| Meet Auburndale Speedway Racers | -KARNAC Staff Report
 Each week Billie May writes a race report for Auburndale Speedway and follows with a brief profile of a local driver.
Billie, previously a racer herself at Auburndale, started this little adventure late last year (2001) to assist KARNAC.com with news from the 1/4 mile track near Lakeland, and to help the track get more local and statewide publicity.
These days the local newspaper runs the weekly results and photos that Billie provides each week. Billie loves the racers and understands what they go through to make it to the track each week, and is an example of a 'real race fan', devoting some time each week to help promote the sport in any way she can.
The following are a few of the local Auburndale Speedway racers Billie has introduced to a statewide audience:
By Billie May
 Terry Jones is the only woman that currently races at Auburndale, and she won the first night of the 2002 racing season.
Terry is 36 years of age from Zephyrhills, Florida. Her husband Steve Jones also races at Auburndale, and she has 3 children Justin, Tommy, and Hailey Paige.
Terry has been racing for 5 years. She runs in the 4-CYL Bomber class, racing the # 3 Dodge Charger and is sponsored by Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water, Car Quest, Attorney Andy Forman, Total Performance Vinyl & Graphics, & Deals U-pull-it.
She started out in the 4-CYL Bomber Powder Puff class which is all women drivers. Her best finish in the point standings was 4th, and she was voted "Most Popular Driver" by the fans.
Her most memorable race was finishing 1st and her Husband Steve finishing 4th in the same class.
Her goals for the 2002 racing season is to do the best she can, hoping to finish up front and bring the car home in one piece.
She would like to say a "Special Thanks" to her Husband Steve, without him she could not be racing every week, and her children for their support, Rick & Todd for always helping out, and her sponsors for backing her up.
Mark Lowe is a mechanic and drives the # 51 V-8 Street Stock. This is his first year racing so his goals for this year is going for "Rookie of the year" in the V-8 Street Stock class and finish in the top 10 in points.  His Sponsors are Williams Service Center, L & M Automotive and Melvin M Lowe ( car owner).
He would like to say a "Special Thanks" to his Dad for giving him the chance to race, his Family for their support.
His pit crew consists of Mel Lowe, David Holland, Kevin, Hank, Bradley, Evan, Eyrn and Erkya. Mark is Married to Sonja Lowe and they have 2 children Bradley and Evan.
Donnie Howell drives the #01 Mini-Stock. He is Married to Ruby Howell, has 2 sons Brian and Casey they live in Wahneta Fl., where Donnie is a Glass Tech.  He has been racing for 18 years, and he started in the Mini-Stock Division, his most memorable race was the 1st race at the old Lakeland Speedway.
His Sponsors are Georges Tire and Budget Auto Glass. His best finish in the point standings was 3rd, and he was the Most popular Driver in 2000.
His goal for the 2002 Season is to finish in the top 5 in points.
Donnie acknowleges the help of Ruby Howell, Casey Howell, Brian Howell, and Charles & Steve from Budget Auto Glass.
Chris Lewellen drives the #01 Super stock. He is 25 years old and is married to Daneva Lewellen and they have a daughter named Michaela.
Chris is the local manager for Verizon and he lives in Winter Haven.
This is his 1st year of full competition, and has been racing a little over a year. His sponsors are Mobility Express and OAS (On Any Sunday) Powersports.
His most memorable race is the one he just won this Saturday ngiht, showing patience and battling on the inside and outside for postions.
His goals for the 2002 season is to finish in the top 5 in points. Chris thanks his Dad, Mom, Wife and his Sponsors for all of their support.
 Dave Dunkin raced in the Modified division when he first started his racing career, and now drives the # 71 "Blue Goose" in the Limited Late Model Division, and has been racing for 38 years.
His Sponsors are Jack English Insurance, Wilt Engines, Universal Painting, and Quality Flooring and Supply.
His most memorable race is when he won the SARA race on his 54th Birthday, though he has several Track Championships at Auburndale Speedway, Sunshine Speedway, Lakeland Speedway and the old Golden Gate Speedway.
His goals for this 2002 season is to race, win and have fun. Dave Dunkin, is married to
Evelyn Dunkin and they have a Daughter named Andrea. He is 56 and lives in Lakeland, and he is the Asst. Service Manager at Winter Haven Dodge.
Paul Gibbs races the #2 Orange and white Super Stock. Paul has been racing for 8 years, starting out in the 4-cyl Bomber class. His best finish in the point standings was 3rd in the Super Stock class, and won "Best Appearing" car in the beginning of the 2001 Racing Season.
His most "Memorable" race was when he was leading a race and James Wright III and Michael King caught up to him challenging him for the lead, but he held them off. That race gave him the confidence in himself and his car to run well every week, like he does now.
Pauls goals for the 2002 season is to not have any DNF's and to keep his crew calm and focused and to maintain his current spot leading the points.
Also Paul would like to get some sponsors for his Super Stock, so if you want to be a part of a competetive race team look him up at Auburndale. He would like to say a "Special Thanks" to Bobby Jennison and Tony Pitts for all their help and being there every weekend.
Paul is from Plant City and has his own Appliance repair business. Paul is 37 and is married to Tina Gibbs, and they have a son named Paul Gibbs Jr.
-Billie May
If you would like to write for your local track, contact KARNAC.com by e-mail at info@karnac.com. Anyone who does it will tell you how rewarding an activity it is.
Related Links: Auburndale Speedway News and Information
Auburndale Schedule and Message Board
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
<news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!
|
