Durden Dominates Thunder Stocks 100 at New Putnam Speedway
From Shawn Kosier
Edited by John Berti, Web Editor
Satsuma, FL -January 22. 2011- A new day and age dawned at the all new Putnam Speedway yesterday. New owners Bob and Ingrid McClellan made their debut as track entrepreneurs.
With clear skies, cold and windy conditions 31 thunder stocks and 11 open wheel modifieds made their way to the track for some action under the sun.
Drivers came from all over the state of Florida and from as far away as Kentucky.
Fans from near and far attended the event with an open mind and a need for racing with all the sights and sounds that go along with it.
Heavy rains had plagued the area for a few days prior to Saturday’s race leaving the track in dire straits due to the newly applied clay surface. The track was very heavy and loose but never the less the drivers made the best of it and took the track for a shot at the $2500 dollar pay day that awaited the winner.
The thunder stocks were greeted with cheers and yeehaws from the fans as they took to the track for 3 heat races. The top 2 from each heat advanced to a 5 lap dash for cash which awarded the winner $100 for besting the 6 car field. That $100 prize was picked up by Archer, FL resident Kevin Durden who was pretty much in command of the event from green to checker.
Then it was on the the open wheel modified division for a 35 lap $1000 pay day to the victor. Paul Sizemore Jr. looked to be a sure winner in the race but while trying to negotiate lapped traffic Silver Spring, FL driver Jeff Bagent made use of a lap car and drove by Sizemore to take the lead with about 15 laps remaining. Sizemore seemed poised and ready to take the lead back from Bagent but an engine failure retired him for the day.
Despite a valiant effort from Jacksonville, FL wheel man David Crews Jr., Bagent went on to pick up the win and all the accolades of the day. A very happy man exited the car in victory lane and thanked all the fans for coming out and supporting the track and, thanked new owners Bob and Ingrid for taking a chance on the track.
Then it was time for the big dance to take place, 31 drivers poised and ready to take the green for the thunder stocks 100 lap feature. Among the drivers was a notable NASCAR competitor and K&N Series driver Michael Cherry, driving a grey Camaro number 34.
Up on the front row it was to be a stellar duel of drivers. The pole position featured Dash for Cash winner Kevin Durden and veteran dirt track ace Randy Strehle from Deland, FL leading the field to the green.
With track conditions rapidly deteriorating the field began to thin out do to attrition. Much of the race was marred with cautions with it becoming more and more difficult for the drivers to negotiate the motorcross like conditions being dealt with in turns one and two.
Durden seemed to have his race car in check leading from the green without much of a challenge from the field. Durden is a veteran driver with many years of experience on just about any type of track surface and track condition, so this gave him an advantage.
Randy Strehle looked to be one of the drivers that could give Durden a challenge but he was plagued with overheating problems during the race which saw him return to the pits and put him deep in the field each time he returned to the track.
Howard Osteen seemed to have a little bit for the leader but had much difficulty getting through turns one and two and saw his car go airborne a few times in the process.
Strehle managed to get his car back to the front and at the checkers finished third. Despite the the Monte Carlo turned baja truck, Howard Osteen brought his car home in second. The big dog of the day was Durden who led wire to wire and brought the car to victory lane to collect the $2500 check. He thanked the new track owners and fans for coming out and made the humbling statement that if he had to start deep in the field he may have not have faired as well. He was lucky to have started from the pole.
Michael Cherry came home an impressive 4th place telling me after the race that he tried to play it smart and rode it out until it was time for him to go.
The funny thing was that Durden’s car was pulled into the tech shed and the door was closed without anyone being able to see what was transpiring inside. My opinion that failed in my eyes due to the lack of the rest of the top three being able to see what was inspected and if those items were in fact legal. Wrong thing to do? You bet!
With the first event in the can at Putnam Speedway I hope that this was a learning day for everyone involved. We should not give up hope yet and give the facility a chance to thrive, so lets support the track and talk about this subject in 6 months from now.
