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Luke Thomas Wins The Final Night Taking Home The Winternationals Championship For The Mini Sprints At East Bay Raceway Park

Luke Thomas wins on final night of the Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park for the 38th Annual Winternationals.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – It was the final night of the 38^th Annual Winternationals featuring the 360 Sprints and the Florida Mini Sprint Association. Over 30 cars were on hand for the Mini Sprints and over 50 cars for the 360 Sprints.

The night kicked off with four heats for the Mini Sprints with Sammy LaMothe of Yardville, NJ, Tyler Devault of Delron, NJ, Austin Rice of Venice, FL and Alex Bright of Collegeville, PA all winning their preliminary heats.

Next were the six heat races for the 360 Sprints with Jason Sides, Danny Smith, Terry McCarl, Lou Kennedy, Greg Hodnett and Thomas Kennedy all winning their preliminary heats and advancing to the $10,000 A-Main 40 Lap 13^th Annual Ronald Laney Memorial.

Next up was the B-Main for the Mini Sprints with Tyler Walton of Mifflintown, Pa with Chad Sandt, David Hall, John Crowder and Brett Micholski rounding out the top five.

After the top eight in points had their hot lap sessions, the Mini Sprints would line up for the 25 Lap A-Main with Thursday’s winner Luke Thomas and Tyler Devault making up the front row. The green waved and it was Thomas taking off and leading the first three laps until the first caution came out as Danny Sams, Jr. spun in turn one. Thomas was leading with Devault, Sammy LaMothe, Kameron Morral and Trevor Baker your top five. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:35:33-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

WAYNE JOHNSON HOLDS OFF ABREU TO CLAIM $10,000 IN THE 13TH ANNUAL RONALD LANEY MEMORIAL AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK

Wayne Johnson with close friend of Ronald Laney Michelle Larson together in Victory Lane celebrating his win over Rico Abreau.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – Wayne Johnson had his Charlie Fisher powered- XXX chassis dialed in to perfection and his driving skills were never sharper than Saturday night when he started on pole and left his competition, mainly young Rico Abreu, searching for 40 laps for a way around the Knoxville, Iowa resident.

The occasion was the l3th Annual Ronald Laney Memorial at East Bay Raceway Park where Johnson put an exclamation point to the 38^th Winternationals standing in victory lane with his $10,000 check and wearing the crown for being “King of the 360’s” for the second time in four years. His repeat win in the race was an emotional time for Johnson, because he counted Ronald as a good friend for many years and misses him a lot.

“Even though the track was different tonight from last night when I won, we made very few changes to the car and the only trouble I had was on the last restart when my tire was going down and I had to keep the heat in it to build up the pressure. My crew Daryl Turfurd and Conner Nelson had the car really nice and Scott Billish is back on board as a sponsor after being away for four years. Brad Benic builds Momentum Shocks while Russell Swartz proved the ‘Outlaw Wings’ that we run are not junk!” He also acknowledged his other sponsors Miles Hill, Todd Carlisle, Ray Williams and Vern Rengen. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:31:33-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Florida’s Kyle Bronson Pulls Off World of Outlaws Late Model Series Shocker In DIRTcar Nationals by Summit Finale

Young Sunshine State Racer Tames Star-Studded Field At Volusia Speedway Park For First-Ever Super Late Model Victory

022214_DCN_LM_Bronson BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 22, 2014 – Kyle Bronson of Tampa, Fla., became the latest upset winner of a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, capturing Saturday night’s 50-lap A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park for his first-ever victory behind the wheel of a Super Late Model.

A 23-year-old open-wheel Modified standout in the Sunshine State, Bronson joined Thursday-night victor Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., as unexpected first-time WoO LMS winners during the 43^rd DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment. His $10,500 triumph in the finale of the mid-winter motorsports meet also was the second of the week for a home state driver following the win by Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., in the DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned event on Feb. 17.

“This is unbelievable,” said Bronson, whose win came in the just the eighth Super Late Model start of his fledgling racing career. “I’ve never doubted myself, but I dang sure didn’t think I was gonna come here and win the race. If you would’ve asked me (about winning a WoO LMS event) a couple days ago, I would’ve told you that you were crazy. We had our goals set (for the DIRTcar Nationals) to try and make all of (the features).

