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April 2002
| Bresnahan Wins Big ($5500) At Citrus County! | By Larry McMillan
(Inverness, Fl. 4/27/02) Thirty-two heavy duty Late Models made the show for the first of four 125-lap specials on the Citrus County Speedway schedule for 2002. Seven drivers were out for their first try on the new configuration to include Jimmy Cope.
When the dust settled and the checkered flag flew only eleven cars were still running. The top 24 cars qualified in time trials and the top four out of an 8-car consolation race. For the most part high 13 and low 14-second runs were setting up the top qualifiers until the final seven took on the fast 3/8th mile.
Herb Neumann Jr. turned in a 13.853 to set fast time before Wayne Anderson shot that down with 13.733-second lap. With only three more cars to qualify, Mike Bresnahan missed the track record on the old configuration by one tenth of a second and picked up the fast qualifier $500 with a 13.645 second run.
On the pill draw the starting lineup put Herb Hoefler on the pole after qualifying 4th fastest with an 13.840 with Herb Neumann on the outside, Wayne Anderson taking the inside of row two and Mike Bresnahan the outside. The drag race to turn one when the green flew put Hoefler on the point where he stayed for first 25 laps with several caution flags interrupting a solid run for anyone. Several caution flags came out for restarts with laps counting up to lap 75.
Hoefler got caught up in a four-car tangle on turn three and four that ended the night for Anderson, Wayne Jefferson, and Hoefler. On the restart, Herb Neumann took the point with Dave Pletcher putting the heat on for the next fifty laps.
Bresnahan was sitting quietly letting the leaders battle for the spot. Pletcher took numerous runs at Neumann before the break for Bresnahan came when Pletcher dove under Neumann and the two cars made contact and drifted high a on turn one and two. Bresnahan took advantage of the opening and held off all challengers to the finish line, banking $5500 for his nights work.
Herb Neumann Jr. finished second ahead of James Powell, Jim Smith, Dave Pletcher, Jimmy Britts, Lee Faulk, and Scott Grossenbacher, the only eight cars in the lead lap, and two lapped cars in Richie Anderson and Teddy Nelson. The balance of the field was forced to park it before the end of the race either for mechanical problems or crashes.
In other action, Tommy Smith continued to show why he is king of the Hobby Stock division. Starting 16th in the twenty three car field he managed to move to the point in the first 20 laps of the 30 lap main event for his fourth win of the season. Kreg Belcastro outran Brandon Johnson in the run for second while early leader Chris Cross held out for fourth over Don Wooten.
Another hot contender for his fourth Sportsman crown Mike Veltman showed the ten-car field the way to Victory Lane for third time this season. Mark Dominique held the early lead in their 30 lap main when something went sour in his engine opening up the gates for Jimmy Thompson take second over Terry Cater, Bill Oestreicher and Warren Baughn.
Travis Nichols used the second groove to improve his run for the Street Stock division championship, claiming his third feature win of the season. Don Teague seesawed from second to fifth, survived an early wreck that looked like he wouldnt make the restart, and came back to hold on for second just ahead of 18th starter Mike Bell. James Green lost power at the mid point in the race and gave up the lead to hold out for a fourth place finish over 16th starter Kathy Ray.
Seventeen Mini Stocks took the green in their 30 lap main and point leader Robbie Yoakam powered from his 14th starting spot to make his fourth trip to Victory Lane. Jay McKenzie scored a second place finish over early leader, rookie Lance Taylor. William Prevatt moved from 16th to finish fourth and Kevin Harrod held on for a fifth place finish.
Thunder Stocks went in a pair of 15 lap features and Josh Teague took home his fifth first place trophy of the season and maintains the point lead after seven weeks of action. Stuart Madison, Robert Jordan, Todd Downs and Rick Badessa round out the top five in the first race.
Robin Bauer took her first feature win after starting 14th in the sixteen-car field. Michael Wilson held out for a solid second in his second week of racing while Lee Keller, Glen Gordon and Natasha Teague battled it out for third and finished in that order.
Sportsman go into the spotlight next Saturday night kicking off the may schedule in a 40 lap main event with time trials for qualifying and a $700 win purse up for grabs.
It was also announced late last week that the Powell Memorial, the next Citrus County Speedway 125 scheduled for May 25th will have the Late Models running for a $10,000 win purse and paying second $5,000, third $3,000, fourth $2,000 and 5th $1,000. Should bring in more of the hot shoes to try on Citrus County Speedway.
Citrus County Speedway Results 04/27/02
Crystal Motor Car Co. Late Model 125 Finish
1. #3x Mike Bresnahan Homosassa
2. #98 Herb Neumann Jr. Inverness
3. #37 James Powell
4. # 9 Jim Smith Inverness
5. #75 Dave Pletcher Pinellas Park
6. #92 Jimmy Britts
7. #25 Lee Faulk
8. #09 Scott Grossenbacher
9. #x2 Richie Anderson
10.#34 Teddy Nelson Largo
11.#3 Rex Struble Homosassa
12.#137 Mike Franklin Hialeah
13.#96 Dan Johnson Crystal River
14.# 5 Daniel Keene Sr. Land O Lakes
15.#61 Jimmy Cope Weeke Wachee
16.#19 Tommy Schnader Largo
17.#6x Mac Johnson Newberry
18.#13 Tom Haselmayer Brooksville
19.#5K Daniel Keene Jr. Land O Lakes
20.#54 Kevin Bryant Ocala
21.#6 Billy Bechtelheimer Dover
22.#19 Wayne Anderson Wildwood
23.#22 Herb Hoefler Floral City
24.# 1 Wayne Jefferson St. Petersburg
25.#72 Scotty Crockett Land O Lakes
26.#88 Brock Oglesby Ocala
27.#43 Billy Pratt
28.#16 Tommy McCann
Sportsman Feature - 30 laps - 10 Cars
1. #55 Mike Veltman Crystal River
2. #3 Jimmy Thompson Pinellas Park
3. #1 Terry Cater Inverness
4. ##0 Bill Oestreicher Webster
5. #59 Warren Baughn Crystal River
Street Stock Feature - 30 Laps - 19 Cars
1. #2 Travis Nichols Inverness
2. #3x Don Teagure Hernando
3. #17 Mike Bell Brooksville
4. #53 James Green Inverness
5. #63 Kathy Ray Floral City
Mini Stock Feature - 30 Laps - 17 Cars
1. #8x Robbie Yoakam Hernando
2. #lx Jay McKenzie Inverness
3. #29 Lance Taylor Palm Harbor
4. #9 William Prevatt Brooksville
5. #34 Kevin Harrod Bushnell
Hobby Stock Feature - 30 Laps - 23 Cars
1. #21 Tommy Smith Floral City
2. #3 Kreg Belcastro Inverness
3. #88 Brandon Johnson Inverness
4. #66 Chris Cross Inverness
5. #90 Dan Wooten
lst Thunder Stock Feature - 15 Laps - 17 Cars
1. #20 Josh Teague
2. ##2 Stuart Madison
3. #28 Robert Jordan
4. #27 Todd Downs
5. #88 Rick Badessa
2nd Thunder Car Feature - 15 Laps - 16 Cars
1. #97 Robin Bauer
2. #39 Michael Wilson
3. #21 Lee Keller
4. #63 Glenn Gordon
5. #x2 Natasha Teague
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| Doug Wilson Takes Race #3 of EROC Series, Kittleson, Campbell, Boyd and Bontrager Also Big Winners At USA | by Jane Smith Lakeland, FL - The sun was hot, the crowd was warm, and the action was hot and heavy. Rain dampened the open practice the night before but no rain on raceday.
Seven drivers entered the third race of the EROC Series at USA International. They were #11 Aaron Dreher from Palm Harbor, Fl, #88 Doug Wilson from Cape Coral, Fl, #18 Terry Skipper from New Smyrna, Fl (pinch hitting for his cousin), #98 Phil Little from Hanover, PA, #23 Kris Deckard from Greenwood, IN, #19 Keith Perry from Pinebrook Pines, Fl and #20 Bubba "The Love Sponge" Clem from Tampa, Fl.
Doug Wilson #88 set fast time with a 22.858 followed by #11 Aaron Dreher with a 22.863. Doug Wilson was the big winner in race no. one and Bob Skipper (his cousin raced for him) won race number two. In the field for his very first race was Bubba "The Love Sponge" in car number 20.
