Jim Rouse – With just each division’s respective Championship race left on the table (at least for points) there will be four champions crowned this Saturday and a further four on December 21st in the second half of the Florida State Championship races. This week’s task, however, is the Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Open-Wheel Modifieds, Bubba Army Limited Sprints, Limited Late Models, and 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks.The Limited Sprints will tackle a fifth race with seven drivers mathematically alive in the fight. Otto Scrape leads Robbie Smith by a slim ten point margin and “The Hammer” Danny Martin, Jr. is just one point behind Smith. AJ Maddox, believe it or not, is the top driver in the standings with a victory in the Limited Sprints (Martin won in the 360’s) but sits 28 markers out of the championship lead. A further two back is Terry Withersppon, 55 back is “The Peruvian Outlaw” Mark Ruel, Jr. (who has claimed three checkered flags but only has one trophy), and Gene Machuga sits 56 back. Last year’s division champion Matt Kurtz also claimed the inaugural Florida State Championship ring last season but will make his return this week after an injury kept him sidelined for a couple of months. Kurtz will be in a new ride; Martin, Tyler Godwin, and many others have comfort in their machines as they chase a ring and $1500.
The Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Open-Wheel Modifieds have been quite wild and that has left Charlie O’Neill as the championship leader by three points over Rich Pratt. If that’s not enough, four-times consecutive division champion Jeff Mathews is only five markers behind Pratt and Scott Kurtzner is only 22 behind O’Neill. With 65 points left on the table, the title is up for grabs between the four, but only Pratt and O’Neill control their destinies. While Pratt and Paul Snyder have won big races in the division, Kyle Bronson claimed both the second annual PJ Wiggins Memorial and the inaugural Florida State Championship race last season. Can Bronson repeat or will a new name jump to the top and claim the ring and $2000 bonus?
The Limited Late Models will crown an 11-year old champion as Tyler Clem needs only to start the feature to clinch the title. Chuck Jackson kept Clem honest throughout the season and has actually clinched second in the title fight. Others such as Shane Koperda and Kevin Mills have had flashes of brilliance but have had bad luck spoil many good runs as well. Nevin Gainey and Tim Powers have multiple wins (as does Clem) and Forrest Gough finally knocked the monkey off of his back earlier this season. While Clem looks to set the bar with a fifth win he’ll have Powers, Gainey, Gough, and cast of many more chasing him down for a $1250 prize and a ring.
The 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks had a wild season that will wrap up with Brandon Elwood trying to maintain his 63-point gap over William Gillam. The Elwood team said the math for them is simple- start the feature and claim the crown; however, the young driver won’t say it’s his until he has it in his hands. Gillam has had an impressive year as well as he, along with Elwood, claimed his first feature win (and Randy Strehle won his first at the track). Melvin Fockler, Brandon Tillander, and Tony Campbell round out the top five and all could join Elwood and Gillam as first-timers. The division has three drivers with four feature wins- Jeff Stalnaker, Jr., Elwood, and 2012 division champion Jonathan Appleby- while 2012 Florida State Championship winner Justin “Bubba” Durbin could grab a fourth win this week-end. With $1250 and a ring on the table, all of the big names will be out; the last time that happened, Mike Stalnaker won with the hood sitting on his windshield.
Pit gates open at 4, grandstands open at 5, and racing is scheduled for 7. Friday night is an open practice with plenty of other events to go with it as well. For more info, please visitwww.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400.