(Punta Gorda, FL; 10/21/2000) For the second race in a row, Wayne "Rocket Man" Jefferson (Pinellas Park) was the fastest qualifier for the Budweiser Open-Wheel Modified 6-Pack Series at Charlotte County Speedway on October 21.

For the fifth leg of the series, Barry Bartlett (St. Petersburg) started on the pole with James Wilkins, Jr. (Palm City) alongside him. Bartlett led several laps until he was overtaken by "Big, Bad" Bart Corlieto (Cape Coral), Kevin Williams (Port Charlotte) and "Rocket Man " Jefferson. Corlieto fell off the pace, which gave Williams the lead while Jefferson and points leader Joe Winchell (Davie) battled behind him with 1999 dual points champion Chris "Big Fish" Turner (Naples) soon joining in the fracas. The four-car freight train continued to be led by Williams and a frightening moment occurred for the leaders as a car spun on the back stretch in front of them but all four made it through safely. Jefferson was right on Williams bumper taking the lead for a lap but baubling for an instant allowing Williams to regain the lead. Williams, Jefferson and Winchell finally came together, which resulted in Winchell going to rear. Williams went on to take his first 6-Pack victory while Jefferson finished second. Turner, Chris Dean (Fort Myers) and Bartlett rounded out the Top Five.

Danny Yates (Cape Coral) has been on a roll in the Big Wheels Mini Stocks division, taking the last two feature wins in the division. Again, he made his way through the field from the back of the pack to take the lead on Lap 11 leaving his competitors far behind to take the checkered flag first for his third race in a row. Chase Goodson (West Palm Beach) finished second while Mid-Season Points Champion Steve Arnold (Cape Coral) finished third. Heartbreak was in store for Yates though as he was disqualified in post-race technical inspection. This gave Goodson credit for the win and moved Arnold to second while Brian Richardson (North Fort Myers) finished third. The heat winners were Jason Kuykendall (Punta Gorda) and Keith Risinger (Fort Myers).

Hugh "The Shoe" Hackney took the lead from Bob Styner (Cape Coral) on Lap 6 of the Clear Channel Pure Stocks and was pulling away from the field until the caution flag came out for a racing altercation between Scott Moran (Port Charlotte) and Joe Reese (Bonita Springs) that resulted in Reese being sent to the rear. Hackney continued to lead the way, as Jeff Padilla (Lehigh Acres) and Bill Vandevender (Cape Coral) battled for position behind him, with Vandevender winning the war. As the laps wound down, "Outta My Way" Kay Jackson (Punta Gorda) was making his way up sitting in fourth position when the caution flag came out again on the 17th lap. During the caution, a track official noticed oil drops coming from Vandevender's car but it didn't affect his performance as he took the lead from Hackney. Vandevender took the win, as Jackson finished second and Hackney third. Moran and Jackson took home heat win trophies.

John Boyer (Fort Myers) led the first few laps of the Lee's Auto Repair Road Warriors until Chris Oncken (Fort Myers) passed him for the lead. However, Del Beckner (Naples) soon got around Oncken after starting midway through the field, building a hefty lead until a multiple car wreck late in the 20-lap race brought out the caution flag. That didn't stop Beckner though as he cruised to his fourth win of the season, while Oncken and Bob Williams distantly rounded out the Top Three finishers. Oncken and Eric Smith (Bonita Springs) were the heat winners.

The father-son team of Ralph and Jeremy Goddard (Naples) thrilled fans in the first laps of the Marlow-Werner Sportsman feature, but Jerry Bryant (Punta Gorda) soon spoiled the fun as he flew by both of them to take the lead. Bryant dominated the race but Points Leader James Dubose (Arcadia) was also impressive as he came through the field to finish a distant second behind Bryant, while Jeremy Goodard finished third. Goddard and Bryant also took home heat wins.

A frightening moment occurred in the Cowboy Cadillacs when Robert St. John (Arcadia) and Don Vanacker (Punta Gorda) came together hard on the backstretch before the race even began. St. John was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct during the altercation. Points Leader Cheryl "The Pearl" Weaver (Port Charlotte) took the win handily over Vanacker while Justin Bryant (Arcadia) finished third. Weaver also won the heat race earlier in the evening.

Points Leader Brad Barkis (Fort Myers) will attempt to take the championship of the Circle One Limited Late Model 6-Pack Series, as they race the final segment on October 28. Also on the schedule are the Sportsman, Mini-Stock, Road Warrior and Cowboy Cadillac divisions.

The annual Trick or Treat the Drivers will take place on November 4 with a Halloween costume contest and games for the kids. A yearly tradition at the Speedway, race cars line the track during intermission while the kids make their way from car to car getting goodies and it is difficult to say who has more fun, the drivers or the kids.

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 OCTOBER 21, 2000

Big Wheels Mini-Stocks
1. Chase Goodson2. Steve Arnold
3. Brian Richardson
4. Keith Risinger
5. Jason Kuykendall

Clear Channel Pure Stocks
1. Bill Vandevender
2. Kay Jackson
3. Hugh Hackney
4. Jeff Padilla
5. Greg Anderson

Lee's Auto Repair Road Warriors
1. Del Beckner
2. Chris Oncken
3. Bob Williams
4. Joe Bossey
5. John Boyer

Budweiser Open-Wheel Modified 6-Pack Series #5
1. Kevin Williams
2. Wayne Jefferson
3. Chris Turner
4. Chris Dean
5. Barry Bartlett

Marlow-Werner Sportsman
1. Jerry Bryant
2. James Dubose
3. Jeremy Goddard
4. Ralph Goddard
5. Buzz Martin

Cowboy Cadillacs
1. Cheryl Weaver
2. Don Vanacker
3. Justin Bryant
4. Wally Smith
5. Raymond Tucker



Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!