The thirty five lap event saw #88 Doug Wilson on the pole and winning from the pole. The #23 of Kris Deckard, the youngest driver of the bunch, quickly moved his machine from his sixth starting place to fifth putting the #20 of Bubba into the sixth position. Then Deckard set aim for the fourth position as he went side by side with #98 Phil Little taking fourth and putting Deckard fifth.
Doug Wilson #88 put a 10 car length between himself and the second place car of #11 Aaron Dreher . But Dreher had his own problems with the #19 of Keith Perry who finally got under Dreher on the front stretch and took the second position. Perry proceeded to build a good 8 car length lead over Dreher .
The #23 of young Kris Deckard moved up on the tail of Dreher , looked high and low but could not make the pass. The only caution for the 35 lap event came out as the leader, #88 Doug Wilson, spun on the frontstretch as he slightly got into the grass avoiding the lap car of #18 Terry Skipper. Wilson was given back his lead position and the race was green once again.
On the restart Wilson took the lead although his car seemed a little slower from the mishap in the grass. On lap 16, #23 Deckard was right on the rear bumper of #19 Perry and was able to make the pass for third. Coming off of two, Wilson wiggles but was able to correct and hold his lead. Then it was Wilson, Perry and Deckard nose to tail but Deckard was not able to make a pass on Perry for the second place position.
Perry inched towards Wilson on lap 25, looked high, looked low but could not pass Wilson. Deckard moved on Perry's back bumper but could not make the pass. The white flag came out for one lap to go and the sixth place car of #20 Bubba "The Love Sponge" spun going to the checkers and lost his sixth place position to #18 Terry Skipper.
Taking the checkers and winner of race number 3 was #88 Doug Wilson followed by #19 Keith Perry, #23 Kris Deckard, #11 Aaron Dreher , #98 Phil Little, #18 Terry Skipper, and #20 Bubba Clem.
SUPER LATE MODELS Travis Kittleson #88 and David Rogers #11 sat on the front row for the Racecar Engineering Sunbelt Super Late Model event. On the start, the #80 of Brian Finney pushed up and hit the #10 of Eric Black but Black saved it. On lap 3, the new #36 of Dick Anderson has made his move from his seventh place starting position to take the fifth spot over. Top five are Kittleson, Rogers, Williams, Drawdy and Anderson but on lap 13 Rogers started to slip backwards with mechanical problems and by lap 19 Rogers was in eleventh place. Rogers stayed strong and kept racing.
On lap 39, caution #1 came out for the #16K of Tommy King who spun on the backstretch. On lap 43, caution #2 came out for #23 Mike Abbott as he spun on the backstretch. Lap 45 the race restarted with Kittleson, Williams, Anderson, Sawyer and Drawdy. Lap 46 saw the #74 of Barry Willoughby go into the pits but returned to the track.
On lap 52, caution #3 for the #54 of Kevin Ingram. #23 of Mike Abbott and #38 of Kevin Dixs when they spun on the frontstretch. All were able to continue racing. Lap 55 the green was out again with Kittleson still in the lead. The #10 of Eric Black, who had gone to the rear from an incident early in the race, had now worked his way back to the seventh position. Caution #4 saw the #80 of Brian Finney hit the turn 2 wall. Finney tried to get the car to the pits but sparks flew everywhere and the tow truck came out. At the time, Finney was running in the top ten and having a very good night.
The race went back to green on lap 69 and on lap 71, Black made a move on the #14 of Aric Almirola for sixth place. Black then moved into sixth. Caution 5 came out on lap 80 as the #7 of Scott Bramlett and the #14 of Almirola touch sending them both for a spin.
Lap 82 and the #10 of Black,hungry for a top five position, moved on #12 Justin Drawdy and made the pass for fifth. Before Drawdy could adjust, Rogers moved under Drawdy and took sixth. As the cars head down the frontstretch, the #10 of Black hit the fronstretch wall bringing out the red flag. Black was okay but could not say the same for the car.
Lap 86 saw the race green with Kittleson, Williams, Anderson, Sawyer the top four cars. Caution #7 is thrown for the #42 of George Murphy, #7 of Scott Bramlett, and #22 of DAvid Forelich who had spun in turn 2.
On the restart, the #38 of Shane Sawyer looked to move on the #36 of Anderson but couldn't take the position. The #74 of Barry Willoughby, who every- one thought was running in sixth, is actually a lap down also with David Rogers who is running fifth.
Lap 100, the race returned to green. Lap 105, the #12 of Justin Drawdy went in and is done for the night. Lap 108, #38 Sawyer once again made a move on Anderson #36 and this time it sticks. Sawyer took over the third spot putting Anderson fourth.
Lap 120, the #74m of Jay Middleton squirms but Middleton did a good job of keeping control and raced on. Lap 123, the #3x of Bobby Beauchemin hit the backstretch turn 2 wall but is high and out of harm's way. The race stayed green and it was the #88 of Travis Kittleson taking the checkers. Following Kittleson was #40 Michael Williams, #38 Shane Sawyer, #36 Dick Anderson and #16k Tommy King.
GOODYEAR CHALLENGE SERIES LATE MODELS The Goodyear Challenge Late Models saw the #34 of Jeff Dufrense on the pole with the points leader for the series, #22 Larry Osteen, on the outside pole. Fast qualifier Jason Boyd #15 was in the ninth starting position. Before a lap was in the books, the race was red flagged for a massive pile-up on the back stretch which included the #07 of Wayne Morris, #13 of Robert Hight, #46 Doug Moff, #5x Jerry Artuso, #39 Mike Greenwell, #27 Richard Barr, and #31x Casey Johnson. The #31x was driveable and the #5x pits and returned. At that point, only 20 cars were left on the track. The cars were removed, repairs were made, and the race went green for a total restart.
Larry Osteen #22 jumped to the lead after Dufresne wiggled on the restart with #66 Jerry Symons, #34 Defresne, #56 Kevin Durdin and #15 Jason Boyd in the top five.
Lap 5, Durdin moved to third, Boyd went to fourth putting #34 to fifth. Then the #29 of Mike Hovis got under #34 and took over fifth. By Lap 14, the #22 of Osteen had put the #14 of Randy Davis, at the end of the lead lap, one lap down. Boyd gave Durdin a little push, Durdin corrected, and Boyd took over third. Hovis went with Boyd and Durdin now found himself in fifth.
On Lap 26 the leader #22 Osteen has a tire go down and found himself in the wall. The points leader was now done for the night. The second place car of Jerry Symons had the lead. By lap 21, only 17 cars are left in the field.
From lap 27 to lap 42, Jerry Symons #66 and Jason Boyd #15 go nose to tail with Symons holding the lead. Not until a lap car came into the picture did Symons lose the first place position to Boyd. Boyd was able to go under the lap car with Symons up high and Boyd took over. Lap 50 the #29 of Hovis and #40 of Andy Rowland brought out caution #3. Hovis was given back his 3rd place spot. Before a lap was down on the restart, the #56 of Durdin, #13 of Hight and #32 of Sean Murphy spin in turn 1.
On Lap 58 the race went back to green with Boyd, Symons, Hovis, Skinner, and Amico in the lead. Lap 63, the doorless #56 of Durdin had worked his way from the rear back to seventh position. Boyd built his lead a good half track ahead of the fourth place car of Skinner. The race remained green until lap 94 when the #24 of Jason Williamson suddenly spun taking the #14 of Randy Davis and the fourth place car of #1 Skinner. The race was red flagged for the second time.
When the race resumed, 12 cars were left with Boyd leading. Then on the restart, the #29 of Hovis spun putting him in the rear of the lead lap. On the second restart, the #5 of Sammy Grahma paid his visit to the backstretch wall getting out of his car and pointed his finger at the #56 of Durdin. Graham was done for the night. Hovis was pentalized for jumping the restart and was put back one position, putting him in fourth.
The last five laps are green. Lap 96, the #29 of Hovis went side by side with Amico for the third position and was able to take it. Taking the checkers were #15 Jason Boyd, #66 Jerry Symons, #29 Mike Hovis, #77 Tony Amico, and #56 Kevin Durdin.
In Victory Lane, Boyd said "my dad builds one hell of a motor." Symons was not able to go to Victory Lane as he had to quickly jump from his Late Model to his Open Wheel Modified.
PRO MODIFIEDS Tank Tucker sat on the pole for the 35 lap Pro Modified event. But it took two restarts before the first lap was on the books. The #99x of Jeff Anderson caused caution #1 as he spun coming down the backstretch on the start. Caution 2, which was a red flag situation, coming when the #09 of Rob Underwood shot straight into the turn 3 wall, spinning around and putting the driver's side straight against the turn wall. Luckily, after cutting the car, Underwood was able to walk from his mangled car to the ambulance. After the race, I saw Underwood who said he was fine but I am sure very, very sore today.
