IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 30, 2004 FSCR Putnam Season Opener Delivers New Winners by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (3/27) – Mark Wortman picked up his first victory in the Open Wheel Modified class at Putnam County Speedway. He inherited the lead at the halfway point when leader Kenny Blair fell due to mechanical difficulties, then survived an late-race onslaught from Jason Lowe to seal the deal. Lowe started near the front, but an early-race altercation relegated him to the back. He proceeded to methodically march through the field and give Wortman all he could handle before finishing second. Robby Barris, Rusty Dixon, and Pete Timbie were next across the line. Jake Hartley beat Mike Tripp to the first turn in the Pure Stock feature and appeared in control until mechanical gremlins ended his night. Tripp showed the way throughout the next fifteen laps, then problems arose as it seemed his car was having difficulties coming off the corners. On the final lap Tripp’s car gave out and the scramble was on for the lead. The pack exited the final corner five-wide beating and banging in a battle to become the heir apparent to what was formerly Tripp’s throne. Rick Ferraro’s Mustang found the right hole and slipped through to notch his first career victory at Putnam. Michael Moore came out a career-best second with Kenny Durham, Bubba Watson, and Ron Frank following. Tripp candidly admitted after the race that he ran out of fuel, proving that even defending track champions aren't immune to occasional rookie moments. Mark Davis had little trouble disposing of the Limited Late Model field and taking the checkers. Holly Hill’s Bill Kopka was the best of the rest, Bug Rose was third, John Reiter was fourth, and Ross Camerone was fifth. Kenny Hall had a similarly easy time in the Street Stock feature and won going away. Second was Fred Sowles, third was Floyd Martin, Jr., fourth in her racing debut was Lisa O’Conner, and fifth was the truck of Jared Cooper. Late Model Minis made their inaugural start at the 3/8-mile oval and gave their all. When the racing was done Richard Tipton was awarded the victory as he swiped the lead from Art Souther just past halfway and outdistanced Troy Kruse at the line. The finishing order was Tipton, Kruse, Souther, Leonard Johnson, and Justin Tipton. This is a brand new class at Putnam and they’re looking for a few more players. Any takers? The beginning of the points season is this Saturday, April 3 as all classes previously mentioned will return for your racing enjoyment. Super Late Models and Sprint Cars will begin to make their appearances in a few weeks. Racing will continue every week through the end of October and special races are planned periodically. Pits open at 3 PM, grandstands open at 5 PM, and racing begins at 7 PM. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!