As luck would have it, a light rain shower hit Orlando SpeedWorld just before the 8 pm start time but, after a delay of about an hour, the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series show went on as planned. The rain hit at just the wrong time as there was no sunshine or wind to help dry the track so it was up to track crews and the drivers to get the job done. A few adjustments were made to the program including scrapping the heat races to insure the show would end at a decent hour.
The 25-lap Super Late Model feature was dominated by Anthony Sergi of Geneva in the MJS Concrete Special as he led the event flag to flag. The race ran green to checker without a caution and Rich Clouser, the winner here two weeks ago, ran a strong second but could never muster the horses to catch Sergi. Brannen Hester took third position trailed by Bob Glover and John Kennedy.
The Super Stocks again put on their usual competitive race and it was Donny Funk finally getting the mechanical monkey off his back as he led most of the way after starting from the pole. Funk set the early pace but had Jeff Cuddy right on his bumper. On lap seven, the engine blew in Ron McCreary’s “Pepto Bismol” Buick and he coated the turn one and two area with oil. Jeff Cuddy spun in the oil while Brandon Christian also hit it and slapped the turn two wall. Everyone was able to continue with the exception of McCreary. On the restart, Jeff Cuddy was able muscle his way past Funk to lead a pair of laps but Funk had his car working perfectly in the corners and he re-took the front spot on lap nine. Funk continued to lead the way and was hoping his car would last the full distance for once after suffering late race problems while leading the last two Super Stock features. Funk managed to hold on for the win although his car had a flat tire when he drove into victory lane. Zach Curtis came on late to score his second consecutive runner-up finish while Jeff Cuddy held on for third spot ahead of Dustin Turnage and Bobby Cuddy. Rounding out the finishers were Christian, Denny Snyder, Michael Held, Gino Tummenillo, Art Hendren, Ernie Tummenillo, Warren Schuur and McCreary.
The E-Modified feature had its share of controversy both at the beginning and at the end. Matt Jarrett led lap one but quickly had Earl Beckner up to challenge and the two made contact on the backstretch during lap two forcing Beckner hard into the wall. An obviously upset Beckner had to be restrained by track officials as things calmed down. Jarrett took full blame for the incident and made just one more lap before he determined his car had too much damage to continue. Clermont’s Jason Vail inherited the lead on the restart and proceeded to run away and hide from the field, building up a half-lap advantage before a late caution flag for a spinning Bruce Packer set up a green-white-checker finish. Second running Shain Held put the pedal to the metal and raced Vail side-by-side and actually led at the white flag before the pair touched in turn one shooting Held’s car up the track. Vail held on to score the victory with Roger Benton and Packer second and third as an upset Held crossed the line in fourth. Jarrett and Beckner were scored fifth and sixth.
Michael Burns led all the way to capture the Pro Truck feature slowed only by a Becca Monopoli spin on lap 14. Michael Lira came home second ahead of Monopoli and John Inman. Matthew Green did not start after having problems in warm-ups.
The best race of the night was the hotly-contested Strictly Stock feature. Neil Kirby grabbed the early advantage in his Ford Probe but a lap three caution slowed his progress as a multi-car tangle on the backstretch sent Shane Sutorus and Robert Railing to the pits with neither able to return. Jim “Crusher” Erb drove his Camaro around Kirby on the restart and set the pace with Kirby able to stay only within striking distance. A late-race flat tire on Tim Walters’ Lincoln brought out the yellow flag and gave Kirby one last shot at Erb. Using the outside lane, Kirby surged just ahead of Erb to lead the white flag lap by only a bumper and he repeated his move again at the checker, winning by just the length of his cars’ front bumper. Erb took second followed by Charlie King, Megan Matheny and Mike Trotter. Completing the finishers were Walters, Tyler Jewer, Sutorus, Railing and Scott Sweat.
The flat part of the track surface used by the Bandoleros never completely dried out and their race was canceled to be made up with double features next week.