Special Event January 22, 2011
Open Wheel Modifieds 35 Laps
| Finish | Position | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff Bagent | |
| 2 | David Crews Jr | |
| 3 | Ronnie Schron | |
| 4 | Reed Wilthers | |
| 5 | Johnny Mullner | |
| 6 | Paul Sizemore | |
| 7 | John Kahl | |
| 8 | Joey Brinson | |
| 9 | Duane Paul Jr | |
| 10 | Josh Sanford |
Thunder Stocks 100 Laps
| Finish | Position | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Durden | |
| 2 | Howard Osteen | |
| 3 | Randy Strehle | |
| 4 | Michael Cherry | |
| 5 | Michael Valdes | |
| 6 | Steve Moores | |
| 7 | Randy Moody | |
| 8 | Donny Nobles | |
| 9 | Jr Fitch | |
| 10 | Luke Sadler | |
| 11 | Bobby Giles | |
| 12 | Jimmy Dowling | |
| 13 | Billy Costello | |
| 14 | Jason Coston | |
| 15 | John Thorpe | |
| 16 | Wally Douglas | |
| 17 | Ryan Hannah | |
| 18 | Kenny Thornton | |
| 19 | Brian Cox | |
| 20 | Kenny Durham | |
| 21 | Richard Calmes | |
| 22 | Scott Moores | |
| 23 | Frank Proutly | |
| 24 | Michael Tovet | |
| 25 | Scott Brumfield | |
| 26 | Charles Troutt | |
| 27 | Andy Sizemore | |
| 28 | Mike Budka Jr. | |
| 29 | Austin Stanper | |
| 30 | Tim Gigon | |
| 31 | Dalton Strehle |
Citrus Winter Spectacular 2nd Leg Goes to Neumann
by John Berti, Web Editor
Karnac Florida Stock Car Racing
Herb Neumann (98), eventual winner, dices it out with Steve Dorer (10)
Inverness, FL – January 22, 2011 – Herb Neumann won the second leg of the Winter Spectacular at Citrus County Speedway last night.
A good field of 18 Super Late Models started the 100 lap feature event on a chilly night.
Here is the complete finish listed by finishing position, car number, and driver name:
1. 98 Herb Neumann
2. 17 Darryl Shelnut
3. 10 Steve Dorer
4. 36 Gary Padula
5. 70 Jeremy Gerstner
6. 62 John Gerstner
7. 97 Perry Lovelady
8. 8 Bobby Shelton
9. 77 Wayne Anderson
10. 170 Patrick Mennenger
11. 55 Dakotah Stephens
12. 09 Scott Grossenbacher
13. 84 Randy Anderson
14. 111 Donnie Williams
15. 07 Steven Simpson
16. 1 Ryan Walter
17. 7 Ray Hester
18. Danny Maddox
Street Stocks Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
19 Jeff Stalnaker Jr. Ocala 1
79 Mike Wilson Dade City 2
31 Tom Potts San Antonio 3
21 Michael Loudy Jr. Brooksville 4
53 Kyle Peters Ferndale 5
58 Larry Welter Jr. Wiliston 6
88 James Peters Ferndale 7
98 Tom Bubba Martone Floral City 8
00 Carl Glaum Crystal River 9
7 Michael Stalnaker Ocala 10
71 Jason Warsing Bronson 11
3 Curtis Flanagan Inverness 12
35 Erick Sharrone Floral City 13
33 Bill Ryan Bushnell 14
55 Ernie Reed Crystal River 15
Pure Stocks
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
15 Levi Roberts Spring Hill 1
5 James Peters Ferndale 2
39 Carl Peters Winter Garden 3
0 Steve Stineduf Wicki Watchee 4
65 Happy Florian Lecanto 5
58 Larry Welter Jr. Wiliston 6
76 Michael Martin Citrus Springs 7
62 Erick Sharrone Floral City 8
9 William Stickler Pinellas Park 9
7 Ardin Franklin Hernado 10
42 Steven Hise Inverness 11
55 Daryl Veltman Crystal River 12
777 Bill Carringer Longwood 13
96 Dustin Dinkins Bushnell 14
44 Glen Colyer Homosassa 15
70 Clarence Kyser Summerfield 16
73 Jeffery Eisenhauer Homosassa 17
13 Charles Herne Homosassa 18
27 Sherry Makula New Port Richey 19
SS/PS Figure Eights Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
6 Ronnie Schrefiels Brooksville 1
35 Thomas Peet Floral City 2
58 Larry Welter Jr. Wiliston 3
7 Chuckie Franklin Hernando 4
55 Mike Veltman Crystal River 5
62 Eric Sharrone Floral City 6
44 Glen Colyer Homosassa 7
13 Neil Herne Homosassa 8
Outlaw Mod Minis Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
26 Mike Ender North Port 1
15 Doug Hooper Spring Hill 2
7 Mel-Mel Braden Spring Hill 3
04 Tom Myers Pinellas Park 4
9 John Parrish Tampa 5
28 Raymond Jones Arkarcida 6
22 Ric Mills Arkarcida 7
5 Craig Sherar East Palatka 8
6 John Gula Spring Hill 9
14 Dan Akard Fort Myers 10
North Florida Speedway Winternationals Information
Here is the information for the UMP Modified Nationals including the schedule, payoffs and other support divisions that will be competing at North Florida Speedway as part of the scheduled events for Thursday, January 27th through Saturday, January 29th.
