(Inverness, FL; 7/2/2000) Thirty-one drivers registered on Saturday night to qualify for the 24 positions in the McNatt Plumbing 75-lap Late Models Shoot-Out, only to be disappointed by constant light showers during warm-ups. The race was postponed until Sunday afternoon, and many of the registrants either couldn't come back or mechanical problems took them out of the action.

After a ten year absence, 'Trickie' Dickie Anderson, the Florida Short Track king, came back to his home racetrack and showed the young hotshoes how it is done at the facility he and his wife, Mary, used to operate.

Qualifying second in time trials, Anderson drew the #1 pill for the pole position. Fast qualifier, Mike Bresnahan picked up the $700 Fast Qualifier bonus money and drew the #10 pill after turning a 13.710 second qualifying lap, which may be a new late model track record.

Eighteen cars took the green flag in the 75-lap main event and Anderson set the pace from flag-to-flag, winning $3,300 for his effort in the McNatt Plumbing machine. Bresnahan finished second and also won the 'Hard Charger Award for a total of $2,950 for his night's work.

John Lovelady, Mike Franklin, Jr., and Robert Elting swapped positions several times to finish in that order. Only eight cars finished, with Billy Mowery, Edward Santori, and Bruce Smith rounding out the top eight.

In other action during the All Feature program, Robbie Yoakam lost out again to mechanical problems when his race-car turned into a ball of flames after leading the Limited Sportsman 25-lap main for 10 laps. Johnny Gann took over the top spot and went on to win his second feature of the season over David Dollar, Alan Struble, Johnny Sanders, and Travis Nichols in a 13-car field.

Wayne Lewis outmaneuvered Dean Lawyer, Ernie Reed, Jr., Wes Wilson, and Michael Bell for his second win in Street Stocks action. Twenty cars took the green flag in their 25-lap feature.

Mark Sowell was 'top shoe' in the Mini-Stock action for his fourth win of the year. Billy Smith held out for second over Kevin Harrod, John Coleman, and Frank Coleman, with 18 cars on the starting grid.

Richie Smith dedicated his second Hobby Stock win of the season to his 21-month-old niece, Halley Benson, who passed away on Friday. J.D. Goff, Mike Ruff, Chris Hooker, and James Teague took the balance of the top five spots over a 20 car starting field.

Figure-8 action saw 13 cars take the green with Scott Knight taking the win. Tim Henault, Robert Aaron, Robbie Hage, and Curtis Yoaman took the top five spots.

Steve Burdett took his third Street Legal Junker win of the season being chased by Jeff Franker and Roy Blotz to the flag on the modified race course. Only ten cars were able to make the show.

Next Saturday night will be the "Country Fox Great American Lawn Mower Challenge" plus Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini-Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and Street Legal Junkers. Registration forms for the Lawn Mower race are available at the Speedway, Love Nissan Honda, and at the Country Fox Studios in the Hampton Square in Citrus Hills.

-Larry MacMillan-




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