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January 4, 2004

2003 - A Year to Remember

by Jane Smith
-KARNAC.com


2003 was a year of many rainouts for alot of our Florida local short tracks. Racers were getting racing blues and it looked like the FASCAR Pro Mods will never run a race since they were washed out so many times.

The rain would let tracks get thru hot laps and maybe even heats and then the bottom literally dropped out. Instead of needing a set of new race tires, it was getting to the point that pontoons were more appropriate.

Hialeah remained opened and ran in spite of all the rumors that were going around for it's immediate demise. Lake City Speedway changed hands from Jimmy Parker. Thundercross and Hendry County Speedway also changed hands along with Orange County Raceway. Tracks were digging deep for fans and drivers.

Wayne Anderson did his best to win both the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series and the Florida Pro Series but ended up second in Florida Pro and taking the Sunbelt Championship.

Jay Middleton, 19, showed that he could be a champion as he won the Florida Pro Championship and also came in second in points for the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series. Jay, a soft spoken young man, had one heck of a year for sure.

Drivers were hurt and a few lost. Homer Gordon, a long time racer at Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway, died on the last lap of his Sportsman heat race in his brand new Sportsman. Fellow racers, fans and friends were in shock and still miss their friend.

Ron Paradise, a longtime racer at New Smyrna Speedway, also passed away after a lengthy illness. Ron drove with his hands since he lost the use of his legs many years ago. He may not have always been the fastest Super Stock on the track, but you could always count on him being there every Saturday night.

Ray Crews, longtime gas man at both Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway, never lacked a smile for any racer. Ray was always cheerful and always had a kind word for everyone, no matter what the situation. Ray was loved and respected by not only FASCAR racers but racers from all over the U.S. Ray never met a man or woman who did not become his friend.

Ocala Speedway driver Mac McCullough lost his fight with injuries he suffered at Ocala Speedway after hitting the wall wide open and implanting part of his car in the concrete wall. Fans and drivers prayed for McCullough's recovery but a few weeks after the accident, McCullough died.

Rennie Wilbanks, former tech inspector at Ocala Speedway, and his wife Carleen, track photographer for a few years at Ocala, lost their 13 year old son J.R. Wilbanks to cancer. J.R. was well known and loved by Ocala Speedway fans and drivers and the racing community was saddened when J.R. lost his valiant fight with cancer. Once again, the racing family proved that they were the best with money to help the Wilbanks thru J.R.'s illness.

Steve Griffin, from Citrus County Speedway, came back to his No. 3 Mini Stock in 2003 after an almost fatal accident after the races in 2002. Steve proved that he was back to his old self at the end of 2003 and expect to see Steve in the Winner's Circle in 2004.

Travis Kittleson came very close to winning the $50,000 Rookie of the Year in the ASA Series in 2003. Kittleson lead for quite awhile getting beat out by Reed Sorensen of Georgia. Travis did Florida proud by coming home ninth in the overall points in ASA.

Scott Lagasse also participated in ASA in 2003 and proved that he could race with the "Big Boys". Only lack of sponsorship kept Scott from being one of the top ten drivers. Other Florida drivers in ASA were Ed Brown, Justin Drawdy, and Mike Cope.

Kenny Adams of the U.S.C.S. Sprints made his presence known winning a number of races out-of-state and at Eastbay Raceway, Putnam County and Volusia County Speedway. At the end of 2003, Kenny was given a blow to his racing career when one of his crew members and car owner were killed in a helicopter crash at the Goodson Farm in Georgia. In spite of the deep hurt Adams was feeling, he went on to win races for his fallen friends. Kenny was the 2003 U.S.C.S. "Asphalt Thunder" Champion and was rated third nationally in the U.S.C.S. points.

In spite of the bickering and name calling, the racing family never failed when a driver, owner, crew member or just fan needed help. Once again they proved that racing builds a family that is strong and loving in spite of any differences on a track. It is not the race that counts but the love between each other.

2004 promises to be a great year and hopefully less rain than 2003.

KARNAC wishes everyone a very Happy New Year and see ya at the
races in 2004!!!!


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  COMING EVENTS


Pit Stop
 FMCRA Race School Graduates ready for 2005 Mini Cup season Opener

 Schedule for January 8th at New Smyrna Speedway

 New Smyrna Speedway returns to racing action Jan. 8 with Riverfest 300

 Reminder for all Sunbelt - Super Late Model Drivers about SpeedFest

 Entries Are Coming In for USA International Speedway's 2005 SpeedFest

 Happy New Year from New Smyrna Speedway and Team FASCAR

 Pro Trucks and Quick Kids added to River Fest 300 at New Smyrna Speedway January 8th

 Team Cheetah Racing has Great 2004 Season

 CCS TO RACE SUNDAYS IN JANUARY; SPEEDWAY PREPARES FOR NEW YEARS RACING

 Rick Bristol announces sale of his race team to driver R.J. Arnone

 Big Improvements being made at Orlando SpeedWorld, Entries pouring in for 2005 Winternationals

 Charlotte County Speedway Announces December 31 and January 2005 Events Schedule

 Volusia Speedway Park Announces 2005 Race Week Schedule

 USA will host 2005 Speedfest January 27, 28, and 29

 USA Sprints 2004 Southern Thunder Tour Champion Andy Kelly

 Greg Kielma Turns Over Driver Duties To Joey Barnes

 Florida Mini Cup and Santa Clause bring holiday cheer to Shriner's Hospital

 USA Sprints Return to Charlotte County Speedway

 Last Race Night Buffet a Success

 New Smyrna Speedway Ends 2004 with Full Program

 Citrus Closes 2004 with 2 Day Winter Spectacular

 Final 2004 Race Set for Saturday Afternoon at Orlando SpeedWorld

 East Bay Raceway Park Gears up for 2004 Finale and 2005 Winter Nationals

 Drivers have FINAL Chance to Practice at SpeedWorld this Wednesday

 Final Race Night Buffet will honor area track and series champions

 Bobby Orr returns to New Smyrna Speedway

 SPEEDWAY TO SPONSOR NOISE FOR TOYS NOV. 27 AT TOYS-R-US

 Greenwood Chevolet to Sponsor first ever FASCAR Pro Truck race this Saturday at Columbia

 CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY REOPENS WITH DAVIDSON MEMORIAL

 FASCAR Pro Trucks debut this Saturday at Columbia Motorsports Park





 
 
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