, racing the # 3 Dodge Charger and is sponsored by Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water, Car Quest, Attorney Andy Forman, Total Performance Vinyl & Graphics, & Deals U-pull-it.

She started out in the 4-CYL Bomber Powder Puff class which is all women drivers. Her best finish in the point standings was 4th, and she was voted "Most Popular Driver" by the fans.

Her most memorable race was finishing 1st and her Husband Steve finishing 4th in the same class.

Her goals for the 2002 racing season is to do the best she can, hoping to finish up front and bring the car home in one piece.

She would like to say a "Special Thanks" to her Husband Steve, without him she could not be racing every week, and her children for their support, Rick & Todd for always helping out, and her sponsors for backing her up.

Mark Lowe is a mechanic and drives the # 51 V-8 Street Stock. This is his first year racing so his goals for this year is going for "Rookie of the year" in the V-8 Street Stock class and finish in the top 10 in points.

His Sponsors are Williams Service Center, L & M Automotive and Melvin M Lowe ( car owner).

He would like to say a "Special Thanks" to his Dad for giving him the chance to race, his Family for their support.

His pit crew consists of Mel Lowe, David Holland, Kevin, Hank, Bradley, Evan, Eyrn and Erkya. Mark is Married to Sonja Lowe and they have 2 children Bradley and Evan.

Donnie Howell drives the #01 Mini-Stock. He is Married to Ruby Howell, has 2 sons Brian and Casey they live in Wahneta Fl., where Donnie is a Glass Tech. He has been racing for 18 years, and he started in the Mini-Stock Division, his most memorable race was the 1st race at the old Lakeland Speedway.

His Sponsors are Georges Tire and Budget Auto Glass. His best finish in the point standings was 3rd, and he was the Most popular Driver in 2000.

His goal for the 2002 Season is to finish in the top 5 in points.

Donnie acknowleges the help of Ruby Howell, Casey Howell, Brian Howell, and Charles & Steve from Budget Auto Glass.


Chris Lewellen drives the #01 Super stock. He is 25 years old and is married to Daneva Lewellen and they have a daughter named Michaela.



Chris is the local manager for Verizon and he lives in Winter Haven.

This is his 1st year of full competition, and has been racing a little over a year. His sponsors are Mobility Express and OAS (On Any Sunday) Powersports.

His most memorable race is the one he just won this Saturday ngiht, showing patience and battling on the inside and outside for postions.

His goals for the 2002 season is to finish in the top 5 in points. Chris thanks his Dad, Mom, Wife and his Sponsors for all of their support.

Dave Dunkin raced in the Modified division when he first started his racing career, and now drives the # 71 "Blue Goose" in the Limited Late Model Division, and has been racing for 38 years.

His Sponsors are Jack English Insurance, Wilt Engines, Universal Painting, and Quality Flooring and Supply.

His most memorable race is when he won the SARA race on his 54th Birthday, though he has several Track Championships at Auburndale Speedway, Sunshine Speedway, Lakeland Speedway and the old Golden Gate Speedway.

His goals for this 2002 season is to race, win and have fun. Dave Dunkin, is married to

Evelyn Dunkin and they have a Daughter named Andrea. He is 56 and lives in Lakeland, and he is the Asst. Service Manager at Winter Haven Dodge.


Paul Gibbs races the #2 Orange and white Super Stock. Paul has been racing for 8 years, starting out in the 4-cyl Bomber class. His best finish in the point standings was 3rd in the Super Stock class, and won "Best Appearing" car in the beginning of the 2001 Racing Season.



His most "Memorable" race was when he was leading a race and James Wright III and Michael King caught up to him challenging him for the lead, but he held them off. That race gave him the confidence in himself and his car to run well every week, like he does now.

Pauls goals for the 2002 season is to not have any DNF's and to keep his crew calm and focused and to maintain his current spot leading the points.

Also Paul would like to get some sponsors for his Super Stock, so if you want to be a part of a competetive race team look him up at Auburndale. He would like to say a "Special Thanks" to Bobby Jennison and Tony Pitts for all their help and being there every weekend.

Paul is from Plant City and has his own Appliance repair business. Paul is 37 and is married to Tina Gibbs, and they have a son named Paul Gibbs Jr.

-Billie May


If you would like to write for your local track, contact KARNAC.com by e-mail at info@karnac.com. Anyone who does it will tell you how rewarding an activity it is.

Related Links: Auburndale Speedway News and Information

Auburndale Schedule and Message Board

By Jack Bacon

James Powell III would like nothing better than to win the 7th edition of the Powell Memorial 125 race for super late models. He has led each of the first six editions and has come home second three times but James has never been able to grab the Powell Memorial checkers.

While the Pensacola's Snowball Derby is bigger, Nashville's All American 400 more prestigious and the Florida Governor's Cup older, James would rather win the race that memorializes six members of James family that perished in a 1995 plane crash.

"This race means so much to me for a lot of reasons," says Powell. "From the beginning in 1995 we have had a strong field of entries and the list of winners is impressive. I'd like to add my name to that list and can think of no better way to honor those we lost in 1995. I guarantee you I won't be happy until I've won it."

According to James Powell, this year's event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

"After six years at Ocala Speedway, we have moved this year's event to the Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, FL. Promoters Jimmy Wear and Billy Hooker have gone all out to make the 7th "Powell" one to remember."

"The purse has been increased dramatically with a total of nearly $40,000 up for grabs--$10,000 to the winner and $1,000 to the fast qualifier. I want to thank them for enthusiastically embracing this event and taking it to a higher level."

"I've talked to most of the Florida super late teams and it looks like we will have a great field of cars. Just making this race is going to be difficult."

