By- Jim Rouse, BRP Media 7-16-12
Ocala, FL – On Friday night the stars of the Scorpion Racing Products Modified ranks take to the clay as they look to be the best. The 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks, Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, and Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks will join them and entertain like no one else can.
Kyle Bronson dominated early but the last 5 features have had 5 different winners from 3 teams. Bronson has led in nearly every feature and 2 of his losses have come from mechanical failures. Bronson is a heavy favorite but Rich Pratt knows how to win the big money- he won last year’s One Last One For PJ Wiggins! Pratt will have to get back on track and also hold off Dalton Lanich. Lanich is very quiet but makes plenty of noise with his underfunded #77 from the Kent Corbin shop. Jim Passino still sits within 100 points of the leader but will have plenty of work to do to catch him. “4-Time” Jeff Mathews will get in his Modified for the first time since that big win in the Late Model and could break into Coors Light Victory Lane in the car he’s always loved. And, don’t forget drivers like 71-year-old Buzzie Reutimann and 10-year-old Tyler Clem. Throw in Wayne Hammond, Mark Whitener, Garret Stewart, and maybe even David Reutimann (who has no NASCAR duties this week) and you could have the strongest field of Modifieds seen in all of Florida since SpeedWeeks.
Limited Late Models will also run both nights now and they’ll be running after Eddie Gainey as they have all season. “G-Man” will have to continue holding off JO Nobles who has just won his 100th feature event. Don’t forget about Forrest Gough who has climbed into 3rd. He has been fast all season and could jump into Coors Light Victory Lane at any time. David Showers and Adam Higginbotham have shown flashes of brilliance but have possibly been the unluckiest drivers this season. We could also see a new face up front with the McGillivray twins, the Shead family, and David Showers, Jr. all being very strong in 2012.
Jonathan Appleby hasn’t just been Eating Good In The Neighborhood, he’s been Out Of Town with his recent speed. As the 69A Team tries to stay up front he’ll have Cheater Racing’s Brian Mullins, the points leader, all over him. Mullins still searches for a trip to Coors Light Victory Lane. Jason Gamble can’t buy a break it seems. A strong drive in the Certified Automotive Repair 21 went sour when the engine did. “The Closer” lost a few points with that and fell to 3rd. Justin “Bubba” Durbin is 4th but with some more important issues on hand he has not been at the track the past 2 races. Durbin has been quick in 2012 but can’t quite lead the official lap 20. In 5th is Brandon Elwood after he secured his best career finish, a 3rd place, last week. The 28E is flying and we’ll see if he can get back to Coors Light Victory Lane and keep the win. Throw in drivers such as “IceMan” Chad Scranton, “One Shot” Mike Tovet, “Shady” Grady Christian, “Sweetfeet” Shane Nichols, and “Big Frog” Augie Burttram and this $1000 to win race is anything but a snoozer.
“Rockin” Reid Christensen continues a trend of winless points leaders so far in 2012. “Charging” Charlie Staats backs him up but 3rd place Buddy Pope ends it. The closest division, separated by just 30 points over the top 3, has also been quiet. Nick Kerr is 4th in points and joins Shirlene Hammond and Buddy Pope as the only feature winners so far in 2012. Travis Staats is 5th on the points board but has been fast all season. As those 5 chase a championship Hammond, Keith Briggs, Dean Kinsey, and many others will go all out for a big win.
These 4 divisions will go out on both nights while the Hobby Stocks and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators will join them for Staurday only. Bubba’s Pit Stop opens at 1, Pits at 4, Grandstands at 5, and racing starts at 7. For more info check out www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway at 352-622-9400!