(Punta Gorda, FL; 7/23/2000) The third leg of the Circle One Limited Late Model Series took place at Charlotte County Speedway on July 22 under cloudy skies.

During practice, Mike Greenwell (Alva) spun on the front stretch and Johnny "Action" Jackson (Ellenton) plowed into him hard, leaving speculation if either car would even be able to start the race. Greenwell ended up being the fast-time qualifier, but Jackson had to start at the rear of the field as his crew feverishly put his car back together and he was unable to qualify.

John "Taz" Garrett (North Fort Myers) and Travis "The Real" McCoy (Fort Lauderdale) sat on the front row for the 100-lap race. Garrett dominated the first half of the race until Doug Moff (Fort Myers) made a bid for the lead. Greenwell and Jackson were both making steady progress through the field, while Garrett fell back to fourth. Greenwell moved to second and Jackson to third after the halfway point. Shortly thereafter, Greenwell took the lead after contact with Moff, who suffered a problem, causing him to come to a standstill on the race track.

Young Lion Brad Barkis (Fort Myers) ran into the back of Moff at fullspeed, causing extensive damage to Barkis' car and both cars went to the pits, although Barkis was able to return to the race seven laps down. When racing resumed, Greenwell and Jackson battled for the lead with Jackson taking the lead on Lap 93 but several laps later Greenwell ended up hard into the backstretch wall with a totaled race car. On the restart, Jackson's car faltered eventually causing him to make a trip to the pits but not before Rick Good (Naples) ran into him, taking Good out of the race.

Garrett regained the lead with Troy Hall (Coral Springs) and Mid-Season Champion Glenn Morris (Bokeelia), who both ran most of the race in the Top Five was right behind him. As Morris tried to take the lead, Garrett and Hall wrecked, sending Garrett to the pits but Hall was put in first place.

Newcomer Hall went on to take a surprise victory with Morris in second. Richie Anderson (North Fort Myers) managed a third place finish despite parts of his engine coming apart, a fire in his car early in the race and involvement in several of the numerous racing altercations that took place. Brian Hollifield finished fourth after managing to stay out of trouble the entire race and Hard Charger Jackson was fifth.

The Legends Cars of Florida made an appearance in their 5/8's scale replicas of classic coupes and sedans of the 1930s. Twenty cars took the green flag for their 20-lap feature race with David Froelich (Loxahatchee) and Rod Sanders (LaBelle) sitting on the front row after winning their heat races. Froelich led the first four laps but was sent to the rear after a racing altercation that left Doug Longwell (Naples) in command of the race, taking the win. Sanders and David Tart (Golden Gate) rounded out the Top Three.

Mark Ludvigsen (Fort Myers Beach) ended up hard into the wall before a lap of the Q Country Pure Stock race could be completed. Joe "Skippy" Decoil led the race start to finish, dominating the evening, as he took home a heat win as well. Rookie Keith Bruckler (North Fort Myers) ran a respectable second place the entire race and "Outta My Way" Kay Jackson (Punta Gorda) finished third. Kevin Utter (Fort Myers) took home a heat win.

Andy Wood (Fort Myers) dominated most of the Road Warrior division feature race but his car let him down on the last lap, allowing Bob Williams (Naples) to take the win. Rookie driver Racin' Jason Beckner (Naples) started in 11th position but ended up finishing second, where he was followed by Denny Ray (Naples). Beckner did take home a heat win, as did fellow rookie, Leigh Elliott (Charlotte Harbor).

Past Mini-Stock Champion, now Marlow-Werner Sportsman rookie driver Kenny Eaton (Lehigh Acres) started on the pole in the Marlo-Werner Sportsman feature, leading the entire race and taking his first win in the division, reminiscent of his days of domination in the Mini-Stock class. Jerry Bryant (Punta Gorda) finished second, and Raymond "Super Frog" Jones (Arcadia) was third. Eaton and Jones also took home heat win trophies.

Dean Forrest (Fort Myers) led the first laps of the Big Wheels Mini-Stocks until he was overtaken by Doug Wilson (Cape Coral) who went on to win the race. Rookie Johnny Allen (Lehigh Acres) finished second after a great run and Frank Welch (North Fort Myers) was third in his brand new mini station wagon. Wilson and Forrest also dominated the heat races, both taking wins.

The Open-Wheel Modified, Sportsman, Mini-Stock, Road Warriors and Cowboy Cadillacs are on the racing card July 29. The third leg of the Budweiser Open-Wheel Modified Series takes place on August 5. Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, follow the Charlotte County Airport signs. For more information, please call 941/575-2422.

-Robin Meiser-

CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY RACE RESULTS 7/23/00

CIRCLE ONE LIMITED LATE MODELS 6-PACK #3
1. Troy Hall, #30, Coral Springs
2. Glenn Morris, #107, Bokeelia
3. Richie Anderson, #51, North Fort Myers
4. Brian Hollifield, #31, Bradenton
5. Johnny Jackson, #1, Ellenton

LEGENDS CARS OF FLORIDA
1. Doug Longwell, #57, Naples
2. David Froehlich, #1, Loxahatchee
3. David Tart, #3, Golden Gate
4. Jason Reisman, #25, Eustis
5. James Rodreguez, #19, West Palm Beach

Q COUNTRY PURE STOCKS
1. Joe Decoil, #L58
2. Keith Bruckler, #8B, North Fort Myers
3. Kay Jackson, #91, Punta Gorda
4. Calvin Filingame, #35, Alva
5. Joe Reese, #38, Bonita Springs

ROAD WARRIORS
1. Bob Williams, #MOO, Naples
2. Jason Beckner, #33, Naples
3. Denny Ray, #72, Naples
4. Dan Benoit, #59
5. Chris Oncken, #61

MARLOW-WERNER SPORTSMAN
1. Kenny Eaton, #19, Lehigh Acres
2. Jerry Bryant, #9, Punta Gorda
3. Raymond Jones, #8, Arcadia
4. James Dubose, #67, Arcadia
5. Cliff Bifaro, #12, Naples

BIG WHEELS MINI STOCKS
1. Doug Wilson, #22, Cape Coral
2. Johnny Allen, #68, Lehigh Acres
3. Frank Welch, #96, North Fort Myers
4. Dean Forrest, #28, Fort Myers
5. Steve Arnold, #19, Cape Coral

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