Choquette Comes Alive at Columbia Motorsports Park in Sunbelt 125
by Jane Smith
Wayne Anderson (outside) battles with Jeff Scofield at Columbia Motorsports Park
Lake City, Fla. (June 17, 2006) - Just a few short years ago at Orlando SpeedWorld, a young man appeared who had no asphalt experience but was great on dirt. In fact, he was a master on dirt at a very early age but wanted to try asphalt. So he came to Speedworld with his new asphalt Super Late Model and the rest has been history.
In 2004, a young and not well known Jeff Choquette dominated the Governor's Cup and dominated a few races after that. Last night at Columbia Motorsports Park, the Choquette of two years ago came to life once again.
At a packed house at Columbia Motorsports Park, fans saw Wayne Anderson top the field of 20 in qualifying with a 16.851. Tim Russell, Jeff Scofield, Mike Bresnahan, and Chris Fontaine topped out the top five. Anderson pulled the 7 pill putting Chet Morrison of New Orleans on the pole and Choquette on the outside.
Fans were treated to an on-track autograph session where they could get up close to not only the drivers but the cars. Then it was time to race as the Crew Chiefs made sure their drivers were securely buckled in for the race.
Choquette spent no time taking over the pole followed by Chet Morrison, Mike Bresnahan, Chris Fontaine and Jeff Scofield on the green. Bresnahan quickly passed Morrison for third as Scofield passed Fontaine for fourth with Wayne Anderson on the move for fifth and Fontaine in sixth. Mac Johnson, who was running seventh, was on fire as he passed Fontaine taking over sixth as Scofield and Anderson were hot on Morrison's heels. Scofield made the pass for third as Anderson followed thru for fourth with Morrison settling into fifth.
The race was on as Anderson and Scofield were determined they wanted the same spot. Anderson would go on the outside with Scofield on the inside and eventually Anderson won the battle and took over third as Scofield went to fourth. David Hodges had mechanical problems and withdrew from the race during this hot battle.
Choquette, Bresnahan, Anderson Scofield and Morrison led the pack but Morrison found a very fast Mac Johnson on his tail wanting that fifth place spot but Morrison held tight. The first caution came out for Mario Hernandez who spun in turn 2. Hernandez was fine and the race went back green as Choquette took the point once again.
At this point there were almost two races with Kevin Durden in the middle of the two. Then suddenly, coming down the frontstretch, Mac Johnson goes into the inside pit wall, rides it slightly up and cominig back down. His pit crew quickly checks out the car but after such a good run, it is done for the night and pushed into the pits. On the restart, it is Choquette on the point as Bresnahan has Wayne Anderson on his tail for second and Tim Ruseell and Jason Boyd are dueling side-by-side. Boyd is on the outside, Russell on the inside when the caution flag is thrown once again for Chris Fontaine and Chet Morrison who have gotten together on the frontstretch with Fontain's car going slightly on top of Morrison. Morrison had been battling a loose car and just as Fontaine was on his outside, they touch sending them both on a wild ride. Luckily Morrison was fine but done for the night. Fontaine was able to continue but had to pit shortly after that ending his night.
Once both cars were in the pits, a slightly heavy discussion begins between the two crews. A few punches were thrown but the safety crew and officials quickly separated the two teams and fans were able to watch the race and not the fight.
It was a fast green as the yellow comes out for David Pollen, Jr. who has spun on the backstretch and goes to the rear for the restart. Choquette shows his skills once again on the restart followed by Bresnahan, Anderson, Scofield and Russell.
Once again Anderson tries everything to pass Bresnahan but Bresnahan wants nothing to do with it and holds his position. Durden, who is running sixth, finds Jason Boyd on his bumper but Durden maintains his position as Boyd must settle for seventh. Boyd tries once again with a little nodge getting Durden loose and is able to pass for sixth as Durden goes to seventh.
Up front Anderson is all over Bresnahan and this time it makes the move work and takes over second with Scofield coming right behind him in third and Bresnahan settling into fourth. Suddenly Brian Finney slows and the yellow is thrown for Finney's blown engine. The track is checked for fluids with Choquette giving the "okay" to race once again.
The races goes back green on lap 94 with Choquette, Anderson, Scofield, Bresnahan, Russell, Boyd, Rich Pratt, and Fain Skinner up front. Russell puts the heat on Bresnahan and takes over fourth with Bresnahan in fifth. Bresnahan charges back but is unable to take third back from Russell. Bresnahan charges once again taking back third as Russell finds Boyd once again on his tail. Scofield gets loose and has to back off to straighten up but remains in third place position as Choquette sails away from Anderson.
Boyd once again tries Russell and this time makes it work taking over fifth as Russell goes to sixth. It is now Choquette, Anderson, Scofield, Bresnahan, and Boyd. Coming to the checkered flag, Anderson and Pollen tangle on the backstretch with Anderson going hard into the backstretch wall. With cars flying at him, Anderson's car slowly goes backwards down to the bottom but luckily was not hit. Choquette takes the checkered followed by Jeff Scofield, Mike Bresnahan, Jason Boyd and Rich Pratt.
The next event for the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series will be July 2 at New Smyrna Speedway in the Clyde Hart Memorial 200. Laps are once again being sold for this prestigious race at $100.00 a lap. Please call 386-427-4129 for further information or sponsoring a lap. All laps must be paid for before the green falls on July 2.
OFFICIAL RESULTS COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK - JUNE 17 SUNBELT SUPER LATE MODEL 125
1. #70 Jeff Choquette, Loxatchee 2. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City 3. #3 Mike Bresnahan, Lecanto 4. #15 Jason Boyd, Orlando 5. #0 Rich Pratt, Anthony 6. #36 Tim Russell, Longwood 7. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak 8. #17 Kevin Durden, Arcnher 9. #8 Tal Etheridge, Sylvester, Ga. 10. #88 David Pollen, Jr., Tampa 11. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood 12. #20 Scott Millar, Ocala 13. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island 14. #6 Mac Johnson, Newberry 15. #5 Mario Hernandez, Miami 16. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont 17. #23 Todd Brown, Lake Panasoffkee 18. #16 David Hodges, Valdosta 19. #47 Chris Fontaine, Auburndale DQ'D 20. #86 Chet Morrison, New Orleans, LA. DQ'D
At this point there were almost two races with Kevin Durden in the middle of the two. Then suddenly, coming down the frontstretch, Mac Johnson goes into the inside pit wall, rides it slightly up and cominig back down. His pit crew quickly checks out the car but after such a good run, it is done for the night and pushed into the pits. On the restart, it is Choquette on the point as Bresnahan has Wayne Anderson on his tail for second and Tim Ruseell and Jason Boyd are dueling side-by-side. Boyd is on the outside, Russell on the inside when the caution flag is thrown once again for Chris Fontaine and Chet Morrison who have gotten together on the frontstretch with Fontain's car going slightly on top of Morrison. Morrison had been battling a loose car and just as Fontaine was on his outside, they touch sending them both on a wild ride. Luckily Morrison was fine but done for the night. Fontaine was able to continue but had to pit shortly after that ending his night.
Up front Anderson is all over Bresnahan and this time it makes the move work and takes over second with Scofield coming right behind him in third and Bresnahan settling into fourth. Suddenly Brian Finney slows and the yellow is thrown for Finney's blown engine. The track is checked for fluids with Choquette giving the "okay" to race once again.
