IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 18, 2004 FSCR Adams Sprints to Win While Fitzgerald Earns Redemption by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (4/17) – The Winged Sprint cars made their first visit to Putnam County Speedway a very brief affair as their entire feature ran from green flag to checkered flag without a caution. Terry Witherspoon overcame Kenny Adams in their heat race and earned the pole position for his effort. The feature, however, was an entirely different affair as Adams easily reeled in Witherspoon, passed him on lap two, then never looked back as he ran off with the win. Danny Martin Jr. made things exciting as he converted his fifth place standing with five laps to go into an eventual second placed finish as he made bold passes against Danny Smith and Red Stauffer while threading through traffic. Smith, Stauffer, and Tom Winegardner Jr. were third, fourth, and fifth. Jason Fitzgerald returned to Putnam seeking vindication for last week’s mechanical miscalculation. It appeared for a time that he would be denied again as polesitter Robby Barris seized the early lead. An early caution flag bunched the field together and proved to be Barris’ undoing when Fitzgerald blew by him on the restart. Much attrition plagued the field as incidents were numerous but cautions were relatively few. The final laps of the race proved to be all Fitzgerald and he won be a comfortable margin. Barris had a lock on second over Bobby Layman, Pete Timbie, and Tiny Greene. Limited Late Models saw a rematch of what was their most exciting race of 2003 as Ivedent Lloyd squared off against Rick Singler. Both started on the front row and for the first ten laps they maintained those positions. Singler held a slight advantage yet Lloyd would battle back each lap. For many circuits the duo would dive into the corners side by side yet make virtually no contact. Lloyd’s persistence paid off on lap ten when he executed a solid run off the fourth turn to overtake Singler. Once in front, Lloyd steadily opened up real estate on the pack and made the ending as easy as the beginning was difficult. Singler acquitted himself well in defeat and placed a respectable second. Defending track champion Jeff Terrell made his first appearance of 2004 and was third followed by Bug Rose and Ross Camerone. Pure Stocks saw a new face in Victory Lane. Dave Dowling Sr. had the early lead but it was a tenuous one as he battled Jason Pipkins and Randy Moody for supremacy. Dowling and Moody hooked up on the front straight which ended both of their evenings. Pipkins assumed the throne on the subsequent restart. Pipkins has made steady improvement in late 2003 and so far in 2004 as his finishes have progressed higher on the food chain. Tonight he got his due as he held off Ken Durham and Mike Tripp to take a hard-earned win. The top five were Pipkins, Durham, Tripp, Rick Ferraro, and Joe Watson. Kenny Hall took the lead going into turn one, led every lap, and served notice that he is still the man to beat in Street Stocks. He delivered a solid beatdown on the pack and at one stage was ahead by a half lap. Late race cautions closed the margin but the outcome was never in doubt. The race behind Hall was much more competitive as Richard Adams outdueled Mitch Wise, Glenn Henry, and Bobby Gigon in that order at the stripe. Troy Kruse took the Mini Late Model feature in dramatic fashion as he executed a last lap pass on Richard Tipton, who was the dominant player until developing engine problems. At the pay window it was Kruse, Richard Tipton, Casey Murphy, Art Souther, and Ephraim Souther. Super Late Models bring their exciting brand of racing to the track this Saturday April 24. The five regular divisions will also be on hand providing support. Grandstands open at 5 PM and racing commences 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!