The Rocketman Ritchie Stephens Wins 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship At East Bay Raceway Park

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February 2, 2013 – Tampa, FL – It was the final night of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship. Drivers from as far as Alabama came to participate in this event. After two nights of racing, the top six were locked into the 40 Lap A-Main $1,500 to win. Top six drivers locked in were Brian Morgan, Scotty Kay, Jr., Thomas Burnside, Eric Moon, Brian Hansford and Buck Woodhouse.

The night would start with three heat races. The first heat was won by Kevin Durden from Archer, FL. The second heat race was won by the defending Champion Tim Powers from Okeechobee, FL and the final heat was won by Ritchie Stephens from Salem, AL.

After the heat races were run for the Fastrak Late Models, the top six came out for their own hot lap session and would park on the front stretch to redraw from positions 1-6. The man on top of the point standings Brian Morgan had the option to go first or go last. He chose first and had a young fan come out and draw for him. The young man drew the fourth position. Next up was Scotty Kay, Jr. as he did the same but had a young lady come draw for him and she drew the sixth position. Thomas Burnside drew the pole position for the A-Main. The defending 2012 East Bay Street Stock Champion Eric Moon drew the second spot while Brian Hansford drew fifth and Buck Woodhouse drew the third spot. (more…)

By |2013-02-03T07:01:53-05:00February 3rd, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off on The Rocketman Ritchie Stephens Wins 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship At East Bay Raceway Park

First Time Winner In Victory Lane As Brian Morgan Wins Night Number #2 Of 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship

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February 1, 2013, – Tampa, FL – It was night #2 of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship on a beautiful cool night here at East Bay Raceway Park. 25 cars registered for the 25 Lap Feature Event to be held later in the evening.

The first of three heat races was won by Brian Morgan from Okeechobee, FL. Heat race #2 went to Tampa’s own Thomas Burnside and the final heat race went to last night’s Feature Winner from Salem, AL “The Rocketman” Ritchie Stephens.

After the heat races were run for the Fastrak Late Models, it was time for the Feature Event. On the front row from Okeechobee, FL, last year’s Champion Tim Powers, and beside him on the outside was Tampa’s Roy Woodhouse. The green flag waved and Scotty Kay, Jr. spun over in turn two bringing out the caution and a complete restart. On the second attempt of the green flag, Roy Woodhouse spun in turn four collecting Dennis Williams of Zephryhills who finished second last night and Jeff Rodgers of Lithia. Rodgers was able to continue but ended Williams hope. (more…)

By |2013-02-03T00:49:33-05:00February 3rd, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off on First Time Winner In Victory Lane As Brian Morgan Wins Night Number #2 Of 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship

RIGHT FOOT RONNY BACK IN VICTORY LANE AFTER THIRD NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS WIN

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OCALA, FL – Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL returned to familiar ground on Friday night at Bubba Raceway Park as he pulled his Sparks Motorsports Special into victory lane for the third time in four nights after winning the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented By Racecar Engineering 40-lap main event.

Hollingsworth started fifth and worked his way to the front of the pack to take the lead on the sixth lap. Right Foot Ronny then held off a late race challenge from Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA to take the $2,000 victory.

“We’ve been good here since we unloaded for practice on Monday, and tonight we just tried to stay out of trouble in the early laps,” Hollingsworth said. “Once we took the lead we were committed to the bottom of the race track. I got into Davenport one time, and I apologize for that, but I guess that’s just part of racing trying to hold your ground.”

(more…)

By |2013-02-03T01:02:48-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series|Comments Off on RIGHT FOOT RONNY BACK IN VICTORY LANE AFTER THIRD NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS WIN

BRONSON WINS WILD NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS BRP SPEEDWEEKS NIGHT THREE RACE

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OCALA, FL – Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL survived a wild NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series 40-lap main event on Thursday night to win the Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented By Racecar Engineering event at Bubba Raceway Park. Bronson swapped the lead on several occasions before taking the $2,000 win driving the Brandon Ford Warrior.

Bronson led the first 14 laps of the race before dropping back to the fourth spot, but he rallied back to survive a tangle in front of him between the top two cars. That incident led to Bronson reclaiming the lead on lap 32.

Bronson then held off a challenge from two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN to take his first series career win with a 1.216 second margin of victory. Bronson finished second in the 40-lap NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented By Racecar Engineering event on Tuesday night.

“There were slid jobs being thrown all over the place tonight, so when I saw how we were going to race, I got in there with them,” Bronson said. “There is some great competition here, so it feels great to win and we’re looking forward to the rest of the week.”

