|
by Marty Little
LAKE CITY, Fla. - Wayne Reutimann, the smooth, savvy veteran, dove under leader Todd Schmidt on a lap 21 restart and ran to the victory in the 25 lap TBARA sprint car feature Saturday night at Columbia Motorsports Park.
Schmidt paced the 16 car field from the outset but Reutimann quickly worked his way toward the front and began pressuring the leader. A red flag flew on lap 21 when the front axle on Keith Butler's winged racer fractured as he entered turn 1 and he flew off the track into the adjacent pine trees. Butler was shaken but not injured in the incident.
On the restart Reutimann, wheeling the familiar Heckman No. 22, dove under Schmidt for the lead with USAC visitor David Steele hot on his tail. This high flying duo sped to the checkers in the same order over Schmidt, rookie Matt Mercer and Stan Butler. Heat wins went to Schmidt and Kevin Cahill.
Al Beckelheimer, Jr passed early leader Fain Skinner on lap three and went on to win the 25 lap late model stock headliner. Jeff Prescott, Jason Garver, Roy Crain and Chris Tedder rounded out the top five runners.
Charles Seroki never lead a single lap but won the 20 lap street stock feature. Brad Fiene was flagged with victor but had problems in post-race tech with Seroki accepting the honors. Gale Grayer, early contender Nick Reid, Jermey Ulmer and Ronnie Crawford were next to the stripe.
Pure stock action saw L.H. Davis lead all 20 circuits for the victory ahead of William Jerkins, Clay McRae, Rick Day and newcomer Matt Stafford. Action continues weekly on the exciting half-mile oval.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
