Ocala, FL; 10/14/2000) - A full moon rose over Ocala Speedway. A cool breeze sprang up even as the cars heated the track.

The Junior Cup Cars were first up. Conner Baxley (64) sat on the pole with Maria Berry (24) on the outside. Two laps were counted off when Baxley pulled ahead as Berry's car began to sputter. Conner Baxley took the win tonight with Mariah Berry coming in second. Cynthia Boettcher wasn't racing tonight, but a correction was made to last week's outcome. Conner Baxley was disqualified after tech, and Cynthia Boettcher was declared the winner for October 7th.

The Coca Cola Four-Cylinder Bombers filled the track. Ric Fort (2) sat on the pole, and Robert Oxendine (24) sat on the outside. Everyone jumped hard, but only one lap was completed before a yellow flag was thrown for a car spinning in turn four. One more attempt to start also ended in a yellow flag. The third time was the charm, and Fort led the way with Kris Richardson (11) hard on his tail. The full moon played havoc with this feature as two more yellow flags slowed the action in quick succession. Fort was still the leader after all the yellows, but by lap four, Richardson was able to take the point. One final yellow and then the race ran clean. Richardson pulled away from the pack and left Fort to battle it out with Carl Thomas (19) and then Oxendine. When the checkered flag flew, Kris Richardson was first, followed by Robert Oxendine, Ric Fort, Carl Thomas and Chauna Johnston.

The WTRS Pure Stocks roared out of the pits. Bucko Adams (3) sat on the pole, and Mark Mitchell (71) sat on the outside. Adams took the lead, and Edward England (00) grabbed second. By the third lap, England had gained the lead. Mitchell and Dave Dinehart(79) were battling for second when they bumped in turn four, sending Dinehart spinning. Moose Alderman (7) was running close and couldn't avoid a collision with Dinehart. The impact and resulting spin shook loose Alderman's rear axles, and both wheels took side trips, one through the infield, the other out pit road. This event rearranged the running order. England was the leader and Doug Webster (72) rode in second. Mitchell was making up ground as the laps ticked off. Two more yellows appeared, but the leaders were not disrupted. Edward England took the checkered flag followed by Doug Webster, Mark Mitchell, Richard McGlashen and Rick Hart.

The Steven A. Bagen Street Stocks filled the track. William Edwards (08) sat on the pole, and Charles Kopach (53) sat on the outside. Edwards jumped out front as Kopach slid back into the pack, allowing Mike Wilson (79) to take second position. Wilson quickly took the lead from Edwards as Glenn Baum (23) moved up to take third. Eddie Kilbury (71) had worked hard to get ready for this night after having wrecked hard each of the last two weeks. He was running fast when on lap four, he and Rob McCalip (44) tangled on the front stretch. Kilbury took two very hard hits on the wall and was again, out for the night. The rest of the feature was clean, with Wilson out front unchallenged. Edwards held second position until the very last lap when Baum and then Tom Posavec (01) squeaked by. Mike Wilson took the checkered flag followed by Glenn Baum, Tom Posavec, William Edwards and Kevin Bryant.

The Dwarf Cars were in town tonight. They put on a great show with 20 laps of clean but fast racing. Don Hess (28) sat on the pole, and Dan Berry (44) sat on the outside. Hess jumped very well and took the lead. Berry tried to keep up but he eventually gave way to Rick Lundeen (04). Lundeen put some tough pressure on Hess, but it wasn't until lap 12 that it paid off. Dennis Archinal (12) had worked his way up steadily through the ranks and was making a strong bid from third position, but Lundeen and Hess were able to hold fast. Rick Lundeen took the checkered flag with Don Hess in second and Dennis Archinal in third running close behind. Alan Davis finished fifth.

The Budweiser Modifieds filled the track tonight. David Baxley (64) sat on the pole, and Raymond Vann (99) sat on the outside. Baxley had been unable to run heat laps after having hit the wall very hard during hot laps earlier in the afternoon. Many of the other drivers and their crew had helped him put his car back together, and they were able to complete the job in time for the feature. Baxley took the lead on the green flag and Raymond Vann settled into second. After one short yellow period, the feature ran clean. Red Vann quickly scooted into second position and was making a bid to get by Baxley. He was unable to pass successfully and on the ninth lap, he went to the pits. Later Vann said his engine lost oil pressure. Raymond Vann regained second behind Baxley but he was unable to overcome Baxley's strong run. David Baxley took the checkered flag for his first win of the season. Raymond Vann finished second followed by Johnny Newsome, Alan McCafferty and Scott Millar.

The Ocala Speedway 2000 season continues with weekly racing. Next week will feature all the regular divisions plus the Classic Race Cars as guests. There will also be a $1000 to win Demolition Derby and a Rollover Derby. Come out every Saturday night during the regular season for the many exciting features. This is high-action racing fun for the whole family.

-Diana Brake-



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