Two weeks ago Herb Neumann Jr left Citrus County Speedway with a severely damaged race car after the Florida United Promoters series 100 lap race. Neumann was making a late charge to the front when contact with the front stretch wall ended his night. The front of his racer was so badly damaged, they had to repair and weld parts back on, just to get the car in the trailer.
A short 13 car Super Late Model was lead to the green by pole sitter Eddie King Sr with Scott Grossenbacher (09) along side. King would jump out to the early lead while Grossenbacher pulled even on the outside to challenge for the lead by lap 2. The leaders would race side by side off of turn 2 before contact from behind via Randy Anderson (4) would cause the leaders to check up. As the leaders checked up, 3rd starter Herb Neumann Jr (98) would take to the inside lane moving by all three drivers for the lead. Entering turn 4, Grossenbacher and Anderson would make contact again, with Anderson spinning, and the caution flying. Grossenbacher would take blame for the incident, giving Anderson back the 3rd spot, and relegating himself to the rear. King would be placed back in the lead for the restart, followed by Neumann, and Anderson. Once back to green, Neumann would make quick work of King, bringing along Anderson, and 6th Starter Drew Brannon (82) to 3rd. Lap 15 would see the next caution for a spin by sprint car stand out Shane Butler (121), slowing the field once again. The field would restart in the same order, with Brannon finding a way around Anderson for the 2nd position just a few laps after the restart. The field would stay green until lap 19 would bring out the red flag for the blown engine of sprint car veteran Stan Butler (231). After the restart Neumann would once again pull away, trying to put some distance between himself and Brannon. Neumann would pull away for his 3rd feature win of the year with Brannon coming home 2nd, and Anderson in 3rd. Neumann had a fast car considering the amount of damage he incurred just 2 weeks ago, and now has closed to within 2 points of Anderson for the division points lead. Heat race winners were Cody Lane (27) and Shane Butler.
Dora Thorne (33) lead the 10 car Street Stock field to green with point leader Curtis Flanagan (3) along side for the start. Thorne lost the engine in her normal ride earlier in practice, and wheeled Bill Ryan’s 33 for the night. Flanagan would jump out to the lead right away bringing 4th place starter John Chance (61) with him to 2nd. 5th place starter Kyle Peters (53) moved quickly to the 3rd position, and soon challenged the leaders. The top 3 cars ran nose to tail, with just inches separating them until the first caution at lap 16 flew. Once the field was reset, Flanagan would lead to the green with Chance just behind, and Kenny May (10) now in the 3rd position. Lap 17 saw Chance move to the outside of Flanagan to challenge for the lead, but caution would wave before the battle could heat up. Flanagan lead once again on the restart, and set himself for a 3 lap shootout with Chance and May. Flanagan would prove to be too strong and went on to take his 8th victory of 2012, with Chance coming home 2nd, and May 3rd. Peters was your heat race winner.
The Pure Stock division put on one of the most exciting races of the night in their 20 lap feature. Pole sitter Happy Florian (65) and Tyler Stickler (9) battled for the lead until a lap 6 caution would slow the field. Once back to green, the lead battle became a 3 car race, with 7th starter Carl Peters (39) joining the fray. Florian and Stickler would continue to battle side by side, with neither driver gaining and advantage. Peters looked to have the faster car, and made a three wide move off of turn 2 for the lead. Peters would run out of room on the bottom, making contact with the leader Florian, bringing the caution out again at lap 16. Peters and Florian would both be sent to the rear for the restart, handing the lead over to Stickler. For the restart Stickler would now face the challenges of Eugene Malverty (123) and Michael Martin (76) for the last 4 laps. Stickler proved to have the speed he needed, taking his first feature win of 2012. Malverty would come home 2nd with Martin just behind in 3rd. Peters and Dustin Dinkins (96) were your heat race winners.
The Modified Mini Stock drivers once again spent most of the race chasing Clint Foley (7) for the win. Foley took the lead from pole sitter Chris Snow (29) at lap 5, and never looked back. James Ellis (98) briefly challenged Foley for the lead, but settled for 2nd just ahead of Robbie Yokam (69) in 3rd. Rick Kuhn (47) was your heat race winner.
This Saturday night will be headlined by the Street Stock 50 lap feature. This will be the only 50 lap event for the class this year, and should draw a good field of cars. Joining them will be the Open Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman, Pure Stocks, and Mini Stocks. Gates open at 4pm with qualifying for the Street Stocks around 5:45. First heat race will take the green flag at 6:30 sharp, tell all your friends!