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| DQ GIVES CLOUSERS 1-2 FINISH IN SPEEDWORLD SPORTSMAN SPECIAL | By Dave Westerman
The Sportsman class took center stage Friday night at Orlando Speedworld with a special 50-lapper paying $750 to win. The action was hot and heavy on the track, but this one would ultimately be decided in the tech area.
Former Speedworld Super Stock champion Rich Clouser set a blistering pace in time trials with a lap of 14.561 sec. With the top four from qualifying inverted for the start, Bob Mara had the pole but held the top spot just momentarily as Brad May swept out front from the outside pole and built a quick lead only to see the caution fly on lap three when Russ Shaw tagged the turn three wall to end his evening.
Rich Clouser quickly worked his way to second following the restart and began to pressure May but everytime he pulled up on May's back bumper, caution would fly and slow the field again. In fact, the 50 lapper became more of a marathon as the yellow flag would be out a total of nine times for numerous spins and tangles plus the blown engines of Eric Travis and Mara.
On one restart, Rich Clouser's uncle Dale nearly spun his nephew out causing a massive jam-up. But once things settled down, Rich ran Dale down and Dale allowed him to pass and move back into second. That's how the race ended with May leading a close-pursuing Rich Clouser to the stripe with Dale Clouser in tow.
However, a post-race engine teardown deemed May's car illegal and the win became Rich Clouser's with uncle Dale getting second and Bill Loomis third. Tommy Johnson came back from a lap 30 spin to place fourth with Kelly Jarrett fifth. Rich Hight, Scott Tyler, David Myer and Angelo Arcure trailed as only nine of the 16 starters finished.
Rusty Ebersole had his Garrett Fastening Systems Ford Taurus set up for the long run and re-passed Travis Kittleson for the lead just past half-way to claim his second Super Late Model win of the year.
The 25 lapper ran full throttle green to checker with Kittleson taking second as he made his first start for 2001 after winning the point title last year. Current point leader B.J. McLeod was third followed by David King and Eric Black. Rounding out the top ten were Kevin Ingram, Russ Thomson, Kenny Crites, Brian Finney, and Eddie King.
Jerry Quates emerged unhurt from a frightening crash that saw him flip his new machine down the front straigtaway after taking the checkered flag in his heat.
Super Late Model heat wins went to Bill Pratt and Ebersole.
Tim Clark outdueled Tim McPhail to win his second Mini Stock feature of the year. Rose Dickerson had an impressive run to place third followed by Steve Wagner and Jeff Davis.
Easily the best race of the night was in the Modifieds as Tim Laurent and Jason Boyd ran side by side nearly the entire 15 laps with Boyd just nipping Laurent at the checker for his second win in a row.
Frank Polly grabbed the third spot ahead of Hank Sanders and Shain Held.
David Smith jumped in his brother Don's Monte Carlo and won the Strictly Stock feature. Heat winner Dave Czerwinski, Vernon Ward, Steve Hoerner, and Rabo Rowland completed the top five.
Super Late Model (25 laps):
1. Rusty Ebersole #47
2. Travis Kittleson #88
3. B.J. McLeod #78
4. David King #23
5. Eric Black #10
6. Kevin Ingram #86
7. Russ Thomson #54
8. Kenny Crites #1
9. Brian Finney #80
10. Eddie King #16
11. Vaughn McIntyre, Jr. #83
12. Robert Hight #13
13. Frank Aquino #69
14. Bill Pratt #43
15. Jerry Quates #98 DNS
Modified (15 laps):
1. Jason Boyd #2X
2. Tim Laurent #32
3. Frank Polly #90
4. Hank Sanders #90
5. Shain Held #55
6. Mark Emberson #30
7. Ted Head #51
8. Dave Riley #05
9. Al Varnadore #21
Sportsman (50 lap special):
1. Rich Clouser #8 also had fast time at 14.561 sec.
2. Dale Clouser #30
3. Bill Loomis #17
4. Tommy Johnson #82
5. Kelly Jarrett #97
6. Richard Hight #23
7. Scott Tyler #27
8. David Myer #8X
9. Angelo Arcure #22
10. Bob Mara #77
11. Doug Samion #04
12. Tracy Jenkins #10
13. Mark Scherer #00
14. Eric Travis #76
15. Chad Pierce #92
16. Russ Shaw #11
17. Brad May #2 (Disqualified)
Mini Stock (15 Laps):
1. Tim Clark #25
2. Tim McPhail #7
3. Rose Dickerson #51
4. Steve Wagner #07X
5. Jeff Davis #98
6. Rae Williams #17
7. Bobby Orr #30
8. Mark Griffin #77
9. Dick Laszlo #07
Strictly Stock (10 laps):
1. David Smith #22
2. Dave Czerwinski #44
3. Vernon Ward #20
4. Steve Hoerner #5
5. Rabo Rowland #420
By Dave Westerman
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