The Bronson " bullring" opened it's doors for the 2000 racing season Saturday nite to a large crowd and a host of enthusiastic drivers, new cars, and a season full of dreams. The Dwarf Car Association joined the rest of the Bronson Racing Series and put on a tremendous show with their powerful, open wheel replicas of miniature
versions of cars of the 1930's. These 2000 cc screamers darted and weaved with barely a fender's width separating the 16 car field. "We're thrilled to be here. This track is so friendly and FAST!" said Max Howe of Kissimmee. " We've run a couple of shows and are still sorting out the new cars, but we'll try to put on a good show" He did'nt disappoint as fellow Kissimmee drivers Fred Brunson, Dan Berry of Longwood, Fla. and Gainesville's own Jerry Heflin staged a tremendous battle for the lead. 18 laps into the event, Bill Burbridge in car # 24 spun right in front of the leaders coming out of turn four. Brunson slammed on the binders to avoid the spinning car of Burbridge ( #24), but climed into the air over his back wheels and slammed the car to asphalt as it slid to a halt. Damage to the front end was too extensive for him to finish.

On the re-start, it was Berry again in his # 44 machine, closely pursed by Jerry Heflin ( # 23) and Dennis Archinal ( # 12) of Auburndale in third. The three raced nose to tail, darting through traffic and finished in that order.

PURE STOCK

The Bronson Racing Series Pure Stock got off to a wild start as the race was re-started twice in the first two laps. Anxious cars banged a few fenders in an effort to gain early positions. Traffic was three wide at times. Tommy Ausborn, driving a bright new paint scheme
on his # 69 machine got the worst of a second lap crash as he collided with Stephen Seymour ( # 88 ) and Jack Dampier ( # 14) in turn two.
Ausborn's car tried to leave the racetrack as it climbed the sandwall in turn two , came to rest on the top of it and was done for the nite.
Seymour continued for five more laps before his car gave out from damage suffered earlier and Jack Dampier was also forced to retire for the race. " It was a tough break," said Seymour. "The car was perfect until the incident in two, but we'll be back next week".

A sportsmanlike jesture from a team and driver seeking full time sponsorship from Autozone stores for the rest of the season. Corkey Miley had his # 93 "hooked up" winning both the heat race and the feature as he led most of both races. Jerome Brown, also seeking sponsorship for his # 25 Camaro, ran a strong second . He had a couple of chances to get under Miley during the race, but got caught up as they approached slower traffic and could'nt make the pass. Ken Galick of Gainesville finished third in his # 31 Camaro. " The car was good, all night long. I just don't know how long we can run this season without a major sponsor.", Ken told me after the race. This is a strong team and, like all compettors, needs sponsorship to pay the bills to race.

MINI STOCK

Ah, the mini-stocks. The " darlings of the bullring" !! If you can only watch one race, watch the mini-stocks! There is nothing " mini" about them. These once tame Pintos, Mustangs, and Toyotas have been transformed into 100 mile per hour machines that will challenge one another to the checkered flag every nite with no room to breathe!

Opening night was no exception as Clint Foley brought his familiar purple Bronson Family Restaurant ride into victory circle. The race did not come easy, as Clint had to bide his time and make the move from fourth place to put the car in front to stay. The "family fued" (friendly, I might add), picked up where it left off last year with Jeff Stalnaker,Sr. and his brothers Tater and Charlie, chasing each other from flag to flag. All the cars have a beautiful new paint scheme. Tater is driving a neat new Taurus, and Jeff and Charlie have new paint and lots of new parts on their cars.

So why mess them up, right? WRONG! Each car finished the race with at least one " brotherly love " "doughnut" on the door as these three drivers battled it out for front positions. Tater and Jeff, Sr. got together on lap # 8 of the feature and were put to the rear after spinning in turn two. Jeff wasted no time moving back through the field to race with Josh Hars in his brilliant new Dr. Jay's entry and Clint Foley, who had built a good lead in the race, Josh gave Clint all he could handle, but drove smart and did'nt have quite enough for the lead. You can count on this excellent young racer to be up front all year-- and what an enthusiastic group of family and fans he brings to the track every Saturday nite! They are a joy to watch! Foley went on to win the feature, with Josh Hars second, and
Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. finishing third.

4-CYLINDER CRUISERS

Lil"J", Jeff Stalnaker Jr. runs in this class. This group of talented young drivers is starting their second season at the " bullring" and are lots of fun to watch. John Naber driving for Al Bouchard in the # 3 Papa J's, A & L cages mini-truck led " going away" Saturday nite. Chad Dixon of Ocala ( # 27) and Jason Reynolds of Inverness ( # 6) finished second and third respectively. Watch for this great class to grow and entertain as the season goes on.

All in all, it was a great opening nite. Be sure to be with us this Saturday nite for more great action at the "bullring". Gates open at 5:30 with racing at 7:30 PM. See ya;ll there.

-by Gil Peck

RESULTS

DWARF CARS

1) # 44 Dan Berry, Longwood, Fla.
2) # 23 Jerry Heflin, Gainesville, Fla.
3) # 12 Dennis Archinal, Auburndale, Fla.

PURE STOCK

1) # 93 Corkey Miley, Hernando, Fla.
2) # 25 Jerome Brown, Newberry, Fla.
3) # 31 Ken Galick, Gainesville, Fla.

MINI-STOCK

1) # 7 Clint Foley, Dunnellon, Fla.
2) # 04 Josh Hars, Williston, Fla.
3) # 10 Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. Ocala, Fla.

4-CYLINDER CRUISERS

1) # 3 John Naber, Dunnellon, Fla.
2) # 27 Chad Dixon, Ocala, Fla.
3) # 9 Jason Reynolds, Inverness, Fla.

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