James will be behind the wheel of the familiar white and black #37 Monte Carlo out of Mark Cowheard's Ft. Lauderdale stable at Saturday's "Powell" race.

"We were a little off our game earlier this year but Mark and the guys in the shop have been putting in a lot of hours on this thing and we should be in pretty good shape this week. I feel we're ready to start winning some races and can't think of a better time to start than this week," said Powell.

Among the names anticipated to be at Citrus this Saturday are past NASCAR All Pro champions Billy Bigley, Jr., Wayne Anderson and Freddie Query.

This year's current All Pro points leader David Reutimann is also expected to vie for the win. With no Sunbelt Super Series or Florida Pro Series events on the weekend calendar, promoters say they are looking for upwards of 50 super late models to attempt the race.

-Jack Bacon

Related Links:
7th Annual Powell Memorial 125 to Run at Citrus County Speedway Saturday..By Larry MacMillan

It's Powell Memorial Time In Florida!$39,400 PURSE TO DRAW ALL-STAR FIELD..By Jack Bacon

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by Jane Smith

When Todd and Debbie Hutto began the Florida Mini Stock
Challenge Series in 2001, no one knew it would grow so
fast.

by Jack Smith

A money-grabbing scheme apparently ended for Lanny Roger Sockwell, a Sarasota resident, at the conclusion of the races Saturday night at DeSoto Speedway. The 58-year-old back gate ticket taker was arrested by Manatee County Sheriff's Department and charged with a Scheme to Defraud, which is a felony in the State of Florida.

According to owner John Sarppraicone, Sockwell was under video surveillance for at least two weeks prior to the arrest. Reports from the Sheriff's Department indicate that after the arrest Sockwell admitted to taking $8,000 to $10,000 from the track over a 2-3 year period.

"The defendant facilitated this ongoing course of criminal conduct by accumulating admission tickets from patrons who were not issued a ticket after paying the defendant. The patrons, who were not familiar with DeSoto Speedway admission rules, were allowed entry without a ticket." according to the arresting officer Tim Eason.

He allegedly would later accept payment from patrons and issue them a non-sequenced ticket from a prior week's race. On the night of his arrest Sheriff's officials indicated Sockwell had taken $200 from the till during the evening.

Sockwell could not be reached for comment, but at the time of his arrest he listed his occupation as Pastor of the Reform Community Church in Venice, Florida.

"We knew something was wrong and had to figure out how he was doing it", Sarppraicone stated on Sunday. "With the help of the police he was caught red-handed."

Todd Freed, a Certified Public Accountant with offices in Bradenton who has audited many large businesses and has studied race track's finances for years, said "track owners must departmentalize all their track activities with good record keeping, the track doesn't just take x dollars to the bank but must know where all of the money came from."

"Knowing how much came which gate or food, beverages, tires and gas and having a means of knowing if the amounts are correct are vital, because the cash is flying."

Freed summed up the problem facing race tracks this way, "Heavily cash oriented businesses do not do a good job of accounting for their money, too many owners of businesses can become happy with the receipts and be shorted without even knowing."

Meanwhile Sockwell, who is also charged with a misdemeanor count of Petit Theft, is scheduled to appear in court on June 21st.



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By Jack Bacon

In it's first six years of existence, the Powell Memorial Late Model Special has become Florida racing's "All-Star" event.

Just check out the list of previous winners: Jeff Purvis, Freddie Query, David Reutimann, Wayne Anderson and Mike Franklin, Jr. Every one of the previous races has boasted a big field of top quality Super Late Models piloted by some of the best in the business.

This year should be no exception. Every previous winner except Jeff Purvis (who has a NASCAR Busch race at Charlotte) is expected to enter the 2002 edition. To that list add the "King of the Florida Short Tracks" Dick Anderson, 2000 Florida Pro Series champion Glenn Whitney, past NASCAR Winston Racing Series champion David Rogers, 2000 NASCAR All Pro Series champion Billy Bigley, Jr., four-time Florida Governor's Cup winner Jimmy "Mr. Excitement" Cope, David Pletcher, Daniel Keene and Travis Kittleson.

And don't overlook James Powell III when you are looking for the winner. James has finished second in three of the six previous races.

He badly wants to win the race named for his family members lost in a 1995 airplane crash and will be one of the favorites when the green flag falls.

Citrus County Speedway is hosting the 2002 version of the "Powell". The 1/3 mile Citrus County Speedway layout is a tough track to master and boasts its own strong group of Super Late Models.

The "out-of-town" contingent will have to be at their best to capture one of the 24 starting positions.

Citrus County Speedway promoters Billy Hooker and Jimmy Ware have boosted the purse significantly. This year's winner will pocket $10,000 out of the nearly $40,000 purse.

The fast qualifier takes $1,000 and the winner of the "B-Main" will also take home $1,000.

A huge field of cars is expected and only the best of the group will take the green flag on Saturday night (5/25/02) and try to add their name to the prestigious list of Powell Memorial winners.

If you like Saturday night full contact short-track racing, you don't want to miss the 2002 Powell Memorial race.

History of the Powell Memorial

2002 will mark the 7th running of the Powell Memorial 125 Super Late Model race. Begun in 1996, the race honors the members of racer James Powell III’s family who were lost in a Gainesville, FL airplane crash in June of 1995. Tragically, James lost six members of his immediate family: his twin daughters, his mother and father, and his Aunt and Uncle.

James and his father J.H. (Buddy) Powell owned and operated Ocala Speedway where James began his career racing on the then dirt 3/8-mile oval. Racing had been such a big part of Buddy Powell’s life that James decided to create a special event race for Super Late Model stock cars to honor his lost family members.

