October 3, 2004 Collins tops 100 lap Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modified at Citrus by Jane Smith Inverness, Fla. (October 2, 2004) Twenty six of Florida's finest Open Wheel Modifieds made their way to Citrus County Speedway for the 100 lap Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modified race. The weather was perfect after so many hurricane weekends but just alittle on the hot side. Drivers were needing plenty of water as they hot lapped their cars. Setting fast time for the event was Lee Collins with a 13.780 lap. Collins pulled the 3 pill putting John Gerstner on the pole for the 100 lap event. Gerstner quickly took the point on the green followed by his brother Jeremy Gerstner, Lee Collins, John Anderson and Kyle Bookmiller. It did not take long for Jeremy Gerstner to take over the point from John as he became the poinit leader. Lap 5 saw the first caution as Wayne Jefferson and John Anderson got together on the frontstretch. Both cars rejoined the field in the rear for the restart. But it was a short restart as on lap 9 Alan Bruns brought out the caution as he spun. Bruns had one hot day as he replaced his blown motor before the race with a new motor and was able to join the field. A big job for a really hot day. The race goes back green on lap 11 with Jeremy Gerstner, John Gerstner, Lee Collins, Kyle Bookmiller, and Alan McCafferty in the top five. John Gerstner has his hands full with Lee Collins going for second. Gerstner goes side-by-side with Collins but by lap- 21, Collins has taken over second with John Gerstner going to third. Lap 30 sees the yellow for John Anderson who spun in turns 3 and 4. Ritchie Smith, who is a Citrus County regular, takes the opportunity to slip in and out of the pits for alittle crew attention. The race goes back green on lap 33 as Jeremy Gerstner, Lee Collins, John Gerstner, Kyle Bookmiller and Alan McCafferty leading the way. By lap 41, Collins is right on the tail of Jeremy Gerstner but Gerstner is able to hold on to the point. Wayne Jefferson and Buddy Hughes see the yellow on lap 43 when they get together in turns 1 and 2. Both cars rejoin the field in the rear. Lap 45 sees the restart with Jeremy Gerstner, Lee Collins, John Gerstner, Kyle Bookmiller, Alan McCafferty, Chris Fadling, Teddy Nelson, Robert Ray, Ronnie Campbell and Kevin Durden in the top ten. McCafferty puts the muscle on Bookmiller and takes over fourth with Bookmiller going to fifth. Collins makes the move and makes it stick and takes over the point passing Jeremy Gerstner for the lead. Not it is Collins, Gerstner, Gerstner, McCafferty and Bookmiller. Teddy Nelson is now on the move and passes his way to fifth with Bookmiller going to sixth. By lap 79 it is Collins, Gerstner, Gerstner, McCafferty, Nelson, Bookmiller, Ray, Jefferson (who has made his way back up from the rear), Campbell, Durden and Jimmy Wagner. Two cautions restart the field before lap 91 but after that it is clear sailing for the fans as Collins leads the way for Jeremy Gerstner, John Gerstner, McCafferty, Nelson, Bookmiller, Jefferson, Campbell, Durden and Mickey Kempgens. Jefferson is on the move and by lap 92 has taken over fourth place. Just as Jefferson looks to take over third, he suffers a flat and is out of the race right before the checkered flag. Collins takes the checkered followed by Jeremy Gerstner, John Gerstner, Teddy Nelson and Alan McCafferty. The next race for the Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modifieds is October 16 at USA International as they go for double points and 75 laps. OFFICIAL FINISH PENSKE RACING SHOCKS UNITED PRO MODIFIEDS OCTOBER 2, 2004 - CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAY 100 LAPS 1. #89 Lee Collins 2. #77 Jeremy Gerstner 3. #70 John Gerstner 4. #34 Teddy Nelson 5. #32M Alan McCafferty 6. #03 Kyle Bookmiller 7. #112 Ronnie Campbell 8. #0 Kevin Durden 9. #96 Robert Ray 10. #2 Mickey Kempgens 11. #17 Jimmy Wagner 12. #55 Curtis Neumann 13. #14 Buddy Hughes 14. #66 Jerry Symons 15. #0x Mason Love 16. #4b Alan Bruns 17. #1 Wayne Jefferson 18. #1x John Anderson 19. #29 Chris Fadling 20. #42 Ritchie Smith 21. #56 Dave Barber 22. #13 Kevyn Terry 23. #92 Steve Perez . . Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!