| It's a Great Day to be an American at USA International | by Jerry Binner
My theme for the day was “It’s a great day to be an American”. Clear blue skies, temperatures in the mid 80’s, and a pit full of racecars at the USA Int’l. Speedway.
A nice field of 29 cars qualified during the afternoon, to determine the starting order for the Sunbelt Series 125 lap race. Jeff Scofield from Riverview, Fl. posted the fastest lap, driving the car formerly driven by Dewayne Dempsey, now renumbered to Jeff’s familiar #07. After pulling a 9 for the field invert, the line-up was set, putting Scotty Crockett in the #28 on the pole. The remaining top 10, were #22 Matt Hawkins, #84 Wayne Anderson, #27 Mike Fritts, #59 Mario Gosselin, #92 Jason Boyd, #6 Mac Johnson, #70 Jeff Choquette, quick-timer Scofield, and Martin Pierce in the “Larry the Cable Guy” Special, #75.
At the drop of the green, most people figured that a much-improved Scotty Crockett would take the early lead. But it was the unknown, but very impressive Hawkins grabbing the front spot.
Hawkins, a 17 year old sophomore Late Model racer from Canton, Georgia was starting his first race ever at this track. Since graduating from Karts, to Legends cars, into the Super Late Model world, he has been a competitor at the Lanier Raceway in Gainesville Georgia, ran a few Southern All-Stars races and even went to the Snowball Derby in 2004. With Anderson, Fritts, Cope and the rest of the Florida heavy-hitters breathing down his neck, I figured it would only be a matter of time before the local pros would get by. What I didn’t figure, was that it would take more than half the race for it to happen.
An early caution came out for Darryl Shelnut, whose broken car couldn’t coast its way onto the pit lane.
On the restart, the shuffling up of the top 10 racers began. Mac Johnson grabbed 8th from Jason Boyd, while Choquette jumped from 6th to 4th on lap 9. Pierce retired for the night on lap 11. On the 18th go-round, Anderson took 2nd from Fritts, with Choquette following into 3rd. Pole sitter Crockett made his first of several pit stops that ended his chances for a win. The top 5 on lap 30, were Hawkins, Anderson, Choquette, Fritts and Gosselin.
Lap 34 saw Choquette get under Anderson for 2nd, and took Fritts with him to 3rd, before another caution came out, this time for Johnny Allen in the 2x car. Hitting pit row for some work, were #0 Rich Pratt, the #61 of Jimmy Cope, #00 Robert Yoho, Scofield, #12 Justin Drawdy and the 1x of Daniel Webster.
When the green flew once again, the shuffling in the pack resumed. 14th starting Joe Boyd (no relation to Jason Boyd), was having a good run, moving past Johnson for position, as the #47 of Chris Fontaine got by the TM Ranch#11 of David Rogers. Joe Boyd moved into the top 5 for the first time, by going around Gosselin for 5th. Rogers also continued his charge, getting past Fain Skinners #1 for 8th.
Skinner brought out the next caution on lap 77, as Crockett and Scofield each called it a night. These events put Shane Sawyers #38 into 10th place.
Mike Fritts decided that it was time for him to make his move, taking Choquette for 2nd on lap 83, and blew past Hawkins for the lead on lap 86. Although this was the first lead change, the race to this point was very exciting. It would get even more exciting shortly.
When 2 cars try to fit in 1-1/2 lanes, something has to give. On lap 91, Choquette and Anderson tried to fit into the same place in turn 1, and it didn’t work for either of them. They made contact, and the action was on. When the dust settled Choquette was on a flatbed truck, Anderson and Joe Boyd, headed for the pits under their own power, and Fontaine and Sawyer rejoined the tail of the field. Reaching the top 10 for the first time, were Mike Franklin Jr., and Justin Drawdy.
When the green flag came back out, Gosselin got the jump on Hawkins for 2nd, Jason Boyd went with him, and Hawkins fell back to 4th.
As Fritts was opening up a huge lead, Gosselin and Boyd went side by side for the next 20 laps or so. Mario was hooked up in the outside groove, while Jason hugged the bottom. With never more than a few inches between them, and trading the spot (but not trading paint) back and forth several times, the fans really got their money’s worth. To make things even more exciting, Rogers and Hawkins joined them in a tight 4 car pack, in the run to the checkers.
I don’t think anyone actually saw Fritts take the checkered flag. He was far out in front, for a great win. But, all eyes were on the battle for 2nd through 5th. Mario got the better run off the 4th turn banking and inched out ahead of Boyd, as Rogers snuck past Hawkins for 4th. The rest of the top 10 consisted of Fontaine, Sawyer, Franklin, Drawdy and Ryan Foster.
During front stretch ceremonies, I got to witness some great sportsmanship from these top 5 racers. Although hot, tired and sweaty, these guys were ALL smiling, shaking hands and, in Hawkins case, introducing themselves. These guys were all proud of the show they had put on, and rightly so.
This was a great race, put on by a very talented field of racers, at a beautiful facility like the USA Speedway.
What a great day to be an American!
OFFICIAL RESULTS - USA INTERNATIONAL APRIL 30
1. #27 Mike Fritts, Debary, Fla
2. #59 Mario Gosselin, Lake Wales
3. #92 Jason Boyd, Orlando
4. #11 David Rogers, Orland
5. #22 Matt Hawkins, Canton, Ga.
6. #47 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland
7. #38 Shane Sawyer, Jupiter
8. #97 Mike Franklin, Jr., Ocala
9. #12 Justin Drawdy, Ft. Pierce
10. #10 Ryan Foster, Lowell, Arkansas
11. #0 Rich Pratt, Anthony
12. #74 Barry Willoughby, Port St. Lucie
13. #1x Daniel Webster, Brooksville
14. #47x Keith Zavrel, Brooksville
15. #5 Joe Boyd, Riverview
16. #70 Jeff Choquette, West Palm Beach
17. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood
18. #86 Chet Morrison, Huma, Ga.
19. #00 Robert Yoho, Pinellas Park
20. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont
21. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak
22. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City
23. #28 Scotty Crockett, Land 'O Lakes
24. #63 Dwayne Bryan, Lake Alfred
25. #6 Mac Johnson, Gainesville
26. #61 Jimmy Cope, St. Pete
27. #7 Daryl Shellnut, South Ranches
28. #2x Johnny Allen, Lehigh Acres
29. #75 Martin Pierce, Sanford
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