From Linda Jericka
Sportsman winner Greg Krom
Punta Gorda, FL -April 9, 2011- On a warm evening in South Florida the Punta Gorda Speedways action was hot and exciting. After the heat races were complete the line ups were set for the features and the Pro 4 class was the first to take to the 3/8 mile. A battle of the points leaders Ryan Collver and Dylan Bigley went down to the wire with Bigley pulling out the win over Collver with Cody Allen a close third and Paul Richards coming in forth.
The always entertaining Dwarf cars took to the track with Larry Hubbard Jr taking the win leading all 25 laps with the father and son duo of Tom and Andy Prior hot on his heals the entire way.
The Mini Stocks were up next with Chris Zimmerman continuing his dominance of the division with a convincing win over his Dad Tom Zimmerman who gave him a battle most of the way with Gary Brown taking third, Fred Harrison fighting a clutch problem all night finished forth. Jessica Robbins who drives the 09 Mini stock finished 5th and in a great gesture supplied Ice pops for all the kids in the stands and gave T shirts to be thrown into the crowd, that’s what PGS is all about!
The Super Stocks were up next with a few welcome newcomers starting in the field put on a great show. The #18 of Shane Leonard took the early lead and held on for the win but the race just behind him was a great battle. The #2 car of Bobby Fisher and the #29 of Mike Smith and the #88 of Jimmy Meiser ran side by side for 15 laps and put on a great show with the #68 of Mike Wilson on their tail. Fisher would hold on for second and with a last lap pass holding tough on the outside Smith would end up third by a bumper with Meiser and Wilson a very close forth and fifth.
Intermission would have to wait as the fan participation cars would take to the track with 7 brave fans to test their driving skills on the track, it came down to 2 lap shootout between a Dodge 4×4 truck and a fast Chevy truck, the Chevy would prevail as the crowd cheered them on in a close race to the finish.
During intermission the Sportsman cars then pulled their cars to the front stretch for a autograph session to meet and greet the fans and then the race of night was on! The Sportsman drivers treated the crowd to a great battle. The #67 of James Dubose grabbed the early lead with the #35 of Greg Krom, the #57 of Timmy Lowe and the #68 of Gary Mcfall all racing hard. After the only caution of the 35 lap race for the #98 of Rodger Welch car catching fire, the field was bunched up for a double file restart. Krom would get a great restart on the outside pole and motor past Dubose to the lead. Timmy Lowe then jumped to the out side of Dubose with 5 laps to go with Mcfall right on their tail. It would finish with Krom taking the victory, Lowe 2nd with hard charge on the outside and Dubose bring it home 3rd and Mcfall a close 4th.
The Fab 4 would round out the night with a good race between the #98 of Aaron Hardgrove, #61of Paul Richards Jr and #3 car of Zac Campilonga. Hardgrove would take the checkers with Richards a close 2nd and Campilonga third.
Next Saturday Night it’s the Open Wheel Modified for 50 Laps, Road Warriors, TQ Midgets, Pro 4, Fab 4, Mini Stock and the always entertaining Cowboy Cadillac’s.
Punta Gorda Speedway Results 4/09/2011
Sportsman
1. 35 Greg Krom Sarasota
2. 57 Timmy Lowe Pinellas Park
3. 67 James Dubose Arcadia
4. 68 Gary McFall Venice
5. 7 Danny Caylor Lehigh
6. 91 Ander Jackson Port Charlotte
7. 56 Brian Richardson Cape Coral
8. 84 Bill Vandevender N. Fort Myers
9. 6 Greg Gorniak Homestead
10. 74 Josh Calvert North Port
11. 98 Roger Walsch St. Pete
12. 16 Josh Gorniak Homestead
13. 5 Jeff Gustofson
Super Stock
1. 18 Shane Leonard Cape Coral
2. 2 Bobby Fischer Naples
3. 29 Mike Smith Auburndale
4. 88 Jimmy Meiser Cape Coral
5. 68 Mike Wilson Aburndale
6. 38 Derrick Horton N. Ft. Myers
7. 46 Terrell Cook
8. 0 Clete Trimmer D.N.S.
Mini Stock
1. 29 Chris Zimmerman Largo
2. 01 Tom Zimmerman Largo
3. 52 Gary Brown Lakeland
4. 21 Fred Harrison Polk City
5. 09 Jessica Robbins Plant City
6. 86 John Pummel Arcadia
7. 29x Mike Slavik
Pro 4
1. 28 Dylan Bigley Naples
2. 04 Ryan Collver Ft. Myers
3. 98 Cody Allen Lehigh
4. 61 Paul Richards Sr. Naples
5. 32 Corey Bigley Naples
6. 00 Dan Collver N. Ft. Myers
7. 55 Jeremy Perkins N. Ft. Myers
8. 21 Jason Perkins N. Ft. Myers
9. 22 David Doty N. Ft. Myers
10. 22M Kim Mabbitt
11. 29 Phillip Ellis Jr. North Port
12. 4 Charles Null N. Fort Myers
Fab 4
1. 98 Aaron Hardgrove Lehigh
2. 61 Paul Richards Jr. Naples
3. 3 Zac Campilonga Bradenton
4. 55c David Patterson Port Charlotte
5. 21 Skyler Null N. Fort Myers
6. 22 Duane Vandevender Cape Coral
7. 67 Mike Simmons Punta Gorda D.Q.
8. 22M Waylan Mabbitt
Dwarfs
1. 56 Larrry Hubbard Jr. Cape Coral
2. 4 Andy Pryor Bonita Springs
3. 69 Tom Pryor Bonita Springs
4. 17 John Bailey Sarasota
5. 77 Don Wilcox Punta Gorda
6. 82 Rob Koettler Punta Gorda
7. 12 Darrell Fischer Loxahatchie
8. 33 Roger Richmond Port Charlotte
9. 08 George Robella Venice
10. 2 Jimmy Welker Bonita Springs