(St. Augustine, FL; 7/9/2000) Ricky Carlton wasn't shaking any hands after his win in the Florida Pro Series feature at Florida Speed Park Saturday night. After 125 grueling, caution-filled laps, Carlton, who a month prior had broken his right hand thumb in a racing accident, had nothing left to offer after outlasting, and then outdriving, a talent-laden and determined field of Late Models.

"That was exhausting," said Carlton following the victory. "This is really a driving track. It felt like I was turning the whole time. What a tough win."

Carlton, who began the race in the third spot, assumed the lead on lap 50 following an incident between Johnny Kay, the fast qualifier and race leader, and Shane Sawyer, who had challenged Kay for the lead over the previous 30 laps. Sawyer drove inside of Kay down the front stretch, rubbing the left rear of Kay's car. Kay eventually lost control and spun, backing into the wall in turn 1; both were sent to the rear.

On the restart, Kay reciprocated Sawyer by tapping him as Sawyer passed on the inside coming out of turn 4. Sawyer escaped unharmed and went on to consistently move through the field for the remainder of the race, ultimately challenging Jonathan Brown for third place with two laps to go. Sawyer again played the part of aggressor, spinning Brown in turn 1. Following the late race incident, Sawyer would leave the field and Brown was awarded back third place, where he would ultimately finish.

Justin Drawdy moved into the second position on lap 50 behind Carlton, where he would remain for the duration of the event. Scott Grossenbacher and Jeff Emery finished fourth and fifth, while Rich Pratt, Tom McCann, Shane Russ, Jeff Sloan, and Todd Kuntze rounded out the top 10.

Jay Farris returned to early-season form in the Tattoo Dee's Old Rooster Mini-Stocks, charging from the eighth spot to capture the win, and a $600 8-Ball bonus, beating out Steve Thompson and Mickey Leth in the 20-lap feature.

Farris' win looked in doubt for most of the night, however, as Troy Kruse had taken a commanding lead. Mechanical problems would sideline Kruse with only two laps to go, though, opening the door for Farris. Thompson, who finished second, was very impressive in what was his first race of the 2000 season.

Wade Lynn captured his first Thunder Truck victory in over two months, holding off points leader Ron Thomas in a tight battle to the finish line, reinvigorating the rivalry between the two drivers who sit atop the point standings. Mike Ponce was a close third, while Les Burl and Robert Gorman, Jr. trailed in fourth and fifth.

Chris Manucy fell just shy of victory on the track in the Alpha Communications Hobby Stock division, but captured it following a post-race technical inspection which disqualified the apparent winner and division points leader Brad Pilinko in a 20-lap tune up race prior to next week's 50-lap $1,000 to win Hobby Bowl. Jody Stratton would claim second, while Shea Clay, Randy Moody, and L.H. Davis rounded out the top five.

The speedway will play host to the hugely popular TBARA Winged Sprint cars this coming Saturday, along with the Hobby Bowl. Late Models, Sportsman, and the North Florida Caged Karts will also return to action.

==July 8th Results==

Florida Pro Series
1. Ricky Carlton
2. Justin Drawdy
3. Jonathan Brown
4. Scott Grossenbacher
5. Jeff Emery
6. Rich Pratt
7. Tom McCann
8. Shane Russ
9. Jeff Sloan
10. Todd Kuntze
11. Shane Sawyer
12. Rob Partelo
13. Travis Kittleson
14. Jody Turner
15. Brian Finney
16. Johnny Kay
17. Larry Osteen
18. Kent Bissell
19. James Powell

Thunder Trucks
1. Wade Lynn
2. Ron Thomas
3. Mike Ponce
4. Les Burl
5. Robert Gorman

Mini-Stocks
1. Jay Farris
2. Steve Thompson
3. Mickey Leth
4. Tim Riviere
5. Vern Rozier
6. Mike Sible
7. Curt Messina
8. Mike Stover
9. Daniel Raulerson
10. Mark Smith

Hobby Stocks
1. Chris Manucy
2. Jody Stratton
3. Shea Clay
4. Randy Moody
5. L.H. Davis
6. Randy Wilkes
7. Glenn Nedrow
8. Grady Lundquist
9. Bucky York
10. Bart Heck


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