Week four of the NASCAR Whelen All America Racing Series at New Smyrna
Speedway will provide lots of fun for the kids plus some great action for the
fans provided by the Pro Late Models, Sportsman Cars, Modifieds and the
Bombers.
A big Easter Egg Hunt will be held for the kids during intermission sponsored
by the fine folks with Central Florida Racing Ministries who organize events
and crafts for the young ones throughout the year.
The Pro Late Model point standings are being led by Deland’s Rich Clouser on
the strength of his opening night win and a second place finish two weeks ago.
Clouser has a five point advantage over rookie Blake Cejner and is seven
markers up on Zach Jarrell. Ray Black, Jr. of Palm Coast won the feature on
March 21 but plans to run sparingly at New Smyrna this season as he is now
running full-time with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he is
currently seventh in points. The NASCAR Trucks are off this week, so Black
will have the chance to go back-to-back in the Pro Lates if he wishes to give
it a try again this week.
The Sportsman class is looking to be New Smyrna’s “premiere” division this
year as 19 cars have showed for each of their first two nights of racing with
several teams yet to make their debut. The early-season point race could not
be any closer as Apopka’s Junior Beckner holds a one point edge over three
drivers who are tied for second – John Emerson, Richard Goodrich and March 21
winner George Gorham, Jr. who is coming off a big win at Orlando SpeedWorld
last Sunday. Defending track champion Donny Williams is just three points
behind Beckner along with Mike Pletka. Expect another big field of Sportsman
this week including the usual “herd” of Jim Daley/Sandy Lee-owned cars
headquartered at Sheppard Racing Enterprises in Deland.
Jerry “The Hammer” Symons of New Smyrna Beach is in his usual spot in the
Modified point standings… first… but he has loads of challengers nipping
at his brake pads including opening night winner Ricky Moxley of Hobe Sound
who has a new car being put together by Wayne Anderson up in Wildwood to add
to his arsenal of race cars. Moxley is five points behind Symons after two
weeks of racing while Tank Tucker is third in the standings, seven markers out
of first. Once again, Joe Jacolone of Jacolone Enterprises Auto Sales in St.
Augustine is putting up a $100 “Hard Charger Award.” That award was claimed
last time by New Smyrna’s Matt Wheeler who plans to be in the field again
Saturday night.
The Bomber class has Orlando’s “Shockwave” Shane Sutorus sitting atop the
standings after three race nights. Sutorus has just a one point edge over
James Skinner while Aaron Overman is ten points back in third.
Pit gates open Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm with practice slated from 5-6:30
pm. Grandstand gates open at 6 pm and racing gets under way at 7:30 pm
starting with 8-lap heat races for the Modifieds, Sportsman and Bombers. The
big Easter Egg Hunt will take place during intermission, so make sure to bring
the kids this week! Following intermission the Modifieds will be first up for
25 laps followed by 25-lap contests for the Pro Late Models and Sportsman
cars. The Bombers round out the evening of racing with a 20 lap event.
Adult admission is $15 with all seniors (65+) and military with ID being
admitted for $13. All kids 11 and under get in free.
Make sure to arrive early for a huge special being offered fans by the
Throttle to Bottle Pub featuring $1.00 beers and half-off all bar food. This
offer will be good for one hour only, from the time the gates open at 6 pm
until 7 pm.