|
|
|
| As We Say Goodbye to 2004 | by Jane Smith
When we look at 2004, it was not a good year. It started off well but somehow it just flew off the track as we went into the middle of the year.
With four hurricanes in the state of Florida within a month, lives and tracks were left in shambles. Charlotte County Speedway was basically destroyed with little left. New Smyrna Speedway suffered damage along with Orlando SpeedWorld. Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola felt Ivan's wrath Not a track or a life in Florida was not touched by Charley, Frances, Ivan or Jeanne.
B.J. McLeod of Wachulla won the Red Eye 100, the first race of the year at New Smyrna Speedway in January From pure joy to no home was not the way the McLeods had planned the year. Hurricane Charley, who destroyed Port Charlotte and Charlotte County Speedway, did not spare Wachulla at all.
As the McLeods sat with friends Tim and Donnie McPhail of Pineallas Park in their home, Hurricane Charley did a turn. At first Charley was projected to hit Tampa therefore the McPhails had gone to the McLeods to get out of harm's way. In the end when Charley turned at the last minute, they were all in harm's way. Charley tore up Wachulla and took the roof from the McLeods home along with damaging their race shop and business.
Racing fell secondary to the McLeods as they rebuilt their home and shop and business and helped the town of Wachulla try and stand back up on it's own.
Pete's race was rained out in February along with the last night of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Was this a sign as to how the year would go?
May 19 brought much sadness to Auburndale Speedway and the racers and fans. Wayne Weaver, a popular driver and track champion, was killed while working on his race car in his garage when the jack holding up his car fell on him. Weaver was extremely loved and respected and this sent shockwaves out among the racing family. Once again, strangers comforted strangers.
 Hurricane season opened and while most expected a few scares maybe, no one was prepared for four hurricanes right on top of each other. When Frances took her aim straight at my home, I took my two sons and my mom to Mississippi along with 10 cats and 2 dogs, 1 mouse and 1 turtle. But luckily, Francies did not come straight in as predicted and the Island was somewhat spared althought my roof was not. Generators were a necessity as power was outs for weeks at a time. No sooner would the power companies restore power, we would be hit again by another hurricane.
From August to October 1st, few tracks ran. Either they suffered too much damage or they were used for staging areas for the out-of-state power companies that came in to help Floridians. Our state was basically a drown rat, beaten and battered by mother nature.
September 18th Hendry County Speedway in Clewiston was lucky enough to race. But that night the owner of Hendry County Speedway, Steve Medinger, lost his life in his racecar as he suffered a massive heart attack and died at the track. Once again fans, drivers, crews all bond together in this hour of sadness and shock. Medinger's wife hoped to keep the track going but found that she couldn't and now Hendry County Speedway in up for sale.
Hialeah announced they would run a limited schedule in 2005 and would see the beginning of the year. Sunshine Speedway said farewell to all their fans, drivers, and crews as they are now gone forever along with Thundercross Motor Speedway. Charlotte County Speedway reopened it's doors with help from Sunshine Speedway in December. Fans saw brand new stands that came from Sunshine Speedway and were very happy to have their track back again.
 2004 has been a good and bad year for many. Lee Collins, racing wise, had a very good year winning the Open Wheel Modified Championship in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway and the Penske Racing Shocks United Pro Modified Series and coming in second in the Gulfcoast Modified Series.
Jay Middleton tried his luck in 2004 in the ASA Series and definitely made a good impression. Middleton may try the Hooter's Pro Cup Series in 2005 now that ASA has an unknown and uncertain future. We saw quite a few Florida boys shine with the "Big Boys" Sean Murphy in Craftsman Trucks, Mario Gosselin and Travis Kittleson in Busch. 2004 was a year for stretching the wings for many.
 The biggest thrill for me was the TBARA Winged Sprints show at Orlando SpeedWorld where Kenny Adams won in three and one half minutes. Twenty five laps and no cautions and all in less than four minute time Talking about flying and trying to score. That was the best.
In just a few short days 2005 will be here and 2004 will only be memories of the past. Hopefully 2005 will be much better not only for our tracks but all the racing families.
May your New Year be bright and happy and from everyone at karnac.com we wish you the very best in 2005.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
<news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!
|
|
|
|
