IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 23, 2004 FSCR Costello Nabs First Limited Win, Whitener Tops Supers by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (5/22) - A solid field of 19 Super Late Models took the opening green flag at Putnam County Speedway Saturday evening. Polesitter Steve Whitener won the race to the first corner and successfully defended his opening advantage. Many cars came and many cars went as spins, mechanical problems, and wrecks claimed multiple victims. While the rest of the pack beat themselves black and blue during the brief green flag runs, Whitener coasted away and had no equal en route to Victory Lane. The finish at the pay window differed slightly from the finish at the track with the first five credited as follows: Whitener, Roger Crouse, Jeff Choquette, Michael Massengill, and Frank Erskine, Jr. Billy Costello made his Limited Late Model coming out party a success when he inherited the lead from Rich Pratt on the third lap and survived challenges from Bob McQuaig and Rick Singler to earn the win. Costello ran his #00 in its inaugural race two weeks ago in a Super Late Model race at Putnam and finished third. Following Costello in a race that saw much attrition was Bob McQuaig, Brandon Cameron (who made his racing debut tonