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April 11, 2004

A Patient and Persistent Rich Pratt Finds Winners Circle

By Jack Smith
-KARNAC.com


Rich Pratt had the fastest car in qualifying for the Florida Pro Series 100 at Charlotte County Speedway on this Saturday night, and in the end he had a car just fast enough to win.

But it wasn't easy. He had to overcome an awesome performance by Mike Franklin Jr. and then withstand a fierce charge by the 2003 FPS Champion Jay Middleton.

When the 21 car starting field was brought to the green by Florida Pro flagman Tony Hill, Mike Franklin was on the point and that was where he stayed, at times running with a commanding lead for 91 laps.

After a brief caution on lap two that sent Doyle Boatright and Brian Finney to the rear, the fans were treated to 53 laps of green flag racing. Franklin was completely dominating during this run, often building nearly a full straight lead on Rich Pratt, winding his way through lapped cars with apparent ease.

Meanwhile, Middleton was shadowing the RaceCar Engineering Super Late Model of Steve Dorer, fresh off his Thursday Night Thunder win at Charlotte last week. Middleton seemed to be itching to get around Dorer with Jim Smith (#32) and Bobby Coyle (#64) following closely and each waiting for an opportunity or a slip.

As the field passed the half-way mark Pratt had closed the gap on Franklin and at lap 55 the field was placed under caution when the #8 car of Tal Etheridge stalled on the back straightaway.

After a couple of false starts, the field got back underway, this time Pratt able to keep the #0 machine close on the bumper of Franklin. It was time for Middleton to make a move and several times coming off turn two contact was made with the #10 of Dorer, Middleton catching Dorer in the turns and Dorer driving away down the straights.

Finally, more serious rubbing on lap 74 forced Dorer to work hard to save his ride coming off turn four and Middleton made the pass on the outside at the line to grab the third spot.

With Pratt riding on the rear bumper of Franklin's 97, Middleton began to gain on the leaders with all three negotiating lapped traffic. With 20 to go and Franklin's brakes going away fast, the trio put on a nose to tail late race show for the 1500 spectators at the 3/8 mile tight little speedway.

On lap 89 the caution seemed sure to come out when the number 17 of Mark Mitchell sparked up turn one with a flat tire, but slipped off the track at the turn two exit.
But this action allowed Pratt to get by Franklin as they went through the turn with Franklin doing what he could to avoid a wreck, leaving Middleton and Franklin side by side battling for the number two position.

Middleton had the inside and more motor, and with just eight laps to go had the spot and set his sights on back to back FPS wins.



Though he was able to get to Pratt, he couldn't get by him and an exuberant Rich Pratt put dents in the top of the 0 machine in the winners circle. "You don't know how long I have waited for this", he exclaimed as he hugged series promoter Bert Ashelman. Pratt finished second behind Middleton in the FPS opener at Columbia Motorsports Park.

The fans were treated to an tense and exciting race, cleanly run with only a couple of minor cautions, capped off by very informative commentary by Jerry Philman, the Florida Pro Series announcer.

With racing all around the track all evening, and a full field at the end, it must be said that Bert Ashelman and crew, along with the talented FPS drivers, gave the fans their money's worth on this night.

As one fan said to me at the conclusion of the race, "this is the way it is supposed to be".

Photo Gallery Available here on Monday!

Florida Pro Super Late Model
1. 0 Rich Pratt
2. 74 Jay Middleton
3. 97 Mike Franklin
4. 10 Steve Dorer
5. 32 Jim Smith
6. 64 Bobby Coyle
7. 10x Brad Barkis
8. 94 Chris Turner
9. 80 Brian Finney
10. 16 David Hodges
11. 57 Doyle Boatwright
12. 2 Brian Richardson
13. 12 Stephen Weaver
14. 16x Ray Derry
15. 07 Troy McNabb
16. 31 Al Beckelheimer
17. 87 Gary Grayer
18. 17 Mark Mitchell
19. 86 Chet Morrison
20. 8 Tal Etheridge
21. 180 Kevin Finney



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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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