by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL-  Fans at Florida’s oldest race track have come to know that some of the wildest nights of racing action come when Ocala Speedway dangles a $1000 cash carrot in front of the racers and turns them loose.  Normally that cash carrot is reserved for one division at a time, but this Friday, May 7th, three divisions will be racing for a $1000 payout to the winner as the “Night of Thousands” makes its debut.

The new Sportsman Division at Ocala Speedway has only had a single outing this season, and that one attracted a varied mix of cars and racers from across the area.  But with $1000 at stake for the winner, Sportsman racers will be coming out in droves to take a shot at Ocala’s tricky layout and make a stab at the cash.  Ocala’s Augie “Big Frog” Burttram won the original race held on April 16th, while Hollister’s Kevin Mills followed in the second spot.  Also look for a good showing from Tim Dowling behind the wheel of the Xtreme Racing number 8 machine, which never got out of the blocks the last time out.

Ocala’s Tee Pee Tire Hobby Stocks last raced on April 16th as well, with Kevin Durden claiming the checkers in a race that saw a lot of paint being traded among the leaders, plus a fair amount of attrition as well.  Jody Wells won the last $1000 to win Hobby Stock event at Ocala Speedway and will certainly be looking to better his fourth place finish in the last outing, while Dean Jarvis will bring his hard hitting style back for another shot at a big payout. 

Over the past two racing seasons the Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants V8 Thunder Stocks have established themselves as the most exciting division to watch, especially when extra money is on the line.  And in addition to the excitement that they create, the Amsoil Thunder Stocks also are the most competitive division, with more different winners than any other.  Their last outing on April 23rd attracted over 30 cars to Ocala, and required a B main in order to whittle the field down to 24 starters for the feature race, and that race offered a standard payout.  Throw $1000 out in front of these racers and all bets are off, including any wagers on how many competitive cars will crowd into the pits.

Michael Stalnaker has all but taken control of the Amsoil Thunder Stocks this season, and will undoubtedly be ready to try and leave with the $1000 and yet another victory.  But then again, never count out quality racers like Jason Gamble, Jerrid Bennett, Luke Sadler, and Eddie Lentz, to challenge Stalnaker for the prize.  And with extra money as a motivator, drivers like Scott Mooers, Chris Fontaine, and Austin Kirkpatrick, are likely to join the fray, further upping the competition level.

And Ocala Speedway’s 4 cylinder division known as the Gladiators will get another chance to race this Friday, as the racers look to take Casey Feaster down a notch or two.  Feaster has been the dominant force in the Gladiators as of late, but had to work for his victory on April 23rd as Harold Lewis and Nathan Rhodes turned up the pressure.  And with Casey Feaster’s primary car reportedly beset with some mechanical issues, his time at the top could be in jeopardy.

Fans can enter the grandstand gates at 5PM on Friday night, with hot laps scheduled at 6:45 and heat races beginning at 8PM.  For more information, or to see the season schedule, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or phone the track at 352-622-9400.