|
| Anderson Cashes in at DeSoto's Icebreaker | by Ken Willis
Dick Anderson of Wildwood won the 125 Icebreaker in the Florida Pro Late Model feature event at DeSoto Speedway Sunday afternoon. The 37 year veteran started 10th and narrowly worked his way into position to take the lead.
"They made me earn my money tonight," Anderson said. "I kind of dug myself a pretty deep hole in qualifying. But it's a pleasure racing these guys like Shane (Sawyer.) I've been working with them for the past couple of weeks and it's great for me to see these young guys get a run like that. He drove me extremely clean."
In the 57 minute race Anderson was patient, biding his time for the chance to pass and staying out of the way of the skids and spins that brought nine yellow caution flags to the race.
"Me and this old race car just runs right," Anderson said. "We're old but we can still get the job done."
Sawyer, from Royal Palm Beach, placed second but had no qualms about Anderson taking the win from him with just 10 laps to go in the race.
"Dick is probably one of the best short track drivers there ever will be," Sawyer said. "It was a pleasure to run second to him." Richard Till of Bartow took third place.
"We're tickled about our finish," Till said. "Congratulations to Mr. Anderson and Mr. Sawyer."
Wayne Jefferson of Pinellas Park blazed to the winners circle in the Callaghan Tire Open Wheel Modifieds feature event at DeSoto Speedway Sunday afternoon. Driving under the new DeSoto Speedway motor restrictions, Teddy Nelson of Pinellas Park set fast time with Jefferson just .09 seconds behind.
After the draw for starting position Ted Head claimed the pole position with Ron Campbell on the outside. Jefferson started sixth and Nelson seventh.
Jefferson began a steady run for the lead staying ahead of the six cautions that thinned the field. On lap 33 Jefferson had a solid hold on the lead.
"I enjoyed every bit of it," Jefferson said. "I got here at 11:00 had three laps of practice."
D.J. Hoezie of Dunedin made a run for the checkered coming out of turn four, but lack the power to overtake Jefferson.
"I hoped he might make a mistake running side-by-side on the last corner," Hoelzle said. "I got the inside but it wasn't quite enough. I like this track a lot, it's smooth and fast. And with the small motor you can drive."
Bill Davis of Wauchula took third place in the event.
James Glover of Pinellas Park set fast time, started scratch and roared to the win in the FasTruck Series feature event. This was the third race in the Fastruck Series for the Q Motorsports team although the first this year at DeSoto Speedway. This was also Glover's third win.
"Todd (Bontrager) is usually really tough," Glover said. "Tonight he was a little off the pace. This truck is phenomenal."
Bontrager, from Sarasota claimed second place and Big Al Newmann of Bradenton took third.
DeSoto Speedway paid tribute the Legendary Dale Earnhart, who died last Sunday on the last lap of the Daytona 500, with song and prayer. Earnhart was a favorite with many of the local drivers and fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with NASCAR and the Earnhart family.
FLORIDA PRO SERIES
Feature (125 laps): 1. Dick Anderson 125 laps; 2. Shane Sawyer 125; 3. Richard Till 125; 4. Pete Orr 125; 5. Jonny Kay 125; 6. Mike Bresnahan 125; 7. Glenn Whitney 125; 8. Mike Good 125; 9. Mike Franklin Jr. 125; 10. Ricky Carlton 125; 11. Bill Zardo 125; 12. Mac Johnson 125; 13. James Powell III 125; 14. Rich Pratt 125; 15. Brian Finney 125; 16. David Russell 124; 17. Jeff Emery 124; 18. David Logan 124; 19. Lee Collins 124; 20. Jay Middleton 123; 21. Jonathan Brown 110; 22. Robert Yoho 70; 23. Kent Bissell 49; 24. Scott Grossenbacher 38; 25. Billy Bigley Jr. 33; 26. John Carter Jr. 32; 27. Bryan Masnfield 30; 28. Jeff Sloan 23.
CALLAGHAN TIRE OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS
Feature: 1. #1 Wayne Jefferson, Pinellas Park; 2. #8 D.J. Hoezie, Dunedin; 3. #15 Bill Davis, Wauchula; 4. #60 Pat Nanney, Bradenton; 5. #67 Rocco Rannallo, Bradenton; 6. #92 Ted Head; 7. #22 Caleb Reschar, Palmetto; 8. #35 Bob Parker; 9. #80 James Houle; 10. #3 Barry Carlson, Largo.
FASTRUCK SERIES
Feature (50 laps): 1. #71 James Glover, Pinellas Park; 2. #8 Todd Bontrager, Sarasota; 3. #4 Al Newmann, Bradenton; 4. #0 Bobby Diehl, Riverview; 5. #01 Larry Moyer; 6. #15 Bobby Spaeti, Madeira Beach; 7. #40 Paul Grenewicz, Hudson; 8. #97 Kurt Haywood; 9. #9 David Baute, Brandon; 10. #0 Fred Lay, Brandon.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
