From John Chance

This Saturday night, July 9^th, the Citrus County Speedway begins the second half of the 2011 racing season. There will be no rest for the championship contenders, as the speedway will race every Saturday night, from now till the season finale on November 12^th. This year the Speedway has seen over 300 individual drivers and cars come to compete at the friendliest track in the south. Of those 300 drivers, over 50 different drivers have come away with feature wins, which leaves the other 250 still hungry for a victory. In today’s column, we’ll take a look at the championship battles in each division, as we prepare for the speedway’s own race to the championship.

Over 45 Super Late Model drivers have tried to take home a victory this season. Of those 45, only 4 have been able to get the job done. 5 time champion Herb Neumann Jr sits on top of the point standings once again, holding an 11pt lead over Scott Grosenbacher, and a 13pt lead over Danny Maddox in 3^rd. Neumann has put one feature win under his belt this year, as well as a strong 2^nd place finish in the non-points UPS 100 lapper back on June 4^th. Joining Neumann in victory lane this year have been Danny Maddox, Darryl Shelnut, and Tim Russell in the UPS 100.

The Open Wheel Modified division has seen some competitive racing this season. 35 drivers have registered to race this year with 5 of those drivers taking home feature wins. Bobby Ervien has lead the points since the 2^nd race of the season, and just took home his first feature win at the last race on June 25^th. Ervien has been Mr. Consistency, finishing near the front almost every night. Chasing Ervien in 2^nd place is Richie Smith, who leads all drivers in the division with 3 feature wins. Smith has really got his program together at the mid point of the season, after a tough start which saw 2 DNF’s early on. Following them in the 3^rd position is Doug Miller who has logged 1 feature win this year, and is putting all his focus on the chase for the championship. Defending champion Jeremy Gerstner sits 4^th with one feature win, and Robbie Cooper is 5^th with 2 feature wins this year.

There was great anticipation in the off season for the Sportsman division. Rumors circulated of many drivers building new sportsman cars, which set the division up to be the biggest all year. Unlike many racing rumors, this one was true. 48 drivers have challenged the ¼ asphalt oval this year, which is the largest of any division. Of those 48, only 6 have pulled there cars into victory lane. Ernie Reed sits on top on the division with 2 feature wins, and holds a 33 pt lead over Cody Stickler in 2^nd, and a 35pt lead over 3^rd place Brandon Morris. Reed is a speedway veteran, and you can see his years of experience working to his advantage this year, taking what his car gives him on each night. Behind him 2 young guns in Stickler and Morris are chasing after him. Stickler has 1 feature win with Morris bring home 2 checkered flags. Both of these young drivers have seen their youthful aggression cost them as they try to chase down Reed for the points championship. Other feature winners this year have been Aaron Williamson (1), Richie Smith (2), and Brett Jenkins (1).

The Street Stock division has seen 40 different drivers try to achieve their goal of victory this year. There have been 8 different drivers take home a checkered flag, which ties them with the Mini Stocks for most different winners this year. Curtis Flanagan is on top of the mountain holding a 68pt lead over Bill Ryan in 2^nd, and an 86pt over Bubba Martone in 3^rd. Flanagan has taken home 2 feature victories, and has been the car to beat all season. But as we approached the mid season break, the other drivers are starting to get their cars dialed in, and challenging his grip on the division. Other feature winners this year are: Bill Ryan (1), Kyle Peters (3), Tim Wilson (1), John Makula (1), Michael Stalnaker (1), Jeff Stalnaker Jr (2), and Mike Wilson (1).

The Taylor Made Homes Pure Stocks started the season off strong with 47 drivers competing this year. 7 drivers have been able to take home victories this year. Defending champion David Walls took over the point lead early in March, and has continued to stretch that lead out to a 158pt margin, which is the largest in any division at the speedway. Walls just recently debut a new car, and drove it to his 2^nd feature win of the year in the last night of racing before the break. Glenn Colyer sits 2^nd in the points standings and holds a 41pt gap over 3^rd place Tyler Stickler. Levi Roberts has been the man to beat, leading the division with 5 feature wins. Roberts is running a limited schedule this year, which leaves him 4^th in the points standings. Other feature winners this year have been: Tyler Stickler (2), Carl Peters (2), Sheri Makula (1), Steve Stineduf (1), and James Peters (1).

The Modified Mini Stocks have been a 3 man show this year. Only Chris Allen (2), Jesse Henley (1), and defending champion Clint Foley (3), have taken home feature wins over the 27 other drivers. Allen sits on top of the points with a 14pt lead over Henley in 2^nd, and a 21pt lead over Foley in 3^rd. Foley debut a new car last race, and seems to be poised to make a strong run for the crown. Henley is looking for the little extra to put him over the top and challenge for the points lead.

The Sheldon Palmes Insurance Mini Stocks have only had 25 different drivers register to compete this year. But almost 1/3 of those drivers have been able to take home a feature win, which makes it the most competitive division at the speedway. Sonya Heater has put together a string of great finishes to take the points lead at the half way point of the season. Heater holds a slim 6pt lead over 2^nd place Jeremy Sharrone, and a 7pt lead over 3^rd place Kevin Stone. This is the closest points battle at the speedway, and has gone back and forth all season between Heater and Stone. Sharrone is trying to shake the gremlins out of his racer, and have some more consistency for the 2^nd half of the year. Jeff Eberly got a late start to the season, but has put 6 feature wins in the books in short time, which leads all drivers at the speedway. Other feature winners this year are: Jeremy Sharrone (1), Chris Snow (1), Kevin Stone (1), Shannon Kennedy, (1), Ashlee Williamson (1), and defending champion Rick Kuhn (1).

Pro Figure 8’s have had 22 drivers try to avoid the intersection mayhem with 7 drivers taking home victories. Wayne Calkins sits on top of the points with a 6pt lead over Joey Catarelli in 2^nd, and a 32pt lead over Cliff Rousseau in 3^rd. Calkins and Catarelli seem to be the two drivers that will battle to the championship trophy. But a little bad luck on their parts, could bring the rest of the field into contention. Feature winners this year have been: Calkins (2), Catarelli (1), Rousseau (1), Neil Herne (1), Mason Love (1), James Crawford (2), and Robbie Hage (1)

The Street Stock/Pure Stock figure 8’s have quickly become a crowd favorite with 27 drivers competing and 3 of them taking home feature wins. Eric Sharrone holds a 12pt lead over former figure 8 champion Ronnie Schrefiels in 2^nd, and a 46pt lead over Thomas Peet in 3^rd. This division has provided some of the most excitement all year, as well as some of the biggest wrecks also. Only the top 3 drivers have been able to take feature wins this year with Sharrone have 2, Schrefiels 2, and Peet 1.

This Saturday night Citrus County Speedway begins the 2^nd half of the 2011 season with the Open Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman, Sheldon Palmes Insurance Mini Stocks, Taylor Made Homes Pure Stocks, Pro Figure 8’s, and the Outlaw Modified Mini’s. The last race saw sparks fly as tempers got the best of a few drivers, which makes for great anticipation for this Saturday night. Gates open at 4 pm and racing starts at 6pm, visit the track website at www.citruscountyspeedway.com for complete details, or call the speedway office at (352)726-9339. See you at the races!