From Johnny Sanders
Citrus County Speedway
Inverness, FL -April 4, 2011- After nearly one month off for the Citrus County fair, the speedway will crank it back up this Saturday for Florida’s best short track racing action. On the race card this Saturday night will be the Open Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman, Pure Stock, Mini Stock, Pro figure 8’s and the Florida Open Wheel lights. The speedway has reached vending agreement with Cone Distributing over the fair break that will bring the MILLER LIGHT GIRLS to the speedway for a meet and greet this Saturday night. Representatives from Cone will be on hand with some great give-a-ways for the fans.
This years OWM field has been the strongest in the state by far. With car counts of 16, 14, and 19 in only three events consisting of 24 different drivers running at the speedway so far this year. After a tough season last year, Richie Smith has once again found his groove. With two wins in three races, he has shown he will be a powerful force this year. If not for a DNF after being caught up in someone else’s wreck in week two, he would certainly be leading the points. The only other driver to take the checkered flag this year is Doug Miller in the years second event. Miller ran and outstanding race and had and equally outstanding burnout to follow his victory. Bobby Ervien has been Mr. Consistency with finishes of 3rd, 4th, and 6th to start the season and take the early point lead. Hot on his heels are Robbie Cooper only 4 points behind and Richie Smith only 8 points out of the lead. This weeks show will be 40 laps along with 8 lap heat races and will offer some great racing action from one of Florida’s premier divisions.
This years Sportsman class is going to be one of the largest weekly classes in the state of Florida. With car counts of 20, 19, and 17 in the first three weeks with 33 different drivers competing so far this year. There are many more cars still being completed for this class with some of Florida’s best getting behind the wheels of these Machines. In the coming weeks look for Super Late Model champion Mike Bresnahan to debut a new car along with former OWM stand out Mark Nelson making a return the Sportsman class also. In the first three races this year Citrus has produced 3 different winners. Ernie Reed, Cody Stickler, and Aaron Williamson have all taken their racers to victory lane. Reed has really had his racer running well and leads the points over Shane Nichols and Chris Harvey. If not for a mechanical problem in the last race before the fair break, Reed could easily have two wins. Stickler purchased last years championship car that was driven by Joey Catarelli and seems to be making the transition from the Pure Stock class with very little problem. The more races he gets under his belt, the harder he’s going to make it on the Sportsman class veterans. Aaron Williamson is always a force to be reckoned with, at this years last race before the fair break , he managed to pull off the victory without even one lap of practice before the race. Aaron was late getting to the speedway, but you never could tell by the way he drove to the front. With the exception of a little contact with his father David, it was an almost flawless run to the front for a dominating victory. The Sportsman will go for 25 laps this week with 8 lap heat races.
The pure stock division is always one on the best races of the night each week . With car counts of 12, 17, 15, and 20 to start the year with and 32 different drivers competing all ready. Carl Peters has picked up his rhythm pretty fast after running only a few races at the end of last year. Carl leads all drivers with 2 victories this year and currently sits 2nd in the points race. Levi Roberts has taken home one victory and sits third in the points race. Levi will be leaving for the Marines this summer, so he’s out to win races, which means he’s coming to the front every night. The only other driver to take the checkered flag this year is former track champion Steve Stineduf. After a few years battling gremlins he looks to have put that magic back to together and is running up front again. Last years points champion David Walls sits on top on the points hill again to start the season. Many drivers have stepped up their racing programs this year and David will have to work twice as hard if he wants to repeat last years championship. The Pure Stocks will go for 20 laps this week with 8 lap heat races.
This years Mini Stock division (formerly 4cyl stock) is off to a slow start averaging 11 cars per night so far this year. In the 4 races their have been 4 different winners with Jeremy Sharrone, Chris Snow, Kevin Knox, and Rick Kuhn each taking home a victory. Sharrone has had two more races all sewed up only to have a mechanical failure send him to the pits with less than 5 laps left while leading. Knox took his first ever feature win in the 3rd week of the season and was a happy man in victory lane. Kuhn has switched his attention to his Modified Mini Stock for this season. The former division champion took advantage of an off week for the MMS to bring out the championship car for one night where he picked right back up where he left off, in victory lane. Sonia Heater holds a slim 1 point lead over Kevin Stone for the points lead with Sharrone lurking in third. The Mini Stocks will go for 20 laps and 8 lap heat races.
The Pro Figure Eights got off to a rough start this year with some unusually rough racing. Being the professionals that they are, they got if figured out and made the last race one of the most competitive and entertaining of the new season. Thomas Peet was out front and being pressured by Wayne Calkins before contact in the intersection with Charlie Meyer Sr. sent him to the pits. Calkins was then sent to the pits with and oil leak under the caution which gave the lead to James Crawford who drove away to his second feature victory of the season. Robbie Hage is the only other driver to take home the checkered flag in the second race of the young season. Crawford leads the way in the points chase with Joey Catarelli and TJ Sharrone close behind. So far this year the class has averaged 13 cars with 17 different drives competing to date. The Pro Figure 8’s will go for 20 nail biting laps this week.
The Florida Open Wheel Lights will make their second trip to Citrus County Speedway this year with Bo Bass taking the victory in the first event. The FOWL brought 11 cars for the first race and we’re hoping for more this visit.
As many asphalt tracks in the state struggle with car counts, Citrus continues to lead the way with full fields in almost EVERY division each night. As a fan, if you’re tired of feature races with 6 to 10 cars or even less, this is where you want to be. If you tired of one groove race tracks that have no outside passing, then this is where you want to be. The speedway concessions stands were voted to have the best race track food in the state last year, egg rolls, BBQ sandwiches, and the list goes on. Cold Miller, Miller light, and Coors light on tap in the beer shack. Citrus also has what we believe to be the best announcer in the state with Tony Modica, he’s one of the most professional and informative voices booming over race track speakers around.
First heat takes the green flag at 6pm, most nights the races are done by 10pm so everyone can get home early and enjoy the rest of their weekends. Grandstand gates open at 4:30 and the pit gates are open all morning for trailer parking. Pit gate and registration open at 2pm and registration closes at 5pm.
Admission prices:
Grandstand gate:
Adults $13
Students (12-17)and Seniors (60+) $9
Children (under 11) $5
Children under 42” are free!
Pit gate:
Adults $25
Children (11 and under) $20
Visit the speedway website at www.citruscountyspeedway.com or call the speedway office for more details at 352-726-9339. Hope to see everyone at the races!