| World Series Comes to a Close for 2005 | By Jane Smith
 Nine nights of working hard, no sleep, nothing but track food takes it’s toll on everyone but in the long run, it is well worth it because of the new friends you meet and old friends you see but once a year.
The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is over for 2005. This year brought many exciting moments along with a few of those heart stopping moments.
Travis Kittleson of Merritt Island, FL returned to his old stomping grounds with high hopes for the World Series. For the last two years, Kittleson has run in the ASA Series along with fellow racer Jay Middleton and Trevor Stewart.
Kittleson had not won a Super Late Model race since the Fall Festival at Ocala Speedway in 2003 so when he won on the opening night of the World Series, he could not have been any happier. “This has been too long of a streak without a win and this feels good, really good,” said Kittleson in Winner’s Circle.
But Kittleson’s luck ended on night two when he and Mike Fritts got together coming off turn 4 and Kittleson’s car was damaged beyond repair. Unhappy and very disappointed, the Bob Steele Chevrolet was loaded up and taken home.
Louie Mechalides of Tyngsboro, Maine has been a steady contender for years in the World Series. Mechalides, who has raced Busch North and a few other series, had a bad 2004 World Series and came with hopes of just not having many hours of work to do on his car. Louie tuned and tuned that car and on night two it all paid off as he found himself in the Winner’s Circle at last. Mechalides also took a second win this year on night seven.
David Rogers of Longwood, FL made his first appearance since his accident at Orlando SpeedWorld in the TM Ranch Dodge in September of 2004. Rogers’s totalled his car and almost himself too. So when he returned to the World Series, everyone was happy and when he won on night three, we all knew he was back.
Mike Fritts of DeBary had the car to beat, setting fast time a number of times, and always in the hunt for the win. On night six, Fritts found that win. Also in the hunt with a top five car was Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT. Christopher, who is known more as the “King of the Northern Modifieds” raced not only the Super Late but also the Northern Mod. This was not Christopher’s first time at double duty so he was well prepared for the task. Christopher took the Super Late Model win on night five.
Jeff Choquette of Royal Palm Beach, FL was well known last year for his talent behind a Dirt Late Model at East Bay Raceway Park. But Choquette decided to try asphalt and it seems to fit him perfectly. After competing at East Bay, Choquette came to New Smyrna to try his luck with the “best of the best”. Choquette proved he is no slouch by winning the last two Super Late Model features.
During the 100 lapper, Fritts was leading but Choquette was right on his tail and gave Fritts the old move over sign which caused Fritts to have to check-up and slide back to fifth place. Fritts lost one more position giving Mechalides the Championship by four points.
Ryan Matthews of Wisconsin stopped everyone’s hearts beating when glimpses of the ARCA race were right before everyone’s eyes as Ryan barrel rolled down the frontstretch. His car flipped up almost hitting the flag stand and began to barrel roll. Ryan was fine but the car was done and he was on his way home to Wisconsin.
Others who were out early were Pete Shepherd Jr., Trevor Stewart, Ted Christopher, Ryan Foster, Jake Keaton, Chappy Knaack, Mike Stacey, Adam Cain, David Salley, and Mario Maressa and Chase Austin.
Indy car driver Michel Jourdain raced a few times getting seat time for his Busch race on Saturday. Jourdain started 30th in the Busch race and finished 34th.
Jerry Artuso won the first three Late Model races which gave him the foundation for his Championship. Jason Boyd started out slow but won the next three races after bringing his No. 15 car into the picture. Chuck Burkhalter won the next two with Boyd taking the final win. Artuso, who had no idea he had won both the Late Model Championship and the FL/IMCA Modified Championship, had to unload one of his cars for the Victory celebration.
Leaving early in the Late Models was Derrick Kelley, Rich Clouser, Tim Russell, Martin Pierce, Tim Clark, Mike Murphy, T.C. McElyea, and Don Hess,
The NASCAR Tour Modifieds had a number of entries such as Charlie Pasteryak, Donny Lia, Chuck Hossfeld, Ted Christopher, Andy Seuss, Justin Gaydosh, and Ryan Preece who is the grandson of Bobby Judkins, owner of the 2x Florida Modified. Even Ed Flemke Jr. Came in for two days but left right after the Ritchie Evans Memorial which was won by Donny Lia. These guys race hard and have no fear when it comes to that little bump and rub routine. Every night they thrilled the crowd with their loud motors and quick cars.
The SK Modifieds had enough entries this year to race alone and not with the Tour Mods. Each night they thrilled the crowd as they fought hard for the win. Tempers flaired on the last night as the top two got into each other and spun the leader. Needless to say, the leader paid back the spinner when the race was over.
Night after night, day after day, the drivers and their crews worked hard for one reason and one reason only, to win. Some did, some did not. Some felt the sting of the hard concrete walls of New Smyrna Speedway. If they could fix the car, they did. And if they couldn’t, haulers were pulled out.
It is always sad to see the World Series end. Even though everyone is bone tired, dirty, and need real food, it is hard to say goodbye until next year. This year brought in more cars and more new friends. Hopefully next year they will return and more new friends.
As we say goodbye, we also say thanks to all the drivers, crews, and their families for making the 2005 39th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing a success. Thank you all and see ya in 2006.
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