More ways to Follow Sunshine State Racing and Karnac.com

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See you all out at the races.

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Entry List for Bill Bigley Memorial 128 $20,000 to win $1,000 to start reaches over 35 pre entries race is 11/27/2021 at 4-17 Southern Speedway

As of 6/15/2021 entry list that has told us they will be racing the Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial.  If you know someone planning to race have them e-mail Rohll19@aol.com or Call Robert Howell at 863-990-3564.

Entry list will be updated every few days:

Nevin Gainey wins Florida Late Model Challenge Series race at East Bay Raceway Park

Story from East Bay Raceway Park Facebook and Photo from Mike Horne

The Florida Late Model Challenge Series made its first 2021 appearance at East Bay Raceway Park, headlining a five-division program that also featured Street Stocks, V-8 Warriors, Q Micro Sprints and Gladiators.

Heat winner Nevin Gainey held the pole for the 25-lap main event as the 14-car field rolled off turn four for the green flag. Gainey wasted little time in building up a lead as the field began to string out in the early stages. Travis Varnadore held second, but only for a lap as Shan Smith, also a heat winner, worked around him for the second position on lap two. Smith set off in pursuit of Gainey, who hit lapped traffic by the fifth lap. As the laps ticked off under green, Smith would gain ground, only to slip back negotiating turn two. Gainey was picking his spots to bypass fellow competitors and this gave Smith a new chance. The lead duo was catching up to Waylon Haynes and Matt Herlong battling for position on lap 15 when a caution waved for a Thomas Burnside spin. On the restart, Phillip Cobb took over third, but the front two cars were able to keep the defending track champion from becoming a factor. Smith raced hard to catch Gainey and, on the white flag lap, looked poised to make a move. Gainey stayed committed to his line and charged home with the win.

The victory was Gainey’s second consecutive Florida Late Model Challenge Series win as the Fort White, Florida speedster took over the points lead in the series. Prior to the race, Gainey and teammate Richard Ferry were tied for the top position. Ferry claimed seventh in the main event.

William Burnside opened the night by parking his Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Micro Sprint in Victory Lane for the second time this season. Burnside was able to lead the entire race, but not without challenges from Mike Meyers and heat winner Doug Dyal. Burnside was up to the task in claiming the 15-lap win.

Richard Livernois Jr. went wire-to-wire in a 15-lap Street Stocks that nearly went caution free. The only caution came out on lap 14 for a Phillip Ellis spin, resetting the field and putting a hungry Jerry Bruce in a position to make a difference. On the restart, Livernois carried the lead into the first turn, but then saw the car push up in the second turn. Bruce saw the opening and attempted to power by, but heat winner Livernois would prevail. It marked the second consecutive week that Livernois and Bruce finished 1-2 in the main.

The V-8 Warrior main event became a classic example of “things aren’t always what they seem.” On the track, Michael Hart was able to hold off George Handy and Nick Brown after Hart had taken over the top spot on lap 7. At the finish, Hart crossed the line first, but a protest on a suspension part nullified the victory. A subsequent claim led to the disqualification and suspension of Brown, giving George Handy the night’s win. Handy had earlier won his heat race.

The Gladiator feature got off to a slow start, but once the action was underway, it became intense. David Zeman possessed the early lead, but only until Wayne Kissam slipped by on the second lap. The best racing was not for the lead as defending track champion Daniel Bowman held off numerous competitors who wanted to take away his second-place position. Deeper in the field, drivers were mixing into the top five with position changes on nearly every lap. Bowman finally yielded second spot to Dalton Goldhammer, who had to over come adversity to have a chance. Goldhammer had a flat at the start of the race, but the crew was able to get the car back on track without losing a lap. He was then caught up in a lap two crash, but soldiered on. The end result was a second-place finish behind Wayne Kissam, who scored his second win of the year. Bowman and Rodney Martin were earlier heat winners. Second-year driver Callie Gubich scored her first career heat race win on the eve of her birthday.

Racing action will kick in on Saturday, June 19 with the running of the Larry Miller Memorial 50 for Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. Joining them will be 604 Late Models, Outlaw 4s, Q Mini Sprints, V-8 Warriors, Mod Lites and Florida Old Time Modifieds. Special event pricing is in effect.

