| Monday, September 30, 2002 | |
| FASCAR at Sebring International Raceway | by John Barker
Sebring, Fla - FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series
driver James Powell III won the Alan Jay Automotive
Network Speedfest road race at Sebring International
Raceway ina one-hour combined Super Late Model and
Goodyear Challenge Series Late Model race.
There were 23 Super Late Models and 13 Goodyear Late
Models making up a 36 car total starting field on a
l.85 mile modified eight turn road course.
Mike Bresnahan of LeCanto, Fl turned fast time in his
Sunbelt Super Late Model on the 1.85 modified eight
turn road course in his Gulf to Lake Sales car in 1
minute 12.408 seconds.
Goodyear Challenge Series driver Brent O'Neil of
Pembroke Park, FL set quick time in his ROL Gaskets
ride turning the course in 1 minute 13.472 seconds.
O'Neil qualified sixth overall.
Powell of Astor, FL had just too much in his A Natural
Difference Chevrolet taking the lead for good in lap
26 of 30 laps to secure his second straight Sebring
career victory. Powell also won Sebring in 2001
with FASCAR.
It was career Sunbelt win number seven for Powell, who
had his Late Model up to 160 mph into a right hand
flat corner. That would be turn six with about a one-
half mile distance to number seven, but what about
problems in turns?
"What you've got to do is try to get the gear right
so you can get off the corner good," said Powell.
"We've been working with the gear to get the right
combination. We were able to get down that long
straightaway real well."
Sean Murphy of Ft. Lauderdale, FL drove his Crenshaw
Motorsports prepared ride to a Goodyear Challenge Series
win and a sixth place overall finishing effort in this
combined Super Late Model and Late Model field. Murphy
took the Goodyear Late Model lead in lap 16 and
finished ahead of 18 Super Late Model cars.
"The win felt great," said Murphy, who has several
years of road racing school experience in Europe.
"The team needed a win. We had a little downfall on
Friday - broke a motor and sent it to Progressive and
they fixed it for us and got us here racing this
afternoon. They're one of the main reasons we did
win," Murphy said.
There were also some little trick situations for many
drivers with the weather.
"The main surprise was toward the end of the race when
rain played a trick on us when it started to come in on
the north side of the track about 45 minutes into the
race - it was a real late shower," concluded Murphy.
"Yeah, it (track) really does, because the concrete
here at Sebring is super rough," said Bresnahan. "The
car's constantly jumping out from under you and it
definitely keeps you on your toes, but this is one of
the most fun tracks you can run on."
Eric Black of Vero Beach, FL was the third place Sunbelt
Super Late Model finisher in his MB Enterprises car.
"I didn't get any practice in until yesterday (Saturday)
so I just showed up and all I did was qualify," said
Black. "I got one lap and qualified 16th, but I know
I could come forward and finish in the top three."
It was a tough day for Sunbelt point leader Dick
Anderson of Wildwood, FL who finished 29th with mechanical
problems.
O'Neil finished second in Goodyear Challenge Series racing
and seventh overall by just staying out of trouble.
"Absolute racing experience kept us out of trouble and
we had to good car and setup," said O'Neil, who has SCCA
racing experience.
Tony Amico of Clearwater, FL drove his Executive Racing
School Chevrolet to a third place finish and 11th
overall. He is doing the racing job well, but were there
any road race problems?
"No, once the tires got hot we were a little loose," said
Amico. "Other than that, it was great!"
The next FASCAR Sunbelt Super Series and Goodyear
Challenge Series race will be at USA International Speedway
in Lakeland, FL on October 19th.
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