Tampa, Florida (August 3rd, 2003). East Bay Raceway Park likes the driver and car owner response to the first Sunday racing in two years on the clay-by-the-bay.
“If the fans will begin to support us as well as the drivers have,” stated an elated Al Varnadore, co-owner and President of East Bay Raceway Park, “then we will start using Sunday as our regular race date for rain outs.”
Fans continued to trickle in as the Mini-Stocks sponsored by Hill’s Dirt Pits, Pioneer Tire & Auto and Buzbee Aquatics took to the track at 2pm for their 15-lap Feature event. Winning the first Mini-Stock Sunday feature in a few years would be the 63 of Brian DeBore. Second would go to the newly skinned 27 of Scotty Williams. Finishing third would be Dorsey Strickland, while Jim Courson took forth and Chad Rose came from 11th to 5th.
The Gagle’s Auto Parts Open Wheeled Modifieds came onto the track after some 6 weeks of no action due to Mother Nature. Taking the Sunday Feature would be Mike Rudder in a wild and crazy finish as several top 5 runners at the time got tangled up in turn 3 and 4 on the white flag lap. Crossing the finish line second would be Jeff Mathews whom was running in 5th as the white flew. Behind Mathews would be John Bradley from 20th to 3rd, Jeff Conyers forth and Greg Reutimann keeping his Championship hopes alive getting 5th driving skillfully through the wreck.
Late Models struggled to get some grip as the track began to dry and blacken throughout the groove. The front row start of Bobby Alexander paid dividends, as he would take the win over a hard charging Jack Nosbisch Jr. second and Devon Dixon third. Rounding out the top 5 would be David Schmauss forth and Jeff Mathews fifth after his earlier win.
Street Stocks looked like they were on their way to the green to checkered payday, as several drivers got into trouble early and either restarted and raced on quickly, or pulled into the infield to keep the race under green. But, lap 4 would see Tim Spencer drive under Christina Cameron in turn 3 and be onto the inside mud wall in the blink of an eye. Out lasting the field would be Jason Bronson taking the sunny Sunday feature. Second went to Bruce Harvey, third Don Gansner from 23rd starting spot, forth was Tony Traina and Rob Hall got to fifth from 21st.
Limited Late Model’s rolled out next with an excited Tommy Kelly getting his first ever dirt track feature win. Second was Roger Crouse from a 20th starting spot, third to J.R. Prather Jr., forth to Timmy Bronson and William Hampton gets the 5th place finish.
Limited Sprints brought 11 cars to the Sunday program, with Donnie Maxwell getting saved by the yellow on two separate occasions; one of those saves from a slow roll-over as he was leading in the early laps. But, that was to no avail as Donnie retired near mid-race. Tim Holston was the eventual winner, with Tim George second, Travis Bliemeister third, Larry Brazil Jr. forth and James Surrency fifth.
The third installment of the 1-800-ASK-GARY, DA$H-4-CA$H went to Jimmy Waldrop as the Mini-Stock class battled for the 5-lap, $400 dollar payout.
As the afternoon ended track owners and official were pleased with the response for the 1st, and hopefully last, Sunday rain date make-up program.
Thanks to all the drivers, fans and sponsors that supported the Sunday Racing event and especially Desoto and Auburndale Speedways.
