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| Edwards takes Ocala Sportsman | By Diana Brake
Ocala, FL, March 31, 2001 - Ocala Speedway was under clear skies and a cool breeze blew as Speedo the Clown and "Rosie" made a spectacular salute to the flag, kicking off a great night of racing.
The Junior Cup Cars were first to race. After the heat race, Victoria Gentry (60) sat on the pole. Conner Baxley (64) quickly moved up to second and began pressuring Gentry. She held him off for a couple of laps, but eventually he found a hole on the inside. Conner Baxley raced away to take the checkered flag. Victoria Gentry came in second followed by Elizabeth Gentry.
The Coca-Cola Four Cylinder Bombers filled the track for their special 35-lap feature. Bobby Valeo (8) sat on the pole. After one false start by the pack, Valeo jumped to the lead, followed by Pete Close (89). Joey Durdin (33) moved up to take third as Ric Fort (2) slipped into fourth. Lapped traffic kept the leaders on their toes until a yellow got everyone lined back up. Valeo and Close were running so far ahead, they were finally lapping even the third place position. Durbin and Fort slipped back as Darren Dukes (4) moved up. Bobby Valeo drove a very fast, clean race to take the win. Pete Close finished a handy second, leaving Darren Dukes to come in third.
The WTRS Pure Stocks were rearing to go. Michael Ruff(23) sat on the pole. A false start caused a double-up restart. Paul Gladin (9) found his way into the lead, and he held off Moose Alderman (7) and Mark Mitchell (71) for several laps before they got by. Gladin continued in third followed by Frank Buchanan (07) and Roger Brass (81). Alderman and Mitchell were in a heated battle for first with Alderman holding tight. Moose Alderman took the checkered flag, followed closely by Mark Mitchell. Roger Brass moved up to take third.
The Steven A. Bagen Sportsmen swept out onto the track. Kyle Habig (6) sat on the pole. Rob McCalip (44) quickly took the lead from the outside pole, followed by Tommy Brakeman ( 20) and Doug Levesque (68). Several laps into the race, McCalip lost his grip in turn four and took a spin. Brakeman (20) now had the lead. Levesque and Posavec were working hard to make a move until Brakeman left a hole open on the inside. But, just as Levesque was making his move, Glenn Baum (23) was spinning in turn one back in the pack. Mike Wilson (79) and Habig left the track with flat tires during the yellow. With Brakeman back in the lead and five laps to go, the racing resumed. Within one lap, there was a major upset. Posavec, who had been running third, slipped by them all to take first, followed by William Edwards (08) who took second position. A yellow flag flew a a lap later as Brakeman loose in turn three and went into the wall. Damage was minimal so Brakeman restarted in the rear. Posavec was now leading but even this wasn't to last long. Posavec also got loose in turn four and spun. A big pile up occurred but again, no one was damaged too badly. With Edwards (08) now leading and Tommy Roberts (44) in second, racing resumed again. McCalip took a spin in turn four on the restart so another yellow flag flew. Within a lap of the restart, Posavec spun in turn two to bring out yet another yellow. This time some cleanup was required. Edwards raced hard and took the checkered flag. Tommy Roberts came in second, followed by Charles Kopach
The Budweiser Modifieds filled the track tonight. Aaron Clark (10) sat on the pole. With positions changing every lap, it wasn't until the fourth lap or so that a solid lineup took form. Jamie Tinkham (98) claimed the lead, as Troy Robinson (0) and John Clair (44) followed. They ran this way for several laps. Red Vann (32) had car trouble, and he took his car pitside. Positions changed again when Robinson spun while coming down the front stretch. A yellow was thrown, but racing resumed quickly. Gary Southard (39) worked his way into third, then second, setting himself up for an all out assault on first. With two laps to go, Southard was gaining ground on Tinkham very quickly. But, with on lap to go, it became clear that Jamie Tinkham (98) had the win locked up. Gary Southard came in second, followed by John Clair.
The Ocala Speedway 2001 season will continue with weekly racing. Next week, April 6th and 7th, will be a special weekend. There will be action both nights and the SARA Modifieds run a 50-lap race. Come out every Saturday night during the regular season for the many exciting features. This is high-action racing fun for the whole family.
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