Scott | Karnac Racing News

McMahan Shrinks His Bucket List with Las Vegas World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Victory

Takes lead on lap 19 of FVP Outlaw Showdown, holds off Kinser in the final laps for first win of 2014

030614_VEGAS_VL LAS VEGAS – March 5, 2014 – Paul McMahan charged to victory on Wednesday’s opening night of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series FVP Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

McMahan surged to the lead past Kerry Madsen in traffic on lap 18, then held off Steve Kinser on a green-white-checkered finish to become the fourth different winner this season in four events.

Kinser gave it everything he had but was unable to drive past McMahan, settling for a runner-up finish as Brad Sweet blew through the field and finished third after starting 16th. Joey Saldana was fourth after spending much of the night battling for a podium position and Donny Schatz rounded out the top five.

Madsen jumped to a strong lead, but a spin caused a caution and a complete restart. On the second start McMahan was ready and able to keep pace with Madsen before a caution on the next lap. (more…)

By Scott|2014-03-06T17:07:07-05:00March 6th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Orlando SpeedWorld Season Opening Night for 2014

Orlando Speedworld Logo It was in mid-April 1974 that Orlando SpeedWorld’s oval race track started operation and Friday night’s season opener will mark the beginning of the 40th anniversary celebration for the three-eighths-mile facility that has hosted weekly racing events, major sanctioned races from the likes of USAC, All-Pro, Florida Pro Series and many more plus the ever-popular Crash-A-Rama shows.

The adjacent drag strip began operating ten years earlier, in 1964, and both were initially built and owned by Billy Herndon before being purchased by Clyde Hart in late-1987. Clyde’s son Robert continued to operate the facility until last year when Ozzy Moya took over the reigns. The first race held on the oval track was a Limited Sportsman event won by the late Ed Meredith in a 1965 Chevy Chevelle. The big race on opening day was for Late Model stock cars and was won by the late Gene Johnson of Fort Pierce.

Johnson’s stepson, Doc McKinney, still competes at SpeedWorld to this day. After a somewhat dismal 2013 plagued by some unforeseen management issues and terrible weather, SpeedWorld is bouncing back with a vengeance this year. Moya has named Donnie Vivier as General Manager and he will oversee day-to-day operations of the track as well as helping promote the drag strip. Vivier recently operated the highly successful Central Florida Racing Complex in South Orlando. CFRC opened its doors in 2009 as the Central Florida Road Course, and as it evolved, it developed into an autocross and drifting course as well as a one-eighth-mile drag strip. (more…)

By Scott|2014-03-06T17:03:04-05:00March 6th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Orlando Speedworld, Racing News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

2014 F.U.P.S. Guaranteed Super Late Model Points Fund Now Up to $25,000

FUPS Logo The 2014 F.U.P.S. guaranteed super late model points fund now up to $25000.00 with $5000.00 going to the champion as well as many great contingency awards being provided. Although the 2014 season is starting out with uncertainty due to some promoters wanting to do their own races and other tracks not ready to host events, The FUP Series will adjust to any and all conditions that may arise. The season will start at Auburndale Speedway this Saturday with the Speed 51.com 100 lap super late model race. If Three Palms speedway is not ready to open on their scheduled date those events will be held at

Auburndale Speedway until they are open and ready for the series to head to Three Palms. The F.U.P.S is excited this year as we currently have 2 of our races scheduled at the fast and exciting Orlando Speedworld, We have endured a lot of obstacles in the past but please be assured that the FL United Promoters Series will hold all events scheduled for 2014. You can find the schedule and drivers membership form on our web site at www.floridaunitedpromotersseries.com We are looking forward to having each and every driver and team compete in the 2014 Florida United Promoters Series as we continue to provide a competitive and exciting series for all of our great drivers.

By Scott|2014-03-05T16:27:56-05:00March 5th, 2014|Featured, Florida United Promoters Series, Front Page News, Late Models, Racing News|Comments Off

FL United Promoters Series Starts 2014

FUPS Logo

The 2014 Season for the Florida United Promoters Series begins this Saturday March 8th at Aurburndale Speedway. The Speed51.com 100 will be the 1st race for the fourth year series whose past champions include Florida Short Track Stars, Tim Russell, Steve Dorer and Daniel Webster, all are expected to be on hand to contend for the 2014 championship. Also expected are two time runner up Jessie Dutilly, Jessica Murphy, Anthony Cataldi, George Gorham Jr., Anthony Sergi, Jonathan Guy, Todd Brown, Daniel Keene Jr., David Green, Jake Perkins, Travis Roland, Craig Cuzzone, and many more. Addition to the evenings line up are the Legends, Bando’s, V8 Bombers, Mini Stocks, Mod Mini’s, Scramblers, and Street Stocks. Pits open at 12pm, grandstands at5pm., qualifying at 6:00pm., and racin’ at 7:00pm.

