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| Sherwood Takes DeSoto Street Stocks | by Ken Willis
Wedding bells and fireworks highlighted a damp evening of racing at DeSoto Speedway last Saturday. During the early evening the Independence Day celebration included Bradenton's Bill Newer and Lori Roach becoming joined as man and wife in front an an entourage of more than 30 well-wishers.
During a window of opportunity in the inclimate weather and racing action got under way. Four of the seven division scheduled were able to compete before intermission and a fantastic display of fireworks blazed over eastern Manatee County in celebration of Independence day. Just as the celebration ended Mother Nature brought her own display of fireworks and a steady downpour that called a halt to the evening's action.
In the earlier racing action Tony Elrod Jr of Lakeland collected his first ever win in the Manatee Lumber Modified Minis edging out last week's feature winner Frank Welch of N. Ft. Myers and hard charging Steve Gill of Sarasota who took third place.. "Frank's tough but when the white flag came out I knew we had it," Elrod said. "We've been working real hard for this win. And this is a hard earned victory." The five year veteran, and last year's Mini Stock Champion, is sponsored by Tony Elrod's Auto Repair and his crew is headed by his dad, Tony Elrod Sr. "I want to thank all my crew," Elrod said. "Without them it wouldn't have been possible. It's my first win in the Mod Minis and we're going to get some more later on."
David Yahraus of Sarasota took the win in the 20 lap Pure Stock event with John Clouser of Grant placing second and Greg Banach of Bradenton in third place. "I learned a little," Yahraus said. "In the beginning I was blocked in the traffic then the car started overheating. I started easing up on it but it doesn't drive the same. We've been working on it to get the bugs out and I think we got it."
Bruce Sherwood of Bradenton took the win in the Comcast Street Stock with Chet Roberts of Duette in second and Rich Clouser of Grant third.
Jesse Dutilly of Bradenton collected the win in the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Stock Minis. Steve Booth of Sarasota placed second. Greg Krom of Sarasota took third place. DeSoto Speedway will be closed this Saturday for Winston Cup night.
Racing returns on July 14 with a family night featuring $20 a car load and the high powered action of the Turner Tree & Landscape Limited Late Models, Callaghan Tire Open Wheel Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Comcast Street Stocks, Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Mini Stocks, TQ Midgets and the eagerly awaited Selective HR Solutions Sportsman Shootout.
TOP TEN:
COMCAST STREET STOCK:
1. #05 Bruce Sherwood, Bradenton;
2. #69 Chet Roberts;
3. #8 Rich Clouser, Grant, Fl;
4. #44 Jamie Cassidy, Sarasota;
5. #47 Bruce Ahlers, Bradenton;
6. #8 Sue Purington, Nokomis;
7. #1 Casey Hall, Tampa;
8. #95 Clint Roberts, Duette;
9. #9x Storm Sidocr;
10. #56 Mike Wiseman, Cape Coral.
PURE STOCK:
1. #67 David Yahraus, Sarasota;
2. #52 John Clouser;
3. #20 Greg Banach, Bradenton;
4. #17 Brian Ambrose, Bradenton;
5. #6 Danny Anderson, Bradenton;
6. #74 Paul Huffstutler, Bradenton;
7. #00 Jody Collins;
8. #54 Mark Gill, Bradenton.
MANATEE LUMBER MODIFIED MINI:
1. #70 Tony Elrod Jr, Lakeland;
2. #96 Frank Welch, N. Ft. Myers;
3. #5 Steve Gill, Sarasota;
4. #3 Matt Watts, Dade City;
5. #7 Steve Martin, Pinellas Park;
6. #44 Clay Joseph, Bradenton;
7. #72 Chip Gaines, Sarasota;
8. #99 Jason Kuyhendall;
9. #47 Mark Gonzalez, Wesley Chapel;
10. #0 Bob King.
Q AUTO & INJURY ATTORNEYS MINI STOCK:
1. #30 Jesse Dutilly, Bradenton;
2. #5 Steve Booth, Sarasota;
3. #35 Greg Krom, Sarasota;
4. #14 Jon Bailey, St. Petersburg;
5. #54 Buddy Traylor, Bradenton;
6. #34 Eric Anderson, Bradenton;
7. #84 Robert Haygood, Bradenton;
8. #05 John Wilson, Sarasota;
9. #58 Steve Martin;
10. #9 Jeanne Whitted, Sarasota.
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