By Jimmy Rouse- Bubba Raceway Park Media
November 15, 2011
The UMP Open-Wheel Modifieds, Barrett’s Race Cars Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Gladiators, and Florida Mini Sprints all shoot for another win and some valuable points in this 2011 season. Of course, it’s easier said than done.
Jeff Mathews vs. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. at the top. Mathews has 43 points over team-mate Lloyd but the dropped night of points could close the gap. Garret Stewart, Jim Passino, and Rich Pratt will all try to hold on to top 5 positions. Pratt has 2 wins, tied for the most, in 2011, but Stewart and Passino have yet to break into victory lane. They’ll both put it all on the line and could end with a win. Kyle Bronson is 21 points out of 5th and will try to win back to back races. Bronson has gone back to back plenty of times in his career and it would be no surprise if he did it again. Dave Barber, Ronnie Chance, Scott Mooers, and Jason Davis complete the top 10. Any of these men could take the victory lane trip and enjoy the week before Bubba Is Thankful Week-End.
Tim Powers, heading into a Double Points night, holds a 104 point lead over Buck Woodhouse. Though the magic number is unknown due to the drop night, a win would almost certainly lock a title up for Powers. Kevin Durden is 3rd and we do know his points total: 540. Durden is going for a 2nd win in 2011 and it couldn’t come at a better time. Joe Boyd and Tommy Ausburn complete the top 5. Joe Belkey holds 6th but has stepped out of the Hobby Stock to pursue a Modified career. Mark Maresca has battled through much adversity to get to 7th and won’t give up until the final lap. “Foot” Donald Woosley has moved up 6 spots to 8th in the last 2 weeks. Woosley continues to improve his 81 and will try to get himself into the top 5. James Erickson and Howard Osteen complete the top 10.
Brittany Yates leads the standings by about 1 race over Ryan Babcock and Ray Folwell. Folwell has a 3-win season and would love to take a title with it. Yates Racing took a 1-2-3 last time out and wouldn’t mind doing it again. Buddy Pope and Ray Ethridge, both very competitive drivers, complete the top 5. Cody Kinsey, Roberto Morfin, Jr., Stephen Hahlbaugh, Chris Zimmermann, and Shirlene Hammond complete the top 10. The Mini Stocks have had a fantastic season and nothing less is expected the next 2 weeks.
Steve Cox has around a 100 point lead over hard charging Reid Christensen. Cox can clinch as both will drop a ‘0’ for 2011. Christensen said he won’t be at Bubba Raceway Park this coming up race which would end the championship battle, but it’s not over until the trophy is handed to the winner. Steve Johnson, Brandon Haseleu, and Matt Kramer complete the top 5 but they will all battle for a win as no one wants to go winless in 2011. Jerry Taylor, Richard Todd, Robert Graham, Kody Fisher, and Stephen Frankland complete the top 10.
Chris Pacetti has found something at Bubba Raceway Park as he’s the only Mini Sprint driver with 2 wins in 2011. Of course, David Pleaugh, his competitor for the title, has 1 win as well. Jesse Teed, Eddie Moss, Jr., the semi-retired Harold Matthews, Justin Kolves, and Gavin Thomas have all won as well. The Mini Sprints always put on a fantastic show and we could see yet another winner.
Gates open at 4:30 with racing scheduled for 7. For more information including the facts on Bubba Is Thankful Week-End which is now just 1 week away, visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call the Speedway hotline at 352-622-9400.