Ocala, FL- The NeSmith Crate Late Models, Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, TQ Late Models, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators all put on a show for the ages at Bubba Raceway Park.
The TQ Late Models opened up the program with John Hopke jumping to the early lead. Terry Wright would steal it away on lap three as Hopke would have a right rear tire go flat. A few cautions early kept the field tight, but Terry Wright would never look back as he took home a big win over David Rader. Dalton Hopke slipped out of four at the end which allowed John Hopke to jump into third over Dalton. Jerry Heflin rounded out the top five.
Scorpion Racing Products Modifieds kicked it off with Roger Crouse shooting to the lead from fourth starting position. Rich Pratt would slow from fourth on lap fourteen and the resulting caution put Jeff Mathews in the pits as well; Crouse, Bryan Bernhardt, and Shane Nichols would restart as the top three with eleven to go. Mathews and Bernhardt would put on a mega fight, but Crouse won by a straightaway over Mathews and Bernhardt, respectively. Nichols and Scott Kurtzner completed the top five.
Devin Walker jumped out front of the Hobby Stocks early, but Jeff Sargent slowed the action when his right rear tire left and went to “Tarp City” in turn one. Walker would give up the lead to pit under caution leaving Sean Monoghan with the lead with 19 to go. Walker would take the lead just past halfway and Walker walked away with it for his fourth win of the season. Monoghan would finish second with Ray Ethrdige, Jon Layerd, and Eric Moon the top five.
Nesmith Crate Late Model action started off intense with eleven year old Tyler Clem leading the field and pulling away. Clem would cross it up out of four on lap seven and Bryan Bernhardt would steal the lead; however, Clem would not give up as he held on to second until Kenny Monohan spun on lap eleven and collected Billy Holmes in the wreck. Both would continue from the tail. Clem used the restart to grab the lead back on lap fourteen but Bernhardt would not leave the eleven year old alone. Bernhardt would lead lap seventeen but Clem continued to power down in one and two before slipping in three and four and letting “Double B” hold the point. Mathews would enter the battle and knock Clem down to third with Bernhardt the winner and Mathews second. Phil Cobb and Jake Perkins- in his dirt debut- rounded out the top five.
The 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks never disappoint and Brandon Elwood took the early lead as his #28 was hooked up. Jason Gamble was chasing him down but the #21 failed him on lap six and left William Gillam and Jonathan Appleby to take the fight to Elwood. Appleby would take that lead on lap twelve and hold on through the final caution to win over Elwood. Brandon Tillander took home a career best third, Joey Durbin finished fourth, and William Edwards completed the top five.
Stephen Frankland and Brandon Haseleu went at it in the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators with Frankland leading 11 of the 15 laps to win his ninth feature of 2013. Haseleu finished second and Tom Sheehan rounded out the podium.
Next week is Night of a Thousands (Must have 21 cars for the $1000 prize) for the Limited Sprints, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, and 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks. E-Mods are on the schedule but are subject to change. For more info please visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com or call us at 352-622-9400!