(Lake City, FL; 10/14/2000) Ghosts, goblins, and a full moon... Halloween come early? No, just a great night of racing at the Lake City Speedway. The ghosts and goblins came from LAKE CITY TEENS who sold tickets to their drawing during the intermission. (Proceeds will benefit Lake City Teens Haunted House.) The full moon rose over the track, but God had a sense of humor, no major mayhem. Just a showcase for racing skill.

The Pure Stock Class had a $200 bonus for the racers. Racers that traded cars and those that were not here last week had to qualify for position. The rest of last week's field was inverted. This put Rodney Creech (44jr) on his first pole for the year.

The first lap saw three abreast racing that ended with a turn two spin for Rodney Creech. Rodney had to pit, but was able to continue. Cody Bryant (4) took an early lead that had all the others scrambling for position. Travis Kervin (65), Joey Rolling (97), Floyd Martin, Jr. (Jr1) traded places for second, third, and fourth and all tried to pass Cody.

On the 18th lap of the 25-lap feature, Travis Kervin was able to pass Cody when Cody overcorrected coming out of turn 2. From then on, Cody became the chaser rather than the chasee. On the last lap of the race, Cody tried a little too hard for the win and spun coming out of turn four. As he spun, Floyd Martin, Jr. caught him head on at the start of the front straight. Bringing up memories of Richard Petty and Bobby Allison, Floyd Martin skidded to a stop after the start-finish, and Cody stopped just before. Joey Rolling was able to just miss Cody for a clear run, while Butch Galbraith(43) was able to miss the aftermath. The balance of the class finished under red. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Travis Kervin(65) took home first in the Pure Stock feature with Joey Rolling(97) placing second, and Floyd Martin,Jr.(Jr1) grabbing third. Butch Galbraith(43) and Cody Bryant(4) rounded out the top five.

The Limited Late Models saw past winners Don Martin, Jr.(73), Carl Black(23), and last week's winner Randy Merwin(38) all starting at the tail. With all these talented drivers starting at the back of the ten-car, full-moon feature, big things were expected. But, the bumping and grinding never took place, just great driving.

Tommy Merrell, Jr. was able to lead the first seven laps of the 20- lap feature before he spun and finished seventh. By the tenth lap Randy Merwin(38), Carl Black(23), and Don Martin, Jr.(73) had all worked their way up to be 1, 2, 3.

In the thirteenth lap, Don Martin, Jr. blew a seal in his transmission and finished seventh. The next lap, Carl Black blew a tire, got back out, and blew another tire. He finished fifth. Randy Merwin(38) held on to beat out Greg Boyle(8) and Floyd Martin(1) for the top three. The moon was full, but the action was all skill.

The Late Model Sportsman Class saw pole sitter Rance Phillips(27) lead from beginning to end. Gary Palmer(37) looked up, down, and sideways, but could not find an opening from the crafty veteran and settled for second. Last week's winner, Keith Philman(83), started at the tail and was able to work his way up to third in the eight-car field.

The Florida Modifieds saw Modified "Racer X" Marion Sizemore win his heat and then win the feature. But the 47 car of Carleton Jackson also won his heat race, which gave him a run for the feature but ended up second. Madison's Mickey Kervin(12) kept Marion and Carleton honest with a solid run for third. At the same time, Chip Owen and the flying 1 kept knocking at Micky's bumper for fourth.

All these and more should be back next Saturday for the season finale $500 to win Fla Modified race.

In the Street Stock division, perennial winner Chip "Hollywood" Owen had to fight from the tail but Lake City's Wayno Risner(38) and Dean Sands(44) started and finished 1, 2; so the best Chip could do was third. Wayno and Dean looked like they had a tow bar connecting them, as Dean tried in vain to pass Wayno. But, this was Wayno's night to howl. Duane Tackenbrock(66) and Bill Lockhart(52) traded places and paint and finished fourth and fifth in the ten-car field.

Only one big accident and lots of skill made for a full fun night at the Lake City Speedway.



October 8, 2000

(Lake City, FL; 10/8/2000) A night with no controversy would be boring. But, in the end every one went home appeased...or so they said.) At any rate, all our winners went home with some extra goodies thanks to Waffle House on Rt 90 and the Oasis on 41-441.

In the Street Stock division, perennial winner Chip "Hollywood" Owen had to fight from the tail to bring his car back for another win. Wayno Risner(38) and Dean Sands(44) won their heat races, and finished second and third in the feature. David Dowling(22) held off Bill Lockhart(52) for fourth and fifth. Bill Lockhart showed up with his third car and third number this year(52).

With two weeks left in the season, it looks like Chip Owen has the 2000 point championship locked up. Dean Sands also has second place locked up. Third place is up for grabs as Bill Lockhart leads Wayno Risner by one point. It will be nip & tuck for third place, as the season comes to its conclusion.

The Pure Stock Class had a $200 bonus for the racers. In qualifying, .3 seconds separated the top four racers. Madison's Mike Reader, loaned Mike Havard the #6 Camaro, and Mike captured the pole. The second fastest was 12-year old Cody Bryant. Butch Galbraith(43) and Joey Rolling(97) finished out the top four for qualifying. All four ran 22 seconds or 78 miles per hour.

The first lap saw a four car spin which took out Leo Klemons(5) and Rodney Creech(44Jr). Cody Bryant and Butch Galbraith were also involved; both were able to continue, although Cody needed a two tire change and lost a lap.

Regular racer Mike Havard(6) was then able to keep up his good luck and received his first ever Lake City Speedway win. A late race caution and a pass helped Butch Galbraith(43) capture second place. Joey Rolling(97) held off Joey Webb(55) to finish third and fourth. Travis Kervin(65) had a late race spin which put him to the back, but was able to finish fifth. For next week's $200 bonus, the field will be inverted and any new racers will start at the tail, based on qualifying.

The Florida Modifieds saw "New Guy" Jason Fitzgerald act like an old timer at the track. He won his heat race, and then won the feature. Mickey Kervin(12) and Chip Owen(Flying 1) made an early pass by Jamie Blackmer(00) and then fought each other. Mickey finally kept Chip at bay for second place. Jamie Blackmer finished fourth. Mike Havard(5) finished fifth and Jimmy Singletary(9) keeps adding to his points lead.

The Late Model Sportsman Class saw Keith Philman(83) win his heat race and then win the feature. Georgia's Gary Palmer(37) looked up, down and through Keith, but could not make the pass. He was able to add to his impressive points lead. Josh Whithead brought in a new car and "Racer X" finished third in his first attempt at running with the big dawgs. Kevin Wheeler(99) had handling problems, which kept him back at fourth.

The Limited Late Models saw the return of Randy Merwin(38) who started at the rear and took the win. Gene Ross(23) finished second. Dwayne Moates (11) finished third. Wayne Stevens(69) and Marvin Hassell(29) finished out the top five.

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