The “Powell Memorial 125” was born in 1996 at Ocala Speedway with a large field of cars showing up for the inaugural event. Current NASCAR Busch Series star Jeff Purvis took the checkers in that first race with James Powell III finishing second.

In 1997 it was NASCAR All Pro Series standout Freddie Query that took home the trophy with James Powell III again in second place. In 1998’s event, NASCAR’s 1997 All Pro Series Rookie of the Year David Reutimann was the first across the finish line as he held off a hard charging Freddie Query who had just wrapped up the 1998 All Pro Series championship.

1999’s race went to Wildwood, Florida’s Wayne Anderson who went on to win the 1999 NASCAR All Pro championship. The string of NASCAR drivers winning the race was finally broken in 2000 when two-time Florida Pro Series champion Mike Franklin, Jr. took the win.

Last year’s Powell Memorial again went to Wayne Anderson as he came off another NASCAR All Pro Series championship season to become the only two-time winner of the “Powell.”

The “Powell Memorial” is steeped in the tradition of big name drivers taking the checkers. The list of winners is impressive.

What big name late model hot shoe will add his name to that winner’s list in 2002?

Four-time Florida Governor’s Cup winner “Mr. Excitement” Jimmy Cope? How about “King of the Florida Short Tracks” Dick Anderson, winner of over 1000 feature events?

Or will 2001 Florida Governor’s Cup Champion James Powell III finally win his own race after three-second place finishes? One thing’s for sure, the 2002 Powell Memorial is sure to draw a strong field of contenders to Citrus County Speedway to help James Powell honor his fallen family members.

PAST POWELL MEMORIAL WINNERS

1996: Jeff Purvis--Current NASCAR Busch Series driver & winner of 4/07/02 Texas Busch race.

1997: Freddie Query--1998 NASCAR All Pro Series Champion & former Busch Series driver.

1998: David Reutimann--1997 NASCAR All Pro Series Rookie of the Year & current All Pro points leader.

1999: Wayne Anderson--1997 NASCAR All Pro Champion, 1996 & 1999 All American 400 winner, 1999 Florida Governor’s Cup winner.

2000: Mike Franklin--Two-time Florida Pro Series Champion

2001: Wayne Anderson--1999 & 2001 NASCAR All Pro Champion, 1999 Florida Governor’s Cup winner, 2001 Snowball Derby winner, 1996 & 1999 All American 400 winner.

By Carol Wicks

I have been to Desoto Speedway before but only as a racing spectator. I paid little attention to the details of management or operations. This time I observed both!

I found the track to be the best around for the type of racing I enjoy. You can see the cars from any angle no matter where you sit. The last time I was at the Bradenton speedway I sat under the scorer's box on the general admission side. This time I sat in the pit area.

The infield is open and if a driver loses control he has a safe place to go at least on one side. There are no obstructions. Also on the infield are their safety vehicles, which included an ambulance, fire truck, and several types of rescue and tow trucks.

That was really impressive to me because anyone who knows me knows I am most concerned with the safety and well being of all drivers. Everything else is secondary.

The people I met seemed to know their jobs and everyone greeted me with a friendly smile. I bought a chicken dinner with fries to share with my baby and the food was good. The lemonade was GREAT but a little expensive for what was mostly a large cup of ice. It was $4.00!

I tried to sit up on the bleachers but felt it was too dangerous for a 2 year old so opted to sit in the first row and keep him within 5 feet of me at all times and never let him get near the fence. I really believe that people have to take some responsibility for their own actions and not make their stupidity a liability to the business.

The races were well organized and everything moved along nicely. I had heard it took them forever to remove wrecks from the track so when a wreck happened during the late model race I thought it would be a perfect time to go to the ladies room. Guess what? As soon as I got there I heard the cars racing.

GRR...this is the only place I found to be dissatisfactory. The ladies room was quite nasty. I realize it was late and it is the fault of the fans for being slobs but at CCS we have a lady who sits at the rest rooms and keeps them immaculate all night long. They smell clean too.

The only other gripe I had was that the announcer seemed to be gloating over the fact that CCS was having problems. I would never be happy to know Desoto Speedway was in trouble. How could a real race fan want that to happen? We should be working together to make it fun and profitable for both tracks by alternate schedules. One week the OWM drivers come to our track and the next to theirs. That way both tracks get a good car count and something to give the fans! (Just my opinion.)

All in all, the track made our drivers feel very welcomed and went out of their way to allow them a fun night of racing. I appreciate that because these guys went through a lot to get up there after finding CCS shut down. One of our Road Warriors even won a track record! Chris Oncken won the race and I think the fastest time in his class. We are proud of Chris.

In closing, I rate Desoto Speedway a very professionally run track with the driver's safety a prime issue and the fans enjoyment also a priority. It was a very enjoyable night and if I don't make it up there often it is because I am Charlotte County Speedway's number one fan, my car is a relic, and where I go, the baby goes and I can't afford for both of us to pay the pit pass fee.

Thank you to all the people who made it a fun night for us. I would like to especially thank Mary Jane McLeod for her hospitality and friendship. Her hubby even set me up with a safe and convenient parking place so it would be easier for me to get around with the baby.

So in closing, I am now DESOTO SPEEDWAYS #2 FAN!

Carol Wicks


P.S. When Jack Smith of KARNAC asked me to write a short evaluation of my opinion of Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, I told him I would be happy to oblige but only if he publishes what, in my opinion, I believe to be true. I think it made some people at Desoto nervous to have Carol Wicks, who is Charlotte County Speedway's # 1 Fan evaluate, their track.

