Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL- The Nesmith Weekly Crate Late Models, Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Open-Wheel Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators will put on a final show for the kids before they make the dreaded trek (for them, anyways) back to school. We’ll also have Kiddy Rides and Kids Bike Races on this wonderful night on which backpacks and plenty of other great school supplies will be given away, all courtesy of Bubba Raceway Park and our wonderful drivers.
Charlie O’Neill continues his underdog reign of the championship lead in the Scorpion Racing Products Modifieds, but his lead has dwindled to just three points over “Four-time” Jeff Mathews. Mathews, the 2008-2011 division champion, leads the division with four wins in seven features. Scott Kurtzner has the #1K in third, but he sits 28 behind the leader and only three ahead of Bryan Bernhardt, Mathews’ team-mate. Rich Pratt, the only other feature winner in the top five, sits over 50 points out of the lead, but it’s about wins for the Late Model points leader.
Bernhardt and Mathews have rocketed to the top of the Crate Late Model championship with Bernhardt the 20 point leader, even though Mathews has two wins to Bryan’s one. Eleven year old Tyler Clem, a Tony Stewart Racing Developmental Driver, rides in third, just 34 behind the leader, in his first full competitive season. Richard Childress Racing Developmental Driver Carter Stokes sits fourth, only 16 behind Clem, but Stokes hasn’t hit his best performances yet. Billy Holmes, 71 markers back, rounds out the top five.
Three-time winner Devin Walker has extended his championship lead to an outstanding 230 points over Brian Shea as Shea has been unable to make it to the track for the past few week-ends. Sean Monoghan rides third, 31 behind Shea, after coming very close to a big win on the dirt. Hunter Gustafson started the year off strong, but has fallen off and is now fourth in the championship. Dennis Williams continues to fight the challengers off for fifth, but he has a slim two-point lead over Mike Stalnaker for the spot.
William Gillam has one win on the year and a 22 point lead to go with it. Brandon Elwood sits that 22 behind him with his two victories, but as those two continue to fight each other for top tens, another driver is fighting back from what at one-point was an insurmountable lead. Melvin Fockler was over 125 points back at one time, but he has cut the deficit to 56 with plenty of time to make that back up at this rate. As those three battle for the title, Brandon Tillander and Tony Campbell try to play spoiler from that 150 point deficit as they are fourth and fifth in the championship.
Stephen Frankland is chasing that championship and he has a 259 point advantage over Tom Sheehan for it. As Frankland tries to get the numbers to know when he clinches the championship, Sheehan is trying to get his car right for next year and hold his 77 point gap over Bill Southard for second. Southard could see third slip away if he’s not careful, as Josh Fincher and Tyler Bryden are close enough to strike and spoil his rookie campaign, even though they’re rookies as well.
Pits open at 4 with grandstands opening at 5 and racing scheduled for 7. For more info on Back To School Night, please contact us at www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400.