Mr. Bud Championship Races Kick Off Seven-Week Run at East Bay
by Bill Green “From Behind The MIC”
Tampa, FL (Sep. 27th, 2003) Opening the Mr. Bud Championship series would go to the always-scrappy Mini-Stocks here at East Bay Raceway Park. Coming into the special 25-lap feature, with a $500 winners purse, plus the coveted Budweiser Jacket and Trophy were 25 racers. Qualifying would play a big part for the 4-cylinder drivers night, as track position on the start became the issue of the evening.
Tonight’s Fast Qualifier would also reset the Mini-Stock Track Record and receive an automatic $150 dollar bonus. Several top-5 points leaders felt confident they had a shot at the extra cash, but when the clock finished turning it was Scott Howard and his #00 car, 17th in points, that turned the New Track Record. Setting fast time at 19.540 for the third mile, just under 62 mph.
Pill draw would be the next hurtle for the top qualifiers. Luck would be on the 10th qualifier’s side, as Chad Rose would be last to draw, but pull pill #1. That was all the luck Rose would have as he would get collected in a late race crash on lap-17, then get DQ’d for unsportsman like conduct when he would throw his helmet across the track.
The fast qualifier, Scott Howard would finally make his move with 3-laps to go and make it stick. In Victory Lane the Newest Mr. Budweiser Champion would give a lot of credit to his crew and family. Second place finisher Dorsey Strickland would even stop by to congratulate the winner in Victory Lane. Third went to Wallace Peac*ck, with Jim Coursen fourth and Ryan Mitchell getting the final top-5 spot.
Limited Late Models would have a great contest for the feature win, with Mike Rudder using his outside row two starting spot, to take the win. Second would go to J. R. Prather, Jr., third to Forest Gough, fourth to William Hampton and fifth to Jeff Mathews.
Street Stocks would start 27 cars for their feature and it would be Jason Bronson leading the most laps and taking the win. Eric Johnson went second, Paul Gibbs third, Tim Hunt fourth and Rob Hall fifth.
Late Models put on an exciting feature together, with Phillip Cobb finding Victory Lane, Roger Crouse going second, third to David Schmauss, fourth was “The Master” Donnie Tanner and Keith Nosbisch got a hard fought top-5 finish.
The 360 Winged Sprints put on another good show with “Superman” Sport Allen returning to Victory Lane after a long dry spell. Along with several disappointing runs and several weeks of bad luck, Allen hopes his season is starting to change and the points will follow. Sport would go on to credit the return of long time friend and Crew Chief, Stacy Green for the win. Second would go to “Crazy” Joe Melnick after leading the most laps. Third finisher was Daryl Smith, while Neil Larose hung on for fourth and Brian Maddox took fifth.
Next week it’s Limited Sprint Mr. Bud Championship Night, with the Limited Sprint Class going 20-Laps for the jacket, trophy and purse. Friday night don’t miss Go-Karts Under-The-Lights and remember the Oct-31st, Nov-1st “Lonnie Prevatt” Memorial two-night show of the USCS Sprints.