By Jack Smith

"Charlotte County Speedway will return to a regular schedule of racing on Saturday", May 18, according to Peter Drinkwater, spokesperson for the Charlotte County Speedway management team.

The current management of Drinkwater, Chris and Victoria Felden have in place a restraining order from a Charlotte County Judge which prevents Glenn VanHorn or any of his representatives from coming on to the Speedway property until the case is settled in the courts, or until the Judge lifts the order, Drinkwater told KARNAC.com today.

In addition the racers at Charlotte County will be able to practice the remainder of May free of charge. Practices will be held on Fridays as usual.

A full rundown on the Charlotte County Speedway legal situation will be coming soon, exclusively here on KARNAC.com

Jack Smith

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By Rick Anges

Bradenton.Fl. (KNS)- The heat was on at Desoto Super Speedway Saturday as the temps reached into the mid 90s when the All American Challenge Series Super Late Models hit the track for qualifying.

Several competitors were having problems before qualifying including Jeff Scofield the points leader who was having handling trouble and young B.J. McLeod who had been battling the flu for most of the week.

Justin Drawdy #12 had his mount hooked up and was the Keels-n-Wheels fast qualifier for the nights 125 lap main event.

After the roll of the die the Old Man as people like to call him, Dave Pletcher #75 sat on the pole with the #64 of Bobby Coyle sitting on the outside of the front row. It took three tries before the field was able to take the green flag, Joe Boyd #5 who had earlier said that he thought he had the car to beat broke a rear end on the start bunching the field up and sending Jimmy Thompson #56 flying up on one the berms protecting the infield lights. Jimmy walked away from the wreck but his car was not lucky having to be towed off the track and ending his night.

When the green finally flew it was Pletcher taking the early lead but it wasnt long before Drawdy was able to slide under him and take the point. Jimmy Cope in the familiar #61 was also able to get by Pletcher and move into the second spot.

On lap seven Cope was able to get the nose of the #61 machine under Drawdy and took the lead but Drawdy was not going to give up that easy. Drawdy was able to catch Cope going into the turns and get the front end of his machine under Cope but the veteran was able to power away down the straights.

Johnny Jackson in the #1 was having a good night running in the top five and challenging Pletcher for the third spot at one time but engine problems forced him to park his ride in the infield after a strong run.

Drawdy who had right front damage on his car from getting under Cope so many times finally was able to loosen him up and get by to retake the lead.

Just before the half way mark Mike Abbott who had a good run going spun in a cloud of smoke coming out of turn two and was plowed into by the #53 of Richard Till who had no where to go. Both cars took extensive damage and had to retire for the evening. Cope meanwhile darted into the pits with a right rear tire going down. Quick work by his crew got him back out on the tail end of the lead lap.

Mr. Excitement showed why he had earned that name as he came from the rear of the pack to move into the second spot behind Drawdy. Cope was all over the back bumper of the #12 who slipped on what seemed worn tires letting Cope and several other cars by. Drawdy had his hands full the rest of the race and spun several times once being collected by the #00 of Robert Yoho. Yohos ride was done for the night but Justin was able to continue.

From that point on it was like racing from times gone by as Pletcher was doing everything he could to get by Cope but having to keep his eye in his mirror as McLeod had moved his way up into the third spot from starting near the rear of the pack.

Cope was able to hold off the two and claim his second win in the fifth race of the A.A.C.S. Pletcher held on to second, McLeod with a great run after being sick all week was third, the Felda Flash #89 came across the stripe in fourth and rounding out the top five was points leader Jeff Scofield who held off Drawdy at the stripe, Scofield also took the hard charger award for the night.

Open Wheel Modifieds

Rocco Ranallo #67 stayed on the rear bumper of #15 Bill Davis and powered himself to another feature win in the modified division.

Timmy Moore #57 had a good run and took the second spot and the Timber Wolf hard charger award for the night. Phillip Morrison #63 was third, Bill Davis held on for fourth and and fifth went to the #80 of Chris Dean.

Sportsmen

The always-exciting sportsmen class hit the high banks and the action was hot and heavy from the drop of the green flag. James Knight in the #23 Red Wing Shoes sponsored machine who was making his come back from a blown motor earlier in the year got tangled up with the #12 of Cliff Bifaro on the back stretch causing front end damage to the #23 machine and having to be taken off on the hook putting a disappointing end to his night, Bifaro was able to continue. Early race leader Wallace Body Damage Ramsey #38 had motor problems and had to make a dash into the pits under caution, he was able to make it back out onto the track but several laps down.

Lonnie Miller #98 in his brand new ride was making his way towards the front of the back and got collected up with the #72 James Casaday sending both cars sliding towards the the turn four wall. Miller was able to keep his car off the concrete but Casady was not so lucky and took the brunt of the hit and had to take a wrecker ride back to the pits.

Johnny Casady in the #3 had a better night and drove away from second place Gus Coorseen #42 to take the victory. Miller was able to overcome the early race incident and take the third spot, fourth went to Jimmy Cook #89 and fifth was #8 Steve Black.

Mini-Stocks

It was a tough night for some of the mini-stock competitors especially last weeks winner #84 Robert Haygood as he got tangled up in traffic and his car was sent airborne smacking the turn four wall hard with all four wheels off the ground.

Haygood was able to walk away from the wreck. Arlin Pope #98 was able to stay out of trouble and with some great re-starts took the trophy and the victory in a tough fought race. John Wilson #05 was able to hold off a good run from the #30 of Jessie Dutilly to take the second spot, Shane Whitbeck #22 and Todd Freed jr. #97 rounded out the top five.

