Decisions, Decisions - Which Way Will They Go?? | by Jane Smith
Labor Day Weekend, three days off. You want to see some good racing but with four major events going on, which way do you go??
Lakeland's USA International Speedway will host the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series on August 31st along with a 100-lap Goodyear Challenge Late Model Race.
Bobby Gill, Mike Laughlin, Jr., Mario Gosselin, Steven Christian, Derrick Kelley, Michael Ritch, Don Satter- field, Luke Hill, Jeremy Bowser are just some of the drivers entered on Saturday.
Lakeland's USA International is considered the "home track" for the Southern Division of the Hooters Pro Cup Series. This will be race number three out of four in the 2002 season.
Last winner at Lakeland was Jason Sarvis from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Sarvis, driver of the Naturally Fresh Dressings & Dips/Black's Tire Service Chevrolet admits that he has not touched that car since his win at Lakeland. His team will of course fine tune it but it still has the same shocks, springs, everything just like it was from his last win.
Bobby Gill had won four consecutive races at Lakeland until Sarvis took the win their last visit. Gill holds the record in USAR Hooters ProCup racing for the most wins at one track with six wins at USA International.
Gill, won could cinch the #l points position for the Southern Division of Hooters ProCup at Lakeland this weekend, does not think about that. His only thought is to win that race.
The FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Late Model race that will also be on the August 31st program at USA will be race number 8 for these outstanding Late Model drivers.
Jerry Symons leads the points in this series with 624 followed by Wayne Morris, Mike Hovis, Tony Amico, Larry Osteen, Jason Boyd, Doug Samion, Jeffrey Dufrense, Craig Brown, and Sean Murphy in the top 10.
"Little Trees Road to Charlotte" Sunbelt Super Late Model Series will run at New Smyrna Speedway on August 31st.
Going into race #8 for this series, points leader Dick Anderson also is leading points for the Florida Pro Series. Anderson has a 153 point lead over second place David Rogers. Filling in the rest of the top 10 are Michael Williams, James Powell III, David Froehlick, Tommy King, Jay Middleton, Barry Willoughby, Bruce Lawrence II, and Bruce Lawrence, Sr.
B.J. McLeod, who currently holds the 11th position, will be at DeSoto Speedway where he is 3rd in points for the All American Challenge Series which also runs August 31st.
Other notable drivers in the Sunbelt are Aric Almirola, Jacob Warren, Shane Sawyer, Travis Kittleson, and Chad Pierce.
At Columbia Motorsports Park on the 31st will be a Florida Pro Race. Dick Anderson holds the point lead with 477 points followed by Jonny Kay, Jay Middleton, David Hodges, Jr., George Richardson, Brian Finney, Stephen Godlewski, Mac Johnson, Doyle Boatwright and Rich Pratt holding the top 10 positions.
Since Anderson and Middleton both race the Florida Pro and FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model series, it will be a decision making weekend as to which way to go.
With only a 63 point lead over second place Jonny Kay in Florida Pro, Anderson could loose the point lead by skipping this race. Definitely a decision making weekend for Anderson. Would not want to be in his shoes.
The All American Challenge Series at Bradenton's DeSoto Speedway will also run the 31st.
Justin Drawdy holds a 37 point lead over second place Jimmy Cope. Also in the top 10 are B.J. McLeod, Jeff Scoffield, David Pletcher, John Jackson, Clint Slaggy, Bobby Coyle, Joe Boyd and Mike Abbott.
With any one of the top three winning the August 31st race, the point lead could go either to Drawdy, Cope or McLeod. No decision to make here if you want that Championship.
Now you know the facts, the decision is in your hands - go to Lakeland, New Smyrna Speedway, Columbia Motorsports Park or DeSoto Speedway. Whichever you chose, I am sure you won't be disappointed.
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