IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 25, 2004 FSCR Putnam Super Lates Witness A Noble(s) Performance by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (4/24) - J. O. Nobles made a successful return to Putnam County Speedway in the Super Late Model feature. Nobles quickly converted his outside second row starting spot into the lead when he blew past the lead pack on lap two. While his competitors faltered, J. O. turned in a nearly flawless performance. The racing for the support positions was highly contested with many spots and shades of paint swapped. When the fight was finished Steve Harvey took second place honors behind Nobles and was trailed by Bo Allen, P. J. Wiggins, and Shan Smith. Nobles, an oft-winning Limited Late racer whose previous Super Late Model Outings have been less successful, credited his team as well as his decision to field his own car as opposed to racing someone else’s equipment as two of the prime reasons for his newfound success in the Supers. Pete Timbie commanded the early lead in Modifieds. His enjoyment was unfortunately short-lived as Jason Fitzgerald rocketed past on the fourth circuit and proceeded to lay the Modified field to waste with a runaway effort that ended with Fitzgerald victorious by one-half lap. His ease of victory was shared to a degree by runner-up Timbie who was in turn much stronger than his remaining rivals. Third on back, however, was a tooth and nail battle as five cars practically cannibalized each other for the show spot. Tiny Greene overcame the skirmish to post his best finish of his Modified career with a third over Sheldon Smith and Mark Prewitt. In Victory Lane Fitzgerald also praised his support staff and said while his hotrod ran well, there were still a few more tweaks left before realizing its full potential. Kenny Hall once again swept street Stock accolades. His best move came on lap two when he used his years of experience to take advantage of some beating and banging between cars he was trailing. Despite the chaos he found an open lane and zipped past the slowed pack earning nary a scratch to catapult from sixth to second on the back stretch. One lap later he made short work of Glenn Henry for the point. Mitch Wise tried to make a race of it in the late stages by closing up real estate between he and the leader, but his chances vanished when he made a bad run off the second turn with three laps remaining. Hall captured his fourth victory in five starts. Wise held on to second ahead of Mark Kinley’s brand new #17. Kevin Mills nipped Richard Adams at the line for fourth. Hollywood Owen held the pole and the initial lead in Pure Stocks. Kenny Durham soon challenged Owen and the duo duked it out at the mid stages. Durham wrested the lead on lap 15, then got caught up in contact with Owen and took a wild ride in the fourth turn that ended with Durham’s #9 on two wheels and resting on top of Mike Tripp’s car. With Durham’s car out, Tripp’s car crippled, and Owen’s car sent to the rear, Jason Pipkins inherited first place. The inheritance was contested by L. J. Klemons in the closing laps, but Pipkins cut Klemons out of the will and went home with his second consecutive win. At the pay window it was Pipkins, Klemons, Scott Booth (in a new car), Rick Ferraro, and Joe Watson. The fans and drivers were treated to a special on-track introduction with the cars brought in and lined up one-by-one and each driver introduced to the appreciative audience. This was an excellent opportunity for the fans to put a face with their favorite cars. Nine Mini Late Models started their feature. Troy Kruse had them all covered this evening, but not without a struggle in the form of Richard Tipton. The duo made things close until Kruse’s Dodge proved to have the better legs in the final laps. Kruse also won his second consecutive feature ahead of Tipton, Keith Briggs, Justin Tipton, and Jon Cook. Limited Late Models had the night off and will return for the next show. Another exciting Saturday night of racing is in store for fans as all five regular divisions return to assault the high-banked 3/8-mile oval. Pits open at 3 PM, grandstands begin to fill at 5 PM, and racing action starts 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!