East Bay Raceway Park | Karnac Racing News

Mark Smith wins Night One at East Bay Raceway Park

Tampa, Fl. (2-11-10) – By Kelly Brown –Public Relations Director – At the end of the night it may have been “The Tower City Tornado” Mark Smith standing tall in Victory Lane, but with all the twisted metal in a eventful O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions race at East Bay Raceway Park, some may have thought a real tornado had hit the track. Tonight’s A-Main was chaotic as the event saw six Yellow Flags and two Red Flags unfurled during the 30-laps. At the end of the night though a veteran celebrated in Victory Lane while a newcomer to the All Star series picked up his best finish in a 410 Sprint Car. (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-12T06:58:34-05:00February 12th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

East Bay USAC Sprint Field “Demonized” as Gardner Wins Again

Tampa, FL … 2-10-10……..Damion (The Demon) Gardner of Concord, Calif. remained undefeated in 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint racing Wednesday night, leading all 30 laps to win the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” finale at East Bay Raceway Park. Gardner and his Pace Lighting/Eagle/Shaver have led all 60 laps of this season’s two feature events after winning wire-to-wire on Monday at the third-mile dirt oval. Starting alongside pole starter Dave Darland, Gardner grabbed the lead exiting turn two on the opening lap and opened up a comfortable margin. A yellow for Robert Ballou’s spin on lap 25 bunched up the field but on the restart Gardner again pulled away for the win. Darland took second ahead of fast qualifier Jerry Coons Jr., Brady Short and defending series champion Levi Jones, who came from 18th starting spot! Gardner takes a 15-point lead over Short into the February 19-20 “Copper on Dirt” at USA Race Park in Tucson, Ariz. (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-11T06:36:47-05:00February 11th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

USAC Sprints Return Wednesday as Rain Cancels Tuesday, 2/9 at East Bay

TAMPA, FL……2-9-10…..Afternoon rain forced USAC officials to cancel Tuesday night’s Non-Wing Sprint Car show at East Bay Raceway Park.

Wednesday, will feature the finale for the Sprint stars of USAC and with 32 drivers on hand, the night will be a full show of hot laps, time trials, heat races, a semi-feature and a 30-lap feature paying $5,000 to win. Additionally, Bubba the Love Sponge and crew will be on hand for a much talked about Celebrity Race.

Damion Gardner will try to make it a sweep of East Bay after winning Monday’s round one of the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals.” Brady Short will defend his automatic track record of 15.027 during time trials against a strong field of drivers from 11 states.

Gates open at 5:00PM and racing will be at 7:30PM. East Bay’s track number is 813-772-7223.

By Jane Smith|2010-02-09T20:09:51-05:00February 9th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Race Results|Comments Off

Gardner Dominates “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” Opener at East Bay

Tampa, Fla…2.8.10….Damion (The Demon) Gardner of Concord, Calif. took advantage of first-lap spins by both front-row starters Monday night and ended up leading all 30 laps of the 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series opener at East Bay Raceway Park.

The “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” continue Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the third-mile dirt oval. Gardner was slated to start fourth but a spin by rookie pole starter Ricky Williams on the first lap and a subsequent spin by outside-front row starter Shane Hmiel on the restart left Shane Cottle and Gardner lined up on the revised front row.

Gardner fought off Cottle’s challenge to lead the first lap and stretched his lead in his Pace Lighting Eagle/Shaver to a full straightaway before the field bunched up under the yellow flag at lap 23. Gardner then pulled away in the closing laps to win the race over Bryan Clauson, fast qualifier Brady Short, Cottle and Jon Stanbrough. Defending series champion Levi Jones finished seventh after starting 14th. The finish left Gardner and Clauson tied for the series point lead after the opening race.

Brady Short sets an Automatic Track Record of 15.027 at East Bay Raceway Park When USAC opened its 2010 season on Monday night 2-8-10 Photo by Mike Horne

AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: February 8, 2010 – Tampa, Florida – East Bay Raceway Park – “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals”

STATS – USAC SPRINTS – EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK – MONDAY, 2/8/10

