January 31, 2013 – Tampa, FL – It was a cool night for the first night of the 37th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. 27 cars registered for the 25 Lap A-Main for Thursday night. Winning the first heat of the night was the 2011 East Bay Raceway Park Street Stock Champion was Jeff Rodgers from Lithia, FL. Heat race #2 went to Dennis Williams from Zephryhills, FL and heat #3 went to last year’s Winternationals Champion from Okeechobee, FL Tim Powers.
For the 25 Lap Feature Event it was Ronnie Whitley from Zephryhills and Brian Morgan from Okeechobee on the front row. When the green flag waved, Powers shot past the front two and led the way until Kevin Durden spun bringing out the caution and a complete restart.
The field lined back up and once again the green flag waved and it was this time Brian Morgan leading the field into turn one. Red flag came out on lap two as several cars got tangled up on the backstretch. Involved in the accident was Terry Jones and Dennis Wilson, Jr.. Drivers were okay but both of the cars were unable to continue.
On the restart it was Morgan once again showing his muscle until lap five it was “The Rocketman” Ritchie Stephens from Salem, AL taking over the top spot. Caution came out on lap eight as Jason Harrison spun in turn four.
At the halfway point, Stephens continued to show the way, but on lap sixteen Powers slowed down and brought out the caution and headed to the pits. Stephens was leading with Dennis Wilson right on his back bumper. Powers was able to return just before the green flag waved.
On lap seventeen, 2012 Outlaw Fours Champion Stephen Hohlbaugh brought out the caution as he came to rest on the front stretch with some right front damage ending his night.
Two more cautions came out before the final green flag waved as “The Rocketman” Ritchie Stephens went on to win opening night of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship and night number one of the 37th Annual WInternationals. Stephens thanked his sponsors K&J Trucking and Love Stuff Online.com. Stephens brought down 2 cars this year from Salem, Alabama. Finishing second was Dennis Williams, third went to Scotty Kay, Jr and coming back to finish fourth was Tim Powers. Brian Morgan came home fifth, with Jeff Rodgers, Eric Moon, Ronnie Whitley, Thomas Burnside and Brian Hansford rounding out the top ten.
25 Lap A-Main Finish – 1. 00-Ritchie Stephens, 2. 24-Dennis Williams, 3. 21-Scotty Kay, Jr., 4. 44-Tim Powers, 5. 9-Brian Morgan, 6. 95-Jeff Rodgers, 7. 18-Eric Moon, 8. 84-Ronnie Whitley, 9. 13-Thomas Burnside, 10. 2-Brian Hansford, 11. 21a-Eugene Anderson, Jr., 12. 55-Buck Woodhouse, 13. 72-Bo Slay, 14. 31-William Burnside, 15. 90-Tim Gay, 16. 17-Kevin Durden, 18. 14-Del Powell, 19. Jason Harrison, 20. 42-Dennis Wilson, Jr., 21. 82-Calvin Cook, 22. 99d-Terry Jones, 23. 95x-Chris Graebner, 24. 07-Donnie Reed, 25. 35-Jarod Gay
ASA Racing continues tomorrow night with night number two of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship and the Fastrak Late Models. For further information, log on to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223 for more information.
