Orlando SpeedWorld’s second week of racing under the NASCAR Whelan All American Series banner will be a big one as the Super Late Models will be in town for a 100-lap Bright House Series race. Also on tap will be the Open Wheel Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Pro Trucks, Super Stocks, Strictly Stocks and Bandoleros. The 2013 Bright House Challenge Series got under way on March 23rd with the Cracker 200 at New Smyrna Speedway and Hayden, AL invader Augie Grill came home with the win over Travis Cope and Rich Clouser. Grill will not be a regular competitor in the Series but both Cope and Clouser are expected to be in the field gunning for the points lead. Four-time and defending Bright House Series champion David Rogers had a disappointing race at New Smyrna but hopes to bounce back with a solid run at SpeedWorld.
Also expected to challenge for the win will be the likes of Wayne Anderson, Joe Boyd, “No Brake” Jake Perkins, Anthony Sergi, Ray Black, Jr. and several others.A special practice will be held on Thursday evening from 6-10 pm and competitors will be allowed to leave their rigs in the pit area overnight. Grandstands will open on Friday at 6 pm with Bright House qualifying slated for 7 pm and racing starting at 8 pm.
NOTES:
Just announced today: Orlando SpeedWorld will host the TBARA Sprint Cars on Saturday, June 1st. That’s right, the winged warriors of the TBARA are coming back to SpeedWorld as part of a big Saturday program that will include a 50-lap Super Stock race along with a Strictly Stock special and a $700 to win Demolition Derby. Start making your plans for this one!
This weekend, Orlando SpeedWorld celebrates its 39th anniversary. The first event at the track was held on Easter Sunday afternoon, April 14, 1974 with Ed Meredith of Orlando and Gene Johnson of Ft. Pierce taking the first two feature victories on that day. At that time the track had no lights, no grass in the infield and no permanent restrooms…
Veteran track official Donnie Lewis looked like a kid again as he returned as pit steward and seemed to be having more fun than anybody. Former driver Jason Boyd quickly adapted to his new role as tech inspector while Chris Stanton was easily at home with his new role as flagman. Another former driver, Lee Wagner, is now the backstretch flagman. Cherry Hooven and Maureen Abbott were back in the tower scoring the races. Although he needed constant oxygen and the use of a defibrillator from time to time, new General Manager Wes Railing made it through opening night in one piece.
Biggest surprise of opening night had to be young Daniel Conlin, Jr. After
cutting his racing teeth here in the Bandoleros and Legend Cars, Conlin drove his new Sportsman car to a dominating win in the feature, his first-ever race in a full-bodied stock car.
Randy Strehle of DeLand is thinking about putting together a car for the Super Stock class. Although he has raced at SpeedWorld in the past, Strehle has been concentrating on the dirt in recent years running at Volusia Speedway Park and Putnam County Speedway.