(Bronson Bullring; 9/23/2000) Boy, talk about starving for action! Last Saturday night, the Bronson "bullring" finally got their Late Model Sportsman and Bronson Race Series show completed with nary a drop of ----. (Can't say that word anymore!)

Kevin Durden led all but the first three laps of the $1,000 50-lap "Dash for Cash" with strong challenges from Gene Owen and Doc Batson. Everybody was on their toes as the field poured into turns one and two without incident at the start of the race. Gene Owen and Doc Batson quickly became Durden's close pursuers and were right in his tire tracks with every move he made.

Doc Batson got by Owen and took over second place with 15 laps to go. A caution for one of Arthur Conquest's spins came out on lap 40 and on the re-start, Batson was right on Durden's tail and ready for a challenge for the lead when the transmission let go in his #4 Monte Carlo from Inverness.

"We were having a lot of fun, and I think I had enough to get by Kevin (Durden) when she just froze up," said Doc after the race. He did a beautiful job of pulling the car into the upper groove and out of harm's way as the rest of the feild scooted by.

Arthur Conquest, doing double-duty in both the Late Model and the Sportsman divisions had a good run going and was in fourth place when he sprung an oil leak. "The oil got on the rear tires and caused both spins," said a dissapointed Arthur. "The car was beautiful til then."

All in all it was a beautiful race. The drivers put on a terrific show. It was just plain GOOD to hear the roar of engines,the sweet fragrance of a rubber and exhaust mix that permeated the heavy night air and left everyone breathless under the STAR-FILLED skies.

As we head into the last six races of the season, Pure Stock points leader Jerome Brown is having things his own way as he continues his patient march into victory lane in the Chiefland Flea Market "Express." Saturday night, he notched another win over likeable Gerry Hodge in his Custom Vinyl Lettering/Crafts by Joyce Buick. Gerry gave Jerome plenty to think about for the entire 20-lap feature and pulled alongside a couple of times; but in the end, it was Jerome who prevailed. David Kidd was third in his #03 Camaro.

Dwight Pinner has been working on a new car and had it going good in the heat race when it went into a long slide out of turn four and flipped into the infield grass in turn one. Dwight was unhurt in the wreck, but needless to say, has some work to do on the car to get it back to racing shape. He's a good competitor and will be back.

Wesley Keller had his #34 Camaro "hooked up," as he outduelled David Westrich for the win in the ferocious Super Stock division. Doc Batson, along with Arthur Conquest was doing double-duty this night as they battled for third and fourth. They both had an early run on the leaders, but Batson settled for third while Conquest fought an ill-handling car into a fourth place finish.

"I think we might have broken a rear spring," said Arthur after the race. "The car was a real bear after the first few laps and I really hung it out in four (turn four) on that lap in the middle of the race."

Al Bouchard "debuted" his brand new # 74 entry, but not in the recommended style as he gave the crowd a thrill (unintentionally, of course) aa his car spun and went for a wild slide down the front straightaway. "It's not hurt real bad," said this likeable driver, and you can count on seeing him back next week.

Next week - that would be THIS Saturday - that would be THE 50-lap shootout for THESE very same cars. The drivers have waited all year for this one and now the time has come to settle it. Brody Giddens, the current point's leader, will be in action along with Wesley Keller, last year's track champion, Arthur Conquest, David Westrich, and a host of others.

Tater Stalnaker had the Video Central machine of Williston going strong Saturday night and wound up in Victory Circle after a good race in the Mini-Stock division. He was chased by Larry Goolsby, who finished second in his Chiefland Machine Shop #27. Dave Westrich, another driver who was doing double-duty in the Super Stocks, finished third.

Be sure to be on hand this Saturday night for the SUPER STOCK 50. This will be one of the best races of the year as these guys powerslide around the high-banked corners of the bullring. Gates open at 5:30 and racing is at 7:30 PM.

-Gil Peck-

RESULTS FROM BRONSON FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2000

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN
1) #56, Kevin Durden, Archer, Fla.
2) #1, Gene Owen, Gainesville, Fla.
3) #76, Roger Damron, Cheifland, Fla.
4) #66, Wayne Feagle, Alachua, Fla.
5) #2, Kyle Owen, Gainesville, Fla.

PURE STOCKS
1) #25, Jerome Brown, Newberry Fla.
2) #37, Gerry Hodge, Cross City, Fla.
3) #03, David Kidd, Morriston, Fla.
4) #22, Mickey Burns, Hernando, Fla.
5) #7, Steve Summers, Belleview, Fla.

SUPER STOCKS
1) #34, Wesley Keller, Lake City, Fla.
2) #38, David Westrich, Old Town, Fla.
3) # 4, Doc Batson, Inverness, Fla.
4) #70, Arthur Conquest, Bronson, Fla.
5) #18, Brody Giddens, Bronson, Fla.

MINI-STOCKS
1) #14, Tater Stalnaker, Williston, Fla.
2) #27, Larry Goolsby, Williston, Fla.
3) # 6, Dave Westrich, Old Town, Fla.
4) #10, Jeff Stalnaker, Sr., Ocala, Fla.
5) #20, Joe Lawson, Hawthorne, Fla.


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