IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

February 8, 2008 RIPLEY, McLEOD AND HOPPER AMONG WINNERS AT 2008 SPEEDWORLD WINTERNATIONALS By Dave Westerman Brad Norberg took the checkered flag in the Classic Cars to kick off the Orlando Speedworld Winternationals Despite dire predictions by the local weather forecasters, Thursday evening turned out to be absolutely perfect in the weather department as Orlando Speedworld opened the 2008 Winternationals. A nice field of Open Wheel Lite machines was on hand with heat races going to John Bailey, Jeff Ripley and Billy Gise. Bailey had the pole for the 25 lap feature but it was Ripley who quickly jumped out to a commanding lead as Bailey was doing his best to hold Gise at bay. By the time Gise was able to slip by Bailey for second, Ripley was long gone, and, with no caution flags to slow the action, Ripley took the win by a half lap over Gise. It was the Kissimmee, FL drivers first ever win at Speedworld. Max Howe nearly spun out on the next to last lap but recovered and held on for third over Bailey and Roger Richmond. Rick Lundeen took the checker in sixth with Sonny OSullivan, Bob Bayse, Brandon Bayse, Max Evans, Brad Damewood, Jason Stout and Jerry Damewood rounding out the finishing field. Phil Krauthoff, Kelby Noedler, Max Howe II and Rick Brayton all had problems and were unable to start the feature. Heat winners Devin McLeod and Brady Marshall had the front row slots for the Florida Mini Cup Racing Association 25 lap feature and they put on a show for a lap and a half before Marshall lost it going into turn three and backed into the wall. The damage was enough to put Marshall out of the event. With his main competitor in the pits, McLeod had an easy time of it slowed just once by the yellow flag when Randy Burris and Vinny Page tangled going into turn one. McLeod took the win by a healthy margin over Stephen Hershey, Corey White, Bobby Roberts and Burris with Jeff Myers, Phil Beede, Page, Steve Naples, Doug Marshall, Eric Gehrke, Brady Marshall, Rick Fiore and Camden Murphy completing the finishers. A short field of Outlaw Modifieds saw 2007 Series Champion Doug Hopper dominate the action. After winning the heat race, Hopper slipped by early feature race leader Marty Neikens on lap four and led the remaining distance. Neikens just held off Billy Campbell at the line for second while Matt Delaney took fourth. Neither Ric Mills nor Ric Voisey could make the call for the feature race. Gary Thomas slipped by early leader William Hindman to take the top spot in the ABC Towing Hurricane feature but a late caution gave Hindman a second chance and he took the win over Thomas, Tim Walters, Jr., Tom Stewart and Brenda Taylor. Rounding out the top ten were Ron Webb, Brian Townson, Doug Webb, Blaise Fisher and Mark Walls. Thomas won the heat. Brad Norburg took his first career Classic Car feature win over heat winner Ron Gustafson and Rod Burton. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on The Real Racin USA Florida Fan Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!