Photos by Robert Howell – Was it going to work, opening up in January, for the 2012 season with just a month or so off, is it going to be to cold, did the race teams have time to freshen up their cars. Speedway owner Kevin Williams took a chance this year and decided to open up the new season early and then is taking a chance of closing down for July and Aug when it is the hottest and rains a lot. Let the drivers take time off to be with their families and a break from the hot summer months and lets just see what happens.
It was opening night and the weather was beautiful and fans came out in mass quantity to see some of the best super late model drivers in the state compete for 100 laps and they did not go home disappointed. Some of the regular backbone class drivers were not able to make the early season start with just not enough time to get their cars ready but were there in attendance and cant wait to get back at it.
The night started off with Qualifying the supers and Legend cars and then heat races for the other classes. After the invocation by track Chaplin Richard Stone and the playing of the Nation Anthem during a parade lap and everyone finally making there way into their seats it was time to go racing.
Bandoleros came out first for their feature and 9 year old A.J. Weaver who had won the heat race battled with Noah Weaver but could not make the pass. Noah Weaver from Sarasota brought home the first win of the season, A. J. Freitas of New Port Richey second and Braden Nash third.
Legend driver Devin McLeod set fast time in qualifying which started him in the back for the feature but it was Matt Blankenship from Lake Placid that dominated the race. Blankenship cruised to the winners circle as Mcleod came in second and Mike Verhaagh third.
Pro Trucks took to the track next for an exciting race to the finish as last years rookie driver Kelli Burns turned Pro this year won the heat started outside front row. Sam Scott out of Naples started off the battle with running side by side at times but scored as the leader for the first fifteen laps as all the drivers made this an exciting race to watch. Travis Gossard Jr. took over the lead on lap fifteen bringing Mark Hooven with him for second while Scott slipped to third but not for long as Scott battled back for that second spot. Gossard battling keep the lead with Hooven and Scott, white flag is out, coming out of turn two, Gossard brushes the outside wall Scott and Hooven side by side pass Gossard while he tries to keep the truck under control. Crossing the line for the win, it was Mark Hooven first, Sam Scott of Naples second, Kelli Burns of Port Charlotte third.
With two of the drivers from the Rookie class moving up to the Pro’s and others not ready, Chad Chastain of Alva would be the lone Rookie driver for the night and took up the rear of the field in the Pro class race. Chad was sporting a new look in the Melon One race truck and ran like a Pro in the class as he finished fifth in the race after being sent to the rear. Chad Chastain would be scored as the winner of the Rookie truck class and start the season off in first place for points.
The race everyone was waiting for was the Super Late Models as they pull onto the track and drivers being introduced then a gentleman start your engines. Patrick Staropoli from Plantation who is home on break from Harvard set fast time of 14.766 but would have to start fourth row back on the outside.
Pole sitter Todd Allen from Debary jumped out to the lead until the caution came out on lap seven as the 22 of David King tried to make a pass on the 5 of Joe Boyd for that second spot spinning him out. King would get sent to the rear, as they say in racing, the spot is not yours till you are up to the door, and the field was lined back up in single file formation. Drivers in the back complain about single file restart while drivers in the front like the single files, you have your pros and cons, some do not like to be stuck on the outside and others say double file causes to many wrecks. Allen maintained the lead while Keith Lilley from Lakeland was in hot pursuit and the race was heating up as drivers were getting impatient and wanting to make a move. Forty laps in the books and the restart after a caution the green was out, coming down the front stretch, did someone miss a gear or not get on the gas, but the big happened right on the front stretch in front of the large crowd. Five cars piled up while others barely made it through, damaged would be Billy Bigley Jr, Dylan Bigley, Travis Hanson, and Mike Knotec who would all make a trip to the pits. The cars were lined back up and the track cleared and Billy Bigley Jr was able to make it back out sporting an Open Wheel looking Super with no hood.
With fewer cars on the track there were fewer cautions but the race was fierce between the front runners which was still Allen in the lead and Wayne Anderson who was putting the Chrome horn to Allen and Richie Anderson who made it up to third place. Richie Anderson who had to sit out the second half of last year after blowing the engine was just waiting to see what was going to unfold in front of him while Staropoli was right on his bumper running in fourth. Anderson just got by Allen then Allen was trying to get the spot back and they drew the caution with twenty five to go, Allen was sent to the rear. Checkers were out and it was Anderson that crossed the line in first with a well deserved second and third place finish by Richie Anderson and Patrick Staropoli Joe Boyd hung on for fourth and Keith Lilley battled back to fifth.
The Thundering Heard Road Warriors came out for their twenty five lap feature and it was Shane Leonard of Cape Coral that dominated the class while the others battled behind him. Caution after caution while the battled continued and cars were dropping out lap after lap but when the checkers flew it was Shane Leonard who brought home the first win of the season. Jason Miller would cross the line for second while Richard Nelson had to struggle for a third place finish.
Pro 4 finished off the night with the 04 of Ryan Collver starting off right were he finished last year and that is in the winners circle. Paul Richards Jr battled the second spot away from Dan Collver to finish second and Dan was third.
Next Week January 28 some other classes will come out to kick off their new season,
it will be Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stock, Cowboy Cadillacs, Mini Stock, also Road Warrior and Pro 4 return. New front Gates times are open at 4:00pm
check our web site for all updates at www.puntagordaspeedway.com