Jean Lynch for East Bay Raceway Park – Pulling off the biggest win of his career, Matt Cooper out of McKenzie TN drove the race of his life, staring out in front of the 26 car field through 11 caution periods and a mandatory fuel stop Saturday night to close out the 14th Annual Open Wheel Modified portion of the 37th East Bay Raceway Park Winternationals.

“This is the biggest win of my life,” he said in victory lane collecting the $5,000 check for his first-ever win at East Bay driving for his father Ronnie Cooper sponsored by Ronnie Cooper Trucking.

His brand new Mark Bush Racing Bandit car with a Mullins engine was the class of the field, performing flawlessly staying in front all the way having no trouplle pulling away on each and every restart and seemingly getting faster as the laps couned down to 75.

Even more remarkable on the lap 37 fuel mandatory fuel stop, his pit crew surprised him with the news that his Hoosiers had such good tire wear, that he could run as hard as he wanted to the end. (more…)

(Tampa, Florida) – The term “hat-trick” is normally a hockey terminology used to describe scoring 3 goals in a game. Can that description be used ever in racing? In the 37th edition of the East Bay Winternationals that was the word talked about by everyone Saturday in regards to driver in #58 Mark Whitener from Middleburg, Florida. No one has been able to totally “sweep” the entire event ever. Mark Whitener picked up his first career FASTRAK Touring Series victory Thursday night. Then was able to seal the deal again holding off #2 Dennis Franklin battling through lap traffic Friday night. Whitener was on the path to making history for not only East Bay Raceway Park but also winning 3 events consecutively for the FASTRAK Racing Series.

Heat Race Winners – Night #3 at East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Florida

Genesis Race Shocks Heat #1 – #8s Steve Miller
Short Way Real Estate Heat #2 – #58 Mark Whitener
Hoosier Racing Tires Heat #3 – #44w Brandon Umberger
VP Race Fuels Heat #4 – #02 Keith Nosbisch

At the drop of the green flag another driver wanted to spoil Whitener’s chance at three wins in a row. #8 Steve Miller from Tampa, Florida was on the pole and Whitener to his outside. As the field cycled through turn 1 they would battle “door to door” all the way around to complete lap # 1. The top three rows we’re all in the mix swapping for positions on the track. Miller would jump out in front but a “hornet’s nest” awaiting him if one wrong slip was made. A much cleaner competitive race then what we witnessed the other 2 nights. Racing was “fast and furious” getting around the 1/3rd mile “Clay by the Bay”. (more…)

(Tampa, Florida) – The 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals 2nd race for the FASTRAK Racing Series did not disappoint anyone that attended the 1/3rd mile “Clay by the Bay”. This race had it all and more throughout the evening exciting the fans until the checkers fell. The decision was made before the beginning of the feature that all drivers would be able to make the A-main 30 lapper. They drivers ran in 1 of the 4 heat races to set the field for the A-main at East Bay Raceway Park. The heats races we’re very competitive as “FASTRAK’S best” fought to gain whatever they could to have a decent starting position.

Heat Race Races Winners – Night #1 at East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Florida
FK Rod Ends Heat #1 – #44w Brandon Umberger
Hoosier Race Tires Heat #2 – #95 Devin Dixon
Chevy Performance Heat #3 – #2 Dennis Franklin
RockAuto.com Heat #4 – #02 Keith Nosbisch

The race got off to a great start side by side with #44w Umberger and #95 Dixon on the front row battling heads up to complete lap #1 with #2 Franklin closing in fast. However the yellows would fly on lap #1 in turn 3 with a 4 car incident involving #300 Bill Tesh getting loose spinning and #32 Phillip Cobb, #95 Devin Dixon and #11 Jamie Slatton getting collected in the process. Tesh would bring out yellow for 2nd time on lap 3 stalling up in the apex of turns 3 and 4. Two circuits later the yellow would fall when #11 David Smith the defending FASTRAK City Chevrolet Touring Division champion looped his car around in turn 3 on lap 5 also collecting #75 Colton Flinner and #07 of Doug Watson. (more…)

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…)

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…)

(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…)

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…)

December 15, 2012 – Tampa, FL – It was the final night of the 2012 Season as Six Features along with snow and Santa Claus were at The Clay By The Bay.

The first feature event of the night went to the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers for their makeup feature event from last week. Starting on the front row it was the Kissam brothers Wayne and Robert. Wayne led for the first three laps until the red flag came out as Richard Humfeld came to an abrupt stop in turn one. The driver was ok but the car was not. When the race resumed, Kissam led the field until lap five when Bubba Puyear took over the lead and did not look back to pick up the win. John Moore, Wayne Kissam, Don R. Quinn and Troy Dittebrand rounded out the top five. Dittebrand had enough points to cover him into the next feature and him repeating the Championship as he went on to make it back to back Championships for the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers.

Next it was intermission and Fan Participation. It came down to Steve Ashmore and Chris Johnson for the final race and going three laps for the final instead of two. When the two came out of turn four, neither driver gave as both drivers crashed just after the first lap on the front stretch with Johnson in his 65 Chevy pickup on his roof and Ashmore crashing as well. The crowd was on their feet cheering both drivers as they were okay. No winner was declared. (more…)

December 8, 2012 – Tampa, FL – It was a night 3 new Champions were to be crowned for the 2012 Season, but halfway through the features, Mother Nature put a halt to the night.

The first feature of the night went to the Outlaw Fours. A new champion would be crowned for the 2012 Season. Winning their heats were defending points Champion Jesse Brown and Jesse Foster. On the front row was Nick Hebrank and Jesse Foster. The first caution came out on lap one as Brittany Yates spun in turn two with Foster leading the race. The next caution came out on lap three as Billy Howard spun in turn one.  Several more cautions came out before the checkered flag waved with Jesse Foster picking up his second feature win of the 2012 Season. Finishing second and picking up his second points Championship was Stephen Hohlbaugh. Hohlbaugh won his first Championship back in 2009. Finishing third was Jesse Brown with Shirlene Hammond and Billy Howard rounding out the top five.

Next up was the Limited Late Models. Another Championship was on the line with Shane Koperda and top Rookie Jason Russell. Defending Champion Scotty Williams won the heat race. For the front row it was Forrest Gough and Ricky Land for the feature. Lap one leader was Ricky Land, but on lap two Roger Crouse took the lead and never looked back. Roger Crouse won the Late Model Points Championship last week and won the last feature event for the Limiteds. Crouse said in Victory Lane that he wished the Late Models were running as he praised the condition of the track. Finishing second was Gough with Williams third, Land and Pope rounding out the top five. Russell finished ahead of Koperda by one position but was not enough as Shane Koperda won the 2012 Limited Late Model Championship. (more…)