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| John Gilbert Jr. Grabs First TBARA Victory | by Curtis Whalin
John Gilbert Jr gets First TBARA Feature Win!
The TBARA made their first appearance of 2004 at Ocala Speedway on March 20, 2004. There were 19 cars at the track for the Saturday night race, providing three 8 lap heat races and a 25 lap feature race for the near capacity crowd.
Richard Waddell in the number 47 car took the pole for the start of the first heat race.
Number two starter John Gilbert Jr took an early lead in his green number 7 car, until he was caught and passed at turn 2 on lap 3 by Doug Heveron in the 22 car who went on to win the heat. John Gilbert Jr took second place with David Slawiak in the 79 car finished third. Troy Decaire lined up on the pole for the second heat.
The heat was restarted after an untidy start on the first attempt.
Troy took an early lead until he was passed on lap 5 at turn 2 by Keith Butler in his 19 car. Keith went on to win the heat with Dude Teate in the 68 taking second place and Troy Decaire in the 6 taking third.
John Sambor in the 33c took the pole for the third and final heat of the night, alongside Matt Mercer in the 10 car. Matt took the lead at turn 3 on the first lap and went on to win the heat. Wayne Reutimann Sr took second place on lap 4 and Ray Bragg took third place in the 66 car.
The feature race saw Troy Decaire in the 6 car on the pole alongside John Gilbert Jr in the number 7 car, in front of an enthusiastic Ocala Speedway grandstand.
John Gilbert Jr took the lead at the start of the race in the number 7. Troy Decaire retired the number 6 car to the infield after 5 laps, followed by the 47 of Richard Waddell on lap 10.
The 99 of Wayne Reutimann Sr began slowing down on lap 10 and retired on lap 11 with what sounded like engine problems. A clean race continued as the filed split apart and cars were lapped, and on lap 23 the 66 car of Ray Bragg pulled into the infield with a broken lifter.
The race was won by John Gilbert Jr in the number 7 car with Gary Gimmler in the 29 car, who had been close to the leader and making challenges throughout the race taking second place. Matt Mercer in the number 10 took the third place slot, Dude Teate in the 68 took fourth and the birthday boy David Slawiak finished out the top 5.
The TBARA will be at Sunshine Speedway for the Dick Friedley memorial race with a 30-lap feature on Saturday, April 3.
TBARA
Ocala Speedway, March 20, 2004
HEAT 1
1) 22 Doug Heveron
2) 7 John Gilbert Jr
3) 79 David Slawiak
4) 29 Gary Gimmler
5) 16 Ben Fritz
6) 51 Mark Gimmler
7) 47 Richard Waddell
HEAT 2
1) 19 Keith Butler
2) 68 Dude Teate
3) 6 Troy DeCaire
4) 18 Shane Butler
5) 8 Nick Manikis
6) 118 Stan Butler
HEAT 3
1) 10 Matt Mercer
2) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr
3) 66 Ray Bragg
4) 3X Bo Hartley
5) 33C John Sambor
6) 6F Skeeter Faulconer
FEATURE
1) 7 John Gilbert Jr; 2) 29 Gary Gimmler; 3) 10 Matt Mercer; 4) 68 Dude Teate; 5) 79 David Slawiak; 6) 19 Keith Butler; 7) 22 Doug Heveron; 8) 18 Shane Butler; 9) 118 Stan Butler; 10) 3X Bo Hartley; 11) 33C John Sambor; 12) 51 Mark Gimmler; 13) 16 Ben Fritz; 14) 66 Ray Bragg DNF; 15) 6F Skeeter Faulconer; 16) 8 Nick Manikis; 17) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr DNF; 18) 47 Richard Waddell DNF; 19) 6 Troy DeCaire DNF
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