Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL (8-18-12) – As the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks completed their Florida State Championship the RaceCar Engineering Late Models, Twisted Tea Top Gun Sprint Cars, and the Hobby Stocks put on a show not soon to be forgotten.

Hobby Stocks went first and outside pole sitter Mark Maresca took a wild ride very similar to the one he took nearly a year ago only this time it was 1 roll rather than a bunch. Joe Boyd would lead early on before a lap 3 caution for Scott Haas. Haas would allow Tim Powers and Tim Gay to close in on race leader Boyd. Under caution Hunter Gustafson, who was having a strong run, was parked for not having the Raceceiver all drivers are required to have. Just 2 laps later Richard Calmes, Jr. and Mick Kulak made contact that would destroy body work on both cars. The restart saw Tim Gay and Rodney Wright, who were fighting for 3^rd, make contact- Wright went around and Gay went to the tail. (more…)

By- Jim Rouse, BRP Media  8-17-12 (Ocala, FL) – The Florida State Thunder Stock Championship started with a bang as the RaceCar Engineering Late Models, Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, and Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks joined the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks for a wonderful night of racing.

First up were the Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks and they went before the intermission. A 1 caution race happened as Reid Christensen spun in turn 2 on lap 2. That left Buddy Pope to dominate as he won by half-a-lap over Travis Staats and Charlie Staats. Christensen would finish 4^th and Fisher would round out the top 5.

Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models put on a 15-lapper with Phillip Cobb the early leader. On lap 6 Billy Holmes’ #7 put oil down (see NASCAR Watkins Glen race) and the leaders slipped through it- Officials gave David Showers, Jr., the only man to lose position due to the oil, his spot back as the #118 literally did a 360 in the oil. (more…)

By Jim Rouse, BRP Media – Ocala, FL (8-11-12) – This week the Scorpion Racing Products Modifieds joined the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators for an all-out tussle as they prepared for next week’s Florida State Thunder Stock Championship.

First up were the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models. David Showers, Jr. jumped to the lead from pole with his father (David Showers), JO Nobles, and Forrest Gough in tow. A few minor cautions happened early which kept the likes of Shane Koperda, Denica Hetznecker, and Caleb and Christian McGillivray in the mix. On lap 8 Scotty Williams, who had shot up from 6^th to 3^rd moments before, broke the 27 and brought a caution out. That yellow flag allowed anyone who wanted to get tear-offs do so without penalty- only “Rowdy” Denica Hetznecker would take the offer. On the restart it became clear that father would allow his boy to take the lead uncontested so as to put Showers Chassis in Coors Light Victory Lane. (more…)

Jim Rouse, BRP Media (8-4-12) Ocala, FL – The Twisted Tea Top Gun Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and the Rent-N-Roll Gladiators fought on the 1/3-mile clay oval with everything on the line while RaceCar Engineering Late Models put on a spectacular non-points event.

Hobby Stocks were first up and pole sitter Mike Stalnaker held on to lead lap 1. “The Master” had company as Eric Moon and “Ragin” Rodney Wright were eating up his rear bumper. Chris Doane would spin for the 2^nd time on lap 4 with Stalnaker leading Wright and Moon. Rodney Wright led lap 7 and would complete the pass in turn 1 as Tim Gay took a shot at “The Master.” On lap 9 Rebecca Paugh found the backstretch wall right in front of the leaders which would set up a restart of the cars numbered 99-90-9-19 (Wright, Gay, Stalnaker, and Brian Shea). (more…)