Gibsonton, FL (August 11, 2012) – Fans, drivers and teams were all anxious to get back to racing after a scheduled break in the action from the previous weekend. Open-Wheel action dominated the line-up which featured the Gagel Open-Wheel Modifieds, East Bay Sprints, the Florida Mini-Sprints and the always spectacular Motorstats.com 4-Cylinder Bombers.
First out for their 15 lap feature event were the Gagel Open-Wheel Modifieds. After a couple of early cautions, Bruce Harvey snatched the lead away from John Inman and pulled a 5 car length advantage over the field. The race looked like it was Harvey’s to win, but on the final turn on the last lap, Inman dove to the inside and went side-by-side with Harvey as they drag raced to the stripe. Inman was able to pick up the win with Harvey crossing the stripe in 2nd. Dale Kelley, Austin Sanders and Dave Pollen, Jr rounded out the top 5. The two heat races were won by Dave Pollen, Jr. and Bill Howard.
The Florida Mini-Sprints came out to the “Clay by the Bay” in force with 28 cars in their 15 lap feature event. A rain delay brought the action to a halt for almost an hour, but finally got underway after the track dried and was prepped again. The #16 car of Chris Pacetti was on the pole with the #33c of Carlie Yent starting on the outside of row 1. Cautions and lapped traffic allowed the Moss Racing #8 of Eddie Moss, Jr to work his way to the front and took the lead on lap 6. Moss pulled away from the field and the battle was for 2nd between Gavin Thomas, Sheldon Kinser, David Hall and Yent. The 4 swapped positions throughout the remainder of the feature event, putting on a spectacular show for the crowd. Moss, Jr. picked up the feature event win with Carlie Yent finishing 2nd, Gavin Thomas 3rd, Sheldon Kinser 4th and David Hall in 5th. Sheldon Kinser won heat race 1, John Craddock picked up the win in heat race #2, Dirk Miller in the #68 Todd’s Tomatoes special from Sanford won heat race #3 and Chris Pacetti in the #16 Walter Arnold Company machine got the win in heat race #4.
Sprint car fans were treated to even more action when the East Bay Sprints rolled out for their feature event. #24 Steven Darvalics started on the pole, but was quickly overtaken by #38 Tony Agin. Agin had his car dialed in and lead the majority of the race, but as the laps wound down, lapped traffic held him up enough to allow Gene Lasker to close up and as the two split the slower car, Lasker was able to make the pass for the lead. Agin’s car went away at the end, but he did an excellent job to hang on for the 4th spot. Tim George battled issues all night, but finished 5th in the #01 car. Darvalics crossed the stripe in 3rd and Kerry Gilbert in 2nd. Lasker was able to pick up his 1st feature win in over a year at “the Clay by the Bay.” Lasker has always been known for his Victory Lane celebrations, but this time even included a marriage proposal to his new girlfriend. Agin and Darvalics both had heat race wins.
The Motorstats.com 4-Cylinder Bombers brought out a 26 car field for their feature race. John Moore led the early portion of the race with Red Vann close behind. While those two battled with one another, Raymond Vann slowly worked his way to the front, and after a caution he and Red went side-by-side down into turn 1. As the two exited turn 2, the #1 car of Raymond grabbed the lead and never looked back. Moore did work his way past Red Vann for a good 2nd place run. Red finished 3rd, Andre Sheneman 4th and Troy Ditterbrand rounded out the top 5. Conner Reutimann won heat race #1, Ditterbrand heat race #2 and Raymond Vann heat race #3.
ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, August 18th at 6:30pm. It will feature the Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Outlaw 4’s, the Motorstats.com 4-Cylinder Bombers, the Dirt Daubers and the V8 Warriors. For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.