FLORIDA LATE MODEL CHALLENGE SERIES

Feature: Nevin Gainey (17G), Shan Smith (32), Phillip Cobb (03), Travis Varnadore (41), Stevie Mathis Jr. (95), Brenden Smith (17SSJr), Richard Ferry (17F), David Markham (515), Matt Herlong (131), Waylon Haynes (11), Daniel Woody (29), Thomas Burnside (13), Bill Adkins (26), Chuck Jackson (45)

Q MICRO SPRINTS

Feature: William Burnside (13), Doug Dyal (97D), Mike Meyers (77), William Brannon Jr. (60), Paul Seburn (23), Kaylee Dyal (11D), Joe Taylor (29)

STREET STOCKS

Feature: Richard Livernois Jr. (71), Jerry Bruce (35), Jimmy Wagner (17w), Buck Woodhouse (55), Robert Allen (98), Brad Langford (B46), Phillip Ellis (29), Kyle Bowman (46K)

V-8 WARRIORS

Feature: George Handy (105), Tommy Hill (5H), Jason Burnside (12J), Gary Lucas (106), Wayne Kissam (107). DQ – Michael Hart (99), Nick Brown (12)

GLADIATORS

Feature: Wayne Kissam (07), Dalton Goldhammer (18), Daniel Bowman (46), Charles Paris Jr. (03T), Robert Kissam (911), Rodney Martin (21), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Thomas Adams (T2), Patrick Fiore (88), Daniel Casey (3D), Brett Calonge (09X), Timmy Simmons (16), David Zeman (13), Callie Gubich (513), Derrick Edwards (17), Alyssa Grant (47), Ricky Rutledge Sr. (4), Bubba Diaz (45), Brett Proctor (1). DNS – Jerry Moore (70), Davey Martin (55)

What’s Racing Around The State of Florida next weekend 6/19/2021 Brought to you by LeMasters Insurance Agency

Asphalt Tracks:

4-17 Southern Speedway:

Night of 25’s – Sportsman, Modified Mini, Thunder Truck, V8 Pure Stock

Auburndale Speedway:

Closed for summer Break

Citrus County Speedway:

Closed this weekend

Showtime Speedway:

Closed this weekend

New Smyrna Speedway:

Modified 50

Five Flags Speedway:

Outlaws, Pro Trucks, Sportsman, Pure Stocks

Dirt tracks:

Hendry County Motorsports Park:

Off this weekend

East Bay Raceway Park:

June 19 – Special Event Pricing in Effect – Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds Larry Miller Memorial (50 laps), 604 Late Models, Outlaw 4s, Q Mini Sprints, V-8 Warriors, Mod Lites, Florida Old Time Modifieds

North Florida Speedway:

off this weekend

All-Tech raceway:

• Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series
• Reeds Metals 602 Late Models
• Street Stocks
• Pure Stocks

Volusia Speedway:

Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial 128 Super Late Models on 11/27/2021 at 4-17 Southern Speedway and Events now $20,000 to win and $1,000 to start

For Immediate Release:

Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial Winner and Start Money announced for this years race at 4-17 Southern Speedway on 11/27/2021

On Behalf of 4-17 Southern Speedway (Joe and Janet), the Bigley Family, Sunshine State Racing and Karnac.com we would like to announce the general details and Winning and start money for the Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial 128 on 11/27/201 at the 4-17 Southern Speedway.

This Years Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial 128 will Pay $20,000 to win $1,000 to start, rest of pay out will be announced soon.  Ricky Brooks will be tech director for this event.

Improvements planned for this year golf carts to help transport fans to the track from parking.

More Information to come soon stay tuned to Karnac.com and Sunshine State racing on Facebook

If you have questions or want to add your name to the entry list Contact 4-17 Southern Speedway, message Sunshine State Racing or you can Call or e-mail Robert Howell at 863-990-3564 or Rohll19@aol.com or e-mail Jennifer Brinson @Jennifer@karnac.com

Laps will be on sales soon  with all money going to the drivers

Link to event page:

https://fb.me/e/1pQeMbna3

Early Entry List:

Names wont be added to the list unless you contact one of the groups above putting on the event.  If your coming please let us know.

$20,000 to Win Bill Bigley Sr. Memorial 128 Entry List

8 Chase Lovelady

28 Dylan Bigley

59 Dustin Dunn

30 Jesse Dutilly

51 Michael Atwell

11 David Weaver

17 Nick Neri

18 Nick Neri Racing

37 Michael Goddard

03 George Gorham.

7 Mike Bresnahan

84 Wayne Anderson

5 Matt McCrary

1 Mike Garvey

15 Sean LeMaster

33 Daniel Webster

69 Michael Hinde

Let’s make this Huge and see everyone there.

