Joe Winchell, driver of the #82 Super Late Model, was quick to thank “everyone for not giving up on me. I love racing here.” in Saturday night’s final leg of the Brighthouse Challenge Series winner’s circle. A cool breeze greeted the eight drivers as they removed their stock car short track racing gear and climbed out of their cockpits after 100 long laps on the 1/4 mile asphalt track.Many cars fell out early and failed to complete the 100 laps… but pulling into Winner’s Circle behind Winchell was 15 year old Tyler Scofield in the #07. Scofield is a second generation Super Late Model driver at Showtime and the 2013 Pro Truck Series Champion. Dad Jeff is content to sit back and spot for his ambitious and talented son who consistently rakes in Honor Roll in his High School studies.Third to cross the line was Chris Fontaine, driver of the #47 Super Late Model. Fontaine, a popular part time Nascar Truck Series competitor rarely falls short of crossing the finish line first. A set back that sent Fontaine to the rear earlier cost him valuable track time and space to make up the difference in third and first.
After lap 79, the race was definitely for second place and often found the crowd cheering in anticipation of the finish.
Scott Grossenbacher, driver of the #09, broke just prior to qualifying. Grossenbacher was definitely a favorite going into tonight’s race coming off a win two weeks ago. Grossenbacher prefers to the shorter 50 lap races.
It is rare to see such few cars show up for such a prestigious race with a notable purse. While a few suffered damage in last week’s race at another Florida track, it was speculated that only the driver’s in contention for a top ten point finish in the Series bothered to put in the effort to race.
Super Late Models return to Showtime on November 4th for another 100 lapper, this time for the Fourth Annual Florida State Super Late Model Championship leaving plenty of time for there to be a larger turn out.
In other racing action, Rodney Tower, driver of the ?#?94T? Street Stock, suffered substantial damage with an intersection hit of the #01 Pro Figure 8 driver Shannon Lengell. Cody Stickler fought off the rest of the field to take the checkered flag, followed by a tight squeeze second with #6 Shawn Senokossoff and Justin Meyer rounding out the top 3.
Mica Hinegardner, driver of the #51 Mini Stock proved that women can have a ‘hot shoe’ too. She collected the checkered and was followed by Cody Williams, #25, and Michael Meadows, #110. The Mini Stocks had their share of cautions but put on another great show.
Cody Stickler, no stranger to the Winner’s Circle, and driver of the #99 Street Stock, collected 2 wins throughout the evening’s program. He was followed by #30 Jacob Berkevich, another talented teenager in his first season in a stock car, and rounding out the top 3 was #11 Billy Carlbert Jr. ‘Billy Billy’ is one of the fan favorites and current points leader in the Street Stock division.
Coming this Saturday, October 24th, we salute and pay tribute to Eddie Brann, former racecar builder and a legend to Florida short track drivers. With the 7th Annual Eddie Brann Memorial, expect the field to top over 30 entries. Festivities start Friday at 5pm when the pits open for a night of practice, food, and music.
Supporting classes are Legends, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Modified Minis, Strictly Stock, and Pro Figure 8. Mark your calendars now – you won’t want to miss it.