Durden Still Tough To Beat At Bronson - Wins Sunbelt 125
March 15, 2003
Anticipation and Excitement filled the air at Bronson Motor Speedway as the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series came to town for 125 laps of the best Late Model Racing in the Southeast.
After racing Friday night at nearby Ocala Speedway, the Touring Pros showed why they are pros, preparing these super fast racers for 2 races at different tracks on 2 consecutive nights.
When Qualifying time arrived, the stands were buzzing, everyone wondering if we would see any one break into the elusive 12 second lap time. Several drivers were close, but none were able go under the 13 second mark.
When qualifying was done, Wayne Anderson took the Honors for fastest qualifier, with a time of 13.232 seconds. Following closely were James Powell III (13.245), Mike Bresnahan(13.352), Aric Almirola(13.369), and Kevin Durden(13.383). The top 5 were separated by only .151 seconds!!
After Qualifying, the dreaded Pill was drawn to determine how many cars would have their starting positions inverted. Anderson, as fast qualifier, drew a #5 , putting Kevin Durden on the pole for the 125 lap feature.
After some very exciting heat races by the BMS racers, it was time for the 125 Sunbelt Feature. When the green flag was waved, Durden jumped to the lead, with Almirola, Bresnahan, Powell and Anderson in close pursuit. On lap #2, Anderson and Bresnahan made contact in turn 4, bringing out the first caution, and sending Bresnahan and Anderson to the rear of the field for the restart. When racing resumed, it was it was hard nosed racing once again.
On lap 10, Powell worked under Almirola for second, and turned up the heat on Durden for the lead. Once again, turn 4 turned out to be the trouble spot, as the caution was displayed on lap 12 for an incident between Raymond Lovelady and Phillip Rook. Caution was out again on lap 18, for David Schwendeman and Chet Morrison, once again in turn 4. Racing resumed, with Durden, Powell and Almirola leading the field, and the fans on their feet, as Anderson and Bresnahan were putting on a clinic, coming from the rear of the field, running the outside andmaking up ground on the leaders.
On lap 46, caution was on the track again, as Fain Skinner, of Live Oak, Fl. got into the front straight wall, went airborne, and collected several cars in the crash. The race was red flagged as cleanup work took place. The cars of Skinner, Mike Franklin, Michael Williams, and Perry Lovelady were all involved. Lovelady was the only one able to continue, but only for a few laps.
Fortunately, none of the drivers were injured. When racing resumed, once again was hot and heavy. Drivers were jockeying for positions every lap. Positions were taken, and retaken.
On lap 68,the yellow was out once again, for an incident in the #4 turn, involving Anderson and Almirola, sending both cars to the rear. The race resumed, and stayed green all the way to lap 120. Anderson was once again playing the role of Mr. Excitement, making his way back to the front. Durden was still leading, and Powell had really turned up the wick trying to get by Durden.
Powell went low, Powell went high. Powell tried to rattle Durdens cage, Powell tried every groove on the track looking for a way around Durden. Caution came out for the final time on lap 120, and the field was set for a 5 lap shootout. The green flag flew, and all the drivers pulled the trigger one more time, trying to improve their position. When the Checkered flag fell, It was Durden for the win, followed by Powell, Anderson, Johnny Kay, and Bresnahan.
In post race interviews, Durden was very excited with the win, and acknowledged how much fun it was to race with Powell again.
Powell said that he told his crew on the radio with 2 laps left, "Ive tried everything but wrecking him, looks like we won't get him tonight". Anderson was very excited, and rightly so, having come from the rear 3 times.
Wayne talked about how good the car was, and how much fun he had.
All in all, it was a great race.
Final Order: SUNBELT SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES 125
1. #50 Kevin Durden Archer, Fl.
2. #37 James Powell III Astor, Fl.
3. #84 Wayne Anderson Wildwood, Fl.
4. #77 Johnny Kay Deerfield Bch. Fl
5. # 3 Mike Bresnahan Inverness, Fl.
6. #88 Brock Oglesby Ocala, Fl.
7. #13 Tom Haselmayer Brooksville, Fl.
8. # 6 Mac Johnson Gainesville, Fl.
9. #14 Aric Almirola Tampa, Fl.
10. #29 Don Parkinson Williston, Fl.
11. #31e Scotty Ellis Juliette, Ga.
12. # 7 Phillip Rook Inverness, Fl.
13. #74j Jay Middleton Lake City, Fl.
14. #64 David Baxley Anthony, Fl.
15. #23 David Schwendeman New Port Richey, Fl.
16. #68 Perry Lovelady Lakeland, Fl.
17. # 1 Fain Skinner Live Oak, Fl.
18. #40 Michael Williams Mims, FL
19. #115 Mike Franklin Homestead, Fl.
20. #86 Chet Morrison Houma, La.
Next on tap, the Bronson Series regulars. The Sportsman class put on a good show, and tried to out do the Sunbelt Drivers. There was a lot of passing, fender rubbing, and position changes. In the end it was Rob Cooper coming out on top for his third Bronson feature of the year. Dusty Bouchard ran a strong second, followed by Ray Wheeler.
The Mini Stocks put on another great show, with Don Faunce, Jeff Stalnaker Jr., Billy Smith and Clint Foley all running for the lead. There were several cautions, and the racing action was hot. Stalnaker tried unsuccessfully to drive under Faunce for the lead several times, but Faunce was able to hold him off with some nifty driving. On the track the race finished with faunce in the lead, followed by Stalnaker. After the race, the engine in Faunce?s car was protested by Stalnaker, and after much debate, was determined to not be in compliance with the written rules. Faunce was disqualified, giving the win to Stalnaker. Second went to Billy Smith, Followed by Clint Foley.
The Pure Stocks put on a rock-em sock-em racing show, with cars all over the track. One crash saw Donny Roberts wind up on the wall of the #1 turn, backwards, along with Tommy Smith, who was driving a car borrowed from ?Hammerhead? Hughes, after Smith had engine problems earlier in the day. Krystal Batson was leading the race, and was running hard to maintain her lead, when she tangled with Arthur Conquest, sending Arthur to the rear. On the last lap, last turn Larry Welters tangled with Batson, and Batson crossed the finish line backwards, to claim the win.
The V-8 bomber win was claimed by Rookie Charlie Kennedy, in only his third feature race.