Florida Pro Truck Challenge Series to take over 4-17 Southern Speedway this weekend 6/12/2021

Who will take hone the series win in the last race before the summer break.

Florida’s Young Gun Colton “The Bolt” Bettis burning up the track

Story and picture by Chris Fozillo

Colton “The Bolt” Bettis

The state of Florid has no shortage of young, and highly skilled drivers. You can find them on both dirt and pavement, in everything from karts to sprint cars on any weekend throughout the state. There are kids as young as 3 years old in karts. The future of the sport seems to be on solid ground and our state is a hot bed for young talent at the moment.

I had the opportunity to talk to Colton Bettis and learn a little more about this young driver from Lutz, FL. He is 11 years old and has already progressed to a full-size sprint car, running at Showtime Speedway in Pinellas Park, FL. But let us digress for a moment.

Colton began racing at the age of 4 in a flat track dirt kart. During his time in the karts he accumulated 11 championships in multiple classes, and won several marquee events including the Sandi DeCaire Memorial twice. An impressive start to a budding career.

I first saw Colton the year he began wheeling a Mod Mini. He was 10 years old and was competitive under the watchful eye of Grandfather Tony Carrino. I saw Colton getting into his car and thought how cool, someone’s kid is getting into their dads’ car. So I went over to take a photo. Then he put on a helmet, started the car, and drove to staging. I was a little shocked, kind of felt like I just got punked. So I went and watched the race. I cannot remember how he finished that night but clearly recall being impressed at how he was able to control the car, and how he raced, hard! I was impressed, and so was Grandpa, sporting a big grin while watching his grandson.

Tony Carrino has been there every step of the way for Bettis and he stated that his Grandfather taught him everything he knows about racing. The cars are stored at Tony’s and Colton is there most nights working on the cars or watching what others are doing and learning from them. He is grateful for the time and bond shared with Tony. They spend a lot more time together than most grandfathers and grandsons.  Apart from that he enjoys working Tony’s farm. Colton runs heavy machinery when he is allowed and is capable of backing a large goose neck trailer.

Colton shares a friendship with the DeCaire family, knowing them since he can remember. As part of his training regimen, he and legend car standout TJ DeCaire run 300 laps in karts together every Thursday. Additionally Bettis trains twice a week with a trainer to stay in shape and help handle the heat in the car.  Troy DeCaire has recently started assisting the team with their shock program via TDC Shocks and can be seen coaching the young driver at the track. If this pairing works as well as Troy and Michael Goddard, look for good things to happen quickly.

When asked if there are any local drivers he looks up to he quickly responded LJ Grimm and Troy DeCaire. Citing that they both started in karts and have raced dirt and pavement, and both are winners. He noted how cool it has been to watch LJ jump into the modified on dirt and get top 10’s right away. He stated he appreciates having someone like LJ to go talk to at the track if he has questions. Colton aspires to be able to race dirt and pavement in the future when he is old enough to run at other tracks. His favorite national driver is Kyle Larson.

Video of Colton in his Sprint car from Showtime Speedway:

Now back to the sprint car. Colton says he has about 450 laps around the 3/8 mile Showtime Speedway. Many of these laps have been run solo while getting used to the car and gaining experience prior to entering any events. He has since entered winged and non-winged events with a preference for the non-wing races. When I asked why he stated that he likes the way you really have to drive the non-wing car and not rely as much on the down force of the wing. The sprint car is his favorite to drive so far.

Bettis has regularly been starting from the rear in heats and features while logging laps and gaining comfort and experience. Last weekend he stuck to the program starting the heat from the rear and picked up  a few positions. The invert for the feature had him on pole, and to my surprise, he lined up on pole to start the race. He said he made the decision that he was comfortable enough to give it a shot and start up front. It turned out to be a good decision as he led his first laps ever in a sprint car, in a race that included LJ Grimm, Shane Butler, Sport Allen, Dude Teate and others. Not too shabby for an 11 year old! Sport went on to win the race and Colton finished third.

Colton and Shane butler battled for the third spot through the later laps of the contest, with Butler chasing Bettis. I asked Colton how he handled the pressure of having a seasoned veteran chasing him down for the spot. He said he was pretty comfortable because he looked at the leader board and realized it was Shane behind him. He knows Shane races clean and would not take him out for the spot and would do what he could to pass him cleanly. A mentality appreciated by Bettis because he likes to race clean as well.

Colton aspires to make it to the Nascar Cup level one day but would like to be a more well-rounded driver than just a Cup racer. He wants to run dirt and pavement and in different types of cars. He feels this will make him a better driver.

