(Bronson, FL; 7/16/2000) This writer/announcer has been around a long time at the Saturday night bullring's across mid-America and the Southeast, but Saturday's PURE STOCK event was nothing short of spectacular as Jerome Brown and "hired gun," Mike Faulk, clawed at each other throughout the feature for a shot at victory lane.

Jerome won the preliminary heat race over Faulk, but by a much larger margin---maybe a half a fender vs the one foot win in the feature! Many fans later remarked that this was the best race they had ever seen on Bronson's high banks.

The action started when Mike Faulk bolted to the lead in Gerry Hodge's #37 Buick Regal. "I stood hard on the gas to get a lead", said Mike after the race. "I knew Jerome was back there and would come to the front."

Jerome, indeed, was 'back there.' He had his hands full with traffic between him and the leader. Buck and John Hedberg were having their own private 'family feud' as they battled for second and third.

Jerome was able to clear traffic by lap 13 and took over second from Buck Hedberg, but Mike Faulk had gotten away. The caution flew on the next lap for the broken car of Jack Dampier, and Jerome was able to close on Mike Faulk's bumper.

What happened on the re-start was a thing of beauty as both cars battled side by side. Mike had the advantage on lap 17, but Jerome was right on his bumper. With the crowd on their feet and screaming for their favorite, Jerome made several moves, inside, then outside, then alongside, and finally, on the last lap made a daring move to the inside of turn four, right on the grass and powered by for the win.

"I've never seen anyone drive that far down in turn four and get away with it!" said elated dad, Rodney Brown, after Jerome's win.

"I had a blast!" exclaimed Mike Faulk, after the race. "I have some more time off next week and I'm gonna come back and try it again!"

Mike's mom, Amby, was so excited for Jerome's mom, Patti that she burst into the timing and scoring both to congratulate her. It was something to behold and will long be remembered.

Mike is currently leading the Rookie of the Year points in SARA Late Models and is taking time off to run the PURE STOCK of Gerry Hodge. Better make plans now, folks, I think this show might not be over... to be continued THIS Saturday.

SUPER STOCK
These " screamin demons" of the asphalt world were also hot at it Saturday night. Brody Giddens was having things his own way and had a great ride going in the #18 machine when he lost control in the last turn (four) of the last lap, allowing David Westrich to get by for the win in his #38 Monte Carlo.

Robbie Pedrick had a beautiful run going in his # 89 Cline Racing/West Coast Seafoods Firebird. He has worked hard this year with not much to show for it and really needed a win. He had his car in the early lead, but got caught up in a fourth turn mishap that left him in last place on the re-start. He 'stood on the gas' on the re-start and managed a fourth place finish.

Larry Davis had a nice drive and was rewarded for his long trip down from Perry, FL to finish third. Arthur Conquest, driving brother Jim's Rockoustic Systems/Bronson Ace Hardware Camaro, finished fifth.

DWARF CARS
Someone once referred to these open-wheel screamers as 'cute little cars.' Well, they may be small in stature, but the are HUGE in heart. They weigh just 1250 lbs, are powered by 1250cc motorcycle engines, and turn speeds approaching those of the Late Models!

They sport replica bodies of cars of the 30's and 40's and run in tightly bunched packs with nary enough room to 'thread a needle.'

Don Hess of Geneva, FL brought home the win as Auburndale's Dennis Archinal raced his way through the entire field to finish second. Brian Gingras of Winter Haven, FL was third and Bill Burback, who had the early lead, finished fourth.

The race was marred by a crash in turn two that saw Max Howe and and Matt Lundeen tangle. The #58 entry of Todd Diers had nowhere to go and collected both cars as he climbed over the rear wheels of Lundeen and become airborne.

All three cars landed on 'all fours,' but the cars of Howe and Lundeen were done for the night and had to be removed by wrecker. Niether driver was injured in mishap. On the re-start (lap 9 of 25) it was Hess, Burback, and Dan Berry scrambling for the lead. Hess was able to pull away, with the rest of the field tightly bunched till the checkered flag dropped.

MINI-STOCKS
Tater Stalnaker notched the win for the second week in a row in his Video Central #14 machine. Tater was 'on a mission' after his car was protested last week, but found to be legal.

Tonight, he wanted the win to back it up. Larry Goolsby (#27) had a super run going and may have had something for Tater, but he got caught up with Jeff Stalnaker, Sr.(#10) on lap 15 coming out of turn four.

"We were sailing, and really had a run on the leaders when the incident occured", said a dissapointed Goolsby. Jeff is the current points leader and a former track champion at the 'Bullring,' while Larry sits in third place in this red hot division.

These cars, this year, are all about engines. They get more pound-for-pound energy from four cylinders than anything else on wheels and when they get on the track, the going get's tough.

David Westrich, doing " double duty" in both the SUPER STOCK and the MINI-STOCK divisions gave Tater plenty to think about. On the re-starts, he stayed right with the #14, but didn't have quite enough to make the pass. Chet Marlowe was fourth in the neat little #74 mini-truck and Mitch Clenny was fifth in the Gator Family Haircutters (#00) entry.

Look for more hot action in this, and all of the other classes when they return to the " bullring" this Saturday night. Racing is at 7:30, and the kids present will be treated to race car rides at intermisssion.

See ya'll there!

-Gil Peck-

Bronson Speedway Results, July 15, 2000

DWARF CARS
1) # 28 Don Hess, Geneva, Fla.
2) # 12 Dennis Archinal, Auburndale, Fla.
3) # 21 Brian Gingras, Winter Haven, Fla.
4) # 77 Bill Burback, Kissimmee, Fla.
5) # 44 Dan Berry, Longwood, Fla.

PURE STOCK
1) # 25 Jerome Brown, Newberry, Fla.
2) # 37 Mike Faulk, High Springs, Fla.
3) # 2 Buck Hedberg, Lecanto, Fla.
4) # 5 John Hedberg, Beverly Hills, Fla.
5) # 03 David Kidd, Morriston, Fla.

SUPER STOCK
1) # 38 David Westrich, Old Town, Fla.
2) # 18 Brody Giddens, Bronson, Fla.
3) # 6 Larry Davis, Perry, Fla.
4) # 89 Robbie Pedrick, Newberry, Fla.
5) # 07 Arthur Conquest, Bronson, Fla.

MINI-STOCK
1) # 14 Tater Stalnaker, Williston, Fla.
2) # 6 David Westrich, Old Town, Fla.
3) # 27 Larry Goolsby, Williston, Fla.
4) # 74 Chet Marlowe, Williston, Fla.
5) # 00 Mitch Clenny, Archer, Fla.


Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!