March 17, 2012 – Tampa, Fl – The color green was all over the stands in celebration of St.Patrick’s Day. Six divisions were on hand to compete tonight along with the Fan Participation race.
First up were the Street Stocks. It was father and son, Jeff and Justan Rodgers winning the heat races. When it came time for the feature, it was past feature winners Donnie Reed and Eric Moon on the front row. When the green flag dropped, it was Reed out in front with Moon right behind him. The first caution came out on lap five as Shana Chevillot spun in turn two. When the green flag waved once again, Reed showed the way with Moon still chasing him along with Thomas Burnside, Jeff Rodgers and Jim Baker. On lap eight, Burnside spun in turn four collecting several cars including Baker and Andy Lee. Lee’s sheet metal was torn off both sides of his car and ended his night along with Bakers. On the final green flag, Reed showed the way with Moon finishing second, Rodgers, Burnside and Kenny Myers your top five.
Limited Late Models were next with last week’s feature winner, Scotty Williams picking up the heat win. On the front row, it was Shane Koperda and Forrest Gough. Gough had broken in the heat race but got the car fixed to run. When the green flag waved, Gough led the field until with several laps left, he broke the right front suspension handing the lead and win over to Williams making it two in a row. Koperda finished second with Gough able to finish third. Jason Russell and Jim Rowley rounded out the top five.
Open Wheel Modifieds were next. The defending Champion Austin Sanders, David Pollen, Jr., and Buzzie Reutimann won the heats. Before the feature started, the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified’s paid tribute to the passing of Keith Heard as the field made a lap with the missing man. Keith’s son, Mike was the honorary starter for the event. On the front row when the field formed back up, it was the two veterans, Bobby Dixon and Buzzie Reutimann. When the Heard waved the flag, it was Dixon taking the lead with Reutimann right on his back bumper. The first caution came out on lap three and Nate Bregenzer spun in turn two with the back half of the field able to avoid him. When the race resumed, Dixon once again led Reutimann. Austin Sanders moved up into position to try and take second away from Reutimann as the two battled lap after lap until caution came out on lap eleven. When the final green waved with just four laps left, Dixon got a great restart and went on to win the feature. Dixon went on to thank everyone for helping him out, including his wife Ginger and his family. He also thanked Steve Boyd and Brandon Auto Salvage as well. Reutimann finished second with Sanders, Pollen, Jr. and Pratt who rounded out the top five.
Next were the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers. Bubba Puyear, Joshua Comeau and Raymond Vann won the heats. Making up the front row of the feature were Richard Humfeld and Jason Burnside. Humfeld led the field into turn one, but a hard charging Vann quickly took over the top spot. On lap seven, Eddie Summitt slowed in turn one bringing out the first caution with the field able to avoid him. Michael Hart also broke on the front stretch ending his night. When the race resumed cars were collected in turn one and last week’s feature winner, Patrick Fiore, Jr rolled over bringing out the red flag. Fiore, Jr was okay but the car was not able to continue. Race resumed and on lap eleven after starting dead last, Alexander was able to capture the lead passing Bubba Puyear. Puyear had passed Vann when he appeared to have problems two laps before ending his night. Alexander went on to win the feature with John Moore, Puyear, Jason Burnside and Troy Dittebrand who rounded out the top five.
Last feature of the night went to the Dirt Daubers as they made their first appearance along with the Modifieds. Bill Dixon went on to win the feature with his wife Janien finishing second with Two time Champion Brett Phillips finishing third. Harry Bolle and Henry Wylee rounded out the top five.
Also, Todd Ford went on to win the Fan Participation races at Intermission.
ASA Racing continues next week with the Late Models, East Bay Sprints, Outlaw Fours and the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers. For further information, log on to www.eastbayracewaypark.com for call 813-677-7223 for more information.