(more…)

By |2013-02-03T01:09:16-05:00February 1st, 2013|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series|Comments Off on BRONSON WINS WILD NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS BRP SPEEDWEEKS NIGHT THREE RACE

Eventful Show Put’s Florida Native in Victory Lane for FASTRAK’S Race #1 in $40,000 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals

(Tampa, Florida) – The 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals has now officially got underway. Wednesday night Open Practice got things rebirthed at East Bay Raceway Park. However on a Thursday night in Race #1 of the Winternationals things got put into “full force” as the FASTRAK Racing Series invaded the 1/3rd mile dirt facility. The decision was made before the Heat Races took staging that every driver would start the 1st ever 30 lap A-Main Feature paying $2,000 to win. Here’s a recap of Heat Winners at East Bay Raceway Park which sets the field.

Heat Race Races Winners – Night #1 at East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Florida
FK Rod Ends Heat #1 – #69b Bryan Bernhardt
Hoosier Race Tires Heat #2 – #11c Chris Ferguson
Integra Race Shocks Heat #3 – #11 David Smith
Chevy Performance Heat #4 – #58 Mark Whitener (VP Race for the Pole FAST Qualifier)

The 27 car field from 6 states “hyped up” the crowd after driver introductions including the 4-wide salute then it was time to go to work. “Rockin’ Ronnie” was ready to unfurl the green flag to the field and the 1st ever FASTRAK Racing Series event in Florida was underway. The yellow would quickly come out as fast as the green fell however when #99 Scott Chenoweth spins solo off turn 4 at the official start. The yellow flag fell again when #68 Kurt Waush and #8s Steve Miller lock up horns spinning unison into the infield in turn 3. There was another period of “stop and go” periods in the race involving solo cautions falling for drivers – #20 Wayne Robertson, #14 Mark Varnadore, #8b Steve Banal, #95 Devin Dixon and #07 Doug Watson. The “BIG ONE” took place early in the going involving 7 cars exiting off turn 4. #69 Bryan Bernhardt shot up the “tator patch” driving up to high and looping the car around. (more…)

By |2013-02-01T17:13:06-05:00February 1st, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off on Eventful Show Put’s Florida Native in Victory Lane for FASTRAK’S Race #1 in $40,000 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals

The Rocketman Ritchie Stephens Wins Opening Night At East Bay Raceway Park

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January 31, 2013 – Tampa, FL – It was a cool night for the first night of the 37th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. 27 cars registered for the 25 Lap A-Main for Thursday night. Winning the first heat of the night was the 2011 East Bay Raceway Park Street Stock Champion was Jeff Rodgers from Lithia, FL. Heat race #2 went to Dennis Williams from Zephryhills, FL and heat #3 went to last year’s Winternationals Champion from Okeechobee, FL Tim Powers.

For the 25 Lap Feature Event it was Ronnie Whitley from Zephryhills and Brian Morgan from Okeechobee on the front row. When the green flag waved, Powers shot past the front two and led the way until Kevin Durden spun bringing out the caution and a complete restart.

The field lined back up and once again the green flag waved and it was this time Brian Morgan leading the field into turn one. Red flag came out on lap two as several cars got tangled up on the backstretch. Involved in the accident was Terry Jones and Dennis Wilson, Jr.. Drivers were okay but both of the cars were unable to continue.

On the restart it was Morgan once again showing his muscle until lap five it was “The Rocketman” Ritchie Stephens from Salem, AL taking over the top spot. Caution came out on lap eight as Jason Harrison spun in turn four.

At the halfway point, Stephens continued to show the way, but on lap sixteen Powers slowed down and brought out the caution and headed to the pits. Stephens was leading with Dennis Wilson right on his back bumper. Powers was able to return just before the green flag waved. (more…)

By |2013-02-01T06:50:20-05:00February 1st, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off on The Rocketman Ritchie Stephens Wins Opening Night At East Bay Raceway Park

RIGHT FOOT RONNY ON A ROLL IN NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS BRP ACTION

OCALA, FL – Ronny Lee Hollingsworth is on a roll in NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented By Racecar Engineering action at Bubba Raceway Park.  Right Foot Ronny made it two straight on Wednesday night with a win in the 40-lap main event driving the Sparks Motorsports Special.

Hollingsworth claimed his ground in the Bubba Raceway Park Victory Lane and hoisted the $2,000 check after taking a 2.340 second margin of victory over Walker Arthur of Forest, VA, who finished second in the Cecil B. Arthur Beef Farms Special.  Justin McRee of Cottondale, AL took the third spot in the High Roller Race Cars Special.

