By Bill Green, Announcer

Punta Gorda, FL – Over 100 cars in the pits and some fifteen hundred plus fans, witnessed the rebirth of Charlotte County’s grand ole track as Punta Gorda Speedway. Saved from extinction by a passionate pair of racers, doubling as businessmen. Kevin Williams and Mike Chase scored a big homerun with their first opening night event. The racers came, the crowd came and even the local media made a respectable showing.

Billed as “Opening Night” for Kevin and Mike’s first chance to make a good impression, they sure got some attention and it looks like they’ve made a great impression on the opening night crowd. Working through the usual unexpected hitches that opening night brings to a motor sports event, Williams made quick decisions and well thought-out changes to the program as the night progressed. From glitches with the sound system, to unexpected volume at the beer window, the officials all made great moves to make the night a huge success and keep fans entertained and happy.

Starting off with the Bandolero’s class and right through to the Young Guns Fab-4’s, every race had it’s own excitement.

The Bandolero winner was 15 year old, Mark Hooven from Orlando, sponsored by Kevin Williams, his car owner. These youngsters really put on a show with 13 year old younger brother Shawn Hooven, trying several times to best his older sibling with some gentle nudges. Both drivers barely bested an even younger Ryan Shatteck, 12, of Islamorada, FL. Rounding out the top-5 were Keith Sinkula, 11, from Palm City in fourth and Reese Chase, of Plantation.

Pro-4’s rolled out second for feature event action with Dylan Bigley, 15, of Naples taking the win. Followed by Ryan Collver, a late arriver with little information available at press time. Third went to Cody Allen of Lehigh Acres, with Derrick Horton, N. Ft. Myers fourth and Todd Blevins, St. Pete fifth.

Mini-Cup racers were up next, but only five cars made the call for the feature and it was Cindarae Irish, age 15, of Largo, taking the win. Second went to Sam Scott, also 15 from Naples and he was followed by Plantation’s Reese Chase third. Fourth was 9 year old Cole Partelo of Largo. Fifth place was Blaine Ison, Naples.

Open Wheel Lites, or Dwarf Cars as most local race fans know them, brought 14 cars to the track and they  were all bested by 28 year old Bo Bass of Eustis, Fl, some three and a half hours away from Punta Gorda Speedway. Finishing behind Bo would be Andy Prior from Bonita Springs sec second, Mike Belusar of Ponta Gorda took third, while Larry Hubbard Jr. snagged forth and fifth went to Larry Hubbard III.

The Open Wheel Modifieds put on an excellent show with Ft. Myers racer Doug Moff taking the win. Followed by L. J. Grimm of Sefner second, Punta Gorda’s Phil Morrison third, Johnny Allen, Lehigh Acres forth and Jimmy Wilkins III of Ft. Pierce fifth. James Wilkins Jr, 68, was OK, after a hard hit into the front stretch wall at the exit of turn-4.

Legends racing returned to the southern most Florida asphalt on their schedule, with North Port’s Josh Williams besting the class in Victory lane, after a Polish Victory Lap. Darin Coker from Palm Beach Gardens went second, followed closely by Mark Hoover of Orlando making his second appearance of the night on the front stretch. Davie, FL’s Mike Fazio settled for fourth, with Mitch Verhaagh, Bonita Springs fifth.

Chris Scott of Nokomis won the Road Warriors Feature, beating Rick Reed of Arcadia to the checkered after Reed passed under the white first. Third went to Blaine Baer of Port Charlotte, followed by Chris Loney, Naples and Logan Leonard, Cape Coral, fourth and fifth respectively.

Finishing out the evening of eight classes were the younger Fab-4’s pilots with Sam Scott from Naples driving Dylan Bigley’s car to victory. He was trailed by 14 year old, Paul Richards Jr., also of Naples  second and Brandon Snyder of Naples third. Fourth went to Cape Coral’s Kerrington McFadden, with Linda Badali, 52 of Port Charlotte giving grandmothers everywhere a reason to cheer a little harder at the track.

Next week it’s Pro Trucks and Sportsman both for 35-laps, with no entry fees. Supported by the Road Warriors, Super Stocks, Mini-Stocks, Pro-4’s and Fab-4’s. Call Ponta Gorda Speedway’s office at 941-575-RACE (7223) for more info on coming weeks or questions about racing at PGS this summer.

We’ll See You At The Races!