| Ocala Speedway Waits Out The Rain - Baxley Tops Modified Special | By Dave Westerman
New management and a new attitude Saturday night at Ocala Speedway as a persistent rain shower couldn't dampen the spirits of fans and competitors.
When rain began falling during heat races, Track Manager Tim Christman vowed to wait it out, and although the action was delayed for over an hour, it turned out to be a great night of racing.
Headlining the show was a 30-lap shootout for the Diamond H Air & Heat Modifieds. Troy Robinson led the way in time trials with a 15.41 sec. lap and looked to have the car to beat as he sped from his pole starting position to a good-sized advantage.
Caution flags, including a pair for two tangles between Rick Hall and Johnny Newsome, would keep the field bunched. As the field completed lap 19, Robinson seemed to lose the handle a bit and David Baxley zipped past to take the top spot.
Robinson was able to keep pace, but was never able to really challenge Baxley who claimed the victory. Robinson was second followed by Alan Mcafferty.
Eddie Kilbury arrived at the track late and started at the rear of the field, but drove to a solid fourth while Rick Hall bounced back from several on-track incidents to net fifth.
Marlon Durbin, Timmy Hunley, Robert Gulvin, Chris Faddling, and Jeff Markison rounded out the top ten. The Sportsman class was the only one to gets heats completed.
Bob Masciarelli ran off with heat one, but in warmups for heat two John Smith dumped his engine going into turn one. The rain began while crews were cleaning up the track. The heat was completed once the track was dry with Pete Close, Jr. leading the way.
Hard-luck Butch Dillon pounded the turn four wall and was done for the night however. The feature was total domination for Tom Posevac who dedicated his win to his friend and partner in his race car who passed away earlier in the week.
Posevac was on a mission and finished a full straightaway in front of second-place Michael Manenga.
Pete Close, Jr. made it on the track just in time after making a pit stop following an early caution, and, despite being nearly a lap down, raced back to just nip Doug Webster at the line for third.
Gary Crouthamel completed the top five.
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