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| Morris SARA Late Model Winner at Ocala | By Diana Brake
Ocala, FL, April 14, 2001 - After a brief, cooling rain shower, the sun reappeared and turned Ocala Speedway into a picture of green and gold. The SARA Late Models were in town to run their 100-lap feature. Many fans visited the newly refurbished, neon-lit concession stands before settling in for a great night of exciting bumper-to-bumper racing.
The Coca-Cola Four Cylinder Bombers ran a 25-lap feature to begin the night. After qualifying last night, Justin Durbin (72x) sat on the pole and Darren Dukes (4) sat on the outside. Durbin jumped to the lead followed by Robert Oxendine (24). Bobby Valeo (8) was notably working his way up through the pack, and when the first yellow flew after several laps, he was sitting fifth to restart. The restart wasn't completed before the yellow flew again for two cars that spun in turn two. Durbin held a good lead, but Oxendine was slipping back, and Valeo was coming on strong. Soon, even Durbin began to feel the pressure from Valeo as he hunted for and finally found a hole to slip through on the inside. Valeo and Durbin continued the battle until a yellow flag flew with two laps to go. The leaders were unaffected, and Bobby Valeo raced on the take the checkered flag. Justin Durbin finished a close second followed by Darren Dukes, Robert Oxendine and Joey Durbin.
The WTRS Pure Stocks roared from the pits. Moose Alderman (7) sat on the pole and Jack Pate (69) sat beside him. Alderman took the lead, and Mark Mitchell (71) quickly moved into second. Pate and Roger Brass (81) were close behind. Sixteen laps were completed when the number 50 car spun coming out of turn four. He landed in the grass across from the flag stand, but he was able to regain the track without a caution flag. One lap later, Brass did almost the same thing, but he ended up facing traffic and yellow flag was thrown. With eight laps to go, Alderman continued the charge and Brass had to play catch-up from behind. Brass was doing great but turn four turn him loose again. There was no yellow flag so the leaders never slowed. Moose Alderman held the lead from wire to wire to take the checkered flag. Mark Mitchell finished a close second, followed by Jack Pate.
The Junior Cup ran after the SARA Late Models qualified. Conner Baxley (64) drove an excellent race as he held off every challenge that Eddie Kilbury, Jr. (82) could throw him. Conner Baxley was the winner followed by Eddie Kilbury, Jr., Victory Gentry, Elizabeth Gentry and Hunter Overton.
The Steven A. Bagen Sportsmen stormed out onto the track. John Hagan (23) sat on the pole, and Charles Kopach (53) sat on the outside. Kopach grabbed the lead early, followed by Hagan and Tommy Roberts (44). Several laps in, Hagan slipped back and Roberts moved into second, followed by Mike Wilson (79). These three rode nose to bumper lap after lap. Lapped traffic was sometimes a challenge for the leaders, but their driving lines were straight and true. With one lap to go, Roberts turned up the heat, but the night belonged to Charles Kopach as he took the win. Tommy Roberts came in second followed by Mike Wilson.
The Budweiser Modifieds roared onto the track. John Clair (44) sat on the pole, and Michael Jenkins (2) sat on the outside. Clair quickly took the lead, and Red Vann moved up to sit in second. A yellow flag flew when a car spun in turn one. For the restart, Clair, Red Vann and Raymond Vann (99) sat up front. Again a yellow flag appeared when a car spun in turn one. Within two laps, Red Vann and Raymond Vann had overtaken Clair, but another yellow flag slowed the race. Red and Raymond pulled ahead, leaving Clair to battle with Eddie Kilbury (71). A yellow flag appeared so officials could check the track for oil. After the "all OK", racing continued with Red in the lead. Gary Southard (39) moved past Kilbury and Clair to take third. Southard began to challenge Raymond Vann. Red Vann opened a lead of several lengths as Raymond and Southard continued to battle. Southard finally overcame Raymond and began to close the gap on Red. With two laps to go, it appeared that Southard's charge was to little to late. Red Vann took the checkered flag. Gary Southard finished second followed by Raymond Vann for a distant third. Eddie Kilbury and Glen Baum filled out the top five.
The SARA Executive Racing School Late Models filled the track tonight for their 100-lap feature. 29 Late Models filled the front stretch as the drivers were introduced to the Ocala Speedway fans. This was a race where each driver was determined to drive hard and drive fast. Wayne Morris (56) of Mulberry, Florida held the pole position with Kevin Durden (156) of Archer, Florida on the outside. The infamous Ocala Speedway Turn 4 proved challenging to the SARA Late Models as several multi-car spins and tangles brought out the cautions throughout the race. Wayne Morris dominated this race by maintaining the lead position from flag to flag. Kevin Durden kept his front bumper on Wayne Morris' car until a late race tangle sent his car to the pits, allowing Jason Boyd to take the second position. Wayne Morris took the checkered flag and the victory.
The Ocala Speedway 2001 season will continue with weekly racing. Next week, April 21st, will feature all the regular features plus the Unlimited Figure 8 race and a $500-to-win, Stock Lawnmower 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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