The race finally saw green with Tucker leading. By lap 4, the #40 of Michael Williams had moved into sixth place. Caution #3 came out on lap 3 as the #94 spun out in turn 4.
By lap 10, the #40 of Williams was in third place and the #llb of Jamie Burrows had moved into sixth. Then suddenly, Burrows slowed, pitted and was done for the night on lap 6. Lap 24, the #2x of Skip Honaker was off track and done for the night. Lap 28 caution 4 was thrown for the leader #15 Tucker and #01 J. F. McClellan. Both are sent to the rear with Tucker not so happy. This turns the race lead over to the #40 of Williams.
Tucker, moving from the rear back to the front, caused caution #5 as he tangled with the #l of Andy Saffioti ending both their night on lap 33. Williams held the lead and took the checkers with #5 Brian Campbell, #66 Jerry Symons, #7 Mark Vandevender and #32 Red Vann in the top five positions. After tech, the #40 of Williams was dq'd due to weight giving the win to #5 Campbell and moving the #98 into fifth.
FASTTRUCKS The #93 of Jeff Firestine sat on the pole for the 35 lap FASTRUCK event. Before a lap was in the book for this event, a complete restart was in order as the #22 Scot Ingold and #95 Christy Boyett got together on the front stretch but were able to continue.
On the restart, Firestine took the lead but by lap 4, the #5 Jimmy Gill had taken over. Lap 10, the #99 of Danny Foster had broken and was not able to make it to pit road. The race was yellow flagged and Foster was pushed to the pits. On the restart, Gill held his lead over Firestine and #10 Kim Scheffler. Then Scheffler pays a little visit to the front- stretch wall and the #19 of Steve Arnold was sent to the rear for spinning Scheffler. Scheffler was able to continue and given back her third place position. But on the restart, the #10 was not up to speed and she took it to the pits.
Lap 11 saw the #71 hard into the backstretch wall for the fourth caution . On the retart, Gill had the lead but on lap 12, the #8 of Todd Bontrager starting in the rear of the field since he was the last winner in the truck event, had come up from his 33rd starting spot to take second. Lap 14, the #1 of Bobby Diehl stopped between turns one and two and the yellow comes out to get him back to the pits.
On the restart, the #8 of Bontranger went side by side with Gill, who did not want to lose his lead for the top position. For five laps, they fought each other with the #8 taking the lead position on lap 19. Just as Bontrager grabbed the lead, the #3 of Donald Davis spun on the backstretch bringing out the sixth caution of the night.
From the restart on lap 19 until lap 31, the race remained green. The top runners were making their moves but no one could take the lead away from #8 Bontrager. During this period, the #10 of Scheffler also returned to the track. On lap 31, caution 7 came out as the #1 of Diehl spun on the backstretch and the #17 Johnny Mitchell had lost power and needed help into the pits.
On the restart, it was #8 Bontrager, #5 Jimmy Gill, #93 Jeff Firestine, #19 Steve Arnold, and #09 Scott O'Neil.
Following #8 Bontrager for the checkers were #5 Jimmy Gill, #19 Steve Arnold, #93 Jeff Firestine and #09 Scott O'Neil.
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Levy County Legend Gets a Facelift
By MIKE DAROZA
Sports Writer-Alachua Today
You must be doing something right if you can make even a grouch happy.
Which is exactly what Bronson Motor Speedway General Manager Tommy Dunford seems to be doing every Saturday night.
Since taking over at BMS back in August of 2001, Dunford -- along with the financial backing from new owners Mike and Jane Cope -- has not only remodeled an old racetrack, he has completely transformed it into one of the premier speedways in north central Florida.
And, even a self-professed grouch couldn't be happier about the changes.
"Everybody around here knows, 10 or 12 people had owned this track before, and not one of them seemed to be able to do anything with it," said Billy "Grouch" Myers, who attended the inaugural race at BMS in 1974, and hasn't missed many since."But, I do believe these people are doing it."
Grouch said he's been a racing fan since his days in the service back in 1949, when he was stationed in Maryland and frequented many different racetracks in the north.
From there Grouch moved to south Florida, started going to some of the tracks in that area where he became friends with one of stock car racing's biggest legends -- three-time Daytona 500 winner Bobby Allison.
On average, Bronson Motor Speedway brings in a different touring series from all over the state twice a month. Florida’s Classic Car Series made the trip to Bronson last week.
So, when Grouch moved to Bronson in the early 70s, he was already primed for racing, but never imagined it would turn out like the operation the Copes and Dunford have created.
"Their attitudes are even different; they are racers and I'm glad to see them here," said Myers, peering out over the racetrack.
"The way I looked at it, I felt that if somebody that knew what they were doing didn't buy this track, in another year or two, they'd be planting watermelons on this land instead of racing on it." "They've done a marvelous job."
What the Copes and Dunford have done to BMS is nothing short of a complete metamorphosis, and they didn't stop with the racetrack. Race fans that haven't been to BMS in awhile would simply not recognize the place. The most obvious changes to BMS are the brightly painted red and white wall and the protective chain-link fence that surrounds it.
A further investigation not only reveals a fresh coat of asphalt around the 1/3-mile high-banked oval, but the infield has been sodded over and now includes an x-shaped extension through it (for figure-eight racing), replacing the old sandy infield that was filled with sand spurs.
In addition to the modifications to the track, fans will also find new concrete sidewalks snaking their way in and around the completely refurbished bleachers that can now comfortably seat more than 1,500 spectators.
Dunford said that when he got the call from the Copes to come and help run the show, he jumped at the chance.
"The biggest thing we wanted to do was raise the professionalism of the track, and get the idea out of people's heads that this is a place where drunken brawls take place," Dunford said.
"We don't put up with any of that, especially over there in the stands where families come to have a good time."
And, as Dunford recalls, the plans didn't stop there. "He (Cope) told me about his vision of bringing bigger racing series here, putting the figure-eight in, resurfacing the track and putting a fence all the way around it," Dunford said. "We knew we could build something special here."
"We raced together at Sunshine Speedway in Tampa, and that place has always been packed to the rafters. And now, we're starting to fill the stands up every week here.
Bringing a better show to BMS meant bigger crowds were going to come and watch it. So, Dunford knew the next new addition would have to be more employees to handle the volume of race fans coming through the gates.
A crew of 30 now handles duties from concession sales to track clean ups. "We've had to learn how to deal with the crowd we're dealing with now," Dunford explained. "When we first took over, there were about 118 people in the stands and 125 in the pits coming to the races. And now, there're over 1,500 people on the grounds every week. We've had to revamp the concession stands, hire more people, everything."
The weekly show at BMS includes five racing divisions. But, Dunford said, "there's much more than the regular racing series to be seen when the fans come out. We have Late Models here on the first Saturday of every month. That's probably one of our best shows."
"We run Modifieds every Saturday night, plus we've got a great Sportsman class, Pure Stock class, Mini Stock class and Enduro class."
"Throw in the touring classes (Florida Pro Series Late Models, Dwarf Cars, Classic Cars and Fast Trucks) and we have about six classes of racing here every weekend."
"Now when somebody comes over here and spends $10 to get in that gate, they're getting every bit of $10 dollars worth of entertainment."
That just may be an understatement compared to how much things have changed in a very short time at BMS, and how much Dunford sees it changing in the not-so-distant future. "We'll have the Florida Pro Series Late Models in here later in the year," Dunford noted."But, we're not stopping there, we're looking to bring USAC sprints in here for a week in February for Speedweeks."
"A lot of people want to come and race here now."
Indeed, the new BMS has changed the way folks around the area, as well as the state, look at stock car racing in Levy County.
And, according to Dunford, new and old fans of BMS are in for a treat when they come to Bronson on Saturday nights now and well into the future.
"It's nothing like the old place," Dunford said with a grin.
"And, it's going to get a lot bigger, believe me."
"We won't be totally satisfied until it looks like Bristol with seats all the way around it."
By MIKE DAROZA
Sports Writer
Alachua Today
Editor's note: sports writer Mike DaRoza takes you inside the various auto racing facilities in the area with his four-part series, Saturday Night Speed. From the high-banked ovals of Bronson Motor Speedway, Columbia Motorsports Park and Lake City Motor Speedway, to the quarter-mile drag strip at Gainesville Raceway, Saturday Night Speed is your guide to local racing action.
