by Dave Westerman
Auburndale Speedway hosts its third Saturday night of racing for the 2010 season with the Legend Cars and Bandoleros getting their first laps of the year while the Open Wheel Modifieds do battle for the second time in three weeks.
Bobby Blake was in the right place at the right time in the OWM feature two weeks ago, running third when the lead pair tangled giving him an advantage he wouldn’t let go of as he led Harold “Boom Boom” Cannon and David Grogan to the stripe. The win was especially sweet for Blake who just recently had a new addition to his family. Fifteen cars showed up in the Modified class on opening night and even more are expected this week.
After getting a bit of a “rest period” following the February
Winternationals in Orlando, The Legend Cars and Bandoleros will be out for their first action of the year this week.
Several new faces are expected in both classes. Bandolero drivers Danielle Stratton and Coty Bibeau are moving up to the Legends class and several other new drivers are expected as well to challenge 2009 champion Justin Brown.
As usual the Mini Stocks have supplied plenty of cars and plenty of action the first two weeks. Last weeks winner Chris Spring has a slim two point lead over Chris Narramore, Sr., the winner on opening night, in the current standings.
Jeff Waterman has parlayed an opening night third place finish with his win last week into the current point lead in the Street Stock division while Josh Borem leads the V-8 Bomber points after scoring back-to-back wins to open the year. Last weeks Scrambler winner Matt Johns leads the point battle in that class by 12 over Brian Tyre going into week three. All three classes see action again this week.
Grandstand gates open at 5PM with racing promtly at 7PM. During
intermission, drivers will be passing through the stands with their helmets in an effort to raise some funds for Jack Smith, long-time Florida racing writer and proprietor of the Karnac.com web site which hosts the Florida Stock Car Racing web pages. Smith has been battling severe back problems which led to a tumor being discovered in his back. Smith’s family is still awaiting word if the tumor is actually cancerous but he is now home and healing from the surgery but he will be out of commission for quite a spell.
Track officials have announced a special “fan-friendly” practice night on March 19th, the night before the F.A.S.T Late Model race on March 20th. All fans are welcome to come into the pits to watch practice and hobnob with the drivers and teams on Friday night. Admission to the pit area will be $15 and includes a free Bar-b-cue sponsored by Sonny’s, plenty of beer and a live country band. Fans can then hold on to their Friday night pit ticket and get $5 off their grandstand admission on Saturday night.