Clint Foley sweeps to victory at CCS
Inverness, FL -May 7, 2011- Once again drivers, crews, and race fans were greeted with an almost perfect night of weather for some short track racing.
The night started out with time trials for the 50 lap Modified Mini stock feature with 15 cars taking a shot at the time clock. Clint Foley once again proved to be the top dog in qualifying taking home the $50 fast time bonus from GMT Towing. Second qualifying spot went to Nathan Florian followed by Chris Allen in the third qualifying position.
The Modified Mini Stock feature was the first feature race of the night, this race had been rained out in it s previous two attempts, so track management wanted to make sure the race was able to run on this night.
After some help from a young fan rolling the tracks giant foam dice, the number that came up was a 6. This means we would be inverting the first 6 rows for each feature this evening. So all of Clint Foley’s hard work in qualifying, now left him deep in the field, starting in the 11th position.
At the drop of the green, outside polesitter Johnny Siner jumped out to an early lead, and put some distance between himself and the field. Chris Allen made his way to the front from his 9th starting spot to take the lead, just before the halfway point of the race. Meanwhile Foley was charging through the field in pursuit of Allen.
Foley would get to Allen, and with some patience, was able to make a clean pass for the lead.
Back in the pack several drivers were swapping positions only to have mechanical failure bite many of them by the end of the night. The cars of Jeremy Gerstner, Chris Allen, and Mark Powers, all made charges to the front only to be sidelined with mechanical problems.
Foley would go on to take the checkers for a sweep of the nights events followed by 8th place starter Jim Smith in 2nd, and early leader Johnny Siner holding on to 3rd.
The Super Late Models made their return after several weeks off with a starting field 19 cars strong for their 35 lap feature.
After some bad luck in the heat race, Herb Neumann Jr had lady luck on his side when the roll of the dice came up a 6. This would end up putting Neumann on the pole for the start of the 35 lap feature. With heat race winners Jeremy Gerstner and Scott Grossenbacher starting deep in the field.
Now, the race was on to get to the front and challenge Neumann for the victory. The race got off to a clean start,but was slowed by several mid race cautions. These cautions benefited the cars starting towards the rear of the field. Every time Neumann would pull out to a comfortable lead, the field would close right back up with each caution.
From the drop of the green 6th place starter Anthony Sergi and 9th place starter Steve Dorer were on a mission. These two drivers made short work of the rest of the field, and were chasing after Neumann by lap 15.
Dorer worked on Sergi for several laps before making the pass for the second position,and then set his sights on the leader.
Neumann maintained his lead and was heading to an easy victory until a late race caution put Dorer right on his bumper.
On the restart Dorer got underneath the #98 machine of Neumann off of turn two,but heading into turn 3, racing room was at a premium with only a few laps left. Neumann would squeeze his way back in front of Dorer and go on to take the checkered flag. Dorer followed Neumann to the line in 2nd, and Anthony Sergi held on to 3rd in his first visit to Citrus in a late model.
This was Neumann s first feature victory of the year, and he sits on top of the points standings.
The Street Stocks continued their strong season with a field of 14 cars taking the green flag for their 20 lap feature.
Points leader Curtis Flanagan wasted little time coming from his 9th starting position to take the lead from 5th place starter Tom Potts before the half way point of the race.Potts would end up running a strong 2nd, but needed just a little more speed to race with Flanagan.
Coming home in the 3rd position was street stock newcomer Jesse Veltman. Jesse was piloting the #55 owned by Ernie Reed. This was only Jesse s second race in the car, and he seems to be getting the feel for it quickly.
Heat race winners were Flanagan and Kenny May.
The Sheldon Palmes Insurance Mini Stocks brought 13 cars to their 20 lap feature. This race would see several of the normal front runners suffer some costly damage in the beginning stages of the race.
The cars of Jeremy Sharrone and Adam May both got involved in early race tangles, which ultimately ended their nights before halfway.
The #46 of Shannon Kennedy came from his 6th starting position, survived the early race mayhem, and made his way to second early on.Kennedy would make the winning pass on the #24 of Tim Scalice just after halfway, and go on to take his first ever feature win.
Following Kennedy to the line in 2nd was the hard charging #71 of Sonya Heater followed by the #98 of Kevin Stone. Stone’s third place finish helped him maintain his division points lead.
Heat race winners were Jeremy Sharrone and Adam May.
The new Hornet division made its debut Saturday night with 4 cars registering for the night. This is a new entry level beginner division for drivers 14 years and up to start their racing careers. This is a cost effective class, drivers should be able to purchase a car and all safety equipment for under $1000.
The race got off to a good start with the #15 of Kane Dixon jumping out to a substantial lead. As the laps wound down though, his #15 machine would develop a flat left front tire and slow his progress.
The #27 of Robbie Roberson would catch Dixon and attempt a pass for the lead, but contact between the two drivers brought out the caution and sent both of them to the rear for the restart.
The #31 of Chris Hennessey would inherit the lead and go on to take the checkers over Dixon in 2nd and Roberson in 3rd.
The Pro Challenge series made their second visit of the year to the speedway with a 7 car field. Polesitter Mark Landis would cruise to an easy victory in his #56 machine. Coming home 2nd was the #28 of Randy Glick followed by the #2 of Harvey Johnson.
Johnson is one of our oldest competitors at the age of 69 years old, but looked like a young gun behind the wheel.
This Saturday night will see the Open Wheel Modifieds return for their 40 lap feature, along with the Sportsman, Taylor Made Homes Pure Stocks, Sheldon Palmes Insurance Mini Stocks, Pro figure 8 s, and the Outlaw Modified Minis.
Don’t forget that May is springs savings month at Citrus County Speedway, front gate adult grandstand admission is only $10 for the entire month!
Please visit our website at www.citruscountyspeedway.com for complete track information and details, see you at the races!