By Bill Green
Wildwood’s Wayne Anderson was in the right place at the right time and got by Dave Pletcher with just 35 laps left in it and then watched as the rear sway bar broke on the #51 of Richie Anderson during lap 110. Wayne Anderson pounced on the opportunity and took home the win. This was a classic Super Late Model duel as the veterans waited patiently for the laps to click off and then begin their assault on the top spot. Two young drivers, Brian Blum & Patrick Staropoli learned a lot in this one as they sat in the 4 & 5th spots for most of the lap, learning when to go from a few of the masters on the asphalt in front of them.
Pletcher settled for second, but “Big Daddy”, as he was known at Sunshine Speedway, was old school smart tonight. Showing a good set-up and qualifying position, followed by a level head and patience keeps you in contention for the wins that you’ll fight for in the end.
Third behind Pletcher was Brian Blum; from his FASTRUCK roots this kid has learned all the great parts of being an even greater driver as he began his run toward the front some ten laps before anyone else in the top 5, and made it into the top-3 by doing so. Fourth would go to lap-leader Richie Anderson, after the sway bar let go, with Patrick Staropoli hanging on for the finale top-5 spot. Sixth thru tenth would be; Joe Boyd, L.B. Skaggs, Billy Bigley Jr, Casey Caudill and Mike Knotek.
Another group of racers putting on a very Special event on Perfect Pest Control of Southwest Florida night, would be the Champ Karts, as they arrived 31 entries strong for the Feature Tribute race for Ron Letourneau. The long time Champ Kart driver, ran the #96 for many years and now fund himself in bad health going week-to-week unsure of his future. This Special event to honor Ron while he was still here and healthy enough to enjoy it turned out to be what fairytales are made of. Driving Ron’s #96 Champ Kart, veteran driver Chase Fitzgeral, brought the car home in first place and had every eye in the stands watering when Ron came trackside to accept the heartfelt well wishes of his fellow competitors. Second went to Dustin Chisholm, with Jo Cardon third, Tara Henderson forth and Doug Schmidt fifth.
Bandoleros got the action started early on the night as the opening lap saw Reese Chase stop a few hearths as he collected the back-stretch turn three opening head on at full speed. The huge over size industrial tires did their job and cushioned the blow, but still Reese took a lick and after 3 minutes to get checked out, stepped out of the car and surveyed the damage. The winner of the event would be Mark Hooven, followed by Shawn Hooven second and young Keith Sinkula getting lots of seat time in only his third attempt in a Bandolero
Pro-4’s were up second and Dylan Bigly dominated the event, taking the win and leaving Stuart Vandevender second. Third went to Derrick Horton , followed by Philip Ellis Jr., fouth and Corey Bigley fifth.
Legends winner Mark Hooven won his second feature of the night over fast qualifier Darin Coker second, Mitch Verhaagh third, Carl Haag fourth and Mike Fazio fifth.
Road Warriors brought 14 cars to the green, but it would be Randy Kile winning in his new #14 machine. Second went to Derrick Horton, improving on his earlier 3rd place finish in Pro-4’s. Third would go to Blaine Bear, with Rick Reed coming from the back to fourth and Jason Miller surviving several spins from competitors for fifth.
Fab-4’s continued their learning curve to complete a packed house evening with Matt Fewox bring his car home in first. Second would go to Robert Conant, with Jarrett Reynolds third, Kyle Rice fourth and Crystal Love placing fifth.
Next week, Aug 7th, will see the Pro-Trucks back in action, along with the Open Wheel Modified, Outlaw Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Fab-4’s and Pro-4’s. The following week, Aug 14th has eight classes scheduled for battle, as the Sportsman return to PBS, with Road Warriors, Cowboy Cadillac’s, Dwarf Cars, Mini-Stocks, Super Stocks, Fab-4’s & Pro-4’s. All those for a $10 grandstand ticket, or more info call the Track Office at 941-575-RACE(7223) for more information on Punta Gorda Speedway visit www.PuntaGordaSpeedway.com.
