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May 10, 2004

Neumann Too Much For Florida Pro Field

by Larry MacMillan



Local drivers seemed to be the dominant force in the first of two Florida Pro Series races scheduled for Citrus County Speedway in 2004. Time trials, on a very hot 3/8ths mile race course, made for driving experience to be the key to beating the clocks.

Jay Middleton, coming off a fast qualifying run and an 11th place finish in the ASA race Friday night in Kentucky, got a few hours sleep at home in Lake City before having to unload that race car and reloading the short track racer for the trip to Citrus to defend his point lead in the Florida Pro third race of the season.

Jay found the right groove to turn fast qualifying time at 13.562 seconds followed by track record holder Scott Grossenbacher at a 13.580. Middleton pulled the 8 pill indicating that the top 8 qualifiers would pull for starting positions.

Local former champion Danny Johnson won the pole with the latest Late Model winner John Chance picking up the outside pole.

When the green flew Johnson took the point and held on for the first 10 laps before Lakeland’s Steve Dorer found his way under to lead in lap eleven.

Dorer was only able to hang on to the point for the next 8 laps before having to give up the lead to another track champion, fifth starter Herb Neumann Jr. Neumann wasted no time showing the rest of the field that he was the power house of the night pulling away from the race for second at will, despite four caution flags.

The final 82 laps had the fans centered on the see saw battle for second involving Steve Dorer, John Chance who recovered from a slide back to fifth, and another local Jim Smith who started 10th in the field and currently holds third in the point’s race in Florida Pro and looking for Rookie of the Year honors in the series.

When the checkers flew Neumann took the win in a breeze followed by a nose to tail finish with John Chance, Steve Dorer, Jim Smith and Florida Pro Point leader Jay Middleton.

Rounding out the top ten were Anthony’s Richard Pratt who has a win and second place finish in the first two races of the year finishing sixth. Danny Johnson held out for 7th followed by Brooksville Late Model rookie Daniel Webster, Sylvester, Ga.’s Tal Etheridge and Doyle Boatwright out of Starke, Fl.

Race fans were also treated to a pair of Hobby Stock 20 lap features with Tommy Smith, Curtis Neumann, Tim Anderson, Alvin Williamson and Don Teague taking the first five spots in the 17 car first race. With 16 cars starting Dean Lawyer took his second win of the year over Bobby Taylor, James Batson, Artie Hewitt and Bob Becker in the second feature.

Chris Hooker and Steve Griffin started at the rear of the 12 car Mini Stock field for their 25 lap feature run. The two point leaders had the fans on their feet for the final five laps in their side by side battle for the checkers with Hooker beating out Griffin for the win. David Curry came off the pole to hold on to third over Mike Lawhorn and his brother Jim Curry.

Steve Anderson had it all together after his D.Q. last week motoring to his first win of the year in the 15 car Super Street 25 lap main. Anderson launched his black #48 from sixth to first in 10 laps for the win over Steve Olone, James Batson, Richie Smith and Joe Viverito.

Rick Badessa won out in a five lap battle with Wayne Heater for the win over the 23 starters in Thunder Stock action. Heater made the pass on pole sitter Stuart Madison 5 laps into the race while Badessa was working his way through traffic from his 8th starting spot. Madison held out for third over John Sullivan and last week’s winner Jerry Hoover.

Another short field in 4 Cylinder Bombers saw Harold Barup win his first race of the year. Clark Pittsley held out for second while Kyle Helt kicked off his racing career with a third place finish over pole sitter Festus Barup.

Next Saturday will see the return of the Mod Squad in a 30 lap feature run plus Super Streets, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers all in heat and feature action.

Citrus County Speedway Results 5/8/04

Advance Auto Parts Florida Pro 100 – 13 Cars

1. #98 Herb Neumann – Inverness

2. #61 John Chance – Floral City

3. #10 Steven Dorer – Lakeland

4. #32 James Smith – Inverness (Rookie)

5. #74 Jay Middleton – Lake City

6. # 0 Richard Pratt – Anthony

7. #96 Danny Johnson – Crystal River

8. #1X Daniel Webster – Brooksville (Rookie)

9. # 8 Tal Etheridge – Sylvester, Ga.

10.#57 Doyle Boatwright – Starke

11.#16 David Hodges, Jr. – Valdosta, Ga.

12.#30 Cyrus Robinson – Spring Hill

13.#09 Scott Grossenbacher – San Antonio (DNF)

Fast Qualifier - #74 Jay Middleton – 13.562

Super Street Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 15 Cars

1. #48 Steve Anderson

2. #20 Steve Olone

3. # 4 James (Doc) Batson

4. #77 Riche Smith

5. #72 Joe Viverito

Mini Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 12 Cars

1. #1X Chris Hooker

2. # 3 Steve Griffin

3. #00 David Curry

4. # 44 Mike Lawhorn

5. #20 Jim Curry

Hobby Stock Feature #1 – 20 Laps – 17 Cars

1. #42 Tommy Smith

2. #01 Curtis Neumann

3. #88 Tim Anderson

4. #09 Alvin Williamson

5. #2X Don Teague

Hobby Stock Feature #2 – 20 Laps – 16 Cars

1. #19 Dean Lawyer

2. #66 Bobby Taylor

3. #77 James (Doc) Batson

4. # 9 Artie Hewitt

5. #17 Bob Becker

Thunder Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 23 Cars

1. #88 Rick Badessa

2. #71 Wayne Heater

3. # 2 Stuart Madison

4. #33 John Sullivan

5. #30 Jerry Hoover

4 Cylinder Bomber Feature – 20 Laps – 4 Cars

1. # 3 Harold Barup

2. #64 Clark Pittsley

3. # M Kyle Helt

4. #69 Festus Barup





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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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