by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL-  One of the most popular annual events at Ocala Speedway happens this Friday, September 17th, as “All Churches Night” pits congregation against congregation while racing reverends take on each other with Faster Pastor Racing.  The alcohol free event traditionally attracts a huge crowd, including a lot of “first timers” spending their first night watching dirt racing at the local level.  In addition to the faster pastors, fans will see the Colortyme Modifieds return to action with the $500 bounty still in effect on Jeff Mathews, plus more action from the Tee Pee Tire Hobby Stocks, Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks, the Mini Stocks, and the Gladiators.

“All Churches Night” began as a way for local congregations to come together and do something out of the ordinary, plus provided a new means of fellowship and contact between churches in an alcohol free, family oriented atmosphere.  Church members loudly cheer their pastors as they race in real race cars on Ocala Speedway’s tough 3/8ths mile circuit, and the preachers are coached by the racers who drive those cars during regular feature racing.  Two Faster Pastor races at Ocala Speedway have produced two different winners, so it is likely that this season yet another church congregation will have reason to celebrate.

There was a lot of hoopla surrounding Ocala Speedway’s $500 bounty on Jeff Mathews two weeks ago, and since Mathews failed to finish the race and thus the bounty went unclaimed, the speedway has reinstated it for this week’s Colortyme Modified feature race.  Mathews has won all but two races this season as Kyle Bronson collected $1000 two weeks ago, and with the bounty still active chances are that there will be racers lining up to try and make it three races that Mathews has failed to win.

Dean Jarvis is holding a 43 point lead over Heath Walker going into this weekend’s Tee Pee Tire Hobby Stock feature, but neither of those competitors have been doing any winning lately.  But despite their lack of regular visits to Victory Lane, their heated battles on the track have become real crowd pleasers featuring hard nosed racing.  The man to beat at this point is Daniel Miller, as he racked up yet another victory this past Friday night and seems to be surging toward the end of the racing season.

The Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks spent a long night hanging around the tech shed before Mike Stalnaker could go home with another win, and in the process Stalnaker discovered that he would need another engine in order to complete the season.  So the points leader  will most definitely be back with something new under the hood and newfound determination built on proof that his machine is legal and a true winner.  Chris Shea continues to chase Stalnaker as the racing season winds down, but at 134 points out of first place and Scott Mooers just 13 behind him,  Shea has more important things to think about rather than how to do the nearly impossible.

Ocala Speedway’s Mini Stocks will most likely crown a new champion for the third season in a row this year, and any betting person would say that their last name will be Kerr.  Dan Kerr has the points lead with Nick Kerr just 24 points back, and both create a formidable team on the track.  Nick is no stranger to Victory Lane this season, but since Keith Briggs returned to the scene neither Kerr has not found the answer to running in front of the 19T machine.  At least, not yet. 

The points lead in Ocala’s Gladiator Division has been passed around lately more than the collection plates at church, and currently Matt Shea has managed to climb his way into the top spot if only by a mere 3 points.  Devin Walker was the latest points leader to lose the top spot so Shea had better hope that history does not repeat itself yet again.  The next closest racer to Walker and Shea is Casey Feaster, who at 51 points out of first place is yet another who has visited the top spot then taken a tumble.  Feaster was on his way to a win last Friday when mechanical woes sent him to the pits on a hook, so look for the 20 car to be ready to make Matt Shea the next guy to have it and lose it in recent months.

Ocala Speedway will open the grandstand gates at 5PM this Friday, and church member are encouraged to come early and stake out cheering sections for their respective racing reverends.  Ocala Speedway’s regular fans are reminded that “All Churches Night” is an alcohol free event, so no beer will be sold, nor is alcohol permitted on the premises this Friday night.  For ticket prices, directions to the speedway, or more information on coming events, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com.