By Russ Calabrese

Tampa, FL – Feb. 24, 2011- Jimmy Sharpe of Soperton, GA kicked off the opening night of the 1st Inaugural World Street Stock Championships. 27 cars started the 25 Lap A-Main with the 2 time defending East Bay Raceway Park Street Stock Champion Donnie Reed and the Georgia driver, Jimmy Sharpe lined up along side of him.

Jimmy Sharpe was the only driver outside of Florida. He drove six hours to get here and as they came into the Ocala area, their trailer had two flat tires car owner John Sellers said. We called around and got someone to change them and made it to the track around 5:00 pm as they were getting ready to get cars onto the track for hot laps he commented.

After the green flag dropped, debris was found on the race track and brought out the first of nine cautions on lap one. Sharpe took the lead with Reed second and Roger Crouse in the third spot.

Lap five brought out the third caution when Kevin Durden from Archer, FL slowed down on the backstretch and was pushed off the track after running in the third position. As the green flag dropped, the 07 of Donnie Reed and the 92 of Collin Kruse tangled in Turn 1 bringing out the fourth caution of the night.

Several more cautions flew as the Georgia driver held on to the top spot with Crouse holding down second and Tim Powers of Okeechobee after starting in the ninth position came up to the third spot.

With just several laps to go, the 36 of Grady Christian brought out the ninth caution of the night. Sharpe still held onto the lead with Powers in second and Crouse still holding on to the third spot.

When the checkered flag dropped it was Jimmy Sharpe picking up his very first win on his very first visit to East Bay. Jimmy thanked a fellow competitor Kevin Durden for helping his out on some ideas for his setup. Sharpe races on a regular basis and considers him home track to be Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro, GA. Jimmy thanked his car owner John Sellers for getting him here. He also thanked his sponsor’s Sierra Sun Tanning & Salon, Predator Chassis, Pittman Design & Consulting and Vidalia Transmissions.

Finishing second was Tim Powers, Eric Moon of Zephyrhills finished third after Roger Crouse was disqualified in post race inspection for the muffler falling off. It fell off coming to the checkered flag Crouse stated. Mufflers falling off have cost me a few races, but seemed to be pleased overall with the way the car ran.

Finishing in the fourth spot was Jeff Rogers out of Lithia after starting in the tenth position and rounding out the top five was Charles Christian, Jr. from Altoona, FL.

Thomas Pratt, Billy Carlbert, Jr., Wally Schneider, Andrew Gipson and Grady Christian rounded out your top then.

Heat winners were Sharpe, Reed, and Crouse.

Tomorrow night is night number two for the World Street Stock Championship along with the NeSmith Crate Late Models. The Street Stocks will run 25 laps for their A-Main with the NeSmith Crate Late Models running 40 laps for their feature.

For more information, you can call the track at 813-677-7223.