February 14, 2005 Dempsey Tough In Ocala Blue Grey Modifieds By Rick Warren What started out as a very cold weekend at Friday nights practice session and Saturday nights qualifying runs, turned into a beautiful day for racing on Sunday. Dwayne Dempsey The race was the first annual Blue / Grey challenge, sponsored by 7-UP. The race would feature the drivers of the Florida Pro-Mod/Fascar series competing against the drivers of the USA Modified Series. The USA modifieds race in the northern part of the country, and a good number of the series regulars made the trip to Florida to take part in this event. Thirty-six racers were on hand for practice Friday night, and some fairly quick times were being posted, as the northern series drivers were beginning to figure out the peculiarities of the Ocala Speedway. Saturday night again saw chilly temperatures as the modifieds prepared to take their qualifying runs. A few of the racers in attendance encountered mechanical difficulties, and were unable to make qualifying attempts, but that still left 38 racers to take a shot at the fast time. When all the racers had given it their best shot, the clock showed Red Vann as the fastest Qualifier, with a time of 15.074 seconds. Second fast was Wayne Jefferson at 15.080 seconds, followed by Wayne Anderson at 15.089 seconds. The top 16 from qualifying were locked in for starting positions. The remaining racers would have to run qualifying races to make the field. Sunday saw gorgeous weather for racing, as the stands filled in anticipation of some great modified racing. The first order of business was the 2 qualifying races. 11 cars lined up for the first 15 lap race, with Brian Nester and Jeremy Gerstner filling the front row. The race went quickly, with Nester, Gerstner, Harold Scott, Scott Grossenbocher, and Steve Christman transferring to the feature. The second Qualifier had Jason Dietsch and Troy Robinson starting on the front row. The race was a wild affair with several caution flags, as all the racers were giving 110% trying to make the feature. When the Checkered flag waved, Dietsch took the win, followed by Jimmy Britts, Robinson, Monty Morgan, and J.F.McClellan transferring to the feature. 4 provisional starting positions were available, based on series points, and were awarded to Greg Nordstrom, Patrick Menninga, Mickey Kempgens, and Damon Breedlove. The field was now set with 30 starters, and the excitement was about to begin. The starting order for the 200 lap shootout had Red Vann and Wayne Jefferson on the front row, followed by Wayne Anderson, Rob Partelo, Doug Moff, Andy Bozell, Alan McCafferty, David Baxley, Dave Stacy and Phil Bozell rounding out the top ten. Positions 11 thru 16 were Raymond Vann, Dwayne Dempsey, Jeff Lane, Kevin Durden, Kevyn Terry, and Phil Morrison. After driver introductions were completed, the command to start engines was given and the racers were ready to go. Warm up laps behind the pace car were taken, and the field came off turn 4 to the green flag. The first start was aborted, as several cars spun in turn 3, and the field was reset for the second attempt. Start #2 was good, and Jefferson managed to grab the lead from Vann in the early going. With 200 laps ahead of them, it looked as if the racers were trying to gain as many spots as possible before settling in for some long runs. A few minor incidents brought out the caution flag for short periods, as the race was gaining momentum. Lap 26 saw caution displayed as the cars of Gerstner and Britts spun in turn 4. The field was reset for the start with Jefferson in front, followed by Moff, Anderson, R.Vann, Baxley, Durden, Stacy, Dempsey, McCafferty, and Lane, completing the top ten. Partelo and Raymond Vann both made pit stops during the caution period. Caution again was on the track on lap 32 as the car of Menninga had mechanical problems and stopped on the track. Lap 64 had caution once again displayed, as the second place car of Doug Moff had terminal engine problems. When the racers finally reached the halfway point, the field was put under caution, and brought to the pit area for refueling and service. The restart order would be determined by the number of tires that each racer chose to change. Those who took no tires would start in front of those who changed 2 tires, and those who changed 4 tires would go to the end of the lead lap. After looking over the tires the drivers decided what they wanted to do. Several opted to go for track position and change no tires. As the field was reset for the second 100 laps, Dwayne Dempsey had the front spot, followed by Stacy, Lane, Morrison, Stacy, Terry, Vann, Gerstner, McClellan, Partelo, Dietsch, Jefferson, Anderson, McCafferty, Durden, Nester, Scott, Kempgens, Britts, Nordstrom, Breedlove, Baxley, and Morgan. As the race began in earnest for the final 100 laps, the drivers who had taken tires started working their way thru the field, chasing Dempsey and Stacy. The two front runners didnt appear to be slowed by not taking new tires during the break. Lap 131 saw Jefferson and Partelo get together and spin in turn 1, bringing out the caution flag, and allowing the field to close up once again. Caution was also displayed on lap 145 as Baxley and Durden made contact in turn 3, with Baxley spinning. With only 25 laps remaining, Dempsey continued to maintain the lead, with Stacy shadowing his every move. Anderson had moved into third spot, followed by Lane and Red Vann. Anderson began working on Stacy, trying to get a run at second place. With 7 laps remaining, Stacy slid high in turn 4 and gave Anderson the opening he was looking for to make the pass into second spot. The final Caution of the day came on lap 195 as McClellan spun in turn 4, and the field got ready for a 5 lap shootout. When the green flag waved for the start, Anderson made a run at Dempsey, but the A-Tex transmission entry of Dempsey had enough power to stay in front for the win. Anderson was a very close second, followed by Stacy, Lane and Red Vann. After the race, the talk in the pit area among the drivers and crews was very positive about this race, with a great deal of hope that this race will become an annual event. Final Results Blue / Gray 200 presented by &-UP Ocala Speedway 1. #6 Dwayne Dempsey 2. #57 Wayne Anderson 3. #5 Dave Stacy 4. #21 Jeff Lane 5. #32 Red Vann 6. #63 Phil Morrison 7. #32m Alan McCafferty 8. #61 Wayne Jefferson 9. #07 Kevin Durden 10. #13 Kevyn Terry 11. #7 Jason Dietsch 12. #11 Brian Nester 13. #29 Scott Grossenbacher 14. #2 Mickey Kempgens 15. #01 J.F. McClellan 16. #70 Jeremy Gerstner 17. #93 Rob Partelo 18. #06 Greg Nordstrom 19. #9 Jimmy Britts 20. #0w Damon Breedlove 21. #64 David Baxley 22. #96 Harold Scott 23. #0 Troy Robinson 24. #46 Monty Morgan 25. #45 Andy Bozell 26. #46 Doug Moff 27. #34 Steve Christman 28. #99 Raymond Vann 29. #00 Patrick Mennenga 30. #44 Phil Bozell Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!