Street Stocks

Scott Woodland #77 proved he had what it took and won the street stock feature finishing ahead of fast Matt Sheffler #10x. The rest of the top five were #27 Jonathan Hiedenthal, #10 Todd Wozniak, and #75 Brenda Close.

Legends

The Legends cars were next up on the grid. Young Jordan Richardson #00 was the early leader but slipped up and allowed Andy Logan #1 to jump into the lead and never look back taking the feature win. Richardson came back and took the second spot, Dale Horn #20 was third, #47 Tim Bagwell fourth and fifth went to #23 Bruce Sasser.

Pure Stocks

The pure stock feature was a rough and tumble event with cars flying in the air and bouncing off the walls but when the smoke cleared it was #18 of Jody Collins taking the checkered flag. Tim Garrod #5 avoided the carnage and brought it home second, early leader George Gorham #2x rallied for third, fourth spot was #74 Chuck Stevens and fifth went to another #74 Paul Huffstutler.

Road Warriors

With Charlotte County Speedway being closed the Road Warriors wanted a place to race and Desoto Speedway welcomed them with open arms and the crowd appeared to love the show they put on by the show of appreciation after the race which was won by Chris Oncken #61, second place was #7 Billy Lantz, third #30 Chris Huntoon, fourth #00 Trey Almand and in the top five was #0 Clete Trimmer.

If the class can come up with 30 or more cars next weekend they will pay $500 to win for the feature race.

Also don't forget to tune in to WTOG UPN 44 every Sunday morning at 1 AM for racing action on DeSoto Super Speedway Saturday Night.

by Dave Westerman

2001 CARS Champion Eddie Thornton took the measure of the field Saturday night as the Classic Auto Racing Series made its second visit of the year to Ocala Speedway.

The tone for the evening was set early as both George Hall, Jr. and Dan Hammerbeck had their cars trailered following engine problems during hot laps.

The first heat race didn't help matters as Patrick Sanders lost control of his '32 Ford coupe and crashed into Bud Spencer on the front straightaway as the field completed lap one. Both cars then backed hard into the frontstretch wall. Neither driver was hurt, but both machines suffered major damage and were done for the night.

Thornton went on to win the first heat and secured the fourth starting spot in the 15-lap feature while Mike Samples led green to checker in heat two to earn the pole position for the main event.

Fifteen of the nineteen Classics in the pits answered the call for the feature with outside polesitter Frank Conrad outrunning Samples into turn one with his Frank's Sandblasting/Shriner's Children's Hospital "Teal Tornado" sedan to assume the early lead.

The caution flew early as Ray Frazee spun in turn four on lap two. As the yellow was displayed, the leaders got jammed up in turn two with Samples being punted into the infield.

Samples got his second spot back, but his car never seemed right after the spin and he faded quickly on the restart as Thornton, point leader Jim Rahman, and Dennis Gilliam formed a tight pack behind Conrad.

After some crowd-pleasing side-by-side action, Conrad slid high going into turn one on lap six and was quickly freight-trained by the trio of Thornton, Rahman and Gilliam.

Keith Roberts, driving his popular Blackjack Mulligan/Main Street Auto/Nellie's Pub Chevy coupe, tried to find the inside line on Conrad as well, but the two made contact with Roberts' machine going up and over the front of Conrad's bringing out yellow flag number two.

Roberts was able to continue, but Conrad's car had to be towed from the racing surface.

Thornton now had the top spot in his Amsoil sponsored coupe, but Rahman was hooked up and putting on the pressure in his bid for three straight Series wins in his Romac Lumber/Westmont Homes '34 Chevy.

Rahman was working Thornton hard when the final caution flag was tossed on lap eleven as Mike Albert and Samples got together in turn three and spun. Up to that point, Albert had been making up for a poor start by passing several cars on the tough outside lane around Ocala Speedway. Both cars were sent to the rear of the field for the restart.

Thornton got a good jump on Rahman when the green reappeared and held on for his first win of the season after dominating the Series last year.

Thornton was joined in victory lane by his son Patrick and told the crowd his car was for sale so he can get the money to put a kart program together for him. "I've had my fun with the Classics, now it's time to have some fun with my kid." said Thornton.

Rahman continued his hot streak and added to his big point lead by finishing in the runner-up spot. Ed Yates, second in points going into the Ocala show, had borrowed a car from Thornton to race after blowing the engine in his regular car at New Smyrna. But a leaky water pipe flooded his home in Orlando Saturday morning and he was forced to miss the show, the first time Yates has missed a race in some time.

Gilliam came home third in the South 40 Motorsports/South 40 Graphix '34 Ford Sedan to earn the Door Operating Systems Rookie of the Race Award for the third time this season. In fact, Gilliam has run three races, finished third in all three and won the rookie honors in all three as well.

Al Hagan came back from a heat race problem and drove his Bryant Heating & Cooling '32 Ford coupe from eleventh on the starting grid to fourth at the finish in a display of great heads-up driving. E.T. McGhee debuted his new '32 Ford sedan with a solid fifth place finish. Albert drove back through the field and got sixth away from Harvey Ewing on the last lap. Ewing was seventh trailed by George Hall III, who had another great run in his Thermal Technologies sponsored coupe. Roberts came back from his earlier crash to finish ninth while Orange City's Greg Helton, making his first start in the Classics, rounded out the top ten.

Another new driver to the Series, Jim Dutton of Edgewater, was running a solid eighth but had a tire go down during the final caution period and lost a lap in the pits.

The Classic Auto Racing Series now heads to Sugarland Motorsports Park in Clewiston next Saturday for the first dirt track race of the year. It's the first visit to the racetrack for the CARS drivers since 1997.

