Okeechobee Fla - Rain nearly claimed the evening, but after a torrential downpour the skies cleared long enough for Dean Bartholemew to claim his second win in the wingless sprint car division.
The track started out soupy but by feature time a fantastic "cushion" formed on the top and a lot of grip was found all over the racing surface Saturday night. Dean Bartholemew charged from his outside front row starting position to lead every lap and claim the victory. He did not go unchallenged however. First young Matt Gast and Steve Wheeler were following close before the two made contact with Wheeler taking a wild airborne ride. Both were able to continue, and on the restart Ralph Wheeler looked high and low for a way around Bartholemew but nearly made contact with the leader on the high side and spun bringing out a caution. Gary Gimmler had recovered from his own spin and tailend restart position to move from the back to second but fell short at the end and ended up first runner- up. Ralph Wheeler passed Mark Hysong and Steve Wheeler, who bounced his ailing car off the wall, with a gutsy last lap move to take third position.
1. 63 Dean Bartholemew 2. 7 Gary Gimmler 3. 14 Ralph Wheeler 4. 17 Mark Hysong 5. 02 Matt Gast 6. 56v Steve Wheeler 7. 11 Billy Grace 8. 52 Kreidler 9. 47 Waddell DNS
