Fans were greeted by hot and humid weather on Saturday night, but they were also treated to a full pit area, with over 105 cars registering to race. With the threat of hurricane Irene earlier in the week, many of the states race tracks cancelled their race programs before the close of business on Monday. That left only Citrus and one other asphalt track racing this past Saturday night.

15 Sportsman took the green for their 25 lap feature with Cody Stickler (99) and Tom Posavec (01) bringing the field to the start. Stickler would jump out to the early lead while some of the other top point contenders were buried deep in the field. Point leader Ernie Reed would make his way to the 2^nd position early on from his 4^th starting position, but would soon have pressure from Sportsman newcomer Mike Bresnahan (69). Lap 7 would see the caution fly for a solo spin by Brett Jenkins (199), and close the field back up on the restart. Stickler would lead on the restart with Reed 2^nd, Bresnahan 3^rd, and front runner Aaron Williamson (13) in 4^th. Williamson and Bresnahan would battle side by side for several laps, trading paint, before Williamson would take over the 3^rd spot. Lap 10 saw caution for a spin in turn one, which once again erased Sticklers lead. Stickler pulled away once again and left the others to battle. Reed was now under heavy pressure from Williamson, and on lap 12 this battle would end, with both cars spinning after an attempted inside pass by Williamson on Reed. Several drivers were unable to avoid the spinning cars of Williamson and Reed. Top point contender Brandon Morris (56) and Chad Pierce (157) both ended up with heavy damage, but were able to continue. Stickler would pull away once again and prove he was the man to beat over the final 8 laps of the race. Coming home 2^nd was Bresnahan in his 1^st Sportsman race with his new ride. Richie Smith (4) would charge from his 14^th place starting position to take 3^rd away from Morris in the closing laps. Bresnahan and Pierce were heat race winners. (more…)