The pits were packed with excitement as this was the first race of the brand new year of 2000 for Central Florida racers. Since most tracks everywhere are still closed, a number of out-of-state drivers were on hand to test the asphalt surface of New Smyrna Speedway. Only
David Rogers, the l999 Late Model Champion, was absent as 27
Super Lates qualified for the Red Eye l00. Jack Cook, one of the kids' favorite drivers at New Smyrna Speedway, had fast time with a 18.219 (roughly).

When pills were drawn, the soon-to-be married man (next Sunday) Bobby McClelland, had the pole. The crowd got on their feet as the cars came by slowly waving to the crowd and the crowd waving back. The green flag was readied and thrown and the Red Eye l00 was running.

The first caution of the race saw 3 cars fall out, the no. 74, l5, and 2.
Once the cars were removed from turn 3 of the track, the race was restarted with Jack Cook in the lead and Wayne Anderson second. Cook and Anderson battled for the lead with Cook being spun out in turn l. Cook corrected the car in the caution laps and came back to hit Anderson during the caution. This lead to Cook's car being damaged and Cook dropped out of the race. Anderson was put to the rear of the lead cars and the race was restarted with Pete Orr, Bobby McClelland, Jeff Emery, Wayne Anderson and Michael Williams in the top five.

By the end of the Red Eye 100, only 12 cars remained in the race. Wayne Anderson crossed the finish line first with Pete Orr, Bobby McClelland, Travis Kittleson, and Kevin Finney in the top five.

Obviously, Jack Cook wanted to talk to Wayne Anderson since this was the second time that he had been taken out of a race by an Anderson and went to speak to Anderson. He went alone, not wanting to fight but a fight happened and Cook was left with a very bloody face and cut eye.

One of Jack Cook's very young fans was crying and Jack assured her that he was fine. Both of these drivers, both Anderson and Cook, are good drivers, good men. Fighting, no matter if you are taken out on purpose or not, is not the solution and does affect the fans of the drivers.


Red Eye l00 Late Model Race:

1. #84 - Wayne Anderson
2. #30 - Pete Orr
3. #99 - Bobby McClelland
4. #88 - Travis Kittleson
5. #81 - Kevin Finney
6. #32 - Michael Williams
7. #27 - Mike Good
8. #12x - Justin Drawdy
9. #12 - Stephen Wayne (driving a car owned by Jeremy Mayfield from N.C.)

In the Limited Late Model race, fans saw the return tonight of the #67 of Chad Allman to the track. Chad had the pole for the feature race and held the
lead until David Logan and the No. l machine came into his view and then
it was David Logan in the lead. Top five were:

1. #1 - David Logan
2. #99 - Brent Chilson
3. #67 - Chad Allman
4. #68 - Jimbo Bjordland
5. #26 - Tony Ponder

Seventeen Modifieds took to the track for their feature race with the No.
98 of Steve Thomas on the pole. The No. 40 of Shelby Howard from
Indiana was one of the mods in the field tonight. Nice to have Shelby
back again. But tonight it was Robert Ham and the No. 52 that took
the field and won the feature race. Close behind Robert was Jerry
Symons. Top five were:

1. #52 - Robert Ham
2. #66 - Jerry Symons
3. #13 - Bill Gunn
4. #19 - Tom Root
5. #15 - Tank Tucker

In the Sportsman division, it was Jon Harney on the pole and winning from
the pole. Jon ran a very good race especially with that loose racecar of
his in turn 4. She definitely wants to hit that pit wall but Jon has kept her
off it so far - great job. Top five were:

1. #45 - Jon Harney
2. #3 - Ian Hoffman
3. #04 - Doug Samion
4. #47 - Mike Garrett
5. #28 -

In the Mini-Stock division, it was the #3 of Steve Griffin taking the lead
from the No. 2 of Bob Doxie and winning the first Mini-Stock race of
2000. Top five were:

1. #3 - Steve Griffin
2. #2 - Bob Doxie
3. #8 - Sid Stites
4. #lx -
5. #l64 -

It was Bradley Johnson in the No. 26 Super Stock with the pole for
the feature but Richard Clouser in the No. 8 taking the win. Mike
Peppler in the No. 81 came in a close second to Richard. Top five
were:

1. #8 - Richard Clouser
2. #81 - Mike Peppler
3. #40 - Dano Winnett
4. #26 - Bradley Johnson
5. #l4 - Kevin Schultz

The No. 77 of Joe Williams had the pole for the Strictly Stocks with the
#llx of Kelly Payne taking the win in a very fog covered track. By this
race, you could not see the cars until they were right in front of your face.
Top five were:

1. #llx - Kelly Payne
2. #33 - Tracy Jackson
3. #77 - Joe Williams
4. #75 -
5. #44 - Curtis Smith

JOIN US WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR THE RACE FOR KIDS WITH STARS
OF THE WINSTON CUP AND CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES JOIN TOGETHER
TO RACE FOR BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. GATES OPEN AT 4, RACING
BEGINS AT 7 WITH AN HOUR LONG AUTOGRAPH SESSION AFTER THE
SUPER STAR RACE.

JOIN US NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 15, FOR A NIGHT OF
HEAT AND FEATURE RACES STARRING SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE
SHORT TRACK DRIVERS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.

-Jane Smith




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