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| Brass Checkers in Ocala Pure Stocks | Ocala, FL, June 2, 2001 - The Ocala Speedway as always provides great entertainment. Ground has been broken for the new bathrooms as renovations continue.
The Coca-Cola Four Cylinder Bombers started off the night of racing. Michella McConley (224) sat on the pole, and Harry Drier (61) sat on the outside. A false start occurred on the first attempt to start so a full double- up restart was called. The second start attempt was also bad so the third attempt was made from single file. McConley jumped well, but Drier quickly took the lead took the lead followed by Kyle Helt (M). Jeff Oglesby (88) was moving very fast up through the pack and by the third lap he took over the point. Oglesby didn't hold this lead long though because Darren Dukes (4) was also in the hunt and running hot. Dukes grabbed the lead as Oglesby settled into second followed by Robert Oxendine (24). A yellow flag flew after the eighth lap when a car spun in turn four. Racing resumed and Dukes began to pull away. The pack was bunched back together with six laps to go when another car spun in turn one, bringing out another yellow flag. Dukes opened a large lead but just as the white flag flew, a car spun in turn four. On the restart, Oglesby hugged Dukes' bumper, but Darren Dukes held on to take the checkered flag. Jeff Oglesby finished second followed by Ric Fort who came in third.
The WTRS Pure Stocks were rearing to go. Roger Brass (81) sat on the pole, and Moose Alderman (7) sat on the outside. It wasn't until turn two of the first lap that a point-man could be defined. Finally, Brass pulled free of the bunch and Alderman slipped into second. Only a couple of laps were completed when a car spun in turn four to bring out a caution flag. On the restart, the 0 car bumped Alderman, causing him to spin in turn four. The officials determined there was no fault so both drivers retained their positions for the restart. Brass and Alderman opened up a secure lead, leaving 0 and Frank Buchanan (07) to battle for third. Buchanan overcame 0 and slowly began to gain ground on Brass and Alderman. Laps ticked off until another yellow flag flew when a car spun in turn one. With the pack bunched back up, Buchanan had a good shot at the leaders. Each man was holding his line and there were no chances to pass, so more laps were counted off with Brass still in the lead. Coming out of turn four, two cars got loose in tandem and spun down the front stretch in what looked like a choreographed dance. Roger Brass held on to take his first win. Moose Alderman finished second followed by Frank Buchanan.
The Steven A. Bagen Sportsmen stormed from the pits. Bob Masciarelli (72) sat n the pole, and Charles Kopach (53) sat on the outside. Masciarelli jumped very well to take the lead. Mike Wilson (79) moved up to take second and William Edwards (08) sat third. Much of the pack stayed together behind Masciarelli. The feature was caution free even with the very tight positioning. Bob Masciarelli drove a great race to take the checkered flag. Mike Wilson (79) finished second followed by Tommy Roberts in third.
The Budweiser Modifieds roared out of the pits. Raymond Vann (99) sat on the pole, and Red Vann (32) sat on the outside. Red jumped very hard and got out in front of Raymond. Gary Southard (39) tried to get by Raymond on the outside of turn two, but the two cars hooked together on the backstretch and Southard ended up against the backstretch wall. He drove to the pits under his own power. A full double-up restart was called. This time, Raymond was ready and he jumped out ahead of Red. Racing was fast and furious. Lap after lap went by with Red and ??(98) sitting very close to Raymond's bumper. Coming through turn one, 98 and Red traded paint, causing Red to spin. Both drivers went to the rear, leaving Troy Robinson (0) to hold second, followed by David Baxley (64) in third. Robinson drives hard and stays right on Raymond's bumper. Red has to work really hard to get by John Clair (44) only to find himself caught behind (24). Raymond and Robinson have opened up a good lead for themselves. Raymond Vann finished a tough race to take the checkered flag. Troy Robinson came in a very close second, followed by David Baxley.
The Powder Puff Feature finished off the night. Charlotte Dukes (4) sat on the pole. Dukes jumped well as did Leann Waldo (7). Elaine Simmons (53) moved up from the back to finally take second and then in a slick move while passing lapped traffic, Simmons took the lead. Elaine Simmons raced away to take the checkered flag. Charlotte Duke finished second followed by Leann Waldo.
The Ocala Speedway 2001 season will continue with weekly racing. Next week, June 8th is practice and qualifying, and June 9th, all divisions will run 25-lap features along with the highly anticipated 6th Annual Powell Memorial. 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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