by: Chuck Green, Cg Photography

(Winter Haven, Fl.) Despite darkening skies, and a forecast of rain, over twenty teams from the Florida Legends Cars took to the pavement at Auburndale Speedway for this first winter test and tune series.

This series was collaboration between Rex Guy, Promoter, and owner of the speedway, and Russ Thompson of the legends cars of Florida.

“We wanted the teams, and drivers to have ample time to prepare for the upcoming winter nationals to be held in Orlando”, said Thompson.

Of course we would like to see one of our Florida teams bring home the winter nationals crown this year, he added.

The series was scheduled for three consecutive week-ends, but mother nature stepped in and promptly shortened the series to two week-ends by bringing record breaking cold weather, and even a snow flurry or two.

Action would begin with the track opening for practice, with plans to run a few heats, and a feature so the teams could actually simulate real race conditions.

Rex Guy commented, he was surprised to see the teams sharing information concerning their individual set ups. It is well know that the set up for Auburndale, and Orlando are very similar. “ You don’t find racers sharing information too often, I believe these guys are thinking about the big picture, and bringing the title home to Florida.

The action on the track was very competitive and all the drivers were giving each other the needed respect to insure no one went home with a damaged car. All three heats were run without incident, and the feature saw Jake Perkins, from nearby Ocala, Florida take the victory by a half a car length over friend, and teammate Tyler Smith.

I think we are really close, Perkins said in victory lane. We will come back here next week and try a few things to find a little more speed. We know when we get to Orlando that those guys will be tough.

The last week-end for the Winter Series is scheduled for January 23^rd. All legends teams are invited, and encouraged to attend. For additional information, see www.auburndaleracing.com or www.legendscarsofflorida.com

Multi-Time Champs Team Up For PASS National Race
          
          
          FARMINGDALE, Maine — With 10 championships between them,
          Maine racers Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark are teaming up for a
          winter road trip.
          
          A long winter road trip — to Florida.
          
          Rowe, who has four PASS North Series championships as well as
          PASS South and PASS National championships on his resume, and
          Clark will field a joint effort for the inaugural PASS
          Winterfest 150 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Jan. 29-30.
          The event is the first of five PASS National Championship
          races scheduled for the 2010 season.
          
          “We wanted to go down and support this race, because we think
          it could grow into something really big in the future,” said
          Clark, a four-time PASS North champion, including the last
          two series titles. “If everything goes well, we should both
          have a chance to win this one.”
          
          Clark’s race hauler will carry both his familiar Clark’s Car
          Crushing No. 54 and Rowe’s new Community Pharmacies No. 48.
          The deal to pool the resources of Johnny Clark Motorsports
          and Mulkern Racing was finalized at last weekend’s Northeast
          Motorsports Expo held at the Augusta Civic Center.
          
          Rowe was named Touring Series Driver of the Year at the Expo.
         
          
          “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Rowe, who will
          debut with his new team and new crew chief, Seth Holbrook, at
          New Smyrna. “Me and Johnny have never teamed up before, so
          it’s going to be a blast.”
          
          Of the two drivers, only Clark has New Smyrna experience,
          having competed on multiple occasions in the annual New
          Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing held each
          February.
          
          He compared New Smyrna’s high-banked half-mile layout to
          Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, a track familiar to
          PASS North Series competitors.
          
          “It’s a lot like Thompson,” Clark said. “It’s big and fast,
          and it’s definitely a fun and challenging track. It’s
          extremely hard on brakes, and you need one of the biggest
          motors you can find there.”
          
          Rowe said he’ll take Clark’s word for it, having never raced
          at New Smyrna himself. He has, however, watched a number of
          races there from the pit area.
          
          “It does race a lot like Thompson — at least that’s what
          Johnny tells me,” Rowe said. “Hopefully he’ll help me out
          when we get there and we can go from there.We’re going to
          take a bunch of guys from the north down there and see what
          we can do together.”
          
          Teams hit the track on Friday, Jan. 29 for an extended
          practice session. Qualifying and feature racing will be held
          on Saturday, Jan. 30. The Winterfest 150 is tentatively
          scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. green flag.

BFTP MEDIA

“Since I am more familiar with asphalt than dirt racing,” said Joyce “we really need people from the dirt tracks to help us with this. We need names and addresses for dirt racers, 60 and older, that need to be invited to our event. If there is anyone who can help us, please e-mail myself slankfordl@aol.com or Jane Smith at racingjls@aol.com. We would appreciate any help we can get.”

“We are still in need for some sponsors for this event. We could really use some money since it will cost about $10,000 to just put on the event. I have gotten some sponsorship money but need someone to step up and really donate towards the event. I am working daily on finding sponsorship money and names but the event is getting closer and closer and we need the money now.”

The 2nd Annual Blast from the Past is set for March 7th, 2010 at Citrus County Speedway. The Blast from the Past has chosen the Citrus United Basket as the chairty for this year’s event. The Citrus United Basket helps people down on their luck when there is not many places to turn with food and utility bills.

“I am so excited about this year’s event,” said Joyce. “We just really, really need some helping hands to make it work. I have gotten alot of good responses for the event and now we just want to make sure that both the dirt world and asphalt world know about our event.”

                                   CHECKERED FLAG SPRINT CAR SERIES

by BJ Cavin

Preparations for the second annual Ocala Speedway Winternationals continue, and more names are beginning to circulate through the rumor mill as fan anticipation grows.   The O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions will be racing at Florida’s oldest speedway on January 29th and 30th, and some teams from the World of Outlaws will be joining them for some early season seat time.

A fax received from Tony Stewart Racing confirms that 4 time World of Outlaws Champion, Donny Schatz, will be at Ocala for the event, but does not say that Steve Kinser will be on hand.  A posting on the Facebook “Official TSR Fan Page” had listed both Schatz and Kinser as planning to be on hand for the event, and the omission on the fax may, or may not, be an indication of the team’s plans.  Ocala Speedway will continue to gather as much information as possible as to who will be racing in this year’s Winternationals, and will post that information as soon as it is confirmed.

For more information on the 2010 Ocala Speedway Winternationals, including practice times, prices, and a complete schedule of events, please visit the official Ocala Speedway website at www.OcalaSpeedway.com and click the link to the 2010 schedule

VSP MEDIA 

HCMP MEDIA

Hendry County Motorsports Park will hold its 2009 Awards Banquet at 6:30 PM on Saturday January 30th at Roland Martin’s Marina.  Tickets are only $10 and be purchased by contacting Ken Kinney at 863-673-4325 or by calling 863-675-8888.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM with Awards presentations to follow.

Roland Martin Marina is located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave in Clewiston, Florida.