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Punta Gorda Swap Meet February 12 & 13
PUNTA GORDA SWAP MEET @ PUNTA GORDA SPEEDWAY 8655 PIPER ROAD, PUNTA GORDA, FL
*MUSIC*FOOD*BEER*PRACTICE*SWAP MEET*
***FREE ADMISSION***
FEBRUARY 12TH & 13TH
SATURDAY 10:00AM TO DARK
SUNDAY 10:00 AM TO 3:30 PM
AUTO PARTS*GARAGE SALE*HOUSEHOLD ITEMS*CRAFTS
OPEN PRACTICE SATURDAY NOON TO 5:00 PM
$10 PER PRACTICE SO BRING THE WHOLE CREW
DRIVERS BRING OUT YOUR SPONSORS
STOP BY AND TAKE A TOUR OF THE TRACK
MEET DRIVERS, PICK UP A NEW SCHEDULE,
GET INFO ABOUT THE TRACK
PICK UP 2011 RULES AND DRIVERS PACKETS
TRACK SPONSORSHIP INFO AVAILABLE
COME HUNGRY
NEWLY REMODELED CONCESSION WILL BE OPEN
FOR BOTH DAYS
BEER PUB WILL BE OPEN
ALL VENDORS WELCOME :
$10.00 A DAY PER SLAB TO SELL WHAT YOU WANT
BRING YOUR OWN TABLE OR TENT IF NEEDED
CALL TO RESERVE A SPOT AT 941-575-7223
DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH Highlights Busy Season-Opening Stretch In Sunshine State For DIRTcar UMP Late Models & Modifieds
CONCORD, NC – Jan. 18, 2011 – The 2011 campaign for DIRTcar UMP’s Late Model and Modified divisions is about to kick off in a big way in the Sunshine State.
Anchored by the 40th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH that runs from Feb. 8-19 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., the season-opening southern swing for the World Racing Group’s Midwest-based UMP circuit boasts seven Late Model and 16 Modified events spread across four tracks over a 23-day span.
In excess of $375,000 in purses will on the line in DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned races held in the state of Florida from Jan. 28-Feb. 19, divided between the over quarter-million dollars earmarked for the Late Model events and $125,000-plus in Modified cash. North Florida Speedway in Lake City, East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton and Ocala Speedway will join the half-mile Volusia oval in hosting DIRTcar UMP competition.
From a week of big-money Late Model shows at Volusia that this year include a nightly ‘Bulrush Dash’ for non-qualifiers to a brand-new Late Model event at Ocala to high-dollar Modified specials at East Bay and Volusia, UMP’s 2011 Florida schedule is sure to provide fans plenty of memorable action.
“This is shaping up as one of the most exciting starts to a season in DIRTcar UMP’s history,” said Sam Driggers, the director of DIRTcar Racing’s UMP organization. “We’ve added some new wrinkles for the Late Model racers with the addition of the ‘Bulrush Dash’ to each night’s program at Volusia as well as a race at Ocala (on Sun., Feb. 13) that will serve as a lead-in to the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, and the number of Modified events we’re sanctioning shows just how strong and popular the division has become.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to showcase DIRTcar UMP racing to all the fans traveling to the state of Florida for their winter racing fix.”
The epicenter of the racing will once again be the WRG-owned Volusia Speedway Park, a sweeping, high-speed track located about 20 minutes outside Daytona Beach. A DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event will be contested each evening of the 12-night DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which also includes the World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 17-19); the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13); the O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 9-10); and the Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds (Feb. 16-19).
Six DIRTcar UMP Late Model programs are set for the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, including 30-lap A-Mains paying $7,000 to win on Feb. 14, 15 and 16, a $10,000-to-win 40-lapper on Feb. 18 and co-sanctioned WoO LMS events offering $10,000 top prizes for 50 laps of A-Main work on Feb. 17 and 19. Each night of racing will be capped by the $300-to-win ‘Bulrush Dash,’ a 12-lap, 15-car sprint reserved for the top-five non-transfers from each evening’s B-Mains who have not yet qualified for an A-Main during the week.
