IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 19, 2004 FSCR Cannon Scores 2nd Modified Win at Citrus by Larry MacMillan (Inverness, Fl. 4/17/04) Harold Cannon came from the back of the pack to score his second April modified win over a short field in their 30 lap main Saturday night. John Grimm set the early pace for the first 20 laps while Cannon had to thread his way through traffic from the back of the pack. It was all over but the trip to Victory Lane after 20 laps for Cannon with Grimm holding out for second after winning the heat race in early qualifying. Chris Fadling also started in the rear of the field to drive his way to third followed by Ralph Terry on his first visit to Citrus and Billy Bechtelheimer. The Florida Mini Cup Association launched their first race of the year with a 17 car field that saw Rick Auriemma clocking fast time and winning the pole for the start of their 20 lap main. Outside pole sitter Doug Smith was able to take the point away from Auriemma by lap and swapped the position three times before taking the checkers for the win. Wendy Kash held the lead on two occasions but had to settle for second ahead of hard charger Mark Ross who worked his way from 16th to third when the checkers flew. Nando Pinto and Bobby Payton ran fourth and fifth respectively. Thirteen of fifteen Super Street Stocks took the green flag with Ernie Reed coming off the pole to take the 20 lap feature with no problem except making his way through slower traffic. Richie Smith came from 7th to second in another new ride for him. It was Doc James Batson out pacing Jo Jo Viverito and John Makula to round out the top five. Smith and Batson took the wins in the heat races. Robbie Yoakam made his first regular season Mini Stock start and found his way around his home track for wins in both his heat and the 20 lap feature. George Neumann is finally getting his new ride dialed in and set the pace for the early going locking in second place holding off last week’s winner Jay McKenzie, Chris Thornton and Richard Stroup for his first top five finish. Chris Thornton picked up the win in the first heat. Thirty one Hobby Stocks qualified for the 24 starting positions in their 20 lap main in three heats and a “B” main. Patrick Lewis, Neil Herne Jr. and Curtis Neumann took the wins in the heat races with the top six in each heat earning starting spots in the feature. Bobby Taylor topped the 13 car, 10 lap “B” main with the top six bringing up the back end of the feature starting lineup. Curtis Neumann was pressed hard to his second feature win of the season and maintained his point lead in the division. Tommy Smith put the heat on in the final laps but had to settle for second ahead of “Hard Charger” Bobby Taylor, pole sitter Artie Hewitt and Neil Herne Jr. Lee Keller picked his way through the entire 26 car Thunder Stock field for his second win in as many weeks after winning one of two features last week. First winner of the season Steven Steindurf proved he is going to be a contender for the title with a second place finish. Jerry Hoover locked in third over Rick Badessa and new comer Andy Taylor to round out the top five. Heat wins went to Taylor, Louie Coie and Keller. The 4 Cylinder Bombers are still having a tough time getting a field put together. This week’s race saw John DeGeorge win the heat race and the scheduled 20 laps feature lasted one lap before Jeff Pittsley and John DeGeorge got together on the front chute ending their night with three flat tires between them. Clark Pittsley took one hot lap to put away his second win of the season. Saturday April 24th will see the return of the Super Late Models in a previously unannounced 75 Lap special for a $2,000 win purse. Added to the program will be the Open Wheel Modified Lites, Super Street Stocks, Mini Stock, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers. Citrus County Speedway Results 4/17/04 Open Wheeled Modified Feature – 30 laps – 9 Cars 1. # 3 Harold Cannon 2, #72 John Grimm 3. #29 Chris Fadling 4. #13 Ralph Terry 5. # 6 Billy Bechtelheimer 6. #79 Mike Wilson 7. # 0 Glen Ervin 8. # 2 Mickie Kempgens 9. #16 Russell Hand Heat Winner - #72 John Grimm Florida Mini Cup Feature – 20 Laps – 17 Cars 1. #17 Doug Smith 2. #05 Wendy Kash 3. #47 Mark Ross 4. #88 Nando Pinto 5. #22 Bobby Payton 6. #19 Carlos Gonzales 7. # 8 Terry Tullis 8. #12 Rick Auriemma Fast Qualifier - #12 Rick Auriemma Super Street Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 15 Cars 1. #55 Ernie Reed 2. #77 Richie Smith 3. # 4 James Batson 4. #72 Joe Viverito 5. #27 John Makula 1st Heat Winner - #77 Richie Smith 2nd Heat Winner - # 4 James Batson Mini Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 14 Cars 1. # 8 Robbie Yoakam 2. # 1 George Neumann 3. #5X Jay McKenzie 4. #24 Chris Thornton 5. #95 Richard Stroup 1st Heat Winner - #24 Chris Thornton 2nd Heat Winner - # 8 Robbie Yoakam Hobby Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 24 Qualifiers – 31 Cars 1. #01 Curtis Neumann 2. #42 Tommy Smith 3. #66 Bobby Taylor 4. # 9 Artie Hewitt 5. #13 Neil Herne Jr. B Main Winner – Bobby Taylor 1st Heat Winner - #46 Patrick Lewis 2nd Heat Winner - #13 Neil Herne Jr. 3rd Heat Winner - #01 Curtis Neumann Thunder Stock Feature – 20 Laps – 26 Cars 1. #21 Lee Keller 2. #0X Steven Stinedurf 3. #30 Jerry Hoover 4. #88 Rick Badessa 5. #36 Andy Taylor 1st Heat Winner - #36 Andy Taylor 2nd Heat Winner - #88x Louie Coie 3rd Heat Winner - #21 Lee Keller 4 Cylinder Bomber Feature – 1 Lap (Scheduled 20) – 3 Cars 1. #64 Clark Pittsley 2. #20 Jeff Pittsley - DNF 3. #22 John DeGeorge – DNF Heat Winner - #22 John DeGeorge Have an opinion on this story? 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