(Ocala, FL: 10/28/2000) Ocala Speedway drivers took to the track under clear skies tonight. A great line-up of features awaited the eager fans.

The Junior Cup Cars came out first. Mariah Berry (24) won the heat, so she sat on the pole for the feature. Conner Baxley (64) sat beside her. They both jumped well, but before the first lap was completed, they tangled and Baxley took the lead. Berry was a half-lap behind by the time she got her car straightened out so Conner Baxley took the checkered flag. Mariah Berry finished second.

The Coca Cola Four Cylinder Bombers put on a great show. Bobby Valeo (8) sat on the pole, and Chauna Johnston (43) sat on the outside. Valeo quickly took the lead and Johnston grabbed second position. Kris Richardson (11) moved up to take third, but in turn two, Johnston was in trouble. Johnston's car reared up as she lost a wheel. The crowd watched the tire roll to a stop inside turn four. Everyone clapped because the wheel was still standing. Johnston was out and Richardson was sent to the rear for tapping her. Johnston credits Richardson for being in the right place and preventing her car from flipping, saying he didn't hit her before the tire came off, only after and this brought the car back down.

Valeo resumed his lead position, and Tom Roberts (1) moved into second. Marlon Durbin (72) was steadily working his way through the pack, and by lap eight he was sitting in second position. Neal Durbin (33) was also running well, and Richardson moved up from the rear to regain the top five. Bobby Valeo ran way ahead to take the checkered flag. Marlon Durbin finished second followed by Neal Durbin, Tom Roberts and Carl Thomas.

The WTRS Pure Stocks filled the track. Edward England (00) sat on the pole, and Jamie Dunn (24) sat on the outside. England took the lead but he had to fight for it with Dave Dinehart(79). Each was determined. Dinehart was poised to take the point, until a yellow flag stopped the action and put the drivers in single file. Dinehart found himself contending with Mark Mitchell (71) who had his eyes on the second slot. Mitchell was able to overcome Dinehart, and they both kept the pressure on England. The feature had four yellow flags, but none affected the leaders. Edward England finished a strong race to take the checkered flag. Mark Mitchell finished second followed by Dave Dinehart, Doug Levesque and Richard McGlashen.

The Steven A. Bagen Street Stocks filled the track. Glenn Baum (23) sat on the pole, and Eddie Kilbury (71) sat on the outside. Baum jumped well and took the point early. It wasn't long though before Kilbury had gained the lead. Several yellow flags flew, but none affected the running order much. Baum spent the rest of the feature in a tough battle with Mike Wilson (79) Tom Posavec (01) took up his place in fourth and held tight. Charles Kopach (53) took several laps to get moving, but he was strong and gained spots with every lap. By lap twelve he was holding fifth. With nothing to stir the pot, these five held their spots. They were running close together for most of the feature. Eddie Kilbury took his first win after several weeks of very hard luck. Glenn Baum took second followed by Mike Wilson, Tom Posavec and Charles Kopach.

The Budweiser Modifieds filled the track tonight. Red Vann (32) sat on the pole, and Raymond Vann (99) sat on the outside. Red struggled for a short bit and took the lead. Before the first lap was completed, a yellow flag was thrown and a double-up restart was called. On the restart, Raymond took the point. Red took up second position, and Alan McCafferty (32) took third. David Baxley (64) sat in fourth but he slipped back as Scott Millar (14) showed up. Five yellow flag were through for this feature, most for spinning cars, and none affected the leaders.

Raymond was successfully holding Red at bay, but on lap nine, McCafferty was able to slip by Red and take the second position. He wasn't there long though. Coming into turn three, Raymond slowed to take the turn, and McCafferty who found himself boxed in and unable to go outside. Red took the opportunity to pass them both on the outside, and he took the point for the first time in this feature. Red Vann turned up the gas and took the checkered flag. Raymond Vann came in second followed by Alan McCafferty, Scott Millar and John Gerstner.

The Powder Puff race was up next, and sixteen drivers showed up to take part. Christina Roberts (44) sat on the pole, and Cynthia Spease (34) sat on the outside. Roberts impressed everyone by jumping hard and taking an aggressive lead. There were no yellow flags in this feature, but it wasn't a slow boring race at all. Roberts wove her way through the traffic, lapping many cars. Christina Shirley (3), Lisa Kilbury (71s), Lori Heath (69s) and Kim Baxley along with some others also stepped solidly on the gas. Christina Roberts was the run-away winner, followed by Christina Shirley, Lisa Kilbury, Lori Heath and Kim Baxley.

The Pro Figure-8 feature was the last event of the evening. Paul Gladin (9) sat on the pole, and Ken Thornton (117) sat on the outside. This was a wild and wooly feature. Immediately, the bumping and rubbing caused some parts to fly. Gladin lead the group for four laps before giving way to Thornton. Charles Kopach (53) was making huge strides and gaining spots with every lap. Kopach took the point halfway through the race and began to open up a strong lead. There was mayhem all over the track as cars spun and bounced through the cross-roads ditches. Cars tangled and dropped more parts and some eventually pulled out and stopped. The cross-roads was always under pressure, and the near-hits made for some weak knees among spectators. Charles Kopach stayed clear of trouble and took the checkered flag. He was also proclaimed the 2000 Pro Figure-8 Points Champion. Way to go Charles! Paul Gladin came in second followed by Richard McGlashen, Doug Webster and Frank Buchanan.

The Ocala Speedway 2000 season continues with weekly racing. Next week will feature all the regular divisions for Double Points, plus the Allison Legacy Cars as guests. 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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