For more on Bronson Motor Speedway visit the new web site.
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| Q Motorsports Family Scholarship Program | Legendary Indy Race Car Driver, Lyn St. James, visited St. Petersburg, Florida in March to meet the scholarship winners of the Q Motorsports Family Scholarship Program, talk to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg organizers about the upcoming race event and to visit the St. Pete YMCA's youth program.
St. Petersburg's YMCA Director, Karen Galinowski, was pleased to have a visit from this celebrity racecar driver. Ms. St. James visited the Y Achievers class, an academic based program that works on homework skills, nutrition and arts and crafts. She enjoyed a tour of their new facility that will be the new home of this youth program. She spent time with the class explaining safety gear while racing over 100 miles per hour.
The children were very curious about the fire proof suits, gloves and shoes, as well as the elaborate helmet with radios to communicate to the crew while racing. Ms. St. James explained to the children it is important to pursue your dream, whatever it may be. She is proud to have accomplished her life goal, that of becoming a professional racecar driver. Ms. St. James is an inspiration to young people and a great role model.
Ms. St. James began her racing career in 1974 in the Florida Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Since that time, she has started seven Indianapolis 500 races and won the Rookie of the Year Indy 500 award in 1992. She had seven Indy 500 starts in nine years and qualified sixth in 1994, the highest ever for a woman at Indy. She also set the world record on closed course speeds for women reaching 225.722 mph during the 1995 Indy 500 qualification weekend. Her best finish was eleventh in 1992. The 2000 Indy 500 race was Ms. St. James last Indy race when she decided to retire from Indy car competition.
Lyn St. James has earned the title of "The American Woman Racing Icon of the Century" through her dedication to her motorsports career. She was selected by Sports Illustrated for Women as one of the Top?100 Women athletes of the century. Ms. St. James actively promotes her charitable foundation, the Lyn St. James Foundation. This foundation is an educational organization that focuses on worldwide activities and programs for automotive safety and driver development, especially for aspiring race car drivers who are female. Ms. St. James is also busy promoting her new book The Ride of Your Life due out in May of this year.
Ms. St. James met with several scholarship winners of the Q Motorsports Family Scholarship Program. This academic charity awards scholarships to young people who actively drive in competitive motorsports. The program selects winners annually based on grades 'in school, community service/self promotional activities and racing performance. One of the scholarship winners, Michael Abbott, of Coral Springs, Florida, attended Lyn St. James Driver Development Program last year, where Ms. St. James first learned about the Q Motorsports Scholarship Program. Since 1998, the scholarship program has awarded 38 scholarships totaling $31,950.00. Funds are held for the benefit of the scholarship winner and can be used for post high school education towards tuition, books or educational expenses.
In addition, Ms. St. James met with Tom Begley of the 2003 St. Pete Grand Prix race event. While this famous racecar driver recently retired from the Indy 500 competition, she is considering racing in this event.
For more information, please contact: Leonard McCue, Attorney and President of the Q Motorsports Family Scholarship Program, phone 800-332-1992.
(material courtesy of Q Motorsports)
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| BLACKJACK MULLIGAN TO JOIN CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES AT NEW SMYRNA | RAHMAN AND YATES TIED FOR POINT LEAD
By Dave Westerman
The Classic Auto Racing Series heads back to the high banks of New Smyrna Speedway this Saturday night for what is expected to be a crowd-pleasing show that will include the Winged Outlaw Sprints of the TBARA.
Clermont driver Jim Rahman's win last week at Orlando has put him in a tie for the Classic Auto Racing Series points lead with consistent Ed Yates of Orlando. Yates was second at Speedworld and has finished no worse than fourth so far this year.
Bud Spencer and Mike Albert remain third and fourth in points despite a late-race tangle by the two at Orlando that dropped Albert to ninth in the race, just ahead of Spencer. Spencer is now 38 markers in back of the point leaders while Albert is just two points behind Spencer.
 The Orlando race really heated up the Door Operating Systems Rookie of the Year challenge. Patrick Sanders, who led the rookie standings and was fifth in overall points, had problems and finished 17th last week. Meanwhile, Harvey Ewing had his best-ever run in the Series finishing fifth at Speedworld, taking over the rookie point lead and moving to fifth overall as well. Groveland's Keith Roberts also had a good run and moved to second in rookie points and sixth overall. Roberts is eight points behind Ewing in the Door Operating Systems rookie chase with Sanders still not far behind... just three points back of Roberts and seventh overall.
Roberts will have some extra help at the New Smyrna race in the form of his new sponsor, Bobby Jack Windham, better known to pro wrestling fans as Blackjack Mulligan.
The 59-year-old Mulligan, in his trademark black trunks, cowboy boots, hat, and glove, was one of the top wrestlers in the United States in the 70's and 80's.
When a broken leg derailed his pro football career with the New York Jets, the CEO of Madison Square Garden Corp. suggested he try pro wrestling. Two years later, his persona of Blackjack Mulligan was headlining main events in the WWWF.
Mulligan held several titles over the years in various organizations from Florida to New York to his home state of Texas, including the NWA World Tag Team title with Ric Flair.
His legendary battles with the likes of Bobo Brazil, Big John Studd, Wahoo McDaniel, King Kong Mosca, and Dory Funk, Jr. are well documented and he is known for his signature "clawhold" that he used to win most of his matches.
Mulligan's oldest son, Barry Windham, went on to become a wrestling superstar himself and his other son Kendall also enjoyed a decent pro wrestling career as well.
Mulligan will be at New Smyrna Speedway Saturday night to cheer on Keith Roberts and the other Classic Auto Racing Series drivers and looks forward to meeting fans of both racing and wrestling.
Visit the Classic Cars Website!
CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES - TOP TEN IN POINTS - AS OF 4/19/02:
1) Jim Rahman, Clermont #5 218 (1 win)
Ed Yates, Orlando #74 218
3) Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7 180
4) Mike Albert, Winter Springs #24 178
5) Harvey Ewing, Brooksville #17 164
6) Keith Roberts, Groveland #31 156
7) Patrick Sanders, Winter Garden #8 153
8) E.T. McGhee, Deland #3G's 152
9) George Hall III, St. Petersburg #9 147
10) Eddie Thornton, Orlando #4 146
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| Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | |
| Late Model Racers Head To Citrus County To Win $5000 | By Larry MacMillan
In the first of four Crystal Motor Car Co. Late Model Specials, Floridas best will be heading to Citrus County Speedway for Friday night practice and a 125 lap special for $5,000 to win. Thirty plus cars are expected to attempt to qualify in time trials at 5 P.M. Saturday evening. Depending on the number of cars that show up for the race will determine weather a consolation race will be necessary to set up the final field.
The two winter spectacular races and the Sunbelt Series race all drew good fields of race cars and as the reputation of the new 3/8th mile configuration travels around the state, more than 60 race drivers have tried it on for size in special races or in the regular weekly program. The regular weekly program has produced 40 cars that have entered the regular point race for the 2002 crown. Point in question is how many locals will participate who are working on a low budget, lacking sponsorship and dont want to overwork a motor that is set for 30 lap weekly features and not for the long haul.
Three other 125s are scheduled for the season. Moving from Ocala the Powell Memorial will be run on May 25th. Two more specials are scheduled for August 3rd and October 5th, all paying $5,000 to win This will all culminate with the 150 special on October 26th, paying $10,000 to win with a bonus for a winner of any of the previous specials to receive an additional $2,500. This certainly should be an incentive to get involved in all five races, as Citrus County Speedway becomes the premier Late Model track in Florida.
Added to the special will be full features for the Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Thunder Stocks. Entering the eighth week of the regular season two new point leaders showed up after last weeks competition. Mike Bell picked up 110 points with a heat win and his first Street Stock feature win moving ahead of Danny Cretty by 44 points. Several other changes took place in the top ten as well, with Ernie Reed moving from 6th to fourth with a 22 point edge on Travis Nichols and Kathy Ray moving from 8th to 6th. Josh Teague scored his fourth Thunder Stock feature moving him from 3rd to the lead in that division. Robert Jordan slipped to third and defending champion Stuart Madison holds on to a 20 point lead over Jordan in the race for second. Robin Bauer moved up from 8th to 7th on her heat win and second place finish in the feature.
