Mathews Prevails as Gene Slaughter Memorial Race Winner at East Bay Raceway Park

Story from East Bay Raceway park web Site and Photo By Mike Horne:

A field of 21 604 Late Models turned out for the fourth annual Gene Slaughter Memorial with $2,000 plus added contingencies on the line for the winner. When it was all said and done on the track, the tech officials determined the final outcome.

After heat races were won by Doug Horton, Mavrick Varnadore and Tom Fiebelkorn, the 20-car field assembled shortly after intermission in the six-division program. Travis Varnadore took the lead from the pole position with Fiebelkorn giving chase. The field was slowed on the second lap for a two-car incident. On the restart, Mavrick Varnadore scooted into second. Mavrick and Jack Nosbisch would exchange the spot behind Travis on subsequent restarts. On lap 19, two-time feature winner Shan Smith made himself a factor. On a lap 22 restart, Smith came from third to first and built up a big lead into lapped traffic. While Smith was stretching it out, none of the top five positions were certain as battles were brewing. Cody Overton, in his first East Bay start, slipped past Travis Varnadore for second as the white flag came out, but a caution nullified the pass. With the green and white waving, Smith shot off to leave the rest to decide their respective fates. Jeff Mathews vaulted into second at the checkered flag. The top finishers headed to the scale while Smith went to Victory Lane. After the ceremony, the unofficial winner reported to tech, only to be disqualified for a tire violation. The turn of events gave Mathews the win for the 50-lap main.

Mathews and Overton were doing double duty, competing in the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. Mathews won his heat race, as did David Pollen Jr. For the 15-lap feature, Billy Howard grabbed the initial lead, but Bryan Bernhardt soon asserted himself in the top position. Bernhardt would have his hands full as both Mathews and Overton hounded the leader. Overton was able to be the one to dispatch Bernhardt and claim the win. Not only was this the first appearance at East Bay for the Modified winner, it was also his first-ever Modified race. It became one to remember, adding to his third place run in the Late Models.

Overton’s win was one of many that would see Victory Lane welcome a new face in 2021. To open the program, the Q Auto & Injury Mini Sprint main was captured by Bryce Comer, who held off his uncle Bruce for the win. Bruce Comer had won the preliminary.

J.T. Joiner was a first-time winner in the Mod Lite class, which saw point leader Alex Cline secure the heat. Cline would be the hunter in the 15-lap main, trying to get by Joiner and score another feature. Joiner ran steady lines to keep the competition at bay, bringing home his first win of the year after starting the season with a runner-up finish.

Tommy Hill made the three-hour trip from home to race at East Bay on his birthday. No one was giving him gifts for the occasion as the Street Stock feature was a hard-fought win for the Clewiston driver. Jerry Bruce was best in class for the heat win.

Point leader Charles Paris Jr. notched his sixth win of the 2021 season, slipping by Derrick Edwards to move on to Victory Lane in the 17-car main. D.J. Taylor and Raymond Vann won their heats, but found difficulty in the feature.

The racing continues next Saturday Oct. 9 as the Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Sprints headline a card that includes 602 Late Models, V-8 Warriors, Q Micro Sprints, Gladiators and the return of the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association.

604 LATE MODELS

Feature: Jeff Mathews (33), Travis Varnadore (41), Cody Overton (33), Keith Nosbisch (02), Doug Horton (46), Mavrick Varnadore (95M), Phillip Cobb (03), Steve Mathis Jr. (95), Tom Fiebelkorn (45T), Jack Nosbisch (12), Brenden Smith (17SS), Matt Herlong (131), Trever Taylor (7T), Jesse Brown (7JR), Jimmy Wagner (17W), John Norris (87), Billy Boyd Jr. (ZERO), Daniel Woody (29), Thomas Burnside (13). DNS – Jimmy Waldrop (9). DQ – Shan Smith (32).