“I don’t know what to say. I’m so excited I don’t even know how to show it right now.” (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T19:26:09-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Still Super: Matt Sheppard Puts his New Colors in Volusia’s Victory lane

Stewart Friesen takes home the “big gator” after finishing second Saturday

021814_DCN_MattSheppard BARBERVILLE, FLA. – February 22, 2014 – Big-Block Modified racer Matt Sheppard, of Waterloo, N.Y., took almost no time to grow accustomed to his new car. Sheppard started driving the Heinke-Baldwin Racing No. 9H earlier this week, and already he has claimed victory in Saturday’s finale for the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

“To come down here and win the biggest race, come right out of the box, it means a lot to this team,” Sheppard said of Saturday’s 50-lap Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series race at Volusia Speedway Park. “I can’t thank all the guys over here with HBR enough. They’ve been working their tails off all week on both cars and I think it showed tonight. We got the cars better every night. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.”

Sheppard started the race from fourth and his HBR teammate Jimmy Phelps, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., started on the pole. Phelps led at the green flag, but Frenchtown, N.J. driver Billy Pauch was quick to make his move from second. Pauch cruised around the outside lane, passing Phelps before the leaders reached the backstretch. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:58:42-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Citrus County Speedway Race Finishes for February 22, 2014

Open Wheel Mods Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
43 Gator Hise Inverness 1
982 L. J. Grimm Seffner 2
99 Cody Stickler Pinellas Park 3
98 Robbie Cooper Bronson 4
19 Keith Brendel Leesburg, GA 5
90 Cody Johnson Ocala 6

Mini Stocks Feature
Car-# Drivers Name Home Town Finish
73 Jason Terry Bellview 1
11 Jerry Daniels Weirsdale 2
33 Bill Ryan Bushnell 3
24 Tim Scalise Lutz 4
199 Chris Hennessy Beverly Hills 5
22 Mark Patterson Webster 6 (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:53:42-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Citrus County Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

VETERAN WAYNE JOHNSON WINS FRIDAY PRELIMINARY 360 RACE IN WIRE TO WIRE FASHION AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK

Veteran Wayne Johnson wins night #2 and looks to be the first driver to win Ronald Laney Memorials. Johnson won the event back in 2010.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – On Friday night when Wayne Johnson thought there was no way he would be racing, let alone winning, the odds turned in favor of the Knoxville, Iowa driver and he started on the front row of the final preliminary 25-lap feature leading up to the East Bay Raceway’s 16^th Annual King of 360’s and ended up in victory lane with a check for $1,500.

All day long 53 racers worked on their cars in a leisurely fashion as fans wondered in and out of the pits and facilities at East Bay just waiting for the predicted heavy rains that never came. The storms that skirted the Tampa race track had already washed out races that were scheduled at other tracks. But, the anticipated rain never happened and the track crew readied the surface for racing and tickets were sold and the race went on as scheduled.

The preliminary events were held and the feature for the qualified 20 cars were set showing Danny Wood from Norman, Oklahoma and Johnson bringing the field to the initial green ahead of Lou Kennedy from Winnipeg, British Columbia and Bryan Sebetto out of Fremont, Ohio in row two.

It was Johnson that put down an impressive five laps to lead the field before the only yellow flag waved for Chad Kemenah who spun on the back stretch and Hud Horton with no place to go got collected. As the green replaced the yellow, Johnson continued his domination and pulled away from Wood, Sebetto and Greg Wilson. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:46:43-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Casey Roberts Runs Race Of His Life To Win First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main At Volusia Speedway Park

Georgia Driver Overtakes Bloomquist For Lead In Thrilling DIRTcar Nationals by Summit Headliner

022014_DCN_LM_graphic BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 20, 2014 – Casey Roberts wasn’t running at the finish of the three dirt Late Model features that kicked off the 43^rd annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

But when the checkered flag flew on the fourth race – Thursday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main – the unheralded 36-year-old driver from Toccoa, Ga., was first across the finish line.

Roberts pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the DIRTcar Nationals by Summit, passing dirt-track legend Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., coming to the white flag to become the mid-winter motorsports meet’s third first-time dirt Late Model winner in four events.

Refusing to concede after losing the lead to Bloomquist on lap 31, Roberts patiently stuck to the bottom of the half-mile oval and slipped ahead of Wednesday night’s DIRTcar Late Model feature victor to gain command as lap 49 was scored. The Peach State racer then staved off a last-ditch bid by Bloomquist to score his first-ever WoO LMS triumph by a mere. 0.185 of a second.

Roberts’s dramatic drive to a win worth $10,550 ignited the large Volusia crowd, which gave the consummate underdog a rousing welcome when he emerged from his Cushman Motorsports Capital Race Car in Victory Lane.

