(Orlando, FL; 8/12/2000) For the second week in a row, a new face graced victory lane in the Super Late Model division at Orlando Speedworld. Justin Drawdy took advantage of lapped traffic to claim his first career victory after some strong showing in recent Sunbelt and Florida Pro Series events.

The 25-lap feature appeared to belong to point leader and heat race winner, Travis Kittleson, as he took the top spot at the drop of the green and looked to be on his way to the win, until he came upon the lapped car of Joel Haas who was making his first stock car start after racing F2 sports cars. Haas carried Kittleson high out of turn four allowing Drawdy to dive underneath and into the lead.

A late caution gave Kittleson one last shot at Drawdy but the Ft. Pierce driver held on for the win ahead of Kittleson as the "young lions" finished one-two. Rusty Ebersole checkered third ahead of Bill Pratt and Perry Lovelady. Drawdy was behind the wheel of his Drawdy Bros. Construction/R&J Crane Service Chevy Monte Carlo, and both his crew and Pratt's crew deserved much credit in getting both cars ready for the feature after they were damaged in separate heat race accidents.

Mike Murphy led all the way in the Late Model headliner for his fourth win of the year. Murphy drove his Central Florida Septic Chevy to an easy win over Jimbo Bjorkland, Brian Bellaw, Lynn DiCandio, and Larry Cook.

Jason Boyd used his patented outside pass to get by early leader Frank Polly to claim his ninth Modified win of the season. John Compagnone, Jr. made his first start here in some time and came away with second spot while Polly finished third for the fourth week in a row. John Zidek and Chris Gillespie rounded out the top five.

Kenny Hankins and his Volkswagen outdueled Kelly Jarrett's Toyota to take the Mini-Stock feature, his fourth of the year. Marty Pierce, Rose Dickerson, and Tony Davidson rounded out the top five.

Apparent Sportsman winner Doug Samion was disqualified for having a triple disc clutch, giving the win to Jeff Wright who was sporting new sponsorship from Custom Cargo Crating. Richard Hight, Mark Griffin, Jeff "O-NO" Miller, and Ron Blackard completed the top five.

Rich Clouser ran away with the Super Stock feature for his second win of 2000. Charles Fry had a great run for second ahead of point leader Carl Peters, John Smith, and Rob Watford.

Allen Prater became a first-time winner by taking an entertaining Strictly Stock feature. Kevin Reese took second trailed by Rex Lawson, Tim Sidenbender, and Russ Noyes. Among the fans in the stands this Friday were some racers from Scotland and seven exchange students from France.

-Dave Westerman-



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