GAGEL’S OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

Feature: Cody Overton (33), Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Jeff Mathews (33), Austin Sanders (64), Jason Jack (54), Patrick Passanise (333), Billy Howard Jr. (47), Paul Rivall (15R), David Pollen Jr. (88), Scott Bane (23B), Cam Canova (6), Ryan Thompson Jr. (54T)

Q MINI SPRINTS

Feature: Bryce Comer (9), Bruce Comer (21), David Hall (67), Charles Landis (12), Joe Bartow (3), Doug Dyal (97D), Shanna Walters (13)

MOD LITES

Feature: J.T. Joiner (6J), Alex Cline (07c), Dylan Dunn (22), Terry Joiner (6), Jeff Bonnema (5B), Anthony Stewart (33), Jeff Wolfe (83), Rocky Scott (4), Brodrick Kennedy (24), Bill Pennington (28P), Thomas Walsh (32T)

STREET STOCKS

Feature: Tommy Hill (1H), Richard Livernois Jr. (71), Paul Davis (10), Jerry Bruce (35), Buck Woodhouse (55), Danny Yannone (53), Kyle Bowman (46K), Brad Langford (B46), Harold Williams (98). DNS – Doug Johnson (09)4

GLADIATORS

Feature: Charles Paris Jr. (03T), Robert Kissam (911), Rodney Martin (21), Derrick Edwards (17), Wayne Kissam (07), Daniel Casey (3D), Patrick Tabb (03), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Jerry Moore (70), Britt Mann (4×4), Dalton Goldhammer (18), Callie Gubich (513), Daniel Bowman (46), D.J. Taylor (

Whats Racing This Weekend Around The State of Florida 10/9/2021 Brought to You by LeMaster’s Insurance Agency

Asphalt Tracks:

4-17 Southern Speedway:

New Smyrna Speedway:

Dirt Tracks:

Hendry County Motorsports Park:

OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS
STREET STOCKS
MODLITES
MINI STOCKS/OUTLAW 4’S
NON-WINGED MINI SPRINTS

East Bay Raceway Park:

October 9 – Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Sprints, 602 Late Models, V-8 Warriors, Q Micro Sprints, Gladiators, DAARA

All Tech Raceway:

• Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Models
• 602 Late Models
• Street Stocks
• Pure Stocks

North Florida Speedway:

9- 602, LATE MODELS, THUNDER & BOX

Volusia County Speedway:

Off this weekend

Putnam County Raceway:

Off this weekend

Chit Chat with Robert, One on One with Michael Franklin Jr.

Last Thursday I sat down for over an hour with Michael Franklin Jr. to talk about his racing career in an all access interview.

E-mail me at Rohll19@aol.com who you would like me to interview next.

What’s racing this weekend 10/2/2021 Around the State Brought to you by LeMaster’s Insurance Agency

Kart tracks:

The Kart Track at 4-17 Southern Speedway

Asphalt Tracks:

4-17 Southern Speedway:

Off this weekend Go Karts running

Auburndale Speedway:

2nd – Sportsman 50, Modified 50, Scramblers, Mini-cups

Citrus County Speedway:

October 2nd, 2021 – Special Event Pricing
$10,000 to WIN 3rd Annual Grocery Getter Enduro 150 Laps
Starting 100 Cars! Registration Starts March 13th $50 nonrefundable ENTRY FEE. Entry Fee will cover driver’s admission fee for this event.
$400 to WIN Crockett’s Towing Ford Outlaw 40 lap oval
$1,500 to WIN School Bus Figure 8
$1,500 to WIN Frankart Roofing Demolition Derby
Crocketts towing ford Outlaw Figure 8’s

New Smyrna Speedway:

Showtime Speedway:

10-2-21

NON WING SPRINTS

Hose & Hydraulic’s Street Stock

Mini Stock

Ford Division Figure 8

Strictly Stock

TRI CITY CHAMP KARTS

Dirt tracks:

Hendry County Motorsports Park :

FLA LATE MODELS
4.6 FORDS
V-8 WARRIORS
MODLITES
GLADIATORS

East Bay Raceway Park:

October 2 – Special Event Pricing in Effect – 604 Late Models Gene Slaughter Memorial (50 laps, $2,000 to win), Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Mod Lites, Q Mini Sprints, Gladiators

All-Tech Raceway:

Off this weekend

North Florida Speedway:

Off this Weekend

Volusia Speedway:

Off This Weekend

Putnam County Raceway:

What’s Racing This Weekend Around The State Of Florida Brought To You By LeMaster’s Insurance Agency:

Asphalt Tracks:

Super Late Models going for 100 action packed laps. Joining the Super Late Models will be V8 Pure Stocks(25), TQ Midgets(25) Mod Mini(25) Crown Vic(25)and Dwarfs(25).

Auburndale Speedway:

25th – Pro-Truck 50, Pure-stock 50, Modified Mini-stocks, Scramblers 30 Laps, Mini-cups

Showtime Speedway:

FINAL LEG OF THE OPEN WHEEL TRIPLE CROWN

100 LAPS $3000 TO WIN

• Hose & Hydraulic’s Street Stock

• Mini Stock

• Strictly Stock

Citrus County Speedway:

OFF THIS WEEKEND

New Smyrna Speedway:

Dirt Tracks:

Hendry County Motorsports Park:

Off This Weekend

East Bay Raceway Park:

September 25 – POLICE/FIRE/FIRST RESPONDER NIGHT – Top Gun Sprints (non wing), 602 Late Models, Street Stocks, Q Micro Sprints, Gladiators

Bubba Raceway Park:

Racing Happenings This Fall

Racing Happenings

Story and Photos by: Chris Fozilloa

As you well know we cover mostly short track racing on the page. But we do cover all racing in the sunshine state when possible. And there is a lot more happening in the state than just short track racing. There are big things happening, some of them are can’t miss events with one unprecedented race.

The biggest new was released today. After a long absence, Formula 1 is making its return to Florida in 2022. The series will race on the Miami streets around Hard Rock stadium. With the new series rules taking effect in the same year, the racing should be outstanding. These are the most advanced racing machines on the planet and we are fortunate to have them in our home state.

The first weekend in October has the Fanatic GT series competing at Sebring International Raceway for a Friday to Sunday show. Multiple support series will be competing as well. A mere $50 gets you general admission and camper parking for the weekend. The entire weekend for $50!

The Crevantic 24 hour series will also be competing at Sebring International Raceway. The first ever 24 hour race at the track will be November 18-21. The 24 hour series is a GT series that will most likely feature some of the best sports car drivers in the world. There is nothing like watching the sun rise in the middle of a race. Pricing for this event is very similar to the Fanatec event.

The ever growing Bigley Memorial event is Thanksgiving weekend and has some of the best super races in the county scheduled to race and rumors of more that have not announced yet. $20,000 to win and $1,000 to start will have every single team pushing to be in top form. But the beautiful thing about this race is it does not come with the tension of a normal race weekend. Everyone is there to honor a great man and all teams do so by racing hard and having a great time doing so in a gentlemanly fashion.

If you like vintage race cars and ware era planes the annual Pistons and Props event at Sebring will surely bring you joy. Each year this event brings some fantastic racing cars. Anything from 1950’s Porsche to 2016 Corvette Daytona Prototypes. And drivers from the guy that rebuilt his car in the garage to established racers like Bill Elliott and Ray Evernham and many more. The paddock (pits) are open to the public and perusing is encouraged to get a good close look at these beautiful machines and talk to the team. The war bids are on display for most of the weekend as well. Again, weekend pricing is more than reasonable and the infield is open to camping for the weekend.

The last one I want to mention in detail is a fairly new event. The Classic 24 held annually at Daytona International Raceway is also a historic race. The race cars are placed in groups by year and class and each group gets an hour block. Practices are held for a few days prior to The 24 hour race on Saturday. On Saturday and into Sunday, they race for 24 hours, rain or shine, alternating classes every hour. This event brings cars, drivers and teams from all corners of the globe and there is no telling who you may see or run into.  Two years ago Derek Bell and his son Justin competed in the 1980’s era Porsche Can Am car that Derek campaigned originally, and won the event overall. Derek Bell was 77 years young at that time and still quite fast.