Mike Bresnahan continues to lead in Late Model action by 54 points over Raymond Lovelady. Mike Veltman maintains the Sportsman lead despite suffering his second top ten finish with Bill Oestreicher chasing him. Robbie Yoakam put a lot of cushion in his Mini Stock lead, scoring his third feature win in the forty lap special last week. Rob Wheatley lost a lot of ground with a 15th place finish and he said he sold his racecar after the race. Richie Smith closed the gap to 110 points on his brother Tommy after his win in their 40 lap special last week Tommy suffered a flat tire while leading the race and he had to settle for an 8th place finish.
Citrus County Speedway continues in its 47th year of operation at the same location just 2 miles south of Inverness on U.S. 41 at the Citrus County Fairgrounds. Pit gates open at noon, practice starts at 1 and the grandstand gates open at 3:30 p.m. Time trials start at 5 and races take the green flag at 6 P.M. There will be a slight increase in admittance for the Crystal Motor Car Co. Late Model 125.
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| Matt Watts Takes Win No. 1 in Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series | by Jane Smith
(KNS)Samsula, FL. - Thirty eight of
Florida's finest Mini Stocks were on hand for the
first race of 2002 for the Florida Mini Stock
Challenge Series. The Acousti Engineering Co.
of Florida's 50 lap event was held at New Smyrna
Speedway with drivers from Hialeah Speedway,
Sunshine Speedway, Charlotte County Speedway,
Citrus County Speedway, Bronson International
Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, Orlando SpeedWorld,
DeSoto Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway filled
the pits.
Only one of the thirty eight Mini
Stocks was not able to qualify or race due to
a hot lap accident. The #28 of young Sean Bass,
an up and coming Mini Stock driver, had to sit
out the first race but said, "I will definitely
be there for the May race at Orlando Speed-
World." Also on hand was the 2001 Florida Mini
Stock Challenge Champion Frank Welch who will
defend his championship.
Corbin Gibbs set fast time with a 21.585 followed
by his teammate Matt Watts with a 21.702. But
when that ever favorite "pill" was drawn, it
was the #1 of David Castello, 2001 Rookie of the
Year at New Smyrna Speedway for the Mini Stock
division, on that most wanted position, the POLE.
Castello quickly jumped to the lead when the green
was thrown but before the first lap was in the
books, the yellow came out for caution #1 as the
#07 of Dick Laszlo spun going into turn 2. A
complete restart since no lap was in the books
and this time it was the #65 of Joey Catarelli
to the lead but not for long as the #1 of
Castello makes his move on Catarelli and takes
back his position. The #71 of David Maskwa
brushes the frontstretch wall but is able to
continue with no yellow being thrown.
Caution 2 came out for the #31 of Chad Carpenter
and the #90 of Josh Hermann who spin in the bottom
of turn 4. The field is realigned with Castello
still in the lead followed by Welch, Clark, Sirmans,
and Lee Davis. On the restart, Sirmans is shuffled
out of the top five by #3 Matt Watts.
Debris brings out caution #3 and as the cars are
getting ready to restart, the #1 of Castello slows
and suddenly goes into the pits turning the lead
over to Welch. Castello loses about 20 laps but
does return to the field and proves that he had
the winning car as he quickly takes the #1 from
the rear of the field to the front. But once
again Lady Luck steps in and Castello is forced
back in the pits.
When the race goes green, Welch finds himself
being pressured by the #3 of Watts. Watts is
on the back bumper of the #96 Mini Truck and
eventually rattles the cage and takes the lead
position putting Welch to second. Caution #4
then comes out for the #98 of Josh Hermann who
has spun in turns 3 and 4 on lap 16.
The restart has Watts up front but Welch is now
riding his bumper for the lead. Welch makes his
move, makes it stick and now has the lead
position back. On lap 22, caution 5 comes out
as the #77 of Lee Davis breaks and gets hung
up on the upper groove. Davis finally makes
it into the pits to end his night. When the
race goes green, the #71 of Ted "Mr Mini Stock"
Vulipus retires to the pits ending his hopes
of a win for the night. A short green flag
period follows when caution #6 comes out
for the #57 of Travis Kuykendall who has spun
out and the #1 of Castello returns to the track.
Once again, another short green period as the #31
of Chad Carpenter spins coming out of turn 4 with
the #1 of Castello narrowly missing the spun out
car. One lap later, the caution comes out again
for caution #8 as the #15 of Tim Clark spins coming
out of turn 2 on the backstretch. On the restart,
it is Welch, Watts, Gibbs, #7x Clint Foley and
#70 Marty Neikens. Lap 30 sees the #23 of Wayne
Wells go into the pits for some TLC but does return
to the track.
Lap 31, caution #9 comes out for the #98 of Josh
Hermann who has hit the frontstretch wall. On the
restart, Welch has the lead but Watts is knocking
on his back door loud and clear. Watts makes the
pass and takes over the lead putting Welch second.
The race goes green until lap 37 when caution #10
comes out for the #05 Rick Sirmans who has hit the
frontstretch wall. Sirmans is okay but the car is
damaged. When the green is thrown for the last
time, #65 Joey Catareli and #70 Marty Neikens are
going hard and heavy side by side for the third
place position. Neikens slides up as Catarelli
takes the spot putting Neikens back to the sixth
place position. Welch is now going high, low but
cannot make the pass on Watts for the lead
position.
The #15 of Time Clark spins out at the entrance to
pit road but out of harm's way so no yellow is
thrown. As Clark sits there, the race is really
getting hot and heave. Last lap, racing for the
start/finish line, Welch is spun out right where
Clark is sitting. Luckily Welch's truck does not
touch Clark's car. Matt Watts finds himself in
the Winner's Circle and thanks his crew, his family,
and all the fans for his victory.
The Mini Stock drivers all said that this was the
best series and they don't know why no one ever
did one before now. They all are looking forward
to the other races this year especially the race
in September at Sebring International Raceway.
The next race for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge
Series will be May 10 at Orlando SpeedWorld.
OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS
1. #3 Matt Watts
2. #65 Joey Catarelli
3. #2 Corbin Gibbs
4. #70 Marty Neikens
5. #99x Tom Clark
6. #7 Tim "Missileman" McPhail
7. #12x Wes Pyburn
8. #30 Robbie Storer
9. #97 Brian Dorer
10. #98x Jeff Davis
11. #42 Eddie Lowery
12. #9 Dale Casteel
13. #40 Dennis Valdez
14. #66 Donnie Lockard
15. #96 Frank Welch
16. #71 David Moskwa
17. # v3 Rex Christensen
18. #112 Justin Edwards
19. #15x Tim Clark
20. #23 Wayne Wells
21. #05 Rick Sirmans
22. #29 Richie Acres
23. #7x Clint Foley
24. # 90 Michael Stoveer
25. #98 Josh Hermann
26. #1 David Castello
27. #45 Joe Irwin
28. #31 Chad Carpenter
29. #71x Ted Vulipus
30. #99k Jason Kuykendall
31. #57 Travis Kuykendall
32. #77 Lee Davis
33. #07 Dick Laszlo
34. #3x Cory Kaiser
35. #8 Trish Gray
36. #34 Josh Robinson
37. #15 Don Strosahl, Jr.
38. #28 Sean Bass (did not race)
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| Browning Overcomes Caution Filled Race To Win Late Model at JAX | By Thom Watson
(KNS)Jacksonville, Fl - The Lumber Unlimited Late Model series had to be shortened to 15 laps, from the regular 30 lap feature,
but David Browning came on just past the halfway point to dominate a race that featured four restarts before the first official lap was run.
On the start, Jason Fitzgerald got bumped going into turn one and went off the track. On the second restart, Homer Leonard and Ronnie Chance got together in about the same place, but managed to keep their cars going straight. At the tail end of the line of starters, Fred Shell went off the track and another restart was coming.
On the third restart, with a required single file restart, Steve Whitener and Don Halliday got together in turn four. There still was not an official lap in the books. Finally on the fourth restart, they were able to get one lap in before the yellow flew once again. In turn one on lap two, Chuck Crews spun by himself. Two laps after the restart, Leonard, who was still leading, just quit coming out of turn two. He only managed to get to turn four before he stopped rolling, bringing another caution flag out.
Meanwhile, Browning was moving towards the front, on lap six he finally went down low in turn two to get by Chance. After three more yellow flags, and with Chuck Chitty, who won last week, on his tail for the last five laps, the checkers, instead of the yellow flag, finally flew for Browning. Chitty was second with Fitzgerald coming home third.
