(Inverness, FL; 11/4/2000) Eighteen Florida Pro cars qualified in time trials for the American Trading Post Pawn 125 at Citrus County Speedway. It was point leader Ricky Carlton's night to howl, turning a 13.767 second fast qualifying time, then picking up the outside pole starting spot on the pill draw. When the green flew for the 125-lap main event, Carlton locked onto the point and never looked back in the race that saw only 20 laps under caution and one red flag for a three-car mishap in turn three. Carlton put some cushion in his point lead in the series and took his second win on the circuit.

On each restart, Carlton had little trouble putting distance on the rest of the field. Robbie Yoakam locked onto Carltons pace until things went sour in his racecar. Meanwhile back in the pack, Yoakam was battling with Keith Zavrel and James Powell in the race for second at the mid-point when Zavrel spun out and then Robbie Yoakams car started fading leaving the door open for Powell to move to second. Yoakam went to the infield failing to finish in his first Florida Pro event.

Only five cars finished on the lead lap with Carlton finishing a good half lap ahead of runner up James Powell III. Citrus County Speedway 2000 Late Model Champion Mike Bresnahan finished a solid third and apparently will join the series full time next season according to his father, Pat Bresnahan. Rich Pratt locked in a fourth place finish and is vying for Rookie of The Year Honors in the Florida Pro Series. Local Herb Neumann, Jr. rounds out the top five finishers in the next to last race for the Florida Pro 2000 Series.

In other action, Jim Smith made it two in a row in a strange Limited Sportsman 25-lap feature. Seven caution flags flew and every driver in the 10-car field was sent to the rear for a restart at one point or another in the wild race. Smith recovered from an early run in with David Dollar that sent both to the rear with some minor damage to their racecars. Bill Oestreicher was able to move back up to second, and Dollar held out for third. Point Champion Mike Veltman locked in a fourth place finish, and early leader Rex Struble took fifth.

Harley Wilson also made it two in a row in the 21-car Street Stock main event. Rookie Michael Bell gave Wilson a run for his money in the wild 25-lap feature for a second place finish. Victor Stanley clawed his way through the pack to outrun point leader Wes Wilson and early leader Don Teague in the run for third.

Kevin Harrod took a flag-to-flag win over a 19-car field in the Mini-Stock 25-lap main. Mark Sowell locked onto Harrod from the green flag but just couldn't make the pass and had to settle for second. Rob Wheatley held out for third over Frank Coleman and Mike Allen. The race was dedicated to Ed Ironside Perry who passed away this week and was an avid Mini-Stock supporter, driver and car owner. Rob Wheatley is currently driving Ed's car.

J.D Goff picked up a one point lead in the race for the Hobby Stock crown when Chris Hooker's racer failed on him early and he finished 18th out of 20 starters. Goff was able to pickup up his 9th feature win of the season. Richie Smith recovered from an early mishap that sent him to the rear of the field and finished a solid second just ahead of Kreg Belcastro, Trina Tuski and Roy Perkins. This race for the crown will go right down to the final race of the season next week.

Street Legal Junker top shoe Shawn Kipp sent the message out to the fans that he is the man to beat coming up with his 7th win of the season. Millie Miller held out for second over last week's winner Jerry Hoover.

The season finale will have all seven divisions running in the final point race of the year and the ladies will be going at it in a Powder Puff Race that will be open to the women who have not raced in any regular division at the speedway at any time. This is strictly for the non-professional lady racers.

December 30th will see the annual $10,000 to Win Enduro Race topped off with a wild Demolition Derby for $800 to win. Register early for both races. Your registration number will be your starting spot for the Enduro.

-Larry MacMillan-

Citrus Cunty Speedway Results 11/04/00
American Trading Post Pawn Florida Pro 125 – 18 Cars
1. #34 Ricky Carlton Homosassa
2. #37 James Powell III Astor
3. #31 Mike Bresnahan Lecanto
4. # 0 Rich Pratt Wesley Chapel
5. #98 Herb Neumann Jr. Inverness
Fast Qualifier - #34 Ricky Carlton – 13.767 Seconds

Limited Sportsman Feature – 25 Laps – 10 Cars
1. #32 Jim Smith Inverness
2. # 5 Bill Oestreicher Ridge Manor
3. #04 David Dollar Hernando
4. #55 Mike Veltman Crystal River
5. #69 Rex Struble Homosassa

Street Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 21 Cars
1. #85 Harley Wilson Sr. Floral City
2. #17x Michael Bell Brooksville
3. #26 Victor Stanley Brooksville
4. #20 Wes Wilson Floral City
5. #2x Don Teague Homosassa

Mini Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 19 Cars
1. #4 Kevin Harrod Bushnell
2. # 5 Mark Sowell Hernando
3. #88 Robe Wheatley Hernando
4. #20 Frank Coleman Brooksville
5. # 3 Mike Allen Center Hill

Hobby Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 21 Cars
1. #14 J.D. Goff Brooksville
2. #42 Richie Smith Hernando\
3. # 3 Kreg Belcastro Inverness
4. #71 Trina Tuski Crystal River
5. #07 Roy Perkins Inverness

Street Legal Junker Feature – 15 Laps – 12 Cars
1. #18 Shawn Kipp
2. #23 Millie Miller
3. #30 Jerry Hoover


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