by BJ Cavin
The second week of regular season racing action at Florida’s oldest speedway will bring another round of firsts to Ocala area race fans, including a new regular division making their debut at Ocala Speedway. Meanwhile three other regular divisions will get their first crack at Ocala’s tough layout in 2010 on Friday, March 12th.
While the Sportsman Division has made previous appearances at Ocala for special races, 2010 marks the first time that Sportsman cars will be a regular part of the Ocala schedule. This change is the direct result of constant urging by many sportsman racers who have asked for the chance to race at Ocala on a regular basis, and Friday night is the first race since that change was enacted.
The Sportsman cars will race on the same nights as the Open Wheel Modifieds, which are also racing for the first time in 2010 on Friday at Ocala. 2009 Division Champion, Jeff Mathews, will be back to defend his title, and the racers who made the OWM’s one of the stronger divisions in 2009 will be there to challenge him. Add to their ranks a new set of new faces and the Mods look to be exciting and competitive in 2010.
The Ocala Speedway Hobby Stocks will also hit the clay on Friday night, not only to kick off their season, but to get some seat time before their $1000 to win race coming the following Friday night. Bubba Christian claimed the championship in 2009, but others have their sights on the prize in 2010. Look for some new faces as some racers have moved up to the Hobby Stocks for 2010, while others have refocused their efforts at getting to the top of the points standings.
And the Ocala Speedway Gladiators will also get to race for the first time in 2010, as the likes of Devin Walker and Kody Fisher dump their “rookie” status in favor of racing toward the top of the heap. Paul Hahn grabbed the prize for 2009 with consistency and determination, and will have to defend that crown from a host of hungry challengers.
Back for the second race in 2010 will be the most exciting and competitive division at Ocala, the Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks.
The grandstand gates will open at 5PM with heat racing slated to begin at 8PM, and complete details on prices for admission are posted at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, as well as the complete racing schedule through the first week in May.