by BJ Cavin

Ocala Speedway owner Michael Peters has always strived to make his race track the best in Florida, and part of that mission has been to provide the best show possible to Florida race fans. And when it comes to dirt track racing, the World of Outlaws series is synonymous with the best of the best, and therefore as natural fit into Mike Peters’ historic race track. This Friday night, March 19th, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will invade the clay at Ocala Speedway, with the winner collecting a whopping $10,000 along with the first place trophy.

The World of Outlaws have been circulating within the fan rumor mill around Ocala ever since the old asphalt track was declared dead and buried under Florida gumbo. Even Mike Peters had mentioned bringing the World of Outlaws to Ocala early on, but yet hesitated as the dirt racing scene developed thick and healthy roots in the clay. And just as Ocala Speedway has established itself as one of the top dirt tracks in the region, the time and opportunity for the World of Outlaws to race Ocala has come.

What the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will find at Florida’s oldest track is an odd shaped layout that is never kind to newcomers. As those who race late models at the venerable old track can attest, Ocala’s tricky shape takes time to master, and those who think that they have it figured out sometimes don’t. The question might be which best of the best racers can figure Ocala out first on Friday night, and can they do it before one of the locals uses their experience with the track to their advantage?

What fans will find when the Outlaws come to town is admission prices for the show that are far less than what many tracks have charged for the opportunity to see the World of Outlaws in action. As is the case with the January Winternationals shows, Mike Peters believes in making the best shows as affordable as possible to the fans, and the $25 adult admission ticket to this event is evidence of that. Kids aged 6 to 16 will be admitted for just $12, and kids under 6 will get in at no charge.

In addition to the World of Outlaws Late Models, fans will get to see Ocala’s Hobby Stock Division hit the clay for the first time in 2010 after their debut event was rained out this past Friday. The Hobby Stocks will be fighting for a $1000 payout for the winner, and no doubt will provide quite a show. Also running on this Friday evening will be Ocala’s Mini Stocks.

The pit gate will open on Friday afternoon at 1PM, while the grandstands will open at 5PM with first come, first served seating. Qualifying will follow, with heat races set to begin at 8PM. A complete schedule of events can be accessed at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, and RV parking will be available.

Checkered Flag Sprint Series

Top 10 in Points as of March 13, 2010 after race #3

Driver Points:

1) Mark Gimmler – 104 points

2) Scotty Adema – 97 points

3) Mickey Kempgens – 89 points

4) Amanda Ferguson – 89 points

5) Gary Gimmler – 84 points

6) Keith Butler – 84 points

7) Jimmy Alvis Jr. – 73 points

8) Bryan Riddle – 71 points

9) Channing Conley – 64 points

10) Robbie Hackett – 62 points

Owner Points:

1) 51 Mark Gimmler – 104 points

2) 67 Jerry Adema – 97 points

3) 19T Thomas Holloway – 89 points

4) 20 KJ Motorsports – 89 points

5) 29 Gary Gimmler – 84 points

6) 19 KJ Motorsports – 84 points

7) 21 Jimmy Alvis Jr. – 73 points

8) 11 William Riddle – 71 points

9) 31 Channing Conley – 64 points

10) 21A Andrew Ferguson – 62 points

Tampa, FL – Saturday March 13, marks the start of the 2010 East Bay Raceway Park Championship season. The Racecar Engineering Late Models, East Bay Sprints, Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw 4’s, and the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers, will hit the 1/3 mile clay oval for the first test of the season. Many new cars and drivers are eager to start the 2010 season at the Clay By The Bay and also don’t forget the always popular Fan Participation Races that will be held during intermission.

Also on tap tonight, the 2009 Late Model and 4 Cylinder Bomber Champions will be honored. Each week we will honor drivers from two or three classes of the 2009 Championship Season. Come out and join us as we salute the 2009 Championship Drivers.

Come out tonight as we start the 2010 season. Front Gate Opens @ 5:00.
Racing Starts @ 6:30
Adults $12 Seniors $10 Teens 13 – 17 WITH ID $7
Kids 12 & Under Free with Adult

Monroe, LA (March 12, 2010) Now that Monroe Motor Speedway is back in business, General Manager Rusty Marcus has headed back to the track.

