By Jimmy Rouse- Bubba Raceway Park Media
November 1, 2011
Night of a Thousands is back with 5 exciting divisions on tap! The UMP Open-Wheel Modifieds return while the Barrett’s Race Cars Hobby Stocks, Amsoil V-8 Thunderstocks, Gladiators, and Florida Mini Sprints Association race for points, glory, and a sweet payday.
Mathews Motorsports is 1-2 with only 2 points races following Night Of A Thousands. Jeff Mathews has put the 33 up by 46 over his other car mainly driven by Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. Lloyd is coming off of his first ever Modified win just 2 weeks ago. Garret Stewart, Jim Passino, and Dave Barber round out the top 5. All 3 have come close but haven’t taken their turn in victory lane. Any of them could do it and it would be no surprise if they did. Rich Pratt has taken his first 2 Modified wins in 2011 and 1 3rd would help him in a quest for a title. Ronnie Chance and Kyle Bronson are 7th and 8th, respectively, and they are looking for wins now. Scott Mooers and Henry Hall complete the top 10. As of now, they have both been eliminated from championship contention but they could take a win and battle for a top 5 spot.
The Barrett’s Race Cars Hobby Stocks have 9 mathematically left in the title battle but 2011 has been about 1 driver- Tim Powers. Powers, a 5-time winner in 2011, has a 108 point lead over Buck Woodhouse. Woodhouse, much like 3rd place Kevin Durden, will need wins and a little bit of luck to claw back into this championship battle. Joe Boyd and Tommy Ausburn have used consistency to jump into the top 5. Joe Belkey is 6th but has missed a few events as he’s now running a Modified. Mark Maresca, James Erickson, Howard Osteen, and Donald Woosley complete the top 10. These 4 have battled adversity throughout 2011 but have pushed on and have been rewarded with top 10 positions. Any of these 10 could win and take a nice payday home with the trophy.
Bullseye Racing is 1st and 3rd with only 2 points events left but neither driver, Brian Shea and Gordon Cade, has taken a win yet. Shea holds a 41 point lead over 2nd place Jason Gamble. Gamble has 3 wins in 2011 but hasn’t won since his dominant month of May. Vaughn Woodall and Jonathan Gillette, both winless for over a year now, round out the top 5. Both have come close in 2011 but haven’t celebrated with a trophy. John Thorpe and Chris Watson are 6th and 7th, respectively, as they battle for wins and the top 5 in points. Jonathan Appleby has been “Eatin’ good in the neighborhood” recently and has jumped up to 8th in the standings. In 9th is 4-time winner Chad Scranton. Scranton has missed the end of the season due to an off-track injury that has forced him to sit out and watch someone else take the wins and title. Tim Mathieu rounds out the top 10.
Steve Cox holds a 107 point lead over Reid Christensen with only 260 points left to be earned. Both have 5 or more wins in 2011 but Cox has had some better luck overall in 2011. Steve Johnson is 3rd but has already been eliminated from title contention. Johnson will battle for wins as will 4th place Brandon Haseleu. Haseleu and 5th place Matt Kramer are still looking for career win #1 and it could come soon for the young drivers. Jerry Taylor returned last week and will try to claw back into the top 5. Richard Todd has fallen to 7th in recent weeks as he hasn’t made it to the track. Robert Graham, Stephen Frankland, and Kody Fisher round out the top 10. These drivers always put on a show and nothing less is expected this week-end.
The Florida Mini Sprints always excite and with a great championship battle between Chris Pacetti and David Pleaugh coming down to the wire the advantage at Bubba Raceway Park goes to Pacetti at 2 wins to 1. Eddie Moss, Jr., Jesse Teed, Gavin Thomas, and Justin Kolves also have wins in 2011. The rest of the field will try to take advantage of the diversity at the front and take a win and some glory as well.
Gates open at 4:30 with racing scheduled for 7. For more information you can check out www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway hotline at 352-622-9400.