It was the “Back to School Bash” at Citrus County Speedway Saturday night featuring an all local division race card and an opportunity for the kids to get up close and personal with some of their favorite drivers with an autograph session at intermission.
Many of the drivers and fans brought out school supplies to get the kids started back to the school year with the support of Citrus County Speedway’s drivers and fans.
There was plenty of action with the Late Models, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks, a 30 Lap 4 Cylinder Bomber Special and the wild and fantastic Figure 8’s.
Twenty one Super Late Models took the green flag start for their 35 lap main event that saw Danny Johnson win the race to the point over Gary Grubbs on the second restart of the race. They went four laps without incidence before the first caution flag came out with Johnson in the lead, Grubbs running second and Wayne Anderson lurking in third for the restart.
When the green dropped again Anderson made his move to the front in lap five and took off for parts unknown leaving Johnson and Grubbs to battle for second. Anderson had a half lap lead on the rest of the field when another caution flag came out in lap 30 making it a 5 lap shootout for the checkers. Anderson had his way with the top five when the green dropped for his second win of the season at his home track.
Gary Grubbs had a major battle on his hands with 9th starter Scott Grossenbacher in the run for second. G
rubbs held him off with Grossenbacher settling for third over Raymond Lovelady and Dale Sanders. Rounding out the top ten were Daniel Webster, Herb Neumann Jr., Chris Hooker, Danny Johnson and Herb Hoefler. Heat wins went to Johnson and Webster.
It was a 19 car Mini Stock field that saw Jay McKenzie charge from his 13th starting spot to the point and on to the checkers for his first season win in a new ride that has spent the past few weeks trying to shake out the bugs in its set up. Johnny Siner charged through the field from his 11th starting spot to put the heat on at the finish line for a second place finish. Mike Lawhorn worked his way from 8th to 3rd. Johnathon Camp posted a fourth place finish over Kevin Harrod. Rounding out the top ten were early leader Rick Litka, George Neumann, Clint Foley, Todd Haught and Billy Smith. Mike Lawhorn and Kevin Harrod took the heat wins.
Twenty four out of 27 registered Hobby Stocks took the green flag for their 20 lap feature and the BIG ONE came early when Robert Canfield and Artie Hewitt got together on the front straight battling for position and when the dust cleared 7 cars were parked in turn one in a crash that took five cars out of the field. Hewitt caught the worst of the action ending his night.
On the restart it was Jason Murphree taking the point and setting the pace right to the checkered flag for his second win of the season. Bobby Taylor was right on his rear bumper at the finish line with Curtis Flanagan charging from 20th to third followed by 21st starter Doc James Batson and Jay Witfoth rounding out the top five.
John Makula had a new ride for the night starting 19th and winding up sixth in the running followed by Sonny VanOchten, Don Paugh, James Cross, in his first race of the year and early leader Tony Trancucci. Heat winners were Murphree, Wayne Heater and Flanagan.
Tim Wilson doubled up with his 5th heat win and 4th feature win in Thunder Stock action. He took the outside groove and worked his way from 11th to the point being chased at the line by Jack Pate, Rick Ray, early leader Daniel Bouchard and 19th starter Megan Spicer. Rounding out the top 10 in the 22 car starting field were Victor Shahid, Jim Kruse, Rick Shahid, Jason VanOchten and Joe Rauner. Vick Shahid won the first heat, Wilson winning the second heat and Megan Spicer taking the third heat.
The 50 lap 4 Cylinder Bomber special was cut back to 30 laps due to the number of cars that qualified. Justin Durbin was top shoe again qualifying with fast time and charging from his 13th starting spot to take his 9th checkered flag of the season. Brandon Elwood was another hard charger from 11th to second when the checkers flew being chased by James Turgeon who equaled Durbin’s fast qualifying time but was D.Q’d in post race inspection. James Williams moved up to third just ahead of Peter Nelson. Jeremy Root, Travis Hoefler, Phil Edwards, Bobby Richardson, Jeff Eberly celebrated his birthday with a 9th place finish and John DeGeorge inherited 10th due to the disqualification.
Joey Catterelli blitzed the 14 car Figure 8 field taking advantage of every passing opportunity threading the needle in the intersection for his third win of the season from his 11th starting spot.
Outside pole sitter had the early lead and held on to it until Catterelli caught him in the final few laps.
Clifford Rousseau started third got shifted back in the pack and came back to salvage a third place finish over Curtis Youmans who had a shot at the lead at the halfway point in the race. John Thomas wound up fifth ahead of pole sitter Robbie Aaron. Rounding out the top ten were Zach Perry, Jay Witfoth, Charlie Meyer and Neil Herne.
Next Saturday night Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts who are in uniform and accompanied by an adult will be admitted free. They will be treated to the TBARA Winged Sprints returning for their third appearance of the year plus the Open Wheel Modifieds, Limited Sportsmen, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bomber action. It should be quite a night of tough competition.
