By Rick Anges – Bradenton, Fl.  Perfect weather greeted the fans and drivers at ASA sanctioned DeSoto Super Speedway for the rescheduled Seafest 100 by the Florida United Promoters Late Model Series.

Twenty cars took time under overcast skies. Thirteen drivers dipped into the fourteen second lap times making for a very competitive field of cars and drivers. Wildwood’s own Wayne Anderson clicked off the fastest lap of the day trekking around the 3/8ths mile High Banks with a 14.673 time.  Second fast was local favorite Jessie Dutilly with a quick 14.682 lap, third was Jeff Scofield 14.714, fourth Steve Dorer 14.722 and fifth fast went was Todd Allen’s 14.745.

The many fans were treated to a “Meet and Great” with the Late Model Drivers. Fans were able to get up and personal and meet the Men under helmets face to face.  The drivers were more than accommodating autographing whatever the fans had and posing for pictures.

After about thirty minutes the fans returned to their seats and the drivers climbed into theirs strapping in for the 100 lap feature. A chorus of young ladies gave the command “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” and field came to life with a roar.

The field was inverted eight positions for the start of the race putting Todd Allen and Bobby Good on the front row.  Allen jumped out to the early lead but a multi car pile-up on lap eight brought out the first yellow of evening.

Jessie Dutilly was one of the cars involved along with Scofield. Dutilly was sent to the rear Scofield dove into the pits and re-started at the rear of pack with Dutilly.  Steve Gill and Joe Boyd were casualties of the wreck ending their night. Wayne Anderson was also involved but needed extensive repairs. He returned several laps down with front body work removed and finished a disappointing sixteenth.

When the green came out it was Anthony Campi who took the first spot. Campi held the lead when the second caution came out for a spin by Robert Yoho.  As the field headed into turn three for the restart Campi fired but the drivers were clearly told in the drivers meeting they were not to fire until turn four. The yellow came out and Campi was sent to the rear. Campi’s problems did not end there as later in the race something broke in the back of car sending his rear-end askew taking him out with a fifteenth place finish.

Tim Russell and Todd Allen battled back and forth for the lead while behind them Jessie Dutilly had made his back towards the front, but as he went to go underneath Steve Dorer he made contact sending Dorer around in a cloud of Hoosier Tire smoke. Dutilly once again was sent to the back of the pack.

Tim Russell took over the lead and began to pull away in a long green flag stretch Allen had slid back to second while Scofield had battled his way back into third. During the run Dutilly came back up through the field to get back into the top five.

Out of nowhere Allen spun on his own brining out the yellow and bunching up the field.  Scofield would start on the outside of Russell but the 36 car was strong on the start and back into the lead. But it wasn’t over yet.

Several more cautions would bring the field together and on the last restart the crafty veteran Scofield was able to get his nose under Russell and muscle his way into the lead and the victory. Russell would come home in second. The never quit Dutilly  came home third, fourth was Bobby Good and fifth across the stripe was Steve Dorer.

RESULTS:

1.Jeff Scofield

2.Tim Russell

3.Jessie Dutilly

4.Bobby Good

5.Steve Dorer

6.Rob Partelo

7.Ray Black

8.Jake Perkins

9.Robert Yoho

10. Todd Allen

11.Anthony Sergi

12.James Glover

13.Steve Lamb

14.Dennis Colletti

15.Anthony Campi

16.Wayne Anderson

17.Bruce Bennett

18.Justin Larson

19.Joe Boyd

20.Steve Gill