FINISH: OCALA SPEEDWAY - 5/11/02:


1) Eddie Thornton, Orlando #4
2) Jim Rahman, Clermont #5
3) Dennis Gilliam (R), Mims #42
4) Al Hagan, Merritt Island #6
5) E.T. McGhee, Deland #1
6) Mike Albert, Winter Springs #24
7) Harvey Ewing (R), Brooksville #17
8) George Hall III, St. Petersburg #9
9) Keith Roberts (R), Groveland #31
10) Greg Helton (R), Orange City #3
11) Mike Samples (R), Orlando #81
12) David Nunes, Orlando #90
13) Jim Dutton (R), Edgewater #2
14) Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11 - DNF/crash
15) Ray Frazee (R), Oak Hill #43 - DNF/power steering belt
16) Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7 - DNS/crash in heat
17) Patrick Sanders (R), Winter Garden - DNS/crash in heat
18) George Hall, Jr., St. Petersburg #32 - DNS/broken valve
19) Dan Hammerbeck, Clermont #2X - DNS/engine

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SAMSULA, FLORIDA - FASCAR driver Jerry Symons became the fourth different series winner capturing his first FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series 100 on Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula, FL.

Symons of New Smyrna, FL, driving the Gene Kelly Roofing Chevrolet took the point in lap 35 and stayed out of the battle-scarred field to record victory.

"The crew worked their tail off," said Symons. "We came out here and did a practice session and the car wasn't real good, but they put in tremendous effort and got us up front."

The real story of this race is as Rodney Dangerfield always says, "I get no respect."

"They should have stopped it (race) after lap 42 - we would've had a lot more cars left," said Symons.

"It was a demolition derby," said Tony Amico, the second place finisher in his Executive Racing School Chevrolet. "Nobody would give an inch on anybody."

There were nine race cautions with four red flags and only 10 of 24 starting cars finished this race. Four cars were also penalized for jumping restarts - some twice and aided in this racing debacle. Destroyed race bodies and two demolished cars littered the pit area at race end.

Symons was the only driver to finish with his car completely clean. Not a single other car escaped this race without a racing imprint of some sort at the finish.

For the fourth straight race, Jason Boyd of Orlando, FL, and Goodyear Challenge Series point leader set fast time in his GPC Staffing Chevrolet, turning the one-half mile New Smyrna track at 96.44 mph. Boyd drew number nine for field inversion.

Amico of Clearwater, FL held the pole after the draw, but Mike Hovis of Ft. Myers, FL in his Budweiser ride relieved him quickly of the lead in turn one during lap 7 as Amico slipped back to third.

In lap16, Dave Snodgrass of Melbourne, FL slammed the wall hard in turn two and burst into flames, but escaped uninjured. Four cars pitted as a result of this mishap with various racing damage.

Hovis still held the lead in lap 31 followed by Symons, Wayne Morris of Auburndale, FL, Amico and Mike Greenwell of Alva, FL.

Symons took the lead in lap-35 after going to the outside in lap 34 and quickly opened a six-car lead. Hovis, Morris and Amico followed. Larry Osteen of Clermont, FL was fifth.

By lap 53, the running order was the same, but Boyd was on the move quickly after being penalized earlier for jumping a restart and he was now ninth.

But lap 63 was the end for a quick Boyd when he appeared to bump Morris after they had raced side-by-side out of turn two.

Boyd's car left the track high in the air about 40 feet and slammed hard against the track wall in turn three and he stumbled from the car receiving immediate first aid. Morris had the left side of his Michael Holley Chevrolet ride look like some rolled up bad dental work.

Symons with a 10 car lead in lap 64 still had Morris in tow with flapping left side body parts and Hovis, who had worked his way back in the hunt, was pressing for second after working by the fourth and fifth place cars.

Chris Lawrence of Orange City, FL was injured coming out of turn three in lap 72 and slammed hard into the wall. Lawrence was seen for medical assistance and appeared to have a severely bruised knee. Lawrence's car body was destroyed.

Before going back to green following the lap 72 stop Hovis had to pit for overheating. Symons was still on a quick move, followed on the restart by Morris, Amico and Greenwell.

Things then again happened very quickly when Hovis again challenged from fifth only to loose a right front tire in lap 85 and was finished for the night. In lap 90, Greenwell ran out of fuel. Jeffrey Dufrense of Ft. Myers, FL, was penalized for restart violations.

In lap 92, Tim Russell of Longwood, FL, who had survived the race carnage and his Hamke Race Cars ride was looking more like a Modified than a Late Model, was now third following the race penalty to other drivers. Russell would finish third in only his first 100-lap event and winning his first Late Model feature a week earlier.

During lap 98, Morris was still running with major body problems and holding onto second as Amico worked him hard for the spot. The pair touched as they came out of four with Morris taking the brunt by slamming the wall and going in the air as body parts flew from his car. Amico managed to control his wobbling car on the front straightaway and was now second.

Symons opened a 10-car lead crossing the stripe followed by Amico and Russell.

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By Rick Anges

(KNS) Bradenton, Fl - Edward Howell #62 lined up on the outside of the front row for the fifty lap Limited Late Model feature but right next to him was fast qualifier Dewayne Baker #63 who had earlier blistered the track running a 15.0 second time to take the pole position. Baker was the last winner in the fifty lapper here at the high banks so he planned to give the veteran Howell a run for his money.

On the drop of the green Howell jumped out to the early lead with Baker right in tow behind the green #26 machine. Behind the #63 was Joe Boyd #5 and the #34 of Jeff Dufresne battling it out for the third spot.

Howell had his Monte Carlo hooked up but Baker kept the pressure on giving it all he had trying both the high and low lines. Bakers car appeared to be handling better in the center of the turns as he would pull right onto the rear bumper of the #62 but Howell had the straightaway power to pull away.