The Florida United Promoters Series will receive continued support for Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Racecar Engineering, Progressive Race Engines, Finish Line Fabrication, Checkered Flag Graphics, Bassett Wheels, Five Star Bodies, Autometer, AR Bodies, Howe Racing Enterprises, Joe’s Racing Products, Butler Built Seat, and AP Racing.

There will be open practice on Friday from 5-10:00pm admission is $10.00. This race as always is a tire impound race.

By Scott|2014-03-03T21:12:47-05:00March 3rd, 2014|Auburndale Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Racing News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Luke Thomas Wins The Final Night Taking Home The Winternationals Championship For The Mini Sprints At East Bay Raceway Park

Luke Thomas wins on final night of the Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park for the 38th Annual Winternationals.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – It was the final night of the 38^th Annual Winternationals featuring the 360 Sprints and the Florida Mini Sprint Association. Over 30 cars were on hand for the Mini Sprints and over 50 cars for the 360 Sprints.

The night kicked off with four heats for the Mini Sprints with Sammy LaMothe of Yardville, NJ, Tyler Devault of Delron, NJ, Austin Rice of Venice, FL and Alex Bright of Collegeville, PA all winning their preliminary heats.

Next were the six heat races for the 360 Sprints with Jason Sides, Danny Smith, Terry McCarl, Lou Kennedy, Greg Hodnett and Thomas Kennedy all winning their preliminary heats and advancing to the $10,000 A-Main 40 Lap 13^th Annual Ronald Laney Memorial.

Next up was the B-Main for the Mini Sprints with Tyler Walton of Mifflintown, Pa with Chad Sandt, David Hall, John Crowder and Brett Micholski rounding out the top five.

After the top eight in points had their hot lap sessions, the Mini Sprints would line up for the 25 Lap A-Main with Thursday’s winner Luke Thomas and Tyler Devault making up the front row. The green waved and it was Thomas taking off and leading the first three laps until the first caution came out as Danny Sams, Jr. spun in turn one. Thomas was leading with Devault, Sammy LaMothe, Kameron Morral and Trevor Baker your top five. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:35:33-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

WAYNE JOHNSON HOLDS OFF ABREU TO CLAIM $10,000 IN THE 13TH ANNUAL RONALD LANEY MEMORIAL AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK

Wayne Johnson with close friend of Ronald Laney Michelle Larson together in Victory Lane celebrating his win over Rico Abreau.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – Wayne Johnson had his Charlie Fisher powered- XXX chassis dialed in to perfection and his driving skills were never sharper than Saturday night when he started on pole and left his competition, mainly young Rico Abreu, searching for 40 laps for a way around the Knoxville, Iowa resident.

The occasion was the l3th Annual Ronald Laney Memorial at East Bay Raceway Park where Johnson put an exclamation point to the 38^th Winternationals standing in victory lane with his $10,000 check and wearing the crown for being “King of the 360’s” for the second time in four years. His repeat win in the race was an emotional time for Johnson, because he counted Ronald as a good friend for many years and misses him a lot.

“Even though the track was different tonight from last night when I won, we made very few changes to the car and the only trouble I had was on the last restart when my tire was going down and I had to keep the heat in it to build up the pressure. My crew Daryl Turfurd and Conner Nelson had the car really nice and Scott Billish is back on board as a sponsor after being away for four years. Brad Benic builds Momentum Shocks while Russell Swartz proved the ‘Outlaw Wings’ that we run are not junk!” He also acknowledged his other sponsors Miles Hill, Todd Carlisle, Ray Williams and Vern Rengen. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:31:33-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Florida’s Kyle Bronson Pulls Off World of Outlaws Late Model Series Shocker In DIRTcar Nationals by Summit Finale

Young Sunshine State Racer Tames Star-Studded Field At Volusia Speedway Park For First-Ever Super Late Model Victory

022214_DCN_LM_Bronson BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 22, 2014 – Kyle Bronson of Tampa, Fla., became the latest upset winner of a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, capturing Saturday night’s 50-lap A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park for his first-ever victory behind the wheel of a Super Late Model.

