By- Jim Rouse, BRP Media – RaceCar Engineering Late Models, Scorpion Racing Products Modifieds, Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks, and Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks will put on 5 of the best features of the season!
“The Magic Man” Mark Whitener has set up a smoke screen himself and has the Dave’s Towing #58 out in front. He returns after a big win in the Florida State Late Model Championship and will try to hold off the threats from “The Grim Reaper” Bo Allen and his Palmer Toyota team. Allen has his own battle with “Cheddar” Christian Augspurger and a good show is in store. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. and Richard Ferry are close to the top and both know how to win at Bubba Raceway Park. Never count out a Nosbisch as 10 drivers could enter as favorites.
“The Killer” Kyle Bronson and Rich Pratt have separated from the rest of the field and the battle is on. Bronson has won nearly every week; Pratt uses top 5s to stand near Bronson. These 2 feel Dalton Lanich coming though. Lanich has been close and with changes coming it could be checkers or wreckers for Lanich. “Crazy” Jim Passino and Tyler Clem have been consistent enough to hold onto the top 5. Passino could strike soon while Clem is watching some of the best, including a driver over 60 years his elder- Buzzie Reutimann.
Eddie Gainey, JO Nobles, and Adam Higginbotham have pulled away from this field. Nobles with wins, Gainey with experience, and Higginbotham with guts give us 3 different styles in this division. Forrest Gough still looking for that big win as is David Showers and both have been quite close to the top spot and this could be the week. Throw in the young McGillivray boys, Caleb and Christian, and anything can happen!
Brian Mullins leads “The Closer” Jason Gamble in a tight points battle. Mullins looks to make it 9 winners from 15 features while Gamble will replace some parts on his smoking engine from last week. In 3rd is “Flash” Jonathan Appleby. “Flash” has been hot recently taking 2 of the last 6 features. In 4th is Justin Durbin and he is being hounded by “Sweetfeet” Shane Nichols. Don’t leave the other winners out- Chad Scranton, Eddie Kilbury, Jr., Mark Trexler, Grady Christian, and Mike Tovet- as anyone can win. The separation is here- only Mullins has scored points in every feature. Consistency and survival are key in a division that will race 35 times in 2012.
“Rockin” Reid Christensen leads the standings in the Mini Stocks. “Charging” Charlie Staats is 2nd and is close to a big win. Buddy Pope is 3rd after dominating early in 2012. Troubles have put him behind and right in the line of fire of Nick Kerr and Travis Staats. Only 3 have won but many have tried and #4 is right around the corner.
Bubba’s Pit Stop opens at 1, pits open at 4, stands at 5, and racing is slated for 7. For more information go to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway at 352-622-9400.