May 5, 2012, 2012, 2012 – Tampa, Fl – It was a night of the Supermoon and Kentucky Derby night at East Bay Raceway Park along with the Late Models, Street Stocks and Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers.
Before the feature events, kids 12 & under had a chance to win gift certificates along with the adults who had a chance to win a $50 Chili’s Gift Certificate in a blow up horse race on the front stretch. Joline Wilson won the gift certicate for the kids and Kendra Lee Quinn won the adult race. Also a hat derby contest was held and Amanda from Dunedin also won a $50 gift certificate to Chili’s.
Then it was time for the 2 Seater Late Model ride. Keith Nosbisch gave Alana, who was the lucky fan drawn. After Nosbisch was done, he said it was the first time he was able to spin out and do a 360 and not have to go to the rear. Alana was thrilled and encouraged fans to buy tickets. She also picked Nosbisch to win the feature.
The first feature of the night went to the Street Stocks. Eric Moon and Buck Woodhouse won their heat races. For the 15 Lap Feature Event it was Thomas Burnside and former Track Champion Donnie Reed on the front row. Reed led the field into turn one with Burnside right behind him. The first caution came out when Ronnie Whitley spun in turn two on lap two.
On the restart, Moon went from fifth to third on the next lap trying to hunt down Reed. But on lap six, the second caution came out for Mark Pickelsimer who slowed in turn three. Reed was still the leader with Burnside and Moon your top three.
The final caution came out on lap ten when David Barwick, II spun in turn four. The field was then lined up single file with just five laps to go. On the restart, Moon who had moved into second on lap seven was trying to chase down Reed, but was not able to do so as Donnie Reed picked up another win. Moon was second with Randy Shields, Burnside and Dennis Wilson, Jr rounding out the top five.
Next up were the Late Models for 25 laps in the Feature Event. Tommy Prince and Roger Crouse won their heat races. On the front row was Travis Varnadore in his brother’s car and John Norris. Travis Varnadore got a great start, but was nullified as Prince spun in turn two for a complete restart.
When the green flag waved once again, Varnadore got another great start leading the field into one. The caution came out as Todd Alexander and Frank Erskine, Jr tangled on the backstretch. Green flag waved again for the restart and it was Varnadore and Keith Nosbisch racing side by side for three laps around the track before Varnadore finally took over the lead. On lap six, Norris spun in turn one collecting Dennis Williams bringing out the second caution.
On the restart, Wallace Peacock, made a challenge for the second spot and took it away from Nosbisch on lap seven. The third caution came out on lap eleven as Adam Boyd slowed down along the backstretch. On the restart, Varnadore was still leading with Peacock, in second and Crouse had moved up to third. Caution came out once again as Prince spun in four.
On the restart, Crouse lost the ground as he almost spun on the high side in turn two loosing many postions with Peacock now taking over second. Two more cautions came out, but on the final restart, Nosbisch took over the lead on lap eighteen and never looked back picking up his first win of the year in the Late Models.
“The car was tight and was running on four wheel brake so I switched over to three wheel and it freed the car up and was able to get this new car to work” he said in Victory Lane. Varnadore finished second while, Peacock, Crouse and Kenny Monahan rounded out the top five.
The final event went to the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers. Jason Burnside, DJ Taylor and Raymond Vann won their heat races. On the front row it was Michael Lacey and Brett Calonge. Lacey quickly went to the front leading the field into one. The first caution came out as Jimmy Williams went into the wall in turn four but was able to continue. On the restart, Lacey again led the field into one. At the halfway point, Lacey held off charges from Jason Burnside lap after lap until the caution came out as William Burnside slowed in turn four and headed to the pits.
On the final restart on lap eleven, Lacey was on a mission and held off Jason Burnside as he picked up his first win of the season. Calonge was third with Johnnie Alexander and Michael Hart rounding out the top five.
Lacey was very excited as he climbed out of his car and quickly thanked his wife for her support and John Moore for selling him the car. “I am very excited to be here in Victory Lane” he said with a big smile on his face.
ASA Racing continues next week with the East Bay Sprints, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw Fours and the Dirt Daubers. For further information, log on to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223 for more information.