By- Jimmy Rouse, Bubba Raceway Park Media
4-2-12 – The Top Gun Sprint Cars and Scorpion Performance Products UMP DirtCar Open-Wheel Modifieds headline the night while the Hobby Stocks, Gladiators, and 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks battle for more points and glory.
Defending champion Danny Martin, Jr. had some trouble with his new team last time out. He finished 2nd. Matt Kurtz was able to take the win and put the critics to rest while drivers such as Robbie Smith, AJ Maddox, Brett O’Donnell, and Ryan Partin try to get back to victory lane. Sprint Car action will be intense and passes should be a premium!
Kyle Bronson does not lose. He only allows you to win and he doesn’t allow it often in 2012. Bronson is 2-for-2 in points races (4-for-5 overall) so far and will be looking for a perfect 3. Rich Pratt has been fighting but is 2nd and will be hoping to take a win in the Tom Macaloso owned #78. Scott Mooers has been a magnificent surprise and is 3rd in the standings. He has 2 top 5s so far and will look to jump into victory lane by season’s end. Dalton Lanich has been strong so far and looks to continue his top 5 run while holding off the very quiet and still “Crazy” Jim Passino. And, “4-time” can never be counted out even after missing the first night of the season.
Rodney Wright has led in each feature so far but hasn’t taken that feature win yet. Trevor Gamble has a feature win and could assert himself up to the top with another win but Wright, along with 3rd place Tim Gay, also a feature winner, will be looking to stop Gamble from getting there. Sean Monaghan and John Clark have been pleasant surprises in the top 5 so far. Both could sneak a win in and completely shake the points up but all is possible and expected in the Hobby Stocks.
Jason Gamble and Jonathan Appleby lead the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks with hard-charging Shane Nichols in hot pursuit. Gamble and Nichols have feature wins while Appleby hasn’t won in over 3 years! Of course, we know that champions don’t need wins in this highly competitive division. Brian Mullins has watched team-mate Chad Scranton win twice and he wants to join him on the winners list and nearly did last week. Driver #28 will battle hard just as Justin Durbin has done in his #12 and we could see a masterful drive. Surprises are rare in this division as nothing is for certain in the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunderstocks.
Mega Teams are rare in dirt track racing but S&S Roofing Team is 1-2-3 in points. Yes, 1st (Harold Lewis), 2nd (Steve Cox), and 3rd (Steve Johnson)! As they look for more wins “Terrible” Tony LaPorta hopes to get his 3T back to the front. Randy Harless completes the top 5 and has been quietly racking up great results. Gladiator drivers battle hard but only 1 can be victorious and all go in knowing they have their shot.
Pits open at 4 and grandstands at 5! Racing scheduled for 7. For more information you can go to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway at 352-622-9400!