| Tuesday, October 22, 2002 | |
| Drawdy Cashes In at A.A.C.S. SeaFest 250 | By Rick Anges
 Bradenton, Fl. - With a possible payday of $10,000 0n the line for the twin 125 lap All American Challenge Series feature events some of the top names in Florida late model racing were on hand at DeSoto Speedway.
Friday night qualifying saw young Justin Drawdy spank the rest of the field by 2 tenths of a second blistering the asphalt with a 14.22 second trip around the “high banks”.
Some of the cars were experiencing slick conditions in turn four throwing off the lap times but Drawdy’s mount stuck to the bottom groove. “We just hit it right and the car was good, we are hoping for a good run tomorrow night in both races” said Drawdy Friday after being awarded the fast qualifier plaque by track owner John Sarppraicone.
SeaFeast 250
Race # 1
The field was started the way they qualified and it was clear that Drawdy was the machine to beat, or catch as he pulled away from the rest of the pack with ease. Dave Pletcher and Jimmy Cope had a classic race going after getting by the second fast car of Travis Kittleson and battled back and forth for the second spot with Cope finally getting a nose under Pletcher and taking the position.
Several cars had problems in the first race including Mario Maresca who slammed the wall hard and ended his night. B.J.McLeod had a good run going from his 7th starting position but an under the car fire forced him to the infield for the remainder of the first race. Richard Till has had some good runs of late in AACS but mechanical problems forced the 02 car into the pits before the end of the race.
When the smoke cleared it was Drawdy with the win in the first leg over second place Cope, Pletcher finished third, Joe Boyd had a strong run in fourth and rounding out the top five was Pensacolas own, Donald Long.
Race #2
The field was inverted for the second race putting Drawdy towards the rear of the pack. And a lot of good racecars between him and $10,000. When the green flag dropped in didn’t take the 10 of Donald Long to get to the front. This was Longs first trip to the high banks but he ran the track like a veteran getting by both Cope and Pletcher to take the lead.
Once again attrition was a big player in the results of the second race, McLeod who had the fire problems in the first race couldn’t get his mount to speed and had to settle for 10th place finish. After finishing fifth in the first race Joe Boyd looked to be headed for another good finish when he apparently lost all brakes having to do several circles in the infield grass to scrape speed of his car and come to a stop. Mike Abbott was running in the top ten until he slammed hard into the turn four having to take the hook into the pits and ending up 12th.
Travis Kittleson was forced to start at the rear of the pack for unknown reasons but roared towards the front breaking into the top five just after the half way mark. But the real race was when Drawdy passed Pletcher for the second spot and set his eyes on the yellow 10 of Long.
Drawdy pulled within a car length of Longs rear bumper but between hot tires and lapped cars Long was able to pull away.
Just when it appeared Long would walk away with the $5,000 first place money a late race caution bunched the field up and put Drawdy right on Longs tail. The caution contained a lengthy clean up and allowed Drawdys tires to cool and when the green flew Drawdy was able to get a nose under Long and force him high taking the lead, Pletcher was also able to get under Long and move into second but he was unable to catch him as Drawdy cruised to his $10,000 winners share of the Sea Fest 250, Pletcher took second, Long settled for third, Jimmy Cope held on for fourth and fifth went to Travis Kittleson.
Two races remain to decide the Championship of the All American Challenge Series November 16 and November 30th.
Other Results:
Street Stocks
1.Chet Roberts 69
2.Duane Best 3
3.Tommy Huffstutler 4
4.Bruce Ahlers 47
5.Claudio Reyes 20
Open Wheel Modifieds
1Wayne Jefferson 1
2.Timmy Moore 57
3.Red Vann 32
4.Bill Davis 15
5.Jay Coleman 12
Mod-Mini
1.Steve Gill 5
2.Fred Paravacini 86
3.Greg Krom 7
4.Sam Rogers Sr.
5.Todd Freed Jr 20
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