The UMP Modifieds, meanwhile, will be part of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH for the longest stint – eight consecutive nights from Feb. 8-15. After the open-wheel division’s meet begins with $1,000-to-win features on Feb. 8, 9, 10 and 11, the field will be split by the week’s current points standings – drivers sitting in odd-number positions run on Feb. 12 and those in even-number spots compete on Feb. 13 – for a pair of $700-to-win qualifying programs leading up to the marquee ‘Gator Championship’ event on Mon., Feb. 14, that carries a whopping $5,000 first-place prize. The UMP Modified series concludes on Feb. 15 with the week’s competitors divided into twin or triple 25-lap features (depending on car count) that each pay $700 to win.
Well-known DIRTcar UMP Late Model stars expected to compete in the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH include former national champions Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., two-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals titlist Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and rising star Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., who finished third in the 2010 national points standings. The UMP Modified field will be headlined by 20-year-old Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind., the runner-up in the division’s 2010 national points standings.
DIRTcar UMP’s satellite events in Florida will be headlined by the inaugural ‘Battle Between The Coasts’ Late Model spectacular on Sun., Feb. 13, at Ocala Speedway, an egg-shaped three-eighths-mile oval that sits about 50 miles west of Volusia. The oldest track in Florida, Ocala will begin its fourth straight year of dirt racing following more than a decade as an asphalt track with a special 50-lap, $8,000-to-win event that promises to draw many of the country’s top full-fender pilots as they make their way to the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.
Ocala will also host the UMP Modifieds for three consecutive evenings of action from Feb. 17-19. The UMP Modified ‘Winternationals’ will be run in conjunction with Ocala’s ‘Bubba Army USAC Sprint Car Nationals.’
DIRTcar UMP’s mid-winter competition in Florida will commence with the two-day UMP Modified Nationals on Jan. 28-29 at North Florida Speedway, a three-eighths-mile oval about 60 miles west of Jacksonville. Both programs will be topped by features paying $1,500 to win.
Three nights of UMP Modified racing will take place from Feb. 3-5 as part of the 35th annual Winternationals at the one-third-mile East Bay Raceway Park, which is located on the Gulf Coast outside Tampa. Preliminary programs on Feb. 3-4 – headlined by features paying $1,500 to win – lead into a 75-lap grand finale on Feb. 5 that boasts a $5,000 winner’s check.
For more information on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, including special pricing on advance-sale tickets and details of the ‘Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket’ offer that allows fans to get up-close-and-personal with the race teams every night of the DCN – visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 704-795-7223 or 386-985-4402.
Info on the other Florida tracks hosting DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned events is available at www.ocalaspeedway.com, www.eastbayracewaypark.com and www.northfloridaspeedway.com.
More information on DIRTcar’s UMP circuit can be obtained by logging on to www.DIRTcar.com.
Volusia Adds Bulrush Dash For Non-Qualifiers To All Six Nights Of Late Model Action
Drivers who fail to earn a coveted starting spot in a DIRTcar Late Model A-Main during February’s 40th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park will have a chance for a unique prize with the addition of the ‘Bulrush Dash’ to the 2011 schedule of events.
Named after the tall grass-like plants that surround the “Gator Pond” beyond the backstretch of the lightning-fast half-mile oval located just 20 minutes outside of Daytona Beach, the “Bulrush Dash” will cap all six nights of Late Model action during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Programs contested under DIRTcar’s UMP sanction are set for Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 18, and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series takes center stage on Feb. 17 and 19.
The top-five non-transfers from each evening’s B-Mains who have not yet qualified for an A-Main during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will earn berths in the “Bulrush Dash”, a 12-lap, 15-car sprint that will run after the headline feature. A $300 prize and trophy will go the winner of the race each night.
“With another big, tough field of Late Models expected for the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH there’s going to be some drivers who don’t have an opportunity to compete in a feature event,” said DIRTcar UMP director Sam Driggers. “We’ve created the ‘Bulrush Dash’ as a way to thank those racers for their participation by giving them a shot at some extra track time and money.”
