Tony Carreno, The Man, The Myth, The Legend behind Circle C’s Ranch

What is circle C’s Ranch you may ask?  It is a 40 acre grassy horse stable and training facility in Lutz, FL.   And to be honest the legend behind the ranch is not Tony but his wife Cheryl.   Your next question is probably ehat does it have to do with Florida short trackracing?  Well that is where Tony comes into play.  Tony a former great at open wheel modified racing in Florida took part of the ranch and built a dirt track for hid grandson to practice go carts on.  Eventually they turned that into an asphalt track and are currently building another dirt track.  Who is his Grandson you may ask?  Well it is the one and only 12 year old Colton “The Bolt” Bettis.

I know a lot of you have heard me joke about Circle C’s ranch being the boot camp of go karting, but in a way that’s not true and in a way it is.   But Circle’s ranch is really where boy’s become men and legends in racing are born.  Again I have joked that Tony is the Mr. Miyagi of go karting and in a small way he is.

A lot of you may think that is strange and that is just someone wasting money on their grandchildren, but that is far from the truth.  While this track has propelled Colton into a karting champion and now a sprint car driver at 12, it is not all fun and games.  Before the karting there are many life lesson’s being taught here.  To get to earn karting time there is respect being taught and a lot of hard work.  Like on the tractor and move the dirt here and there to earn time to train.  He is teaching the kids ” His Grandson and friends to become nice young men and future races with manners and endurance training.

Life lessons that will take them far in like and the racing world.  Tony was one of the greats in open wheel racing Florid with lot’s of wins and he put that all a side when his Grandson was born, and had nos now carried this on to his grandson’s friend as well.  Many of Florida’s future racers have had a lesson or two at this remote ranch or training ground.

We all know racing takes money but in reality there is a lot more to it than that.  Tony is a man with a heart of gold and is teaching these kids the right way and making men out of boy’s and leaving a future in a better place. He does this not for fame or attention but to leave our world a better place and to help develop our future.   He is a man with few words and someone I respect and appreciate.  Someone I thought you should know a little more about with this story.

A story of what racing is really about.

Thank You Tony for the many contributions to our sport and we wont name them all here.

Video of the kids racing:

Interview after a training session:

Miller Wins Southern Sprint Car Shootout series Opener 4-17 Southern Speedway

Story by Pavement Pounders David Sink:

MILLER BEATS SAND AND COMPETITION TO WIN SOUTHERN SPRINTS OPENER

February 19, 2022 – Punta Gorda, Florida – Daniel Miller beat out a stout field and track conditions to win the BG Products Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series season opener Saturday night at 417 Speedway. It was Miller’s first victory in SSSS competition since June 20, 2020.

Miller, who started from the pole position after a blind draw, lead wire-to wire to capture the 40-lap feature in convincing fashion. The only serious threat to Miller’s lead occurred late in the race when Scott Adema challenged him on a double-file restart. Miller fended off Adema and never looked back.

Throughout most of the race, sand was being kicked up on the track due to the whirlwind the wings were producing, most notably in turns two and four. The track conditions made most of the cars race sideways throughout the biggest part of the race, including Miller himself.

The race saw several early favorites exit early due to mechanical woes including Troy DeCaire and Davey Hamilton Jr.

“There was sand everywhere tonight” stated Miller in victory lane. “For some reason this track gets very dirty with sand. Starting up front tonight definitely helped me, but as good as the car felt, I feel like we could have put it up front no matter where we would have started.”

“We never really had any close calls other than getting into the sand in turn one. When that would happen, the car would step out. Other than that, it was a clean race for us. I didn’t know if anyone was close, but I was going as hard as I could in case someone was on my bumper.”

With Millers feature win, and heat race win, he should be the current point leader. “We’re gonna try and run for the championship this year with Doug Kinney and PCS Racing. We got another car being built so if we have problems, we’ll have a back-up. This is definitely a good start to the season for us”. concluded Miller.

40-LAP FEATURE FINISH

1. Daniel Miller (5)

2. Scott Adema (67)

3. Aaron Pierce (26)

4. Sport Allen (88a)

5. LJ Grimm (88)

6. Tommy Nichols (55)

7. Bruce Brantley (25)

8. Steven Hollinger (22x)

9. Bo Hartley (32)

10. Davey Hamilton Jr. (14)

11. Troy DeCaire (36)

12. Ryan Adema (92)

13. Skip Ferniac (83)

Daniel Miller wins the Butler Speed & Supply Perfect Performance Award.

Congratulations to Daniel Miller with Daniel Miller Racing for the feature win at the 2022 season opener for the Southern Sprint Car Series at 4-17 Southern Speedway!

