By- Jim Rouse, BRP Media – Ocala, FL -This week-end is the Florida State Thunder Stock Championship and the 2-day event will be a breath-taker. The Friday night event will see the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks go all out as they fight for that title; in fact, they will time trial for the first time in history. Alongside them will be the RaceCar Engineering Late Models for $3000, the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, and the Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks.
Brian “Hothead” Mullins leads the chase in the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks and after that big win a couple of weeks ago he’d like to add that ring. “Flash” Jonathan Appleby and Jason Gamble are chasing but have some points to make up on the leader. If any 2 can do it, however, it’s these 2. Bubba Durbin sits 4th and has been quick all season- he could upset the event and take home the gold and few would be shocked. In 5th is Brandon Elwood as he has built a nice cushion over 6th place John Thorpe. Any one can win as drivers such as Chad Scranton, Shane Nichols, Eddie Kilbury, Jr., Mark Trexler, Grady Christian, Mike Tovet, and Robert Ray are part of the group of 10 feature winners in 2012.
Mark Whitener has pulled away from “The Grim Reaper” Bo Allen and has over a 1-race lead. As those 2 show the speed, as well as Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. (who fell out of 1st due to injury), they leave “Cheddar” Christian Augspurger, Richard Ferry, and Bryan Bernhardt in the dust. Of course, in a RaceCar Engineering Late Model class with more diversity than many of it’s predecessors, we’ve seen Whitener, Lloyd, and Ferry win as well as Keith Nosbisch, Jason Fitzgerald, and Jeff Mathews. There may be favorites but upsets are rare because every one has speed, skill, and a fire underneath them!
JO Nobles leads the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models by 1 full race over Forrest Gough. Gough, however, has just 17 points over “The G-Man” Eddie Gainey. Gainey, once the points leader, has missed a few events but still leads David Showers and Christian McGillivray. Showers comes off of a season-best 2nd, only behind his son, while McGillivray had a quiet night. Many will fight for the win but JO will not give up turf easily.
Reid Christensen leads Charlie Staats, both winless, by 9 points but 4-time winner Buddy Pope is chasing them down and has just 46 points to make up. Nick Kerr sits in 4th place with a few wins on 2012 and Travis Staats, with 1 win, is 5th. A division on the verge all the time, it’s never over until the checkers fall and any body could take a big win home.
Bubba opens up the Pit Stop at 1 while pits open at 4, grandstands at 5, and racing will start at 8 on Friday! For more information you can go to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway at 352-622-9400!