1. 36 Brady Short – 15.027 ATR; 2. 2B Bryan Clauson – 15.115; 3. 71 Damion Gardner – 15.275; 4. 10E Shane Cottle – 15.395; 5. 37 Casey Riggs – 15.437; 6. 4G Thomas Meseraull – 15.483; 7. 11 Chris Windom – 15.589; 8. 7 Caleb Armstrong – 15.590; 9. 17 Shane Hmiel – 15.596; 10. 53 Jon Stanbrough – 15.672; 11. 11W Ricky Williams – 15.809; 12. 69 Jerry Coons, Jr. – 15.818; 13. 67K Dave Darland – 15.828; 14. 38 Jeff Bland, Jr. – 15.951; 15. 20 Levi Jones – 15.982; 16. 81 Robert Ballou – 16.055; 17. 24 Tracy Hines – 16.128; 18. 4U Kyle Cummins – 16.297; 19. 5B Justin Grant – 16.303; 20. 2 Hunter Schuerenberg – 16.323; 21. 1C Kent Christian – 16.329; 22. 67 Henry Clarke – 16.360; 23. 17B Brett Burdette – 16.437; 24. 39W Alex Shanks – 16.439; 25. 5 Bobby East – 16.513; 26. 1X Curt Gross – 17.061; 27. 22W Mike Weber – 17.226; 28. 14 Eric Smith – 17.415; 29. 66 Shane Wade – 17.427; 30. 9X Rob Chaney – 17.460; 31. 20X Frank Carlson – 17.738; 32. 71S Dwayne Spille – 18.154

1ST Heat

2nd Heat

3rd Heat

4th Heat

Semi

A – Main

(30 Laps) – 1)Damion Gardner 2)Bryan Clauson 3)Brady Short 4)Shane Cottle 5)Jon Stanbrough 6)Casey Riggs 7)Levi Jones 8)Robert Ballou 9)Dave Darland 10)Shane Hmiel 11)Tracy Hines 12)Jerry Coons, Jr. 13)Henry Clarke 14)Chris Windom 15)Justin Grant 16)Kent Christian 17)Hunter Schuerenberg 18)Brett Burdette 19)Caleb Armstrong 20)Bobby East 21)Kyle Cummins 22)Ricky Williams 23)Jeff Bland, Jr. (12 Laps) – 1)Casey Riggs 2) Chris Windom 3)Jon Stanbrough 4)Caleb Armstrong 5)Dave Darland 6)Brett Burdette 7)Bobby East 8)Curt Gross 9)Eric Smith 10)Rob Chaney 11)Alex Shanks 12)Shane Wade 13)Mike Weber 14)Frank Carlson 15)Dwayne Spille 16)Thomas Meseraull – 1)Hunter Schuerenberg 2)Jerry Coons, Jr. 3)Robert Ballou 4)Shane Cottle 5)Caleb Armstrong 6)Alex Shanks 7)Eric Smith 8)Dwayne Spille – 1)Justin Grant 2)Ricky Williams 3)Levi Jones 4)Damion Gardner 5)Brett Burdette 6)Chris Windom 7)Mike Weber 8)Frank Carlson – 1)Henry Clarke 2)Bryan Clauson 3)Jeff Bland, Jr. 4)Kyle Cummins 5)Jon Stanbrough 6)Thomas Meseraull 7)Curt Gross 8)Rob Chaney – 1)Shane Hmiel 2)Tracy Hines 3)Kent Christian 4)Brady Short 5)Dave Darland 6)Bobby East 7)Shane Wade 8)Casey Riggs

By Jane Smith|2010-02-09T15:16:46-05:00February 9th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Race Results|Comments Off

Rain Forces East Bay Raceway Park to Change Schedule for Winternationals

TAMPA, FL…..2/5/10…5:00pm……Friday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Winternationals show at East Bay Raceway Park has been cancelled because of heavy rain that started at 2:00PM.

On Saturday morning by 10:00AM it will be determined whether a double show (afternoon- evening) is possible, depending on track conditions at that time.

If a double show is not possible, then Friday’s rained out show will be Sunday with warm-ups at 12:00Noon and racing at 2:00PM. Saturday’s big $12,000-to-win show would still be Saturday night with warm-ups at 5:00PM and racing at 7:00PM.

For more information call the track at 813-677-7223 or check the website at www.eastbayracewaypark.com after 10:00AM Saturday.

By Jane Smith|2010-02-06T02:10:31-05:00February 6th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Earl Pearson, Jr. passes Scott Bloomquist to Win DART Winternationals Event at East Bay on Thursday Night

TAMPA, FL (February 4, 2010) – Taking the lead as he headed to the white flag, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL passed race-long leader Scott Bloomquist.The duo battled side-by side, but it was Pearson who went to win a heart-pounding 40 lap main event. The event marked night four of the 34^th Annual DART Winternationals on Thursday Night at East Bay Raceway Park. The four-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion earned $10,000 for the win for car owner Bobby Labonte. Bloomquist finished second followed by Pearson’s teammate, Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL.C (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-05T15:30:54-05:00February 5th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Billy Moyer takes 20th Career Win at East Bay Raceway Park on Wednesday Night

Tampa, Fl. (February 3^,2010) – Hall of Famer Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR claimed his 20^th career win at East Bay Raceway Park on Wednesday Night during the 34^th Annual DART Winternationals. Moyer and Josh Richards of Shinnston, WV exchanged the lead four times in the final six laps in a stirring race that had the fans on their feet. Moyer’s win was the 718^th of his illustrious career. Moyer managed to hold off Richards with some of the smoothest driving of his career for the $5,000 win. Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL finished third, followed by Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN. (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-04T15:12:41-05:00February 4th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Bobby Labonte Racing Ready to Start Lucas Oil Series Championship Run

Archdale, N.C. (February 1, 2010) – The revamped Bobby Labonte Racing team is warmed up and looking for their first win of 2010 as it rolls into Tampa, Fla., this week for the first official events of the 2010 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season. Earl Pearson Jr. and Brad Neat will race four nights of the East Bay Raceway’s DART Winternationals, Feb. 3 to 6, culminating with a $12,000-to-win event on Saturday.

