Travis Cope tops Goodyear Challenge Late Model Feature at Bronson Motor Speedway
by Jane Smith
A perfect spring day and night greeted the twenty five drivers who journeyed to Bronson Motor Speedway on April 1 for the second race of the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series. "Twenty five is the best car count we have ever had at Bronson," said Series Director Scott Jackman.
Qualifying caused a few hot moments before the race as Paul Barnhill's oil line came off as he was out making his lap. This caused a major cleanup effort and a slightly greasy track for the rest of the field to qualify on. But racers are racers and inspite of the "hot" moments, they were ready to race by feature time.
Steve Dorer of Lakeland set fast time for the twenty five car field with a 13.620 followed by Rookies Dustin Deschamps of Brooksville with a 13.674, Justin Larson of Safety Harbor with a 13.678, Rich Clouser of Palm Bay with a 13.708 and Sam Watts of Winter Springs with a 13.708. Dorer pulled the 7 pill which put Travis Cope, son of Bronson Motor Speedway owner Mike Cope, on the pole for the 100 lap event.
After an on-track autograph session for the fans and two feature races for the Thunderstocks and Limited Sportsman, it was time for the Goodyear Challenge race to start. But in the first 47 laps of the race, only 12 laps were under green as it was a wreckfest one lap after another. Going out first in the race was Derrick Kelley who ended up with a sway bar thru his radiator that ended his night on lap one which was not completed.
Next to go out was Paul Barnhill of Crestview and Ali Zargaran of Pompano on lap 9. Joe Strehle of Deland lsated a little longer to lap 20. Lap 38 saw Rookie Jeremy Colangelo out of the race. Chuck Abel was out next on lap 40 but was able to make repairs and come back in for just a few laps. Justin Larson was out on lap 41 even though he was able to come back but had to return to the pits with a broken spark plug.
Thru the first 48 laps, it was Travis Cope leading the way for Troy Hall, Rich Clouser, Sam Watts, and A.J. Curreli. The second half things seemed to settle down with Cope on the point followed by Hall, Clouser, Watts, Curreli, Mike Franklin, Joe Winchell, Jeremy Goddard, Dean Ferri, and Greg Kaouk.
On lap 57, Charles Kopach, driving only part of a car, spun for the third time sending him into the pits for the night. The race was restarted on lap 61 with Young Cope taking the lead on the green. The race remained green until lap 73 when the field checked up for a spin and Sam Watts getting the worst end of the deal as he spun avoiding the backend of Rich Clouser. Watts tried to remain in the field but by lap 78 he was done after his good run along with Chuck Burkhalter.
On the restart, Chuck Abel rejoined the field but only made a lap and had to retire into the infield with his damaged machine. Cope remained the leader with Troy Hall and Rich Clouser in second and third. A.J. Curreli was running fourth but found himself being pressured by Mike Franklin now in fifth. Franklin was able to pass Curreli taking over fourth with Joe Winchell following Franklin for fifth as Curreli settled into sixth. The race remained green until lap 95 when Jeremy Goddard spun coming off 4 and cars were going high and low to avoid him.
But on the restart in almost the same spot, Goddard brought out the yellow again as he spun in the same spot.
Once more the green came out and it was young Travis Cope in his first feature win in the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series crossing the checkered followed by Troy Hall, Rich Clouser, Mike Franklin, and Joe Winchell.
In Victory Lane a more proud father and mother could not have been seen by the fans than Mike and Jane Cope. Tears of joy were plenty as they celebrated with their son and the Bronson fans.
The next race for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series will be April 15 at New Smyrna Speedway.
OFFICIAL RESULTS BRONSON MOTOR SPEEDWAY APRIL 1, 2006
1. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson 2. #30 Troy Hall, Coral Springs 3. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay 4. #12 Mike Franklin, High Springs 5. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie 6. #10 Steve Dorer, Lakeland 7. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach 8. #66 Matt Martin, Port Orange 9. #99 Dean Ferri, Deerfield 10. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines 11. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville 12. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples 13. #22 Alli Owens, South Daytona 14. #30x Chris Huntoon, Port Charlotte 15. #4k Amanda Gogel, New Smyrna 16. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont 17. #73 Sam Watts, Winter Springs 18. #53 Charles Kopach, Clermont 19. #88 Justin Larwon, Safety Harbor 20. #29 Chuck Abell, Apopka 21. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland 22. #83 Joe Strehle, Deland 23. #32z Ali Zargaran, Pompano 24. #38 Paul Barnhill, Crestview 25. #21 Derrick Kelley, Auburndale
FAST QUALIFIER: Steve Dorer TOP ROOKIE: Travis Cope HARD CHARGER: Matt Martin HARD LUCK: Derrick Kelley