Marcus, who took the job in 2009, has been in Florida but is headed back to Louisiana for what he hopes to be a “great” year.

Marcus, who recently ran the Fun in the Sun Winternationals at Orlando SpeedWorld, is very excited about 2010 at Monroe.

“Now that we have our track back, it is time to get to business of racing. Check our website for updates on the 2010 season. We hope to start some open practice soon and then the 2010 season shortly after that.”

Marcus, who was previously the General Manager at Orlando SpeedWorld in Orlando, Florida, was the 2005 Lowe’s Motor Speedway Promoter of the Year in only his first year as a General Manager.

Marcus went on to work for SpeedWorld until 2009 when he took the job as General Manager for a new racetrack in Louisiana, Monroe Motor Speedway.

Marcus has a big job ahead of him but he is definitely up for the challenge in 2010.

by Dave Westerman

Every Saturday night at Auburndale Speedway, as families make their way from the ticket window to the grandstands, each child ten years of age and under is given a special ticket. At intermission, numbers from those tickets are called and two lucky youngster receive a fantastic gift packet while several more get a free ice cream, or, has been the case with the cold weather, cup of hot chocolate.

The program is called “Lindsey’s Little Racers,” named for its founder Lindsey Bruce. Each week she and her family work diligently to see that the kids have a great time at the race track.

The beginning started in August 2000 with Lindsey and her dad going to races together as father and daughter bonding. Lindsey’s dad knew alot of the drivers, the staff, and the owners of the track. Lindsey had befriended a staff member’s young son who loved to collect race cars. Lindsey came home and went thru her racing stuff and found a car that she had two of. The next week she gave it to the young boy. He got so excited that Lindsey had given him the car.

Lindsey came home that night feeling proud that she made a difference in the young boy’s life. Of course the young boy had to tell his friends about what Lindsey had done. So the next week his friends asked her if she had anything else they could have.

On the way home that night, Lindsey asked her dad if he had any extra race cars or cards that she could give to the boys… and there you have the beginning of Lindsey’s Little Racers.

After a few weeks the whole family got involved. Lindsey’s mother started shopping around for race items. Her dad went to a few businesses that gave him stickers, pictures, cars, and hats to give away. The owners of Auburndale Speedway loved this and the “Just For Kids Program” was started.

In 2007, the drivers came on board sponsoring ice cream, toys, and bicycles to give away. Since taking over the track, owner Rex Guy, his family and staff have been overwhelmingly supportive.

The program continues into the 2010 season and is now known simply as “Lindsey’s Little Racers.” Precision Air has come on board as a corporate sponsor this season and prizes have been donated so far by the legendary Bobby Allison along with such well-known names as “The First Mom of NASCAR,” Martha Nemecheck. The Car Doctor, Narramore’s Machine Shop, Mini Stock Champion Fred Harrison, Jr. and several others have stepped up to purchase the ice cream for the kids.

The Bruce’s have secured a number of quality memorabilia items that are being raffled off to the crowd each week with the money being raised going to purchase bicycles to give away. The first pair of bikes (one boys and one girls) will be given away on Saturday, March 20th during the racing action which will be headlined by the F.A.S.T. Late Model Series. It is hoped that a pair of bikes can be given away at least once a month.

Last years downturn in the economy kept the bike giveaway program at a minimum, but this year things are looking better.

“We have to remember that the kids are the future of this sport, whether as future fans or even drivers,” says Julius Bruce. “If they have a fun night at Auburndale, they and their parents will be back again and again. It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” he says.

If you would like to sponsor “Lindsey’s Little Racers”, you can contact Julius or Lindsey Bruce at 863-293-0963 or by e-mail at jbruce2@tampabay.rr.com. Or you can just see Julius, Lindsey or announcer Dave Westerman at Auburndale Speedway on Saturday night if you want to get involved… and parents, make sure to bring the kids!!