A 23-year-old open-wheel Modified standout in the Sunshine State, Bronson joined Thursday-night victor Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., as unexpected first-time WoO LMS winners during the 43^rd DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment. His $10,500 triumph in the finale of the mid-winter motorsports meet also was the second of the week for a home state driver following the win by Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., in the DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned event on Feb. 17.

“This is unbelievable,” said Bronson, whose win came in the just the eighth Super Late Model start of his fledgling racing career. “I’ve never doubted myself, but I dang sure didn’t think I was gonna come here and win the race. If you would’ve asked me (about winning a WoO LMS event) a couple days ago, I would’ve told you that you were crazy. We had our goals set (for the DIRTcar Nationals) to try and make all of (the features).

“I don’t know what to say. I’m so excited I don’t even know how to show it right now.” (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:26:09-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Still Super: Matt Sheppard Puts his New Colors in Volusia’s Victory lane

Stewart Friesen takes home the “big gator” after finishing second Saturday

021814_DCN_MattSheppard BARBERVILLE, FLA. – February 22, 2014 – Big-Block Modified racer Matt Sheppard, of Waterloo, N.Y., took almost no time to grow accustomed to his new car. Sheppard started driving the Heinke-Baldwin Racing No. 9H earlier this week, and already he has claimed victory in Saturday’s finale for the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

“To come down here and win the biggest race, come right out of the box, it means a lot to this team,” Sheppard said of Saturday’s 50-lap Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series race at Volusia Speedway Park. “I can’t thank all the guys over here with HBR enough. They’ve been working their tails off all week on both cars and I think it showed tonight. We got the cars better every night. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.”

Sheppard started the race from fourth and his HBR teammate Jimmy Phelps, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., started on the pole. Phelps led at the green flag, but Frenchtown, N.J. driver Billy Pauch was quick to make his move from second. Pauch cruised around the outside lane, passing Phelps before the leaders reached the backstretch. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:58:42-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Citrus County Speedway Race Finishes for February 22, 2014

Open Wheel Mods Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
43 Gator Hise Inverness 1
982 L. J. Grimm Seffner 2
99 Cody Stickler Pinellas Park 3
98 Robbie Cooper Bronson 4
19 Keith Brendel Leesburg, GA 5
90 Cody Johnson Ocala 6

Mini Stocks Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
73 Jason Terry Bellview 1
11 Jerry Daniels Weirsdale 2
33 Bill Ryan Bushnell 3
24 Tim Scalise Lutz 4
199 Chris Hennessy Beverly Hills 5
22 Mark Patterson Webster 6 (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:53:42-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Citrus County Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

VETERAN WAYNE JOHNSON WINS FRIDAY PRELIMINARY 360 RACE IN WIRE TO WIRE FASHION AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK

Veteran Wayne Johnson wins night #2 and looks to be the first driver to win Ronald Laney Memorials. Johnson won the event back in 2010.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – On Friday night when Wayne Johnson thought there was no way he would be racing, let alone winning, the odds turned in favor of the Knoxville, Iowa driver and he started on the front row of the final preliminary 25-lap feature leading up to the East Bay Raceway’s 16^th Annual King of 360’s and ended up in victory lane with a check for $1,500.

All day long 53 racers worked on their cars in a leisurely fashion as fans wondered in and out of the pits and facilities at East Bay just waiting for the predicted heavy rains that never came. The storms that skirted the Tampa race track had already washed out races that were scheduled at other tracks. But, the anticipated rain never happened and the track crew readied the surface for racing and tickets were sold and the race went on as scheduled.

The preliminary events were held and the feature for the qualified 20 cars were set showing Danny Wood from Norman, Oklahoma and Johnson bringing the field to the initial green ahead of Lou Kennedy from Winnipeg, British Columbia and Bryan Sebetto out of Fremont, Ohio in row two.

It was Johnson that put down an impressive five laps to lead the field before the only yellow flag waved for Chad Kemenah who spun on the back stretch and Hud Horton with no place to go got collected. As the green replaced the yellow, Johnson continued his domination and pulled away from Wood, Sebetto and Greg Wilson. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:46:43-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

About Scott

Takes lead on lap 19 of FVP Outlaw Showdown, holds off Kinser in the final laps for first win of 2014