Citrus County Speedway fans were treated to a great night of racing action with over 90 cars filling the pit area. Saturday night was the annual kids trick or treat event at the speedway also. All of the young race fans flood the speedway in their costumes to collect treats from their favorite race car drivers and their cars. Afterwards the track holds a costume contest where the fans vote, by applause, for their favorite costume. The winner in the 3-6 year old division was Kayden Koehl in his Buzz Lightyear costume, and the winner in the 7-12 year old division was Abby Dyer in her Danica Patrick costume.
Once the races got down to business, the action heated up. Headlining the nights race card was the 2nd annual Robert Aaron Memorial 50 lap figure 8 event. This years field was 20 cars strong for 100 trips through the intersection. Luck of the draw would put Benny Harris (99) on the pole with David Ross (33) along side. Harris would take early control of the race, but an early race incident would send him to the rear under the caution. This would give 2012 Pro Figure 8 champion Joey Catarelli (6) the break he needed, sending him to the top position. The race was exciting from start to finish with 3 separate intersection collisions. Two of those incidents involved the 1st and 2nd place cars of Catarelli and Eric Sharrone (32) while trying to navigate lapped traffic. Catarelli would continue, while Sharrone would have to pit late for a flat tire. Catarelli would prove why he was the champion, cruising home to the victory. The victory was made even more special by the fact the Catarelli pilots the Aaron families racer, formally driven by the late Robert Aaron, for whom the race is named. The familiar yellow number 6 seemed to have a copilot all night while weaving through the intersection and lapped traffic. Coming home 2nd was Michael Cherry (17) and Harris in 3rd after rebounding from his trip to the rear early on.
12 Super Late Models registered for their final points paying event of 2012. Coming out of their last event two weeks ago, the championship battle would come down to two former track champions. Scott Grossenbacher (09) held a 10 point margin over Herb Neumann Jr (98) going into the nights event. Once the heat races had concluded, Grossenbacher was able to add 1 more point, making the margin 11 going into the feature. Each position in the feature is worth 2 points, so Neumann would need to best Grossenbacher by 6 spots to overtake the leader. Neumann would start inside the 2nd row, with Grossenbacher starting just ahead on the outside of the front row. Grossenbacher would get the jump on pole sitter Todd Brown (23) and move to the lead quickly. But Neumann knew he had to beat the 09 machine, and moved by to take the lead away early on. Grossenbacher would settle into 2nd, knowing he could just ride there and the championship was his. Behind the two leaders Steve Dorer was making a charge from his 7th starting position. After a brief caution at lap 6 this race would go green to the checkers at lap 35. Neumann would go on to take the victory, Grossenbacher would come home 2nd, and Dorer would wind up 3rd after challenging Grossenbacher over the final 2 laps for 2nd. Grossenbacher would win the war, and became your 2012 Super Late Model division champion. Neumann would settle for 2nd in the championship battle, just ahead of Drew Brannon in 3rd.
13 Street Stocks watched Dora Thorne (48) dominate the Street Stock feature from her outside front row starting position. Thorne would briefly fall into second place behind pole sitter Tom Potts (31) on lap 1. But a nifty cross over move, reminiscent of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr, would see Thorne move by Potts for the lead by the end of lap 2. The nights only caution would come at lap 8 when Curtis Flanagan (3) would make contact with the 2nd running Potts. Potts car would go for a spin, but Flanagan would take blame for the incident. Potts would get the 2nd position back, and Flanagan would tag the rear for the restart. Thorne would power away on the restart, and go on to take and unchallenged victory. Paul Fletcher (74) would race his way from 7th to 2nd and the checkers, just ahead of 9th starter Mike Wilson (79) in 3rd. Point leader Bubba Martone (98) held a slim 3pt advantage over Thorn for the championship title. But mechanical issues, would relegated him to an 11th place finish. Martone is now 2nd , 15 points behind, chasing Thorne going into this weeks last points event for the Street Stock division. This ones going to come down to the wire.
15 Pure Stocks saw Carl Peters come from his 13th starting position to take the victory in their 20 lap feature. Nicholas Malverty (17) would finish 2nd, and now moves to within 3 points of the championship lead, heading into their final points night in two weeks. Eugene Malverty would come home 3rd. Point leader Happy Florian (65) would come home in the 4th position. This ones going to be exciting to watch, only 2 positions in the feature will decide this battle.
10 Modified Mini Stocks watched Steve Griffin (32) drive away from his pole position to take the victory in their 20 lap feature event. Chris Zimmerman (29) would come home 2nd just ahead of Phil Edwards (24) in 3rd. Griffin was driving a car he formally owned, but sold a few years ago when he left the racing scene, after a work related accident. Griffin was given a chance to get back behind the wheel this week, and he made the most of the opportunity.
The Hornet division was a race of firsts, as all 3 competitors were running there first ever circle track race. Brittany Brown (98), Gary Seyler (1), and Jerry Conkel (6) all had their nerves on overload as their feature began. Brown would jump out to the early lead, but Seyler would soon put the pressure on, and take over the top spot by lap 4 after the two drivers traded some paint in turn one. Brown would regain her composure, and reel back in the leader. Brown would make the inside pass for the lead as Seyler would go wide off of turn 4. Brown would go on to take the victory in her first start in the Hornet division. Seyler would settle for 2nd just ahead of Conkle in 3rd.
In DAARA competition Matt Jarrett, Toby Smith, and John Brush were your winners.
This Saturday night sees the return of the Florida United Promoters late model series for the A-Able Septic 125. With a purse of $4000 to win and $400 to start, this race is sure to draw a large field of the states top drivers. Steve Dorer holds a slim points lead over Jesse Dutilly, with only 2 races left in this years championship chase. Joining them on the race card will be the Street Stocks, Modified Mini Stocks, Mini Stock, Hornet, and DWARF cars. Come on out and enjoy Citrus County Speedways very own chase for the championships!