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October 1, 2000

Post-Race Inspection Eliminates Four of Top Five Finishers

(Punta Gorda, FL; 9/30/2000) Points Leader Frank Welch (North Fort Myers) has had a controversial year in his Big Wheels Mini-Stock "Grim Reaper" Ford Station Wagon. He built it as a mini-truck, but had to make modifications in order to race in the Mini-Stock division at Charlotte County Speedway this racing season. Even this couldn't hold a candle to the 50-lap mini-stock controversy on September 30.

Welch was the fast time qualifier for the race, starting on the outside pole alongside Mid-Season Champion Steve Arnold (Cape Coral). Arnold led the first laps until he was overtaken by Danny Yates (Cape Coral), who was then overtaken by Doug Wilson (Cape Coral). A five car freight train consisting of Wilson, Yates, Arnold, Welch and 1999 Champion Ronnie Allen (Lehigh Acres) led the field, bringing fans to their feet as they tightly raced lap after lap. Yates retired from the race on lap 32, while Wilson pulled away from the field. On lap 42, Allen also left the track early moving up Billy Ray, Jr. (Port Charlotte) and Rookie Johnny Allen (Lehigh Acres) into the top five. Wilson took the checkers first, following by Arnold, Welch, Ray and Johnny Allen.

However, the race's controversy ensued in post-race technical inspection as all of the top five finishers except Welch refused to allow officials to inspect their oil pans. Welch passed the inspection and was declared the winner of the race while Brian Richardson (North Fort Myers), Keith Risinger (Fort Myers), Rick Nastan (Sarasota) and Cliff Chmiel (Naples) all moved up for a top five finish.

The FASTRUCKs made an appearance at CCS with past CCS driver, Kelly Huff (Naples) starting in the pole position. Points Leader Ray Bontrager (Sarasota) was soon knocking on the leader's bumper, trying repeatedly to pass him, hitting Huff's back end hard enough on several occasions for the flag man to shake the black flag at Bontrager to tell him to settle down.

Despite constant pressure from Bontrager, Huff held him off racing impressively until finally, Bontrager hit Huff getting him sideways and tearing off half his back bumper. Unfortunately, this caused Huff to make a trip to the pits to have his bumper ripped off and returning to the track at the back of the pack. This put Bontrager in the lead as the caution flag did not fall during Huff's mishap. This allowed Bontrager to take a controversial win as the crowd booed him heartily for his bad sportsmanship. Second in points, Charlie Worth (Loxahatchee) finished second after running consistently behind the two leaders the entire race. Third place went to Matt Foy.

The Super Mini-Cups hit the track in their miniaturized race vehicles. The #17X (no name available) took the win, followed by Dan Catton (Punta Gorda) and Doug Smith (Valrico). Smith was the winner of the heat race.

Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acres) led the way in the CAT Country Limited Late Models 50 lap feature, but the crowd was watching farther back in the field as Kent McLean (North Fort Myers), Rusty Hillman (North Fort Myers) and Smokin' Joe Sumasky (Lehigh Acres) battled for position until Sumasky got loose and crashed the pit wall, bringing out the caution flag for the first time while Sumasky made a quick trip to the pits and returned to the race at the rear of the field. Several laps later, as Sumasky was making his way back up through the field, he was involved in another racing altercation causing him to go into the pits again with a broken car.

Meanwhile, Johnny "Action" Jackson (Ellenton) was reeling in Fox , while Jeff Dufresne (Fort Myers) was doing the same to Jackson. Midway through the race, Fox began pulling away while Hillman joined the fracas for second position. Lapped traffic began to spread the field, but soon Hillman was just inches behind Dufresne as he made several attempts to pass for third. Up front, Jackson had caught Fox and was ready to pass him, just as Fox attempted to lap McLean as McLean made contact with the rear pit wall bringing out the caution flag. Fox resumed the lead with ten laps to go, taking his first win this season, as Jackson and Dufresne rounded out the top three.

The Florida Dwarf Car Federation also made a visit but the field had Yellow Fever as the caution flag flew time and again. In the end, Points Leader Michel Fortin (Hollywood) took the win, followed by Mark Landis (Delray Beach) and Alan Paradis (Miramar). Heat winners were Stan Hope (Fort Myers) and Landis.

Scott "Macho Man" Moran (Fort Myers) led the first laps of the Marlow-Sportsman Sportsman feature until a racing incident took him out of the race. Kenny Eaton (Lehigh Acres) then took over the lead and built a strong lead over second place Mark Chapman (Fort Myers). By the closing laps, however, Chapman was on Eaton's back bumper and with two laps to go, Chapman passed to take the win while Eaton had to settle for second. Cliff Bifaro (Naples) finished third but was disqualified in post race technical inspection due to his carburetor which moved Gene "Pole Cat" Connell (Arcadia) to third. Don Vanacker (Punta Gorda) led the way in the Cowboy Cadillacs, while Points Leader Cheryl "The Pearl" Weaver (Port Charlotte) followed in second. Vanacker took the checkers first with Weaver and Wally Smith (Naples) took third.

Race fans are in for a real treat on October 7, as the fourth leg of the Budweiser Open-Wheel Modified Six Pack Series takes places, as well as the rain-delayed fifth leg of the Circle One Limited Late Model Six Pack Series.

Also on the racing program will be a 50-lap Clear Channel Pure Stock race, as well as Mini-Stocks, Road Warriors and Cowboy Cadillacs. Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, and follow the Charlotte County. Airport signs. Gates open at 4 p.m. and qualifying begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call 575-2422.

-Robin Meiser-

CHARLOTTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY RACE RESULTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2000

FASTRUCKS
1. Todd Bontrager #8 Sarasota
2. Charlie Worth #03 Loxahatchee
3. Matt Foy #18
4. Paul Grynewicz #40 Hudson
5. Bobby Diehl #1 Riverview

Big Wheels Mini-Stocks 50-lapper
1. Frank Welch #96 North Fort Myers
2. Brian Richardson #56 North Fort Myers
3. Keith Risinger #94 Fort Myers
4. Rick Nastan #51 Sarasota
5. Cliff Chmiel Naples



Super Mini-Cups
1. #17X
2. Dan Catton #12 Punta Gorda
3. Doug Smith #17 Valrico
4. #56
5. #3

CAT Country Limited Late Models
1. Randy Fox #4 Lehigh Acres
2. John Jackson #1 Ellenton
3. Jeff Dufresne #3 Fort Myers
4. Rusty Hillman #7 North Fort Myers
5. Glenn Morris #107 Bokeelia

Florida Dwarf Car Federation
1. Michel Fortin #11 Hollywood
2. Mark Landis #22 Delray Beach
3. Alan Paradis #40 Miramar
4. Marc-Andre Gagnon #02 Hollywood
5. Yves Langlois #72 North Miami

Marlow-Werner Sportsman
1. Mark Chapman #24 Fort Myers
2. Kenny Eaton #19 Lehigh Acres
3. Eugene Connell #96 Arcadia
4. Raymond Jones #8 Arcadia
5. Buzz Martin #62 Lehigh Acres

Cowboy Cadillacs
1. Don Vanacker #80X Punta Gorda
2. Cheryl Weaver #37 Port Charlotte
3. Wally Smith #16 Naples
4. Justin Bryant #24 Arcadia
5. Raymond Tucker #44 North Fort Myers


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