Saturday night was headlined by the 3rd annual Eddie Brann Memorial Open Wheel Modified race. This race has been the premier event in the state for the Open Wheel Modified division over the past 3 years. 33 cars registered to compete in this event, which is the largest field of Modifieds in the state this year. All 33 cars got a shot at the $150 fast qualifier award presented by Ridgeline Tire & Service. After the dust settled, Josh Todd (51) proved to be the man to beat, turning a blistering lap of 14.215 seconds. Following Todd were Doug Moff (14.31) in 2nd, and Timmy Moore (14.38) in 3rd. The top 20 cars were locked into the starting field, with two more cars coming from a 20 lap B-Main, and two provisional spots to round out the 24 car starting field. Roger Blevins (151) won the B-main with Jeff Sloan (31) following him to the line, both drivers raced their way into the 75 lap A-main. The last two starting positions were given to the fastest qualifying time that had not made the race, and the driver highest in the local points standings that was not in the field yet. That would put Eric Rudd (112) and Ricky Coffin (3) into the big show, and complete the 24 car field.
Todd was about to see lady luck turn her back on him, as one of the tracks young fans would roll the tracks giant foam dice to determine the feature inversion. The die turned up with a “1”, which allows the fans to choose the inversion. The fans show by applause whether they would like a 2,4, or 6 row inversion. As usual, the fans chose 6 rows, wanting to see the fast cars come from the back of the field. This now left Todd, the fast qualifier starting in the 11th position. The benefactor on the 6 row inversion was Richie Smith (42) who now found himself starting on the pole position, with Ralph Bowman (12) along side. Smith would jump out to the lead, and set the pace on the start, while everyone else jockeyed for position behind him. 3rd place starter Curtis Neumann (01) and 5th place starter Tommy Schnader (19) would follow close behind Smith in 2nd and 3rd position until the first caution at lap 14. Lap 14 would see 2nd fast qualifier Doug Moff (46) make hard contact with the backstretch wall while battling Jeremy Gerstner (70) and Wayne Jefferson (61) for the 7th position. Moff was visibly upset, as he hurled his helmet across the track at Jefferson’s car under caution, before being towed back to the pit area. Fast Qualifier Josh Todd suffered damage to the right rear of his car in the 1st 5 laps of the race, causing a severe tire rub, which caused him to drop to the rear of the field. Todd would take advantage of the caution by taking a trip to the pits to repair the damage, this would prove to be a pivotal point in the race. Todd would make it back out before the restart, and start dead last behind the 22 cars still left on the track. On the restart, Smith would get pressure right away from Neumann on the bottom side off of turn 2. Both drivers would race side by side for nearly 3 full laps, before Smith was able to drive back by Neumann on the outside, to take back control of the race lead. Back in the pack, Todd was charging on the outside, passing almost 1 car a lap, all on the outside. Lap 26 would see the next caution as 3rd running Tommy Schnader would be sent spinning off of the front bumper of 4th running Robbie Cooper (98). Cooper would take blame for the incident, which gave Schnader his spot back, and would send Cooper to the rear. Smith would again lead the field to the green, with Neumann and Schnader in his tire tracks. Smith again pulled away, but Neumann was never more than half a car behind. As good as the battle was for the lead, all eyes were focused on Todd, as he rocketed to the front of the field on the outside. Lap 48 saw the 86 of Randy Anderson blow a right rear tire, and go for a spin off of turn 4, bringing out the 3rd caution of the night. Smith again brought the field to the green, but all eyes were on Todd 6 positions behind. Todd would move into the 4th position just a few laps after the restart, and set his eyes on the top three cars. Just as Todd would make an outside move on Schnader for 3rd, Neumann moved to the outside to make a move on Smith for the lead, knowing that Todd was coming fast. All 4 cars raced side by side for 4 laps, until Schnader was able to move by Neumann on the inside for 2nd, after his failed attempt to take the lead. Todd would follow him by and take the 3rd position at lap 58, with Neumann falling in line in the 4th position. Todd wasted little time jumping to the outside of Schnader for 2nd, and by lap 65 was challenging Smith for the lead. Todd would make the same outside move that had brought him from dead last on lap 14, to challenge for the lead. Both drivers would race side by side for 2 laps before Todd was able to make the pass for the lead on lap 67. Todd would pull away and seemed to be headed to an impossible victory, but a lap 72 caution would set up a thrilling 3 lap shootout for the win. Todd would make sure there was no drama over the final 3 laps, by pulling away on the restart, not giving Smith one last chance at victory. Todd would go on to take the victory in the 3rd annual Eddie Brann Memorial. Victory lane was electric with excitement, as this was no doubt the most exciting victory of this young mans career. Todd thanked his car owner Donne Lewis, his entire crew, and short track legend Dick Anderson for all their hard work to get him to victory lane. Smith would come home 2nd after leading 67 of the 75 laps in the race, Schnader would come home a strong 3rd. I think most fans would agree this was the most impressive and exciting races in the recent history of Citrus County Speedway, on for the ages. Citrus County Speedway would like to thank Tony Carreno, Ridgeline Tire & Service, Racecar Engineering, and Checkered Flag Graphics for their outstanding support of this event.