Just after the halfway mark Baker looped his car coming out of turn three and sent the rest of the field scrambling behind him. Dufresne who had taken the third spot away from Boyd had to high and scrapped the front stretch wall to avoid the melee. Baker was sent to rear of the field for bringing out the caution handing the second spot to Dufresne.

Johnny Jackson #1 was having a good run bringing his car up to as high as the third position before having to retire due to mechanical problems. Baker meanwhile was trying to make his way back towards the front of the field when he got tangled up with the #74 Richie Henry under the flag stand sending both cars spinning in a cloud of smoke to infield. Both cars sustained damage, Henry was able to continue but Baker wasnt so lucky and had to be taken off on the hook.

Howell was able to hold and take the victory in the Rick Wilson owned car, following him across the stripe in second was Dufresne, Joe Boyd came up with a good run in third, fourth went to #31 Brian Hollifield and rounding out the top five was #37 John Shields.


Open Wheels


Sixteen fast cars lined up for the Open Wheel Modified feature and the action heated up right away as the red flag was dropped after just a few laps for an apparent brake fire on the #6 of Iron Man Dewayne Dempsey. After the track crews checked out the car he was allowed to continue.

When the green flag flew again the pack was racing side-by-side lap after lap no driver giving an inch either way. #34 Wayne Campbell and the #09 of Steve Harbuck were the early leaders. The #205 of Bobby Dixon was flying picking off spots and running the high line around the track.

Dixon looked high on Harbuck coming out of two and the two touched causing the #205 machine to get sideways going down the back straight but Dixons dirt track experience kicked in and he was able to hold on to not only his car but position as well.

Harbuck did not fair as well later in the race as Dixon was able to get under him going into turn three causing Harbuck to slide high and slap the front stretch wall hard enough to knock the tire off the rim.

Dixon was eventually able to get by and take the lead but Dempsey was on a roll using the high side of the racetrack to get from his mid pack starting position and eventually get by Dixon for the win. James Glover brought the #20 home third; fourth spot was the #80 of Chris Dean and fifth went to #92 Steve Perez.


S.A.R.A. Pro Trucks
The fifty-lap Pro Truck event saw the #70 of Mason Love take the front row on the roll of the die and he never looked back as cruised to an easy victory. Tim Shaffner tried #29 did all he could to get by the #70 machine but had to settle for second. #7 Bill Davis had a handful after loosing his brakes near the half way mark but still was able to hold to third, fourth was the #12 of Thomas Carter and fifth went to #71 Leonard McCue.


Street Stocks

Dan Hall in the #12 machine did his parents proud on their 56th wedding anniversary, coming from towards the rear of the pack to take the feature win in the street stock division.

Matt Scheffler #10x was able to hold off the charge of Sue Purrington #8 for the second spot.

Bruce Ahlers #47, who looked like he had a target painted on his car by the way the other cars were bouncing off him, held on for a well earned fourth spot and in fifth was #27 Jonathan Heidenthal.


Mod-Minis
Steve Gill in the #5 topped the field in the modified-mini stocks beating out #74 Paul Huffstetler second, Randy Koon #22 third, Clay Joseph #44 fourth and Tim Harman #8 fifth.


Mini-Stocks

Robert Haygood #84 was able to keep the pedal to the metal and hold off the Dutilly gang for the win. Jessie Dutilly #30 used every inch of race track to try get by Haygood but had to settle for the second spot. Jessie's Dad John followed him across the stripe for third with Jon Bailey #14 and Arlin Pope #98 rounding out the top five.


Pure-Stocks

Jason Esposito #23 picked up his first victory in the pure stock division Saturday night finishing ahead of Tim Garrod #5 second, Ron Sorrenson #68 in third, Mark Pikelsimer #6 fourth and #87 Dan Benoid fifth.

Cowboy Cadillacs
Don VanAcker #33 took another win in the full sized pick up truck series finishing ahead of the Timber Wolf Hard Charger of the night Clint Roberts #95. Justin Bryant #24 took third with #13 Jay Bryant fourth and Chris Oliver #7 in fifth.

Next week May 11th the Stars and Cars of the All American Challenge Series Super Late Models return to the High Banks of DeSoto Speedway for action.

Also don't forget to tune in to WTOG UPN 44 every Sunday morning at 1 AM for racing action on DeSoto Super Speedway Saturday Night.


RESULTS:

* Turner Tree & Landscape*
Limited Late Models


62 EDWARD HOWELL
34 JEFF DUFRESNE
5 JOE BOYD
31 BRIAN HOLLIFIELD
7 JOHN SHIELDS
74 RICHIE HENRY
31c CASEY JOHNSON
20 DAVID HART JR
42 JEREMY GEIGER
92 SCOTT CHISAFULLI
1 JOHNNY JACKSON
63 DEWAYNE BRYAN
9 BEN KELLY


* Pyramid Employer Services *
Open Wheel Modifieds


6 DEWAYNE DEMPSEY
205 BOBBY DIXON
20 JAMES GLOVER
80 CHRIS DEAN
92 STEVE PEREZ
60 PAT NANNY
67 JAMES DEBORA
09 STEVE HARBUCK
31 LYN WILES
7 ROCCO RANALLO
40 MARK CHAPMAN
15 BILL DAVIS
28 PATRICK MCGINNIS
63 PHILLIP MORRISON
34 RON CAMPBELL
4 BILLY BOYD JR


