Aaron Williamson Grabs Southern Sportsman Series Win At Lakeland
by Rick Warren
Thirty-two racers signed in for the Highland Homes / Southern Sportsman Series race at USA Speedway. All 32 were working hard to claim the win in the 35 lap feature race, but only one would claim the top prize. This ¾ mile track would demand their best efforts to be competitive, and all 32 racers gave their best shot.
Steve Gainey, in the Freds Garage/Logan Plumbing entry would set the fast time, but as winner of the last race, would be relegated to 11th starting position, by series rule.
When al the draws for inversion were done, Aaron Williamson, in the Carr’s Automotive entry would have pole position for the race. Second spot would go to Wayne Morris in the GGR Roofing entry. The second row was filled by Rikk McMehan in his unsponsored entry, and Richard Elkins Jr. in the Elkins Repair Service Entry.
The top ten was finished out by Ronnie Heard Jr., Mark Peterson, Derrik Heath, Robbie Yoakam, Keith Lilley, and Craig Cuzzone.
When the green flag waved to start the 35 lap feature, Morris powered to the early lead with Williamson right behind. The field stayed tightly bunched, and the racing was intense. From top to bottom, the cars were two and three wide, trying to move up the field toward the front. The race stayed green until lap 11, when the big track claimed another engine, that of the leader, Wayne Morris.
As the field lined up for the restart, Williamson held the lead, followed by Heard, Elkins, McMehan, Gainey, Heath, Yoakam, Travis Nichols, Lilley, and Bart Weatherford. By lap 14, the 79X of Gainey had moved from his 11th starting spot to third spot. Lap 19 saw another engine fall victim to the ¾ mile track, as the caution came out for the 36 of Stuart Vandevender.
During the caution period, the 12R hit debris on the track, and put a hole in the oil pan, forcing him to retire from the race. The running order for the restart had Williamson, Heard, Gainey, Heath, Nichols, Weatherford, Elkins, Yoakam, Cuzzone and Lilley in the top 10.
On the restart, Gainey was able to make a move on Heard and grab second place.
The top 5 remained the same thru the end of the race, with all 5 cars seeming to be equally competitive, and not able to gain any advantage or positions. As the checkered flag waved for Williamson to take the win, the top 5 cars were all within 2 seconds of the leader. A great race, with some great competition, and some good sportsmanship.
After the race, the top 3 cars cleared tech. inspection, and the race was declared official.
Final Results –USA Speedway – 4/29/2006 Highland Homes / Southern Sportsman Series 35 laps
1. 13 Aaron Williamson Mulberry, Fl. 2. 79X Steve Gainey Bradenton, Fl. 3. 00 Ronnie Heard Jr. Seffner, Fl. 4. 2 Derrik Heath Parkland, Fl. 5. 22 Travis Nichols Brooksville, Fl. 6. 55 Richard Elkins Jr. Auburndale, Fl. 7. 1 Bart Weatherford Lakeland, Fl. 8. 8 Robbie Yoakam Hernando, Fl. 9. 8X Keith Lilley Lakeland, Fl. 10. 10 Kyle Tenbusch Port Charlotte, Fl. 11. 97 Craig Cuzzone Lakeland, Fl. 12. 72 Tommy Conquest Jr. Bronson,Fl. 13. 45 Michael Soukup Deltona, Fl. 14. 92 Ted Head Auburndale, Fl. 15. 32 Ricky Hoffman Palm Harbor, Fl. 16. 78 Arthur Conquest Bronson, Fl. 17. 62 Buddy Brown Parrish, Fl. 18. 20X Steve O’Lone Clearwater, Fl. 19. 74 Dusty Bouchard Bronson, Fl. 20. 27 Phil Luizzo Lake Mary, Fl. 21. 19 T.C. McElyea Dania Beach, Fl. 22. 721 John Bennett St.Cloud, Fl. 23. 31 Hal Vickery Oneco, Fl 24. 12R Rikk McMehan Hudson, Fl. 25. 36 Stuart VanDevender N. Ft. Myers, Fl. 26. 56 Wayne Morris Mulberry, Fl. 27. 25X George Shaver Bradenton, Fl. 28. 98 Roger Welch St. Petersburg, Fl. 29. 41 Richie Smith Hernando, Fl. DNS 73 Mark Peterson Sarasota, Fl. DNS 121 Gordon Cade Ocala, Fl. DNS 19X Adam King ` Bartow, Fl.
Fast Qualifier Steve Gainey Hard Charger Kyle Tenbusch Most Laps Led Aaron Williamson
When the green flag waved to start the 35 lap feature, Morris powered to the early lead with Williamson right behind. The field stayed tightly bunched, and the racing was intense. From top to bottom, the cars were two and three wide, trying to move up the field toward the front. The race stayed green until lap 11, when the big track claimed another engine, that of the leader, Wayne Morris. 