IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 25, 2004 FSCR Conrad Tops Classic Cars at East Bay Raceway Park by Dave Westerman Fort Pierce's Frank Conrad started out trying to do a good deed for another driver and wound up being in victory lane at the end of the night as the Dan Webster for U.S. Senate Classic Auto Racing Series raced on dirt for the first time this season at East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa. With several cars and drivers on the shelf for various reasons, only ten cars made the trek to the "Clay By the Bay" for the evening's action. Even Florida State Senator Bill Posey was unable to make the show having to attend a special weekend legislative session in Tallahassee. The field was quickly reduced by one as the transmission in Bud Spencer's car went sour during the warm-up session and he was done for the night. It was a big disappointment for Spencer who had a bus load of fans from the Palm Harbor Eagles Lodge #4408 on hand in the stands to watch him. Conrad, making his first start of the year, offered his car to Spencer to drive in order to please his fans and earn points as well. Spencer had the pole for the trophy dash and led the opening lap but slid into the turn one wall during lap two damaging the right front corner of the Conrad machine. Norm Agostinho got by Randy Grief on the restart and went on to win the dash, his first ever win in the Series which also earned him the pole for the 14 lap feature. The six lap heat race would see point leader Ben Booth take the win and he lined up fifth for the feature race. Spencer decided to officially call it an evening at this point and took a seat in the grandstands with his friends from the Lodge while Conrad made repairs and started at the rear of the feature line up. Randy Grief jumped to the lead from the outside pole and built up a quick advantage as Agostinho had his hands full trying to hold off Daryl Grief, Conrad and Booth. Daryl Grief spun out on lap four just after he grabbed second from Agostinho to bring out the caution flag. Conrad now found himself in second but Grief was able to power away from him on the restart and build up a slight advantage. Daryl Grief spun again in the same spot on lap eight for the second and final caution and his second trip to the rear of the field for a restart. Randy Grief maintained the lead but was having trouble with his car getting through turn two. Conrad took advantage and grabbed the lead on lap ten. Conrad cruised the final five laps for his first CARS win since taking the victory here last year in the Spring race. Randy Grief, who for eight years operated the Series and was the Race Director before deciding to try his hand at racing this year, held off a late charge from Booth to take second and earn Rookie of the Race honors. Daryl Grief battled back from his pair of "miscues" to take fourth place with Agostinho holding on for fifth. The next action for the Classic Auto Racing Series is May 8th at Orlando Speedworld. OFFICIAL RESULTS - EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK - 4/24/04: 1) Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11 2) Randy Grief (R), Orlando #87 3) Ben Booth, Deland #12 4) Daryl Grief, Deland #1 5) Norm Agostinho (R), Ocala #0 6) E.B. Carr, Okeechobee #90 7) George Hall, Jr., St. Petersburg #32 8) Tim Ousley (R), Windermere #88 9) George Hall III, St. Petersburg #9 DNS Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7 Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!