14 Sportsman took the green for their 25 lap feature, and it didn’t take long for 6th place starter Aaron Williamson (13) to move to the front of the field. Williamson would make the pass for the lead on Dennise Neighbor Sr. (83) only 5 laps in, and try to put some distance between himself and the rest of the pack. 13th place starter Cody Stickler (99) would charge to the front and move into the 2nd position by lap 11, and then turn his attention to the leader. Williamson had built up a large lead of almost half a track, which left Stickler playing catch up. Stickler would do just that, getting to the bumper of the leader just after the white flag had flown. Time would run out on Stickler with no cautions though, Williamson would prove to have to large of a lead to overcome. Williamson would take his 3rd feature win of the year, with Stickler in 2nd, and Mark Nelson (11) having his best run of the year in 3rd. Williamson and Nelson were heat race winners.
11 Street Stocks rumbled to the green for their 20 lap feature with James Peters (5) and Mark Fallows (007) on the front row. Peters would jump out to an early lead before a lap 2 caution for contact between Kenny May (10) and Curtis Flanagan (3) would bring out the yellow. May would receive a flat tire and head to the pits to change it, Flanagan would be sent to the rear for the restart. Peters would lead the field to the restart with Jesse Veltman (55) just behind. May would make it back out after changing his tire, and avoid going a lap down, but was far behind. Veltman would go to work right away on Peters for the lead, and move to the top spot in just a few laps on the inside. Flanagan would make his way back to the 4th position by lap 13 as the lead pack was lapping May. May would then wait for Flanagan to pass by on the inside and attempt to ram his car as he lapped by. May would miss Flanagan on the 1st attempt, but then would drive into turn 1 and never lift, ramming the rear of Flanagan’s car. Flanagan would be sent spinning and the caution would come out. May would be Black flagged, disqualified, suspended, and fined for intentionally wrecking/retaliating against another car under race conditions. Veltman would lead the field to the restart with Peters, Fallows, and Flanagan just behind. Lap 18 would see the final caution of the night for contact between Austin Hughes (68) and John Makula (27). Veltman would then have to hold off the field for a green, white, checkered finish. Veltman would get a great restart, and go on to take his 2nd feature win of the year. Veltman wanted to give special thanks to Ernie Reed for giving him the opportunity to drive the fast car, and his father Dave for working so hard on the car during the week. Peters would hold on to 2nd over Fallows at the finish line. Makula was your heat race winner.
Carl Peters would make short work of the Taylor Made Homes Pure Stock field, and drive away to a dominate victory from his 4th starting position. Following him to the line was a hard charging Tyler Stickler (9) in 2nd, and newcomer Preston Davis (89) in 3rd. Nicholas Malverty (17) was your heat race winner.
Jeremy Sharrone, your Sheldon Palmes Insurance Mini Stock points leader, was able to accomplish a feat no one has this year. Jeff Eberly hasn’t run a full schedule with the class this year, but leads the division in feature wins, with 8. Eberly has been almost unbeatable this season, and he took little time moving toward the front of the field on this night. Sharrone would make his way to Eberly’s bumper and the two drivers battled for the second position, while Sonya Heater was in the lead. Sharrone would race inside of Eberly for 3 laps, before taking away the 2nd position. Sharrone would then make the move on Heater for the lead, bringing Eberly with him. A lap 15 caution would bunch up the field, and give them one more shot at Sharrone. Sharrone would get a good restart, but couldn’t shake Eberly off his tail, he waited for a mistake from Sharrone. That mistake would never come, and Sharrone would go on to take his 5th feature win of the season, and tame Goliath. Eberly would come home 2nd, and Shawn Jenkins would make his usual late race charge to take 3rd at the finish. Sharrone and Jesse Mallory (50) were you heat race winners.
This week will see the return of School Bus Figure 8 racing to Citrus County Speedway, as the track presents its annual Halloween extravaganza. The Speedway will host many different events for the kids on this night. Costume contests for 3 different age groups, and trick or treat for the kids on the track with the drivers and their cars. Headlining the race portion of the night will be the Robert Aaron Memorial 50 lap figure 8 race, a field of 30 cars showed before mother nature cancelled this race just a few weeks ago. Joining the Figure 8 madness will be the Sportsman, Street Stock, Taylor Made Homes Pure Stocks, Sheldon Palmes Insurance Min Stocks, the Green Mamba jet car, and the always fun Demolition Derby! This week will see a special start time of 5:30, so make sure you mark your calendars for this fun filled family evening. Please visit the track website at www.citruscountyspeedway.com for complete details, or call the track office at 352-726-9339. See you at the races!