Punta Gorda Speedway Results 6/31/2010
Late Models
1. 84 Wayne Anderson -Wildwood
2. 75 Dave Pletcher -New Port richie
3. 31 Brian Blum -Margate
4. 51 Richie Anderson -N. Ft Myers
5. 97 Patrick Staropoli -Plantation
6. 5 Joe Boyd -Riverview
7. 71 L.B. Skaggs -N. Ft. Myers
8. 28 Billy Bigley -Naples
9. 33 Casey Caudill -New Smyrna Beach
10. 13 Mike Knotek -Labelle
11. 28b Dylan Bigley -Naples
12. 11 David Weaver -Plantation
13. 23 Todd Brown -Lake Panasoffkee
14. 14 Jason Riddell -Lakeland
15. 86 Randy Anderson -Wildwood
16. 99 Josh Williams -North Port
17. 177 Ray Hesty -Lakeland
18. 2 Tommy Styler -Mirramar DQed
19. 237 Joe Winch ell -Dade City
20. 1 Dean Ferri -Lakeland
21. 59 Dustin Dunn – Jupiter DNS
22. M1 ?DNS
Fab 4
1. 63 Matt Fewox
2. 29 Robert Conant
3. 2 Jarrett Reynolds
4. 7 Kyle Rice
5. 16 Crystal Love
6. 27 Tammy Phillips
7. 30 Linda Badali
8. 87 Skyler Null
9. 9 James Daring
10. 55C Carolyn Malinowski
11. 33 Kerrington McFadden
Pro 4’s
1. 28 Dylan Bigley
2. 63 Stuart Vandevender
3. 29 Phillip Ellis
4. 82 Corey Bigley
5. 2 Lance Sober
6. 21x Jason Perkins
7. 87 David Doty
8. 16 Wally Smith
9. 21 Jerry Perkins
10. 55c Mike Lemasters
11. 30 Ken Badali
12. 3 Chelsea LaJoie
13. 04 Ryan Collver
14. 27 Derrick Horton D.Q.
Bandolero’s
1. 17 Mark Hooven
2. 14 Shawn Hooven
3. 19 Keith Sinkula
4. 99 Reese Chase
Champ Carts
1. 96 Chase Fitzgerald
2. 7 Dustin Chisholm
3. 99 J.D. Cordon
4. 44 Tara Henderson
5. 8 Doug Schmidt
6. 63 Ed Brillhante
7. 30 Billy Smith
8 33 Mitch Stevens
9 29 Ron Sanford
10 14 Tim Simmons
11 3 Andy Whalh
12 26 Eric Gary
13 10 Andrew Carter
14 15 Chris Ellis
15 70 Tim Moore
16 77 Andy Lasserra
17 52 Mark Klauss
18 47 Wesley Gonzales
19 37 Alan McKinney
20 66 Dave Harp
21 31 Rusty Chancy
22 0 Darin Coker
23 06 Tim Ellis
24 16 Paul Letournear
25 61 P.J. Letgurnealu
26 1 Dennis Mace
27 4 Wesley Walker
28 5 Rick Ellis
29 03 Paul Lawson
30 38 Trevor Wilson
31 73 Kenner Brown III Dqed light
Legends
1. 17 Mark Hooven
2. 00 Darin Cooker
3. 9 Mitch Verhaugh
4. 48 Carl Haag
5. 38 Mike Fazio
6. 55 Conrad Molter
7. 14 Brady Marshall
Road Warrior
1. 14 Randy Kyle
2. 27 Derrick Horton
3. 7 Blane Blair
4. 1 Rick Reed
5. 10 Jason Miller
6. 5 Jeremy Daring
7. A1 Jessee Gargus
8. 29 Don Jericka
9. 9 Nic Ortega
10. 8 Shane Leonard
11. 96 Joe Morales
12. 97 Chris Scott
13. 74 Billy Benoit
14. 33 Chris Loney DQed