* Q Auto & Injury Attorney *
DeSoto Trucks


70 MASON LOVE
29R TIM SHAFFNER
7 BILL DAVIS
12 THOMAS CARTER
71 LEONARD MCQUE
3 BRIAN DONAHUE
63 MIKE TIAGLIATTI
29G JEFF GUILBAULT
97 KURT HAYWOOD
06 BILL CARLBERT JR
93 JEFF TIRESTEIN
50 ANDY BREEDLOVE
27 SHAWN ICILY
32 JOE WINCHELL


* Sasser's Glass Works *
Street Stock


12 DAN HALL
10X MATT SCHEFFLER
8 SUE PURINGTON
47 BRUCE AHLERS
27 JONATHAN HEIDENTHAL
6 DANNY ANDERSON
20 CLAUDIO REYES
78 RODNEY MCLAUGHLIN
4 CASEY HALL
10 TODD WOZNIAK
75 BRENDA CLOSE
15 LUCKY BROWN
77 SCOTT WOODLAND
2 MARK GILL


* Manatee Lumber *
Modified Mini


5 STEVE GILL
74 PAUL HUFFSTUTLER
22 RANDY KOON
44 CLAY JOSEPH
8 TIM HARMAN
67 BO DAVIS
9 ANDY WHITTED
25 SAM ROGERS JR
1 DAVID CALBERT
2x SAM ROGERS SR
0 BOB KING
82 JIMMY WARRAM - DQ



* Q Auto & Injury Attorney *
Mini Stock


84 ROBERT HAYGOOD
30 JESSE DUTILLY
38 JOHN DUTILLY
14 JON BAILEY
98 ARLAN POPE
22 SHANE WHITBECK
35 GREG KROM
97 TODD FREED
05 JOHN WILSON
20 CLAY JOSEPH
9 JEANNE WHITTED
23 MICHAEL GAYLE
8 STEVE GLOVER
5 STEVE BOOTH
6 ED JASPER
58 MIKE DUNHAM
31 HARLAN WILSON


* Clear Channel Communications *
Pure Stock


23 JASON ESPOSITO
5 TIM GARROD
68 RON SORENSEN JR
6 MARK PICKELSIMER
87 DAN BENOID
3 PEGGY HURST
74 PAUL HUFFSTUTLER
8 ROB TAYLOR
2x GEORGE GORHAM JR
4 MARK LAU
71 JOE WENGARD
2 ROGER DUFRESNE
18 JODY COLLINS
45 ED STREET


* Fast Wax *
Cowboy Cadillacs


33 DON VAN ACKER
95 CLINT ROBERTS - HARD CHARGER
24 JUSTIN BRYANT
13 JAY BRYANT
7 CHRIS OLIVER
16 JAMES WRIGHT
56 BOB CHARETTE
46 BUCK WILSON
74 KYLE REED

By Robin Smith Miller

Nobody knows the three-eighths mile banked asphalt track named Charlotte County Speedway better than Randy Fox. He has been driving stock cars there since the day the track opened. Last season he did what no other limited late model driver has been able to do in the track's history, he won both the regular division and Six Pack series title championship in the same year. This season he has won all three of the regular division races and appears to be on his way to setting more records.

Fox's racing nickname has been "Hondo" for a lot of years but he has more than earned a new that this writer is now bestowing on him, "Iron Man". Fox has more than one fish to fry this year. First, he is building the first full-service race shop that Southwest Florida has seen in quite awhile. More importantly, he is running the race for his life.

Last November Fox started having neck pain and thought that maybe an old back injury was acting up again. He went to Dr. David Anthony for treatment and Anthony immediately referred him to a specialist. It seems the neck pain and accompanying lump growing on his neck was Hodgkins lymphoma. Fox then went to cancer specialist, Dr. Lowell Hart, who has been treating him with chemotherapy, radiation and anti-oxidants. Fox credits Dr. Anthony with saving his life thanks to the early diagnosis and treatment. The Iron Man will now be a cancer survivor rather than a casualty.

Cancer has not slowed Fox down at all. He won two of his feature races this season, the same week he took chemotherapy. He is still overseeing the day to day operations of his business, Randy Fox Inc., as well as the construction of his new business at 217 Wallace Avenue, off of Leonard Boulevard. After its completion in July, Fox and wife, Scarlett, will offer a full race shop operation including chassis set-up, fabrication and race parts for all types of racing vehicles. Phase II of the operation will include 25 and 50 foot stalls that will be rented to area race teams.

Fox has learned the ropes of building racecars from the likes of past Busch Grand National champion, Randy Lajoie, and American Speed Association legend, Mike Garvey. His true mentor is legendary Florida short track specialist, Dave Pletcher, who has the closest race shop facility in the area in Clearwater. Pletcher and Fox designed the chassis for his winning racecar, owned by Mark Bruno and his father, Sal. Fox designed it from his extensive knowledge of the Charlotte County Speedway track and says "It's the car that's winning, not necessarily me. Racing is all about finding out what the competition hasn't got."

This is only half of Fox's operation. The other half of the shop will be a full service fleet maintenance shop for area dump trucks. He will offer nighttime maintenance service to area drivers who rely on their trucks to make their living during the day. Fox also envisions commercial parking for dump trucks and tomato haulers on the property. Fox's partner in the operation is attorney, James Neal. For the past few years Fox has partnered with best friend, Clayton Olding, who has decided to downsize his operation. For more information on Fox's new operation, call 369-0300 or 565-8411.

Fox says he would have never made it through the past few months without the support and prayers of the local racing "family". They serve as his inspiration to keep winning all of his races and the "Iron Man" will continue to race and build his business thanks to early diagnosis and the excellent care of his physicians.

-Robin Smith Miller

By Bille May

Robbie Storer Saved his Mini-Stock Win Streak with last lap pass

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