He was also the winner of the Butler Speed and Supply Perfect Performance Award for winning the Signs Fast Super Store Heat AND AMain!

The award is reset for $100 for the next race at Citrus County Speedway and Track LLC on March 5th.

Super Late Model 100 & Street Stock 50 Highlight the action This weekend at 4-17 Southern Speedway

Super Late Model 100 & Street Stock 50 Highlight the action

Join us this Saturday, February 26th for a full night of stock car action. On the card Saturday night will be the Super Late Model (100), Street Stock(50), Pure Stock(25), Dwarf Cars(25) and TQ Midgets(25).

Admission Prices for February 26th are:

Pits – $35

Grandstands:

Adult $20

Seniors 65+, Military, 1st responder all w/ valid ID only $18

Students 6-17 w/ valid ID only $13

Children 5 & under are free

Pit gates open 12pm

Grandstand Gates open 4pm

Qualifying begins 6pm

Features are directly after qualifying

4-17 Southern Speedway is a family friendly venue where everybody is always welcome. Located 8655 Piper Rd, Punta Gorda, Fl 33982 ~ just across from the PG airport~ off I-75 between exits 161 & 164. We are a cash only venue – an ATM will be on the premises the day of the event

No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the gates

No Pets are allowed on the property

No firearms, fireworks, or any type of weapons are allowed on the property – violators will be reported to local authorities and FAA

Cash only- ATM will be on premises day of event

This is a family friendly venue

Pricing and features classes subject to change without prior notice

Florida Southern Ground Pounders announce their 2022 Schedule, the series where the cars are the stars

Photos from Facebook:

The class where the cars are the stars announce their schedule for 2022 at New Smyrna Speedway.  Make you plans to go out and check out this cool class.

Video of a race from Tom at Speedway Video check him out for more.

Some of the interviews from Little Gator Winter nationals at Citrus County Speedway

We had a blast interviewing these kids at at winter nationals.

Follow us on YouTube for more.

TJ DeCaire wins Young Lions race at Little Gator Motorsports Legend car Winter Nationals at Citrus County Speedway

After day one TJ DeCaire has one win in the Young Lions class at the 2022 Little Gator Motorsports Legend Car Winter Nationals.  TJ Is on a role to start the season.   We will have lots more coverage of the Winter Nationals on Sunshine State racing as the week continues.

Interview with TJ and Colton:

Michael Hinde has won 3 out of 4 Pro Late model races at New Smyrna Speedway under the Stephen Nasse Racing umbrella

Photos from Michael Hinde Racing Facebook:

Michael Hinde has been backing up his big win at SpeedFest by winning 3 out of 4 Pro Late Model races so far this week in the World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway.  The fields have over 30 pro late models in the field.  Michael Hinde racing as a developmental driver for Stephen Nasse Racing is having a great start to speed weeks and is the running to be the Karnac.com February driver of the month.   With a few mores races left this week how many wins will Michael and the team rack up.

Steven Nasse has one super late model race win this week him self and the team is having a great week.  If you can make it out to New Smyrna Speedway go catch a race in Person.

USAC 410Sprints and Open Wheel Modifieds headline Bubba Raceway Park this weekend

William Byron wins Clyde Hart Memorial in the Donnie Wilson Motorsports #24 at New Smyrna Speedway

Photos from: Michael Fettig

William Byron takes the win in the Clyde Hart memorial piloting the Donnie Wilson Motorsports number 24 on night 4 of the world series of asphalt in front of another packed house.   New Smyrna Speedway is having a great World series and they run through Saturday night this week.

Night 4 results:

Super Late Model Clyde Hart Memorial

1. William Byron
2. Gabe Sommers
3. Sammy Smith
4. Derek Griffith
5. Justin Mondeik
6. Jesse Love
7. Brad May
8. Daniel Dye
9. Stewart Friesen
10. Justin Drawdy
11. Jake Finch
12. Michael Hinde
13. Stephen Nasse
14. Leland Honeyman
15. Justin Crider
16. Austin Thom
17. Jackson Boone
18. Bobby Good
19. Ryan Preece
20. Kaden Honeycutt
21. Steve Weaver, Jr.
22. Patrick Thomas
23. Joey Miller
24. Hunter Wright

Information and pictures from Bubba Raceway Park Facebook:

Make Your plans to attend now

A #WinterDirtGames record 4 women will compete in this weekend’s USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget openers.

Clockwise:

#25K Taylor Reimer

#71 Kaylee Bryson

#71K Mariah Ede Racing

#84 Aved Racing – Jade Avedisian

Who do you think will be the top-finisher among the 4 this Fri.-Sat. at Bubba Raceway Park?

Alot of people are asking for times for the upcoming USAC races February 11th and 12th. Here they are! See you all at the races!