Pearson Jr., driver of the No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge, and Neat, driver of the No. 41 Red Buck Filtered Cigars Chevrolet and new addition to the BLR team, are coming off strong performances at last week’s Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. In three nights of competition, Pearson Jr. earned three top-10 finishes, and Neat earned two top-five finishes and one start from the pole.

The team looks forward to this week’s action at the “Clay by the Bay,” known for record-setting races and electrifying finishes, and where Pearson Jr. is a former winner.

Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald Comments on Opening Week and the events upcoming at East Bay Raceway:

“Well, we just came off three nights of racing in Georgia and I think we’re pretty happy so far. Both cars were fast last week at Golden Isles, and that’s what you’re hoping for when unloading off the hauler for a new season. Earl and Brad both had shots to win and both ended up with some top-five and top-10 finishes. Brad has earned us our first pole for the team and for Red Buck this season. That was a nice accomplishment for Brad and his guys to open the season. We need to build from that this week at East Bay.

“This will be our second outing of the season as an expanded team. We are still coming together and learning to mesh. Saying that, we proved last week our equipment is good, so it will all come together. That was our first weekend of a long season. Any time you expand and bring additional guys to a team there will be learning process for everyone. It will just take some time for everyone to create that winning chemistry.

“Yeah, we’re looking forward to East Bay and kicking off the Lucas Oil Series. It is an extremely racy facility. There is always good racing no matter what and the series puts on a good show for the fans. Earl has had good luck there every year and Brad has had decent finishes, too.

“We need to start strong in the Series with both teams. The goal is to bring back the championship trophy to Bobby Labonte Racing. That starts this week. We want to win every series race, but know that’s not probable. If we can’t win, we want to finish and collect top-five and top-10 finishes. I know both Earl and Brad are ready to do just that.”

About Bobby Labonte Racing:
BLR is located in Archdale, N.C., and owned by 2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte. The team was formed in 2007 and immediately won back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships. The team will become a two-car operation in 2010 with the addition of driver Brad Neat. The organization is sponsored by Red Buck Filtered Cigars, Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazel Race Fuels, Hank Thomas Performance,Coca-Cola, ALLSTAR, Tiger Rear Ends, BERT, Butlerbuilt, Hyperco, SHY, Wilwood, Bell, Wiles Drive Shafts, Mason Racin, Racing Optics, T&T Energy, Cornett Racing Engines, Sweet, TWM, Dyers Top Rods, Weld Wheels, Hoosier Tire, PRC, Mechanix Wear, Braswell Carburetors, Larry Wallace Engines, ASI Racewear, Xtreme Graphics and WD Enterprises.

By Jane Smith|2010-02-04T06:11:44-05:00February 3rd, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News|Comments Off

Bloomoquist Called it “A Tennessee Ass-Kickin” at East Bay

TAMPA, FL (February 2, 2010)- Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN put on a clinic Tuesday Night at East Bay Raceway Park. It was the second night of the 34th Annual DART Winternationals and he led from flag-to-flag for his third win of his career at East Bay and his 18th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Bloomquist, the defending series champion, dominated the main event earning $5,000. Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL finished second followed by Matt Miller of Waterville, OH; Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI; and Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC. (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-03T13:10:24-05:00February 3rd, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Mike Marlar Wins First Ever East Bay Raceway Park on Opening Night of DART Winternationals

by James Essex

TAMPA, FL (February 1, 2010) – Driving a car that had not been on the race track in over a year, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN led all 30 laps on the opening night of the 34^th Annual DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. Marlar’s storybook win was worth $5,000 for his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory since 2004. Trailing Marlar to the finish line was polesitter Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY; Ray Cook of Brasstown ,NC; Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, WV; and Josh Richards of Shinnston, WV.

Marlar started alongside McCreadie on the front row of the 30 lap main event. He got the jump on McCreadie, beating him into the first turn to take the lead. While the drivers were setting a rapid pace around the “Clay by the Bay” Jason Feger; in his first ever appearance at East Bay; came to a halt on the backstretch for the first caution of the race. (more…)

By Jane Smith|2010-02-02T14:55:01-05:00February 2nd, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off