Daniel Webster (33) returned to Citrus County Speedway this past Saturday night after running some out of town tracks the past month. Webster took his talents north, to Anderson, IN to run in the ARCA/CRA super series. Webster had never even seen the track before, and managed to survive one of the toughest tracks in the Midwest. Webster came home with a solid 6th place finish against some of the best driving talent in the country. Webster then visited another track he had seen before, but never driven. Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola was his next stop for one of the Blizzard 100 races that lead up to the well know Snowball Derby. Again Webster ran well inside the top 10, before a crash with 2 laps to go, collected him ending his night.
Last time at Citrus, Webster debut his new car affectionately named “stealth”, and came away with an impressive victory in his first visit of the year. This week Webster brought out an older Port City car the he has run for the last 5 years. The car did set fast time in last years season ending Florida United Promoters Series 100, but it’s hard not to bring back the car that you won with just a month ago.
16 Super Late Models registered to compete in their 35 lap feature event Saturday night, with Jim Smith (3) leading the field to green from the pole position. Smith would jump out to and early lead, beating outside pole sitter Keith Zavrel (47) to turn 1. Caution would waive on lap 1 for an incident involving Herb Neumann Jr (98), T J Duke (28), and Brannen Hester (77). Smith would lead the field to green with Drew Brannon (82) in 2nd, and Zavrel in 3rd. Zavrel would soon be under pressure from David King (22) for 3rd, King would use the proverbial “chrome horn” to move Zavrel up the track, and go by to take the 3rd position. While Smith continued to lead, 8th place starter Scott Grossenbacher, 10th place starter Daniel Webster (33), and 9th place Starter Neumann were making their march to the front. Grossenbacher would get by King for 3rd and bring Webster with him for the 4th spot. Webster went to work right way on Grossenbacher, and took away the 3rd spot on the outside, bringing Neumann with him to 4th. Up front the battle was heating up as Brannon had caught Smith, and began to pour on the pressure. Just as the cars completed lap 21, Brannon made his move. Brannon pulled even on the inside of Smith entering turn 1, Brannon appeared to get very loose under Smith, sliding up into Smith. Both cars would make contact, and Brannon would spin to the infield. Caution would fly once again, and with neither driver wanting to take blame for the incident, both were sent to the rear. This left Webster in the cat birds seat again, leading with just 14 laps left. But behind him was track champion Neumann, who had followed Webster through the field on every pass. Webster rocketed away on the restart, and never looked back, taking his 2nd victory in as many trips to the Speedway this year. Neumann came home a distant 2nd with Grossenbacher holding out for 3rd. Heat race winners were Grossenbacher and Brannon. The points lead changed hands once again this week, as Grossenbacher moves to the top of the mountain with his 3rd place finish.
14 Street Stocks spent the whole night chasing down Craig Cuzzone (88) from his pole starting position. Cuzzone would survive 4 cautions after lap 13 of their 20 lap feature to take his first feature win of 2012. Behind the leader the racing was exciting, 2nd – 6th place were waged in a side by side battle over the final three laps that saw Tim Alexander hold out for 2nd place just ahead of 13th place starter Bubba Martone (98) in 3rd. Heat race winners were David Kingsbury (73) and Mike Wilson (79).
9 Modified Mini Stocks came to green with Jessica Robbins (09) on the pole position along side Chris Snow (29). Robbins jumped out to an early lead before the divisions heavy hitters made their way to the front. Lap 8 saw James Ellis (98) hopes of a repeat victory go away, as he was black flagged for a mechanical issue. 8th place starter Clint Foley would make quick work of the field again, moving to the top spot near the half way point of the event. Foley would go on to take his 5th feature win of the season and complete the clean sweep after winning the nights only heat race. Phil Edwards would come from his 6th starting spot to get by Robbins for 2nd in the closing laps of the event, Robbins would come home 3rd.
11 Mini Stocks saw Kevin Stone (98) make a daring 3 wide pass for the lead on the first lap from his 3rd starting position. Stone would get by the front row machines of Buddy Mallory (51) and Sonya Heater (71) for the lead. Stones good luck would run out as he would spin off of turn 2 while in the lead, handing the lead over to 2nd running Jesse Mallory (50) for the restart. Mallory would lead the field to green with Jeremy Sharrone (32) just behind in 2nd. Sharrone would waste little time going for the lead, getting by Mallory on lap 13 for the top spot. Sharrone would go on to take his 5th feature win of the year with Time Scalise charging from 8th to 2nd at the finish. Jesse Mallory would hold on the 3rd position. Sharrone was also your heat race winner.
Darly Veltman took his 1st feature win ever just a few short weeks ago in the hornet division. Looks like once he got a taste of victory lane, he doesn’t want to leave. Veltman launched from his pole position to run away with the 15 lap hornet feature, and take his 2nd victory of 2012. Chris Hennesey came home a distant 2nd followed by James Fisher (98) in 3rd.
This coming Saturday night will be a great one at Citrus County Speedway. The Florida United Promoters truck series will make their first visit in several years for their 50 lap event. This is the first time the trucks have been back in several years, and they always put on a great show. Also headlining the night will be a 50 Sportsman race, are local classes only get a few extra distance race each year, so you can count on a great race. Finishing out the race car will be the Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, and the Pro figure 8 cars. Should be a great night of racing, grab you friends, family, and neighbors and come out and enjoy a great night of short track racing at Citrus County Speedway!