In the River Adventures Houseboat Vacation Open Wheel Modified feature race, current points leader, Mark Whitener won going away. Starting in the fourth position, Mark Whitener, was at the point position after a nice move in the low groove on the front stretch to get by pole sitter David Hart on lap two. After that it was only the cautions that kept Whitener in everyone else's sight. On each restart, he would take off and leave everybody in the dust. He eventually won by more than 10 car lengths. The real battle was for second between Steve Whitener and Bo Allen. After a lap 16 restart, the two battled for the runner-up spot, with Steve able to hang despite the constant hounding by Allen.
Points leader, Scott Nolan, took the lead just past halfway and went on to win the Rusty Acres Auto- motive Hobby Stock feature. Despite Nolan's eighth starting position, he ws able to avoid several early race spins and finally take the lead as he took the low groove coming off turn two and made the pass on Boy O'Steen going down the backstretch on lap eight. A scary scene on lap ll, in which Windal Clark went off the track on the backstretch and flipped his car ended well as he was able to walk away. On the ensuing restart, Nolan was able to get a good jump and went on to a two-car length lead. O'Steen finished second with Chuck Hall taking third.
The Duval Ford Powder Puff feature had the current points leader, Robin Clark, and last year's champion, Kim "Grumpy" Lester, battling each other for the lead in the first half of the race. On the start, Amber Hammons and Shawn Thompson got together in turn one and a complete restart was the result. On the restart, Lester quickly jumped out to the lead and was able to hold it until she spun in turn two on lap three. On the restart, Clark got a good jump and set sail for the checkers. Despite another caution on lap seven, Clark went on to a three-car length winand widened her points lead.
In the Precision Printing and Signs Sportsman feature, Brian Smith, continued his dominance as he won his sixth race of the year out of seven starts. Through the luck of the spin of the wheel, Smith was able to start in the pole position. He didn't need the help, as he was able to lead wire-to-wire and widen his points lead even more with the win. Chad Grogan, who started in the fifth position, was able to move into second on lap 15, but that was as far as he was going to get. Randy Clark, Sr. rounded out the top three. After the completion of the race, the protests started with Clark protesting Smith's car and then Smith turning around and protesting against Clark's car. This would be the second protest of the year against Smith, the first exomerated him completely with everything being legal and above board. At press time, offical results were not available for the Sportsman division.
by Thom Watson
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| Adams Extends USCS Asphalt Sprint Streak At Columbia | His seven in a row streak started at Senoia Speedway on May 5th, 2001. The "Malabar Missile", Kenny Adams from Malabar, Florida pushed that win streak to seven straight wins with his victory Saturday night on Columbia Motor sports Park's fast half mile paved oval.
Adams won six of the seven USCS asphalt series events in 2001 including the last five. Jim Raptis from Marietta, Georgia was the last man to finish in front of Adams at a USCS "Asphalt Outlaw Thunder" series paved track event, when he won at Huntsville Speedway on May 4. 2001.
 Johnny Gilbertson from Dover, Florida driving the Goodson Farms #6 Maxim finished about 10 car lengths behind Adams in his career best asphalt finish and appeared to be a force to be reckoned with now. Gilbertson started along side 2001 USCS National champion Terry Gray from Bartlett, Tennessee and watched as Gray, driving the Wendy's of Lexington J&J Racing car #10, jumped into the lead from the pole position to led laps one thru three before the fourth starting Adams raced by for the lead in his famous Putnam County Speedway/ Blue Ribbon Farms / C&B Mushroom Farms sponsored #2A Shaw car.
Gray held on to the runner-up spot until lap eight when Gilbertson made a move to go by and take up the chase behind Adams. For the next twenty two laps, Gilbertson, Gray, 1997 USCS champ Red Stauffer from Winter Park, Florida, and Wayne Reutimann, Jr. another Sunshine State native from Zephyrhills, kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as they raced thru lapped traffic challenging for positions in a nose to tail battle the entire event.
A caution flag on lap eight for Jim Raptis' blown engine bunched the field early. Then a red flag on lap 22 for three cars off the track in turn one when Aubrey Black, who was running eighth dropped oil with an engine problem, created a fuel stop opportunity and an eight lap dash to the finish. Adams remained unbeatable and Gilbertson held on to the runner-up spot not too far back. Gray crossed the line in third battling side by side with Stauffer the entire last eight laps. Stauffer was fourth and Wayne Reutimann, Jr. got his second USCS top five in a row.
Chris Rogers from Winston, Georgia lead the rest of the field home in sixth after losing a bunch of engine oil in the heat. The 1999 USCS top rookie, said" I was just glad we finished after the leak we had in the heat. Visiting All Star Circuit of Champions regular, 19 year old, Boston Reid followed in seventh in his first ever asphalt event, followed by Atlanta's Ted Williams, Doug Wimpee from Mobile, Alabama and Doug Day from Winder, Georgia rounded out the top ten.
Adams started the evening by setting a new track record of 14.541. Adams, Stauffer and Gilbertson won heat races. Chris Rogers won the Airflow Research Power Dash presented by Blue Ribbon Tomato Packing worth $200 to the winner. Blue Ribbon Tomato Packing Company added $200 to the top three positions in the dash. The evening's Huggins Cams Hardcharger" award went to Doug Wimpee for the second event in a row by advancing the most positions in the main event.
After the main event, USCS President, Pete Walton, said, "I guess it's almost time for another Kenny Adams bounty, but I don't think that it will make a lot of difference. I think that everyone is working really hard to beat him now including his own teammate, Red Stauffer.” Walton added “Their team really has the car working great for Kenny and the guy just carries more corner speed than anybody you've ever seen. Everyone knows Kenny is just a real aggressive driver. I don't mean that Kenny drives rough or anything, in fact he is a really clean driver, but he just really attacks the race track hard. He just beats the race track and along with it the competition. Everyone else in this series is catching up but they are not quite there yet, but it's coming, because there are some really hard working and talented teams in this series. Over the last two races I've seen some guys really gaining ground on the leader.”
The event lost three times Little 500 winner Jim Childers #111 to an accident in his heat race with a badly damaged car, as well as 2000 top rookie, Michael Miller the same way. Childers appeared to be a contender and had won three of the last four sprint car events at the speedway.
USCS 30 lap main event - 4/20
Kenny Adams, Johnny Gilbertson, Terry Gray, Red Stauffer, Wayne Reutimann, Jr., Chris Rogers, Boston Reid, Ted Williams, Doug Wimpee, Doug Day, Mike Love, Terry Coddington, Jerry Jones, Doug Fitzwater, Will Ragsdale, Aubrey Black, Mike Chuchian, Nick Manikis, Jim Raptis, David Crosby, Lee Cipray, Jim Childers DNS, Michael Miller DNS.
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| Like Father "Orr" Like Son | by Rick Bristol
 (KNS)Florida race fans for the last 25 plus years have had the privilege of watching one of the top drivers of Late Models. Along with being a winner on the track he is one of the real nice guys off the track. On the track he races other drivers clean and asks the same in return. Off the track he treats people with respect and that has earned him the respect from fans, officials, other competitors and crews.
I am of course talking of Pete Orr, one of Florida's best. I have had the blessing of knowing Pete and his family since 1987. I remember watching him race is own blue #27 at New Smyrna prior to that. He was teamed with David Russell when I met him. That team was one of the successful teams in Florida and beyond for that matter. The Horsen Around team was one of the winningest teams in the Late 80's and early 90's.
I traveled with the team as a crew member when they ran the Nascar All Pro series and had a great time with Pete and the team. Pete has worked with some of racing's best over the years Darrell Waltrip, Jr Hanley, Gary Balough and Mike Garvey. He is known as one of short tracks best chassis men and teachers.
Pete Orr's Winners Circle Racing School now helps teach young and old about racing and how to win races. Some of the young guns that Pete has mentored over the last few years are B.J. Mcleod,Travis Kittleson and Justin Drawdy. Many drivers can be seen at a race coming to Pete for set up help and even when he was racing against them he would give them help.
He has won many of the states biggest and most prestigious races, the Governors Cup the Orange Blossom 100 and many more. He won the the World Series at New Smyrna more than once and has set track records at Orlando and Desoto Speedway. He tried his hand at Bush Grand National racing but the politics of Nascar were not for Pete. So he came back to Florida and won more races.
Pete has amassed 300 plus career wins but is in the biggest race of his life right now, his battle with cancer. Pete was diagnosed with cancer last year and has undergone intense radiation treatments since and they have taken a toll on him. Those of us that know Pete believe he will win this one as well!
The latest outlook is promising the results of some tests are forthcoming and we are praying for good news. Pete's Family has always supported him in his racing career and are standing by him now more than ever in this battle. His wife Terri always at his side in racing has been his help mate during this battle.
