Ocala, FL- The professionals all have huge events this week-end (The Grand Prix of Monaco, The Indianapolis 500, and the World 600) but Bubba Raceway Park has a huge night of racing to challenge. The Bubba Army 360 Sprint Cars return while the Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Modifieds, the Bubba Army Hobby Stocks who will race for $750, the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators defend their turf.
The Bubba Army Sprint Cars have a shocker a top the standings- Danny Martin, Jr. is the leader. Okay, “The Hammer” has been here plenty of times but he does have Robbie Smith and “The Captain” Tony Agin on his tail. While Smith and Agin have been quite succesful at the 3/8 mile, neither has won in quite some time. Johnny Gilbertson made his first trip to Bubba Raceway Park in the Bubba Era and found himself P4 in the standings. Rookie driver Andy Cobb rounds out the top five after an impressive debut so far. It’s hammer down if they’re to beat “The Hammer”.
The Scorpion Modifieds see experience on top as the top two have won all four features this season. Buzzie Reutimann is the points leader and has been all year long; however, Jeff Mathews is just forty-four points behind. Mathews has won three-consecutive and is currently undefeated in Modified competition at the 3/8 mile. Mathews has his team-mate, Bryan Bernhardt, right behind him. Bernhardt has been learning and speed is in the car- he just needs to find a way to beat his car owner! Charlie O’Neill slipped to fourth last week but could lose more with “The Wellsville Wheelman” Paul Snyder right behind him. Who can stop “The Repo Man”?
The Bubba Army Hobby Stocks saw a shake up at the top with Brian Shea going from fourth to first after a big week. With Shea the points leader for the first time since his 2011 Thunder Stock championship, he has a target upon his back again. “Young Guns” Devin Walker and Hunter Gustafson will have to be smart and chase Shea down for a championship. Matt Kramer remains within a night’s worth of points but Alvin Adkison is chasing him down for the fourth position. Last week’s top five now has a combined one Hobby Stock win in the Modern Era, but that $750 prize may bring the heavy hitters out in force.
The 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks had four non-winners in the top five, including first-timer William Gillam. Gillam took “MAX POINTS” and now has the points lead for the first time in his career. Tony Campbell hopes to do what Gillam just did and regain his championship lead. Brandon Elwood, also a winner in 2013, sits just twenty-two back in third. A career run didn’t end like it should’ve for Brandon Tillander but so many positives will come from a brilliant performance for driver #73. Tillander jumped to fourth and he brought Melvin Fockler with him. Fockler took a career-best second place and feels that his time in Victory Lane is nearing. Will it be reunion or new friends visiting Coors Light Winner’s Circle?
The Rent-N-Roll Gladiators have an exciting battle for the championship with just three points separating the top two. Josh Fincher is still the leader, but Stephen Frankland’s record-tying fourth consecutive win is making defense tough. Behind those two is Bill Southard, who is hoping for an error from the top two. Southard, however, can’t slip or Jerry Taylor will strike! Taylor has already won this season and hopes to get his second and prevent history for Frankland. Rounding out the top five is Tom Sheehan. Sheehan is all alone as he’s well behind Taylor and he has a massive gap over the rest of the pack. Does history await or does it wait longer?
The pits open at 4, stands open at 5, and racing is scheduled for 7. For more info you can check out www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400! Also, don’t forget our exciting month of June- the 15th is Excellence In Education Night. On the 15th, any elementary grade student may bring in their report card and, if they are on the A-B Honor Roll, they will receive a free kid’s Coke, a free kid’s popcorn, and an autographed photo of Tyler Clem. We will also donate $4.00 back to the school. Of course, on the week-end of the 22nd we have our Summer Spectacular for the Late Models, Hobby Stocks, and Thunder Stocks. Don’t miss a huge month of June at Bubba Raceway Park!