By- Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL- After 4 of the 5 winners last week were first-timers in their respective division at Bubba Raceway Park it leaves us wondering- can we do it again? Of course, the Crate Late Models will as it’s their first time out without the NeSmith Touring Series on site and the E-Mods will battle for just the 2nd time in history. The 2 that leave questions, of course, are the Hobby Stocks and the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators. Those 4 divisions will put on a fantastic show that you won’t want to miss!
The Bubba Raceway Park Crate Late Models will go at it on the 3/8 mile but just for track points as the NeSmith Weekly Series does not count races until March 25th. Kyle Bronson, coming off of a big win in the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series, has already won a NeSmith Touring Championship race so he knows how to win in the Crate Late Model on the big scale. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. and Christian Augspurger will take their talents into the Crate Late Models and we’ll get a real solid look at 10-year old Tyler Clem as he’ll be on a level playing field with the stars. It’s going to be a great season for the Crate Late Models and it’s almost ready to start!
Shane Nichols has seen every inch of Bubba Raceway Park (including some parts he wishes he’d never seen) and he won a feature in his 3rd different discipline last week-end in his E-Mod. “Sweetfeet” is now the points leader but his win didn’t come easy as he did have to pass Roy Crain and hold him off. The Taylor boys, Shawn and Shane, ran up front as well and Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. took home a top 5. We’ll have to wait and see what the division has in store but 1 thing is for certain- it’s going to be an exciting division to watch!
The Hobby Stocks foolowed suit and put another driver on the list of winners as Donnie Ashford swept the night in the defending champion’s car. Ashford will be running the full schedule for the Friend’s Racing team and started just as he needed to. Devin Walker finished a solid 2nd and never let Ashford rest while James Erickson was ecstatic with his 3rd place finish in his return to the division. Charlie Seroki ran a very quiet race last week and is towards the top of the points table while young Hunter Gustafson took a heat win and a 5th-place finish home. With 2nd place Rodney Wright and 3rd place Mike Stalnaker out for the first few events of the season and Mark Maresca having engine troubles it leaves the door open for Ashford, Gustafson, and Brian Shea to pull away. Get those points now before they’re gone!
The Gladiators will continue to excite and with Robert Gullett taking a first career win it’s all wide open now. Todd “Hard Time” Roberts made the rookies work while Jerry Taylor, Josh Fincher, Kody Fisher, and Devan Pegel all finished behind him. Plenty of other drivers will throw their hats into the mix but who will stay on course and be crowned champion- that has yet to be answered.
Bubba Raceway Park will open up the pits at 4 and the grandstands at 5. Racing will start at 7. For more information you can check out www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400! Don’t miss the exciting action at Bubba Raceway Park!