Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL- The Limited Sprint Cars will tackle the 3/8 mile oval, as will the Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators. All drivers receive free entry for this week-end’s races and all drivers have a shot at a $1000 prize!The Limited Sprints will make their first appearance of the season, but the same cast should be playing similar roles. Matt Kurtz and Danny Martin, Jr. have dominated the Sprint Car ranks for the past three seasons, but drivers like “Captain” Tony Agin, Terry Witherspoon, and Robbie Smith are closing in on a big win. With a different rules package for the Limited Sprints, we could see a magical run dethrone Kurtz and Martin, but it won’t be the easiest thing to do.
In what will be the third Limited Late Model race of 2013, Tim Powers and Tyler Clem enter as the drivers with victories. Powers has more Hobby Stock wins than Clem has years on earth, but the eleven year old Clem will be looking for back-to-back victories. Nahunta, Georgia’s JO Nobles, last year’s division champion, will join the fight up front and make it a battle of the states after his impressive win in his Late Model last week.
Devin Walker, twice a championship runner-up, has built up a 177-point lead over Brian Shea in the Hobby Stock division on the strength of three wins in the points season, plus a win during Winter Nationals. Sean Monoghan overtook Hunter Gustafson for third in the championship, but they sit over 250 points behind Walker who is having an incredible third season in the Hobby Stock division. Mike Stalnaker stole his first Hobby Stock victory last week and that catapulted him into fifth in the championship fight.
In what always seems to be the most dramatic championship fight, William Gillam leads Brandon Elwood by fifteen points in the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks. As those two reel off top tens, however, third placed Melvin Fockler continues to reel off top fives and pick up points on the front two. Fockler had a wild night last week, but has gained nearly 100 points on Gillam and Elwood in the last four months. Brandon Tillander is a career high fourth in the championship, but he sits 152 markers back, effectively making it a three man championship fight. Tillander is back in his main car, so don’t count him out too quickly. Tony Campbell has slipped to fifth in the championship battle as he has missed a few races.
In the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators, Stephen Frankland has built up a 252-point lead over Tom Sheehan, the new second-placed driver. Sheehan comes off of a career best second place finish while Frankland comes off of his eighth win of 2013. Bill Southard was unable to make it to the feature last week while Josh Fincher and Tyler Bryden round out the top five in points.
Pits open at 4 and the drivers get in for no cost as Bubba says thank you to each and every one of our great race car drivers. Grandstands open at 5 and racing is scheduled for 7. For more info, or to check out the schedule- including August 17th’s “Back To School Night” and September 6th and 7th’s “PJ Wiggins Memorial”- visitwww.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400!