From there we will quickly move into The Snowball, speed weeks at several tracks across the state, on dirt and asphalt. Then on to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Daytona 500 and the 12 hours of Sebring.

Summer was pretty dismal in terms of rain outs and the Top Gun Series really took a hit in that regard. However as we are now transitioning into Fall, the rain chances will lessen and we will get more races in than not. Things are about to really heat up in Florida. Make sure you get out and see some racing and have a great time.

Devin McLeod edges out Steve Gill To get the win in the Brandon Ford Wheel Man Series at 4-17 Southern Speedway

In the first night back from Summer break at 4-17 Southern Speedway the Brandon Ford wheel Man Series for the Sportsman cars hit the track as the headlining event for the night.   The race saw a 14 car invert from the qualifying results.   It was a race filled with action from start to finish.   When the dust settled Devin would edge out Steve Gill to take home his first series race of the year for RTR racing.  After the race Devin proceeded to burn down the tires and put on a smoke show for the fans.  This was a big night for the small family race team.

Link to video of Race:

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineStateRacing/videos/626923278319032/

Victory lane celebration:

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineStateRacing/videos/1613386642198886/

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineStateRacing/videos/1613386642198886/

Devin’s in car video:

Steve Gill in car video:

Full Results:

WHICH DeCAIRE WILL REIGH SUPREME IN 2021??

Story by Chris Fozillo:

If you are not aware, Troy DeCaire and TJ DeCaire are uncle and nephew. Each of them being a stand out driver in their respective divisions, while being on opposite ends of their driving careers. No, I am not suggesting that Troy is old and done. But I have heard whispers of retirement once a certain goal is reached.

Troy is a perennial contender for winged asphalt sprint car wins. With wins on tracks from coast to coast, he is closing in on 100 career wins, the aforementioned goal, being around ten wins shy of the century mark.  To see him retire at such a young age would be an injustice for us sprint car fans. Troy does things in these cars that others can’t, or just won’t do, and makes it work. In my opinion, the races are better with him in them and retiring anytime soon is just too early. Although competitors may disagree while trying to claim the most asphalt sprint car wins for the year title.

TJ can be found running the Little Gators Legends series, and like his uncle, is a regularly found in the winner’s circle. While I am unaware of his total win count, I can tell you that while competing in the Young Lions category in the series, he is leading the overall points for the season. And this was prior to a solid weekend at 4-17 Southern Speedway last weekend where he won the first feature and got caught up in a last lap incident going for the lead but still finished strong gaining valuable points.

What interests me more is that the pair are tied for total wins this season. Each of them having ten wins apiece. Both are highly competitive and surely do not want the other to have bragging rights. Troy has run second a few times this year and TJ has also has similar finishes.  The two talk regularly and we know Troy loves to talk crap ( see Bench Racin W/ Troy DeCaire) so I’m sure they are having fun with this. (If not I am lol)

While Troy pushes for that 100^th win, TJ most likely has more races remaining on the calendar to beat his uncle in total wins for the year. So if I were a betting man, my money is solidly on TJ to surpass Troy. I asked Troy earlier in the year if he was going to let TJ win more than him and he replied “I hope he does”.  You may just see that come true my man.

Regardless of the outcome, we as race fans, win regardless. If you have not, get out and see either or both of these shoes compete! You will not be disappointed.

Ricky Brooks to Take over the Wheel Man Racing Series in 2022

Press Release from Wheel Man Racing Series:

In 2016 Steve Dorer and Robert Yoho had a conversation regarding the lack of sportsman cars that attended Showtime Speedway. Steve volunteered his time to try and help fix this. With a few weeks to think about it and discussions with many different people, Steve came up with a set of rules that would allow all the cars from different tracks to race at Showtime. At the time none of the tracks had a standard set of rules so minor weight breaks and weight penalties were put into place to create an equal playing field. Steve also knew that we had to create something different, something that people would remember… The Wheelman name and the prestigious wheelman trophy was born. Twenty-three cars showed up to the first event.