After the first two nights of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series competition, Hollingsworth has a perfect 200 points and holds a 14 point advantage over McRee, who is in the second spot in the points chase with 186.  Hollingsworth made it a “clean sweep” on Wednesday night by setting fast time honors, winning his ten-lap heat race, and taking the main event.

Shan Smith of Dade City, FL was fourth in the Outlaw Race Parts TNT and defending NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Champion Chase Washington of Houlka, MS finished fifth in the Jerry Inmon Racing Special.  Ryan Montgomery of Fairmount, WV started 18th in the Central Supply Warrior and finished sixth to earn the Hedman Husler of the Race Award.

Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, FL took the seventh spot in the Harrod Logging Special and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN was eighth in the Eads Farms/Hardy & Associates Warrior.  Jeff Mathews of Valrico, FL drove the CURS Warrior to a ninth-place finish.  Austin Kirkpatrick of Ocala, FL rounded out the top ten in the Sonny’s BBQ Special and was the Rookie of the Race. (more…)

By |2013-01-31T16:18:08-05:00January 31st, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series|Comments Off on RIGHT FOOT RONNY ON A ROLL IN NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS BRP ACTION

EAGLE JET JOINS TOP GUN SPRINTS IN 2013

01/30/2013 – Top Gun Sprint Series is very proud to welcome Rick Gabor and Eagle Jet International on board as our title sponsor in 2013.  Rick has long been a sponsor and supporter of auto racing in many venues.  His experience and knowledge will be an invaluable asset.

Eagle Jet International’s association with the National Center for Prevention and Research Solutions (NCPRS) will also be involved with TGSS with their Race Against Drugs Stay on Track Activity Books.  These will be presented to the tracks for distribution to children attending the races to encourage them to live drug free and healthier lives.

Since the inception of the company in 1996, Eagle Jet International has become the largest Airline Pilot First Officer training company in the world. Eagle Jet International has trained pilots to fly for every U.S. regional airline, as well as several European and Sky Team Alliance airlines throughout the world. Eagle Jet, through their three year commitment of support, will take the Top Gun Sprint Series to another level and allow many more opportunities to promote dirt sprint car racing.

For more information about Eagle Jet International, please visit www.eaglejet.com

By |2013-01-31T03:20:30-05:00January 31st, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Top Gun Sprints|Comments Off on EAGLE JET JOINS TOP GUN SPRINTS IN 2013

Wright Motorsports/Snow Racing Leads Class Twice And Finishes 11th at Rolex 24; Line-up Included Race’s First Mother-Son Co-Drivers

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 30 —Wright Motorsports/Snow Racing’s UIS Porsche GT3 Cup No. 62 led the Grand Touring (GT) division two different times and went on to finish 11th out of 34 cars in the division Sunday at the 51st annual Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

“We had a great first half of the race, as we were able to race into the lead by sheer speed and run in the top three,” said Wright Motorsports owner John Wright. “We had two slight mechanical issues in the second half of the race that got us, but the drivers did a phenomenal job and the crew was outstanding. Our Porsche engine ran flawlessly, and we were able to finish. We want to thank UIS, Porsche Motorsports North America, Bilstein and also BMC&G for their great driveline service.” (more…)

By |2013-01-31T02:46:45-05:00January 31st, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off on Wright Motorsports/Snow Racing Leads Class Twice And Finishes 11th at Rolex 24; Line-up Included Race’s First Mother-Son Co-Drivers

Lanigan Ready To Pick Up Where He Left Off Last Year On World of Outlaws Late Model Series

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Defending Champ Has Plenty Of Motivation, Including Bid For Elusive WoO Victory During UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit
CONCORD, NC – Jan. 29, 2013 – Think Darrell Lanigan spent some time kicking back to savor his spectacular 2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship season?

Well, guess again. The ultra-competitive superstar from Union, Ky., basically put his record-smashing season in his rearview mirror as soon as he picked up his $100,000 points-fund check at the national tour’s awards ceremony in early November.

“I never took a day off,” Lanigan said of his off-season itinerary. “Right after the (WoO LMS) banquet we were in the shop and right back at it. We never had any down time.”

There simply was too much work on Lanigan’s docket for the 42-year-old to rest – even for a few short days – on his well-earned laurels. He determined that any break in focus would hinder his preparation for February’s season-opening burst of WoO LMS action, which includes the ‘Winter Freeze’ doubleheader on Feb. 8-9 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.; the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals on Feb. 15-17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.; and the three 50-lap, $10,000-to-win programs on Feb. 21-23 that comprise half the dirt Late Model portion of the 42nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park. (more…)

By |2013-01-30T22:48:37-05:00January 30th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off on Lanigan Ready To Pick Up Where He Left Off Last Year On World of Outlaws Late Model Series