When asked if he had a back up plan if racing did not work out, he replied that he would be happy to take over his grandfather’s business as he enjoys working there when he can.

He wants to thank God, his fans, Robert Yoho for giving him an opportunity to race at such a young age, Mom, Ricky, Frank, John, Tra, Tommy and Richard. Most importantly, thanks to Papa and grandma. His sponsors, Circle C ranch, Morgan Exteriors, TNT Fabrication, TDC Shocks, Nancy’s Restaurant and Jim’s Racing Engines.

In closing, I did not feel like I was talking to an 11 year old boy while conducting this interview. Colton is well spoken and carries himself with the maturity of someone three times his age.  He even took the high road when I asked him about something questionable that happened on the track. This was not the typical response from someone of his age but more like one you would hear from a professional driver. While we never know what the future holds, and the path he wants to take is tough one to break into, he has the foundation to head in that direction. We often hear to people say so and so has got “it”. Colton “The Bolt” Bettis has “it” and the sky is the limit for this Florida hot shoe!

Chris Fozillo

Rebecca Catarelli picks up her first win in the Street Stocks at Showtime Speedway on 6/5/2021

Photos from Facebook:

For Rebecca Catarelli it’s been a short 5 years in racing but one she wont forget.  For Sure Saturday night 6/5/2021 will be a night she will never forget as she picks up her first career win at Showtime Speedway in the very competitive street stock division.

Below is her story into racing and how she got started and how it turned it to her memorable night Saturday night.

So I pretty much started working with Rick Haugh about 5 years ago when he still drove the car I drive now and he really taught me how to work on these cars and how to make them go. Eventually me an him built the car he drives now and he gave me his old car an all I had to do is put a motor in it and go. With out him I wouldn’t have got the shot to drive really. And between him an my dad and my papa they’ve really set me up for success. The race itself was actually still kinda unbelievable for me just because me an Rick had such a good race going for the first 21 laps and than we had a four lap shoot out at the end and I had dodge an Tommy behind and I knew they’d be scrapping for the win like me so I knew I had to be on my game and Rick is always good in the top groove. Luckily they were battling behind me an Rick and kinda gave us a little cushion and we raced side by side for the last four laps and I got it by a bumper. It was just a crazy exciting race at the end. But a 1-2 with Rick was the best part of it.

My sponsors are Dustin Aaron Fabrication Dirty Bird Aviation Webb’s Roofing The Pool guys of Pinellas LDI Sports Pig Wire Wiring Harness Power Logging Tree Services

Showtime results:

Racing Results from around Florida weekend 6/5/2021 Brought to you By Southern Racing Fuels #sunocofuelingvictories

East Bay Raceway Park:

604 Late Models

Feature: Waylon Haynes (11), Travis Varnadore (95), Keith Nosbisch (02), Brenden Smith (17ssJR), Josh Peacock (21), Tom Fiebelkorn (45T), Jimmy Waldrop (9), Jimmy Wagner (17W), Tim Dowling (12D), Mavrick Varnadore (41), Phillip Cobb (03), John Norris (87), Wallace Peacock (P1), Cole Crawford (4), Thomas Burnside (13), Daniel Woody (29), Scotty Williams (7JR)

GAGEL’S OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

Feature: Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Austin Sanders (64), Tyler Clem (14), Pat Passanise (333), Scott Bane (23B), Anthony Bennett (7B), Tim McLeod (192), Paul Rivall (15R), Chris Bailey (77B)

Q MINI SPRINTS

Feature: Doug Dyal (97D), Bruce Comer (21), Bryce Comer (9), Dallas Casey (87), David Hall (67), Charles Landis (12), Justin Webster (21W), Josh Davis (7S), Shanna Walters (13), Jo Jo Davis (7J), Joe Bartow (3)

MOD LITES

Feature: Austin Martin (97), Alex Cline (07c), Andrew Smith (71), J.T. Joiner (6J), Jeff Bonnema (5B), Dylan Dunn (22), Terry Joiner (6), Rocky Scott (4), Brodrick Kennedy (24), Jeff Wolfe (83), Bo Bass (41B)

V-8 WARRIORS

Feature: Jason Burnside (12J), Nick Brown (12), George Handy (105), Gary Lucas (106), Wayne Kissam (107), Matt Bozeman (0), Cody Mezyk (40), Macy Bozeman (58). DNS – Mike Wilson (68)