There was so much buzz around the rules, race, procedures, and trophy that Showtime asked for us to come back so we took a few dates. Also, during the 2016 season Citrus County Speedway re-opened with the Ray family, a few quick discussions and what was supposed to be a one-time race at showtime, had turned itself into a 5-race mini-series. The Wheelman Series was born.

Over the years we worked hard for the racers and tracks to come up with a common set of rules that every track in Florida adapted and allowed sportsman drivers to go anywhere in the state without any changes to the cars. We worked hard to get our teams national exposure by having most of our races broadcast live on Speed51. We worked hard to create new and exciting styles of racing such as the High Kick 99 race format and being a part of prestigious events such as Speedfest in Cordele, GA and Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway.

The Wheelman Series brought national sponsorship to Florida for the first time in many years with companies like Brandon Ford, Gagels Auto Parts & Sunoco race fuels joining our team. For the first time in many years, we brought the racers a contingency program from 25+ of the top vendors in motorsports such as Allstar Performance, Howe Racing, FLF Racecars, DRP Performance, Swift Springs, Butlerbuilt seats, Pitboxes.com amongst many other. We broke the mold by dropping entry fees, tire purchase requirements, and fuel purchase requirements that has now been followed by most tracks in the area. On top of that, we gave away 4 tires at every single race to help the racers offset the ever-growing cost of racing.

With all that said, we’d like to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you to all six tracks, Showtime Speedway, Citrus County Speedway, 4-17 Southern Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, Crisp Motorsports Park and New Smyrna Speedway and their staffs who took a chance on us over the past 6 years. Thank you to the couple hundred different racers who ran a race with us over the last 6 years. Thank you to the huge fan following, we’ve heard from you all over the country. Whether you watched through live streaming or came to every race in person, we appreciate each of you for your continued support! Thank you to Wayne Hammond with Brandon Ford for believing in our vision and being the title sponsor for the last 4 years. Thank you to Mike Gagel with Gagels Auto Parts for being the tire give-away sponsor for the entire existence of the series. Also thank you to Rick Williams of Southern Race Fuels/Port Consolidated for your unwavering support of the wheelman series as well as all of Florida racing. Without everyone mentioned above the Wheelman Series never happens and for thank, we thank you all.

Thank you to the staff of the Wheelman Series. John Chance, our head tech man and race director. Your job is impossible to please everyone, but you stick to the rule book and did your very best to be consistent and honest with on and off-track calls. David DJ Macklin, assistant tech and race director, your efforts and help have been vital to the success of the wheelman series. Craig Cuzzone, media relations, constantly keeping racers and fans up to date on events. And finally, Steve Dorer, promoter. You were the original vision for this series and many of the ideas whether it be race procedures, ways to make racing cheaper, or general structure has been a difference in racing throughout the southeast. Officiating any sort of sport is very hard, to do it correctly and with integrity, you must make unpopular decisions from time to time. Decisions that sometimes-hurt friendships and put you and your staff on an island. We all did that to the best of our abilities and each call, whether it was positive or negative to your favorite wheelman driver, was made with our best intentions.

As much as we have all enjoyed the process of building this series and maintaining it, it has also taken away from our personal lives. With everyone having young kids who are beginning to venture into sports, school, and many other things it’s time for the original group of officials to step back and pass the series on to someone who has the necessary time to devote to the series. Starting in 2022, Ricky Brooks will be the promoter of the Wheelman Series. Ricky has many years in racing and has been all over the country as head tech man as well as race director for many renowned series and events such as the Snowball Derby, Speedweeks, TA2 Series, Spears Series, Southern Super Series amongst many others. We look forward to watching Ricky and staff put their spin on our original vision and grow the series. Speaking with Ricky, he plans to keep the rule package very close to what they currently are. Anyone who has any questions regarding the series in 2022 and beyond, please feel free to reach out to Ricky at 850-324-6821 or RickyBrooks5@aol.com.