The TBARA sprint cars were at Desoto Speedway on Saturday night. Twenty cars made the trip to Desoto, making for 3 heat races of 8 laps each. The first heat was won by David Slawiak in the 79 car, who had started the heat on the pole and led from start to finish.
Shane Butler in the 18 car had the pole for the start of the second heat and he too went on to win the heat, again leading from start to finish. The third heat saw the 29 car driven by Gary Gimmler in the pole seat.
However, second place starter Ray Bragg in the 66 car got the better start and took an immediate lead, going on to win the heat.
The 66 car of Ray Bragg lined up in the pole position for the start of the feature race, alongside the 18 car of Shane Butler who started in second position. After an untidy start, a full restart was called, and a clean start was made.
However, the 68 car, being driven by Dude Teate appeared to have some technical problem high up on the track and the caution flag was bought out before the first lap could be completed. As the 68 car left the track, the 0 car then driven by Ben Fritz pulled into the infield.
While still under the caution flag, Dude Teate re-entered the track on foot and got into the 0 car. As no laps had been completed, this was allowed and Dude Teate was pushed off in the 0 car and joined the race at the back of the field.
The third start proved to be successful and the 66 car of Ray Bragg held onto the lead position as the first lap was completed. After only two laps, Bo Hartley retired the 3X to the infield with the same mechanical problem that had caused him to retire the car early in the heat race. He was followed one lap later by Troy Lowery in the 40 car.
On approximately lead race lap number 15, the 3 car of Ricky Burnett and the 2C car of Curtis Carter were black flagged from the race after being lapped three times.
Lee Cipray in the 33 car retired to the infield on lap 16. On lap 22, Scott Adema in the number 2 car spun out at turn 1 after making evasive maneuvers to avoid a crash with another car.
A caution was thrown while Scott was restarted and he took his place at the back of the field for the restart.
The last 4 laps passed without further incidence, resulting in a win for Ray Bragg in the 66 car, with Shane Butler in the 18 coming in second, David Steele in the 96 taking third, Gary Gimmler in the 29 car getting fourth and David Slawiak in the 79 car rounding out the top 5.
The TBARAs next and final race of the 2003 season will be at New Smyrna Speedway next Saturday, November 8. Hope to see yall there.
HEAT 1
1) 79 David Slawiak
2) 96 David Steele
3) 22 Doug Heveron
4) 51 Mark Gimmler
5) 40 Troy Lowery
6) 0 Ben Fritz
7) 33 Lee Cipray
HEAT 2 1) 18 Shane Butler
2) 2 Scott Adema
3) 68 Dude Teate
4) 19 Keith Butler
5) 6 Skeeter Faulconer
6) 3 Richard Burnett
HEAT 3 1) 66 Ray Bragg
2) 29 Gary Gimmler
3) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr
4) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr
5) 2C Curtis Carter
6) 3X Bo Hartley
FEATURE
1) 66 Ray Bragg; 2) 18 Shane Butler; 3) 96 David Steele; 4) 29 Gary Gimmler; 5) 79 David Slawiak; 6) 22 Doug Heveron; 7) 00 Wayne Reutimann Jr; 8) 19 Keith Butler; 9) 99 Wayne Reutimann Sr; 10) 2 Scott Adema; 11) 51 Mark Gimmler; 12) 0 Dude Teate; 13) 33 Lee Cipray; 14) 2C Curtis Carter; 15) 3 Richard Burnett; 16) 40 Troy Lowery; 17) 3X Bo Hartley; 18) 68 Dude Teate
Non starters for the feature race: 6 Skeeter Faulconer & 33c John Sambor