Each “Bulrush Dash” will boast a payoff of $2,300, including $250 for second place, $225 for third, $200 for fourth and $175 for fifth. Finishing positions 6-10 will receive $150, $140, $130, $120 and $110, respectively, and the remainder of the starters will earn $100 checks.
Last year’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH attracted an average of 64 cars over four nights of racing. Of the nearly 80 different drivers that entered at least one event (two of the four scheduled DIRTcar UMP shows were rained out), 36 competitors did not crack the starting lineup of an A-Main.
The Late Model portion of the 40th DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will pay out over $230,000 in purses. The DIRTcar UMP A-Mains on Feb. 14, 15 and 16 will offer $7,000 top prizes, and $10,000 first-place checks will be on the line in the UMP finale on Feb. 18 and the pair of 50-lap WoO LMS cards on Feb. 17 and 19.
The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is a 12-night short-track blockbuster that also includes the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13); the O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 9-10); the Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds (Feb. 16-19); and the UMP Modifieds (Feb. 8-15).
Tickets are available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com or by calling 704-795-7223.
For more information on DIRTcar Racing and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, visit www.DIRTcar.com and www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Sprint Cars Kick Off 40th Anniversary on February 8 at Volusia
The most exciting dirt track racers on the planet invade Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park Feb. 8-19, 2011 for the 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals, just a few miles from Daytona Beach.
The stars and cars from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the All-Star Circuit of Champions get the action started with DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during the first week of racing. Then on the second week, World of Outlaws Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series race to the checkered flag to complete 12 thrilling nights of intense high-speed action, including double features every night.
The Free Fan Pit Pass will be back in 2011, giving fans a unique experience to see the drivers and crews up close as they prepare to tackle one of dirt track racing’s biggest and fastest ovals — all for the same price as general admission.
Plus, off the track, don’t miss the DIRTcar Nationals Midway — a race fan’s mega mall right behind the main grandstands with the newest apparel and souvenirs plus a wide variety of food from steak to pork chops to ice cream. There’s definitely something for everybody at the DIRTcar Nationals.
Will Kasey Kahne Racing’s Joey Saldana, the current World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series leader, defend his DIRTcar Nationals crown during the opening Sprint Car week? Can Josh Richards win the World of Outlaws Late Model Series opener yet again? Will Brett Hearn and Matt Sheppard come up big in the Super DIRTcar Modifieds? Make plans now to reserve a spot in the campground and in the stands at the huge half-mile oval on State Road 40 about 15 miles west of Ormond Beach and Interstate 95.
Call 386-985-4402 to reserve your spot to see history, or visit www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com and www.DIRTcarNationals.com for the latest breaking news on the biggest dirt racing event every February.
Hendry County Motorsports Park Schedules Clean Up Day and Open Practice
February is right around the corner and we will be starting our spring cleaning early, and we need your help. Drivers, crews, race fans, excreta. We will be having a track beautification clean up day on Saturday February 5th. We would like everyone that can help or would like to help, to bring weed eaters, mowers, bobcats, skid steers, or any tools and machinery and able bodied people that can help us get ready for 2011.
Then on Sunday February 6th we will have open practice for all classes. It will only be ten dollars to come and practice from 2 until dark. All the money raised will go directly to the track “grader fund” to replace the blown motor. We will also be having a 50/50 drawing at the banquet Saturday January 15th and half the drawing will go to the winner and the other half will go to the grader. We would like to thank Sprint car driver and owner, Captain Tony Agin from “Captain Tony’s Fishing Adventures” on Ft Myers beach. He has stepped up to help get the Grader “rolling” by donating $100 to the grader motor fund. Its going to be a great year at the south’s furthest most dirt track in the United States.
Citrus County Speedway Winter Spectacular Race Weekend Schedule
by John Berti, Editor, Karnac Florida Stock Car Racing
It’s not the regular season opener, but it is still a great chance for race car owners and drivers to try out their new race cars or to see if more perfecting is in order to make previous year cars run a little faster. It will also be great for fans who have been away from their weekly racing fixes to get their initial 2011 dose of racing action.
What am I talking about? It’s the Winter Spectacular which will be held on Saturday, January 22nd at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, FL.
Practice will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday night, January 21 and then the races will be held on Saturday the 22nd and will show case the:
Super Late Models – 100 laps
Street Stocks – 50 laps
Pure Stocks – 50 laps
SS/PS Figure 8 – 25 laps
Outlaw Modified Minis – 35 laps
The new 2011 rules will be in effect for all divisions.