I have watched her be strong and do everything she can for Pete and I know this is very hard on her. Pete's kids , wow I have watched then all grow up Charlie,Lisa and Bobby. Charlie at first followed in Dads footsteps he became a crew chief for drivers such as Balough, Bill Plemmons Jr and Mike Garvey as well but he since has become a very successful fireman and lives next door to his dad. Lisa graduated high school and is attending college she still helps out at the track. Bobby who when he was little told me he wanted to be a flagman,now wants to be and is already a good little driver. He drives my car in Fascar competition at Orlando Speedworld.
In his rookie season he won 2 races had 8 top 5's and 5 top 10's. This year he has already won 3 and finished second in just four races. He has turned the head of many veterans at the track. He shows some of his dads skills. He is clean and patiently aggressive and is just 15 years old. With his dads tutoring he is quickly becoming one of the best young drivers in Florida.
Bobby's racing career is the center of Pete and his families attention,that is when there mind is not on Pete's cancer and the future,but it has given them an outlet. Bobby has become a good chassis and tire specialist and has helped many drivers and spotted for them at Orlando and New Smyrna.
Bobby's future looks great and I look forward to helping him make it to the top. So like father like son especially in the Orr family. This all shows that nice guys don't finish last.
Rick Bristol
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| Sunbelt Race Goes to #51 Jacob Warren | by Jane Smith
(KNS)Twenty six cars qualified for race number two of the
Racecar Enginnering Sunbelt Super Late Model Series on
an overcast but not rainning day. Travis Kittleson
set fast time with an 18.034 followed by Jacob
Warren at 18.206, Mike Good 18.212, David Rogers
18.215 and Dick Anderson with an 18.218. Kittleson
pulled a 5 on the pill draw and the field was
set with Jacob Warren on the pole.
After driver introductions and a few kids asking for
autographs, the drivers were buckled in for a 125
lap race. The green flag was thrown but before the
first lap was on the board, the #10 of Eric Black
hit the front stretch wall ending his night very
early. The field was realigned for a complete
restart. Anderson, in the #174, took the lead easily
over Jacob Warren followed by Mike Good and Travis
Kittleson. Mac Johnson #6 and Bruce Lawrence #16
were having their own side by side battle for the
eighth place position with Johnson finally taking it.
Caution 2 came out on lap 9 as Mike Good #27 spins out
between turns 1 and 2. He gets his car going and goes
to the rear of the pack for the restart. Lap 11 the
green is thrown once again with Anderson in the lead.
But suddenly the #37 of James Powell has smoke on the
front stretch. Either an oil line or power steering
broke causing several cars to spin out in fluid. The
#14 of Aric Amirola is given a push to refire his car
and the race is once again green.
Caution 3 comes out for debris on the track and the #56
of Michael Skaggs pulls into the pits ending his night.
While under caution on the backstretch near the pit
entrance, the #22 of David Froehlick, #81 of Tate
Pierce and the #19 of Tom Root somehow all get united.
Root gets the worst end of this stick and has to pit
to make a few quick repairs.
Lap 28 the race goes green again still with Anderson
leading the pack followed by Warren, David Rogers,
Kittleson, Daniel Keene, Jr., Mac Johnson, Bruce
Lawrence, Scott Bramlett and Jonny Kay. But 3 laps
later, lap 31, caution 4 comes out for the #9 of J.R.
McMackle comes out as he backs into the turn 4 wall
and slides to the bottom of the track. He then
retires into the pits for the night. By lap 33 we
are green again. The #5 of Sammy Graham suddenly
goes very wide almost hitting the turn 4 pit wall
but does an excellent job of saving the car. Lap
37 the yellow comes out again for caution 5 as the
#77 of Jonny Kay spins over in turns 1 and 2 and
comes around with a very damaged back end. Not a
good night for Kay.
Lap 40 is green with Anderson leading but the #11 of
David Rogers and the #88 of Travis Kittleson are in a
heated battle for the third place position with Kittleson
finally taking it. By lap 45, Kittleson has taken
the second place position from Jacob Warren and hot
on the hells of Anderson. Good, who was put to the
rear early in the race, has moved back up into the top
ten and the #7 of Scott Bramlett is off the pace and
making his way to pit road. Now Kittleson and Anderson
are swapping paint both fighting for the lead.
Caution 6 comes out on lap 55 when the #5 of Daniel Keene,
Sr. spins on the front stretch. Keene is not damaged and
realigns for the green. Lap 60 is green and Kittleson
is hot. He does a really good "bump and run" on Anderson
who has to check up just alittle and Kittleson takes
the lead. But three laps later, lap 63, Anderson's car
slows tremendously and is done for the night as he retires
it to the pits. Now it is Kittleson, Warren, Rogers,
Keene, Jr., Johnson and Good who has worked his way to
seventh. Good is hot on the bumper of Mac Johnson #6
for that sixth place position but Johnson is not to
be rattled and maintains his position.
As Kittleson builds his lead over Jacob Warren, Barry
Willoughby #74 and Bruce Lawrence, Jr. #116 are hot
in battle over the 9th place position. They go side by
side and finally Willoughby gets the nose of his car
just in front of Lawrence and takes the position. The
#6 of Mac Johnson, #27 of Mike Good and #16 of Bruce
Lawrence are having their own race in fifth, sixth
and seventh positions. They go tail to tail for laps
trying their best to shake the other but all hold their
positions. Barry Willoughby #74 makes his move on the
#74 of Jay Middleton for the seventh place spot and
Willoughby gains one more spot. At this point, Kittleson
has put the 10th place car a lap down.
Caution 7 comes out for #16 Bruce Lawrence who spins
on the front stretch. During the caution the #80 of
Brian Finney dashes into the pits for alittle R&R
and returns to the race. The race goes green again
on lap 102 but before lap 103 is on the board, the
#22 of David Froehlick and #27 of Mike Good spin on
the backstretch. The race is restarted with Kittleson
still holding on to his lead. David Rogers #11 and
Jacob Warren #51 are side by side for the second place
position with Warren holds but Rogers wants. Rogers
does everything he can to take the position but Warren
holds strong.
By now the #6 of Mac Johnson and the #5x of Daniel Keene
Jr. are hard into it for the fourth place position.
Johnson nudges his way in and Keene goes back to fifth.
Now it is Kittleson, Warren, Rogers, Johnson, Keene, Jr.,
Willoughby, Lawrence, Jr., Sammy Graham, Jay Middleton,
and Tommy King running hard. Kittleson is able to hold
his lead and takes the win.
After tech inspection, the #88 of Travis Kittleson was
disqualifed for ground intake which is the same intake
he has raced with for the last 3 or 4 races. The
trophy is taken from Kittleson and given to Jacob
Warren the second place car. This moved David Rogers
in second, Mac Johnson third, Daniel Keene, Jr. fourth
and Barry Willoughby fifth.
Travis Kittleson was not happy in the tech area but
he ran a very good clean race and did the best "bump
and run" I have ever seen done on Dick Anderson. Travis
said, "I thank all my sponsors and crew for all their
help and you will see me again." And that is what
racing is all about, winning, loosing and sometimes
being disqualified.
The next Sunbelt race will be at Lakeland's USA
International on April 27th with the Goodyear Challenge
Late Models and the Pro Modifieds also on the day's
program.
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| Bobby Gill Takes Win at New Smyrna Speedway in Hooter's Pro Cup | by Jane Smith
 (KNS)The pits were busy as thirty seven cars got ready to qualify for the first time race at New Smyrna Speedway since the old Hooter's Cup changed to Hooter's
Pro Cup. A few Florida racers were among the 37 including Mario Gosselin from Lake Wales, Billy Mowery, David Pletcher and Derrick Kelly.
This was the first race of the season for Gosselin who
drove his familiar #10 and it was Gosselin's day as he
sat fast time at 19.109. Jason Sarvis #22 was second
fastest with a 19.134. Since the field was set for
thirty six starting, the #69 of John Flaggan was the
unlucky driver who got sent home.
When the green flag dropped at 7:30 PM, it was the #10
of Gosselin taking the lead but on lap 4, Bobby Gill
#5 passed Gosselin and took over. This would set the
night as Gosselin and Gill battled each other most of
the night for that lead spot.
Lap 10 saw the first of 15 cautions as the #81 of Scott
York and #3 of Michael Strother spun. On the restart,
Gosselin passed Gill for the lead and built up a 5
car length lead. Top five were Gosselin, Gill,
#84 Shane Hoffman, #22 Jason Sarvis and #92 Hal
Goodson.
