Ocala, FL- The Late Models return to the 3/8 mile as November opens and they’ll be joined by the Scorpion Racing Products UMP Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and Florida Mini Sprints.
Rich Pratt has a commanding 80 point lead over 11-year old Tyler Clem in the Late Models, but he has yet to return to Coors Light Winner’s Circle. Pratt has had a solid year but wants that win; Clem has been impressive and wouldn’t mind grabbing a victory either. Bryan Bernhardt sits third but has Mark Whitener, three race winner, and Kyle Bronson, the top candidate in the Nesmith Touring Series Rookie of the Year chase, are barreling down on him. It’s going to be a great finish to one of the best seasons in Late Model history at Bubba Raceway Park.
The Scorpion Racing Products UMP Modifieds have had a wild season as well and it’s Charlie O’Neill a top the board. Sitting just three- yes, after all of that racing, THREE- points back is Rich Pratt and a further five back is Jeff Mathews. As those three try to break away, Scott Kurtzner will try to stay with them and close the 22 point gap he has to O’Neill. Bryan Bernhardt seeks his first career Modified win and a top five championship position with it.
Devin Walker let some of his championship lead slip away but he still holds a 500 point gap over Sean Monoghan. Walker has, of course, wrapped up the 2013 title and is the second-youngest Hobby Stock champion in the Modern Era (Bubba Christian in 2009). Mike Stalnaker grabbed his third victory of the season last week and slotted up into third, just ahead of fellow three-timer Hunter Gustafson and Brian Shea. With three points races left, there’s almost a guarantee of a first-time winner since there has been 10 on the year so far.
The 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks are not the closest championship, if you can believe it (The Modifieds top four is closer than second in the Thunder Stocks!). Brandon Elwood opened up his lead to 65 over William Gillam with just 195 points left on the table. Though mathematically still alive in the fight, Melvin Fockler is keeping his mind set on a feature victory and celebrating a remarkable first full-season that way; Brandon Tillander is unofficially eliminated mathematically, but will try to do the same as Fockler. Tony Campbell hopes to throw the monkey off of his back and jump to Coors Light Winner’s Circle for the first time.
Like his life-long counterpart Tyler Clem, “The Marco Island Missile” Nick Snyder has had an incredible year and is the championship leader. A 57 point gap is the margin between Snyder and Eddie Moss, Jr. and a further 25 back is Dirk Miller. Those three have been in the fight all season long, while David Hall has climbed to within 100 points of the leading Snyder. A couple of events over the next few weeks at Bubba Raceway Park and the season-ending Turkey Trot is all that is left, meaning just 315 points are up for grabs. Will Snyder hold on to his lead, will Moss reclaim the crown, or will the Todd’s Tomatoes boys catch-up and steal the title?
Pit gates open at 4, grandstands at 5, and racing is scheduled for 7. For more info, please visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400.