Bradenton, Fl. A good field of 22 Super Late Models was on hand for Saturdays 125 All American Challenge Series. Fast qualifier of the night went to Mike Fritts in the familiar #92 machine of Florida racing legend Dicky Anderson. It was no surprise when the "King of Fla. Short Tracks" car was the fastest on the high banks as Anderson has many laps and almost as many wins at DeSoto.
The field was started straight up with Fritts and Dave Pletcher on the front row. When the green flag dropped Pletcher jumped out to the lead. Pletchers ride was working well and pulled out to a good lead for most of the race with Fritts holding the second spot.
Just when it seemed the Veteran racer would walk away with the race he spun coming out of turn four, the track was inspected for fluids but none were found and Pletcher was sent to the rear of the field for bringing out the yellow flag. Joe Boyd, the last winner in the AACS was also sent to the rear of the field earlier in the race but steadily battled his way back towards the front, Pletcher meanwhile decided to call it a night and pulled into the pits.
With several cautions the lead changed hands between different drivers. At one point Johnny Jackson looked like he was headed to his first win Super win but a hard slam into the wall ended his bid.
When the smoke cleared and it was all over a jubilant Jeff Sloan roared across the stripe to take the win. Sloan has been competing in the Super Late Model class all over the state for many years but this was his first ever victory, coming in second and taking over the points lead in the AACS was "Smokin" Joe Boyd, third went to fast qualifier Mike Fritts, fourth was Billy Bigley Jr., and rounding out the top five was James Glover.
Mini-Stocks
The Mini-Stocks were out for their big race of the season, the 50 lap shoot out. Todd Freed Jr. showed once again that the long races were his cup of tea. Freed won the 50 lapper last year and dominated this one, second place went to John Wilson, third was Buddy Traylor, fourth was Jon Bailey and rounding out the top five was Joe Gagen.
Open Wheel Modifieds
Dennis Wilson Jr. blazed to another win in the Open Wheel feature holding off the charge of Wayne "the Rocket Man" Jefferson, third was Rocco Ranallo, fourth was Andy Dyndal and fifth went to Pat Nanney.