Kertus Davis #0 passed Goodson and takes
away his fifth place position, putting Goodson in
sixth.
Lap 21 saw Caution 2 as a car spun in turns 1 and
2. On the restart, this set the battle as Gill and
Gosselin went side by side never touching for the lead.
Gill finally got his nose just in front of Gosselin
and took over once again.
Caution 3 comes out for the #01 of Preston Jernigan
as he broke. On the restart Gill was leading but only for
a few laps as Caution 4 came out for the #44 of Jon
Kerley who spun out.
With Gill still in front, caution 5 came out for the #18 of Mark Whitaker. Four other cars also spun as Whitaker sat on the track but all were able to continue on. The #94 of Keith Roggen caused caution 6 as he hit the turn 4 wall.
Gosselin took over the lead from Gill on the restart
but Gill battled back and took the lead but
Gosselin was not to be beat and retook the lead
position.
Just as the battle gets very hot and
heavy, caution 7 comes out for the #13 of Free
Pennington who spun out in the bottom of turn 1.
On the restart, the #55 of Lee Tissot spun but
is able to continue with no yellow coming out but
lap 109 saw caution 8 for a car spinning on
the bottom of turn 2.
On the restart, Gosselin built up a seven car length
lead over Gill with Goodson, Sarvis and #58 Jeremy
Bowser in the top five. Kertus Davis #0 then made
his move on Bowser and took over fifth putting
Bowser to sixth.
Caution 9 came out for the #09 of Jabe Jones as he
ran out of gas and had to be pushed back to the pits.
This set up the pits stops for the lead cars with
#84 Shane Hoffman beating out Gill, Gosselin, Goodson.
The #55 of Lee Tissot now had the lead after pit
stops with the #16 of Steve Christian in second.
On the restart, Christian made his move on Tissot
and took the lead. Christian started building his
lead until caution 10 came out for the #13 of
Free Pennington, #18 of Mark Whitaker, #6 Ronnie
Davidson and #81 of Scott York who all spun out
in turn 4.
The restart saw Christian still leading
with #18 Michael Ritch, #33 Billy Mowery, #55
Lee Tissot and #44 Jon Kerley filling out the
top five spots. But with Gill and Gosselin on
fresher tires, Gosselin moved up to second behind
Christian with Gill right on his tail for third.
Ritch and Goodson ran fourth and fifth.
Caution 11 came out for the #88 of Ray Peele as
he brushed the frontstretch wall. Christian still ahd the
lead on the restart but not for long as Gosselin
first took over the lead but not for long as Gill
made his move on Gosselin and took over once again.
Christian was now running third followed by Goodson
and Ritch. But Ritch had problems of his own as the
#22 of Sarvis wanted his fifth place position and
was right on his tail. Sarvis got the edge and
Ritch wass put to sixth. Shane Wallace #4 brought
out caution 12 as he visited the turn 2 wall.
Caution 13 saw the #13 of Free Pennington spun
in turns 3 and 4. Restart still had Gill over
Gosselin with Goodson, Sarvis and #29 Clay
Rogers in the top five. Steve Christian #16
started to make his moves and slowly worked himself
back into the top five knocking out Sarvis.
Jeremy Bowser #58 and #18 Mark Whitaker brought out
caution 14 as they spun in the bottom of turn 2.
Gill retained the lead over Gosselin on the restart
and the last caution of the night, 15, came out
for the #16 of Christian as he hit the backstretch
inside wall.
Looking at a green, white, checker situation, everyone
was ready to rumble. At the worst time to lose an
engine, #10 Mario Gosselin lost his and the second
place position in the race. This gave #92 Hal
Goodson the second place spot with Gill still in
the lead. Bobby Gill got the victory with Goodson,
Rogers, Ritch and Medlin filling out the top five.
Footnotes: #1 Don Satterfield remarked after the
race, "I dropped a cylinder on lap 5 and was only
running on seven. I finished the race but was very
slow."
Derrick Kelly lost an axle early in the race and had
some choice words since he had a spare one in his
trailer but it was parked outside of the track. He
retired early and was one of the first to leave after
the race.
Mario Gosselin, holding a very sleeping child in his
arms said he missed the first two races because of
funding. "It is getting harder and harder to race with
today's costs. But I will be at Lakeland and it was
nice to not have to drive but an hour and half from
home tonight to race. I had a great car but engines
fail and that is racing."
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by Jane Smith
(KNS)Since only seven cars turned out for the Florida Pro
race at Charlotte County Speedway recently, everyone
is asking the big question "is Florida Pro done?"
Hopefully the following evidence will show why car
counts will be down for all Late Model series this
year.
Everyone always says, "why don't tracks get together
when they make out their yearly schedules so there
will be no conflict in big races?" Well, tracks
do not purposely schedule Late Model races against
each other. True, they do not talk to each other
about their schedules but then again, we have never
had so many different Late Model Series.
On April 13th (next Saturday), Late Model drivers
will be split as to which way to go when DeSoto
Speedway runs their All American Challenge Series
and New Smyrna Speedway hosts the Racecar Engineer-
ing Sunbelt Late Model Series.
Since the All American Challenge Series started
before the Sunbelt and since a number of the AACS
drivers were among the Sunbelt drivers last year,
which way will they go? Both series are paying
the same, $3,000 to win but some drivers are
already in the points at DeSoto so will they go
for the points there or will they go for the
Sunbelt points?? This is the question!!!
On April 27th, drivers will be split again as
Citrus County Speedway will hold one of it's
$5,000 to win Late Model races and at the same
time the Sunbelt will run at USA International at
Lakeland, Florida. USA is the Daytona for most
local short track racers and the track that most
want to at least try once. As you can see,
there is a $2,000 difference in the top prize so
who will go for the money and who will go for
points and the chance to race USA. Good question!!!
May 11th will see Florida Pro at Hialeah and All
American Challenge Series at DeSoto Speedway. These
races will more than likely depend on points in
both series as to which way a driver will go but
you can be sure that Hialeah has many good Late
Model drivers and they will definitely want to
try their luck at a Florida Pro race.
May 25th will be a disaster as the Florida Pro runs
at Columbia Motorsports Park (it's home track),
All American Challenge Series will run at DeSoto
Speedway and Citrus County Speedway will hold the
second $5,000 to win Late Model race. Now think
about it, three BIG races on the same night and
all in different parts of the state. You can win
$5,000 or $3,000 or $2,500 but POINTS will determine
which way a driver will go.
June and July the drivers and fans will get a break
since there are no conflicting Late Model races
scheduled against each other. Not until August
31st will drivers once again be challenged as to
which way to go when Florida Pro runs at Columbia
Motorsports Park and All American Challenge Series
runs at DeSoto Speedway. Money, points, prestige -
which way to go???
September 21st will see the Florida Pro against the
All American Challenge Series again as the Florida
Pro hits the hot asphalt of Bronson Speedway and
AACS hits the asphalt of DeSoto Speedway. Another
bad night for the fans and drivers.
On October 5th, Bronson Speedway will host it's Late
Model Series race against Citrus County Speedway's
$5,000 to win race and the All American Challenge
Series at DeSoto Speedway. This posts the same
old question, POINTS and MONEY. That $5,000 sure
does look good but if you are in the top points in
the All American Challenge Series, the chances are
you won't want to miss a race. Who wins and who
loses, the TRACKS and the fans.
October 26th will see the biggest payout ever for
a Late Model race as Citrus County Speedway holds
it's 150 lap $10,000 to win Late Model race. Once
again, the All American Challenge Series will run
DeSoto Speedway the same night. Now $10,000 is
more than any Late Model race payout in the state
but do you go for the money or do you stay in the
points??? MIND TWISTER for sure!
Novemer 2nd, the torture will finally end when
Bronson Speedway holds it's finale for their
Late Model Series and Florida Pro runs at Hialeah
Speedway. Thank goodness, the conflicts are
over for 2002.
Hopefully, this has answered some questions as to
why the car counts are down at the tracks. Partly
they are down due to the high cost of running a
Late Model series but also because we have more
series this year than we have ever had with so
many races on the same dates. The point funds and
the point standings will have alot to do with which
way a driver goes when it comes to Florida Pro,
Sunbelt, All American Challenge, Citrus County Late
Model Series, and Bronson Late Model Series.
And the question is - WHO WILL WIN IN THE RACE FOR
THE LATE MODEL SERIES??
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|