“I’m pretty much a no-name or whatever,” Roberts modestly said while standing on the homestretch stage following the race. “I guess everybody thinks it’s good to see guys like me win. “I’ll tell ‘ya, I’m just blessed to be here. It feels like it’s not even really happening.” (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:37:22-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

YOUNG PARKER PRICE-MILLER OUTRAN A STOUT FIELD OF DRIVERS AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK’S 38TH ANNUAL WINTERNATIONALS

15 yr old Price Parker-Miller held off a stellar field to win in only his fifth start in a 360 Sprint capturing night number one of the King of the 360 Sprints weekend at East Bay Raceway Parks 38th Annual Winternationals.
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – Kokomo, Indiana’s young Parker Price-Miller, just 15 years old, made an impressive debut in front of a field of experienced veteran drivers and a few other “rookies” opening night of a three-day show to determine the 16^th Annual King of 360’s at East Bay Raceway Park.

After starting sixth in his heat and finishing second, he gained enough passing points to start outside Danny Smith on the front row of the 25-lap feature. The young driver was able to steer his Wesmar-powered XXX chassis set up to perfection by veteran crew chief Rick Ferkel, around the inside lane and lead every lap despite several serious challenges by third starting Wayne Johnson.

The crowd listened intently as track announcer Russ Calabrese interviewed the youth and learned that tonight was only his fifth time in the 360 sprint car. The happy winner of the $l,500 first place prize normally runs USAC midgets for Powri. Parker admitted,”I could see Wayne sticking his nose inside me a couple of times, but I wanted this win. Now that I’m here in victory lane I’m shocked that I won.” (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T18:28:00-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Luke Thomas Back In Victory Lane At East Bay Raceway Park’s Final Weekend Of The 38th Annual Winternationals

Luke Thomas from Dover, DE finds himself back in Victory Lane on the first night of the Florida Mini Sprints Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park’s 38th Annual Winternationals in Tampa, FL
Photo Credit: Mike Horne

TAMPA, FL – Night number one for the King of the 360 Sprints and the Florida Mini Sprints kicked off tonight for the final weekend of the 38^th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park.

The Florida Mini Sprint Association started with their four heat races. Winning their heats were Tyler Walton from Mifflintown, PA. Heat number two went to Luke Thomas from Dover, DE. Heat three went to Alex Bright from Deland, FL and the final heat race went to Jim Young from Johnstown, PA.

Next were the heat races for the 360 Sprints. Winning their heat races were Jerod Roller, Robbie Smith, Russ Hall, Chad Kemenah, Etienne Girard and Bryan Sebetto.

The B-Main for the Mini Sprints would roll out next taking the top six to advance to the A-Main. Advancing was Robbie Smith, David Hall, Connor Borah, Austin Bishop, Joseph Smith and Danny Sams.

The next event would be the Dash and would determine the starting order for the 25 Lap A-Main. Winning the Dash was Luke Thomas followed by Travis Senter, Tyler Walton, Sammy LaMore, Jim Young, Alex Bright, Robbie Hoffman and Paige Moss.

The feature would follow a brief intermission and Thomas and Senter would make up the front row for the feature. The green flag waved and Thomas quickly jumped out front but was all for none as Trevor Baker spun in turn two and the field would have to do a complete restart. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T08:28:48-05:00February 23rd, 2014|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Stewart Friesen dominates Big-Block Modified feature at DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment

Strong finishes two nights keep Haers in event point lead

Frieson 2014 BARBERVILLE, FLA. – February 20, 2014 – Big-Block Modified driver Stewart Friesen made his way into Super DIRTcar Series victory lane early this year, picking up the win Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park. The Niagara-on-the-Lake native dominated the second Super DIRTcar Series race of DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment, leading the 30-lap feature flag-to-flag.

“We were very happy to win tonight,” said Friesen, whose last Super DIRTcar Series victory was the World of Outlaws World Finals finale last November. “We had a great race car.”

Thursday’s win launched Friesen’s event point standing from seventh to second, putting him that much closer to winning the big gator trophy.

Friesen led from the green flag Thursday after winning his heat race and redrawing this first spot on the starting grid. Aussie driver Pete Britten, who gave Haers a run for his money Wednesdaybut finished seventh, shared the front row with Friesen at the initial start and held on to second as Friesen pulled ahead to lead.

Haers came up third and Billy VanInwegen fourth. Behind them, Billy Pauch, of Frenchtown, N.J., and Mario Clair, of Drummondville, Quebec, were quickly making moves to push their way forward. Pauch passed VanInwegen in lap 1 and by lap 4 Clair was close behind. (more…)

By Scott|2014-02-23T08:21:10-05:00February 23rd, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off