GLADIATORS

Feature: Charles Paris Jr. (03), Daniel Bowman (46), David Zeman (13), Derrick Edwards (17), Daniel Casey (3D), Wayne Kissam (07), Jeff Smith (15), Callie Gubich (513), Ricky Rutledge Sr. (4), Robert Kissam (911), Logan Casteel (7), Patrick Tabb (03), Rodney Martin (21), Davey Martin (55), Hunter Lovelady (68), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124). DNS – Alyssa Grant (47)

Showtime Speedway:

CATTO ENDS 5 YEAR DROUGHT IN LATE MODELS at North Florida Speedway

Story and Photos from North Florida Speedway Facebook:

CATTO ENDS 5 YEAR DROUGHT IN LATE MODELS BEFORE APPROVING FANS AT NFS/ GARVER BRINGS” PINKIE” TO VICTORY HILL/ HANSFORD WINS NUMBER TWO OF SEASON/ RISNER IN OWN ZONE IN BOX STOCKS

Lake City, Florida

June 5, 2021

[A.J. ]

Those who believed in Team NFS Saturday night June 5th witnessed a night of racing with many surprises and some good down home hard racing.

While other tracks canceled their shows because of weather North Florida Speedway “hung in there” and pulled off a feat thanks to NFS staff, competitors and fans alike and all witnessed an entertaining evening.

St. Augustine, Florida’s Brandon Catto ##59 had not seen victory hill at NFS in more than 5 years due to reasons having to run a limited schedule but that all changed Saturday night as he “outdueled” Baldwin, Florida’s Wayne O’Neal #0 in a battle that showed only Live Oak, Florida’s David Markham #515 catching a peek during the feature to try and best the two with Catto winning the “Summer Sizzle 20” event a American Late Model Super Series non point event.

Markham would eventually finish second when O’Neal spun having to restart at the rear racing back to third place in the main late in the race.

Tampa, Florida’s Adam Boyd #6B would finish third, with JD Jeffers #72 fourth, and Steven Stratton #42 rounding out the top five.

They were followed by Dave Ponton #10X, Alan McKinney #52, Homer Leonard #4, Allen Cribbs #37 [DNS], and Bodee Stratton #30 [DNS].

Wayne O’Neal and Brandon Catto won the heats.

In Street Stocks Altha, Florida’s Brian Hansford #2 made the 3 and a half hour trip to NFS to win feature #2 of 2021 outdistancing second place Brad Nixon #119 running the race of his career being hounded by fellow Live Oaks racer Ethan Butts rounded out the top five after restarting from the rear late in the race.

Jonathan Crain #31 was sixth, followed by Timmy Harrell #50, Chris Pearce #3. Robert O’Neal #91, and Trey Fortner # 29.

Ethan Butts and Randall Boyette won the heat races.

Thunder Stocks held the prize for the largest car count of the night with 20 signed in and when it was over, Starke, Florida’s Jason Garver would bring the “Pink Lady” #01 known affectionately as “Pinkie” home with top prize after a spirited duel with second place runner Jacksonville’s Timmy Roach #44, third place Bubba Durbin #2B, and Dean Jarvis #73J finishing fourth. Seth Caudill #C1 was also in the battle until dropping out.

First time NFS runner Brian Grantham #8G would round out the top five, followed by Shane Taylor #82, John Warner #10W, Chris Rowe #23, Daniel Lewis #L55, Charly Staats, #9AR, Timmy Hatcher #97, Scott Bulson #63, Chad Dishman #52, Doug Hughes #01, Clyde Shope #89, Shawn Creech #07, Budd Moore #93 and Seth Caudill #C1.

Shane Taylor and Jason Garver won the heats.

The Box Stocks concluded the evening with their 12-lap feature and Wayne Risner brought the #911 home to a convincing win, followed by Buddy Spradley #2, Jonathan Wilks #8, Trey Spradley #0, Chris Pitts #1 /5-28-21 winner, Anthony Starner #51A rounded out the top five followed by, Daniel Starner #313, Chad Starner #44, Andrew Pendarvis #46, Seth Caudill Jr. #C2, and John Windham #70 [DNS].

Seth Caudill Jr. and Buddy Spradley won the heat races.

June 12th will see the return of the 602 Late Models, along with Thunder Stocks, EMods , and Box Stocks.

Plan now to attend our July 3rd night of Independence event with the first “Freedom 30” a points event for the American Late Model Super Series paying 2500.00 to win along with 602 Late Models, Thunder Stocks and Box Stocks followed by our 12th annual “Summer Slam” event July 30th and 31st. Full details TBA.

[Photos by Chuck Privette]