Thundercross Motorsports Park, Okeechobee, FL: An unusually hot Easter weekend didn't dampen the action at the tight little action track. A pit full of stock cars and grandstands full of spectators greeted the track's sprint division for its third race ever, and third this year.
The heat race lined up with 02 Matt Gast on the inside pole, and 51 Mark Gimmler outside. When the green dropped M. Gimmler jumped out front but after he spun 56v Steve Wheeler had worked his way up and took the win.
Feature time rolled around and the track had slicked off. Gast and Gimmler led 'em into the first turn and again Mark Gimmler set sail to try for his first win. Behind Mark the entire field was in a very tight bunch trying to find a way around Gasts #02. The #56v of Steve Wheeler and Gast made contact sending Wheeler around and knocking a torsion bar out and ending his night. Three more 360 degree spins but no cautions thrilled the crowd. #7 Gary Gimmler worked his way to the front showing last weeks near upset over Wayne Reutimann in pavement machines was no fluke. Gary took the win over #11 Billy "The Ace" Grace from his last row starting position to pressure Gimmler at the end.
Interest in the class is booming with 5 more cars being built and many more people very interested in the open wheel warriors. Hopefully Danny Kreidler will have his mount ready, as he purchased a car cheap and had it Old Dominion freighted down this week.
Finish
1. # 7 Gary Gimmler 2. # 11 Billy "The Ace" Grace 3. # 24 Bob Bradley 4. # 14 Ralph Wheeler 5. # 51 Mark Gimmler 6. # Dean Bartholemew 7. # 02 Matt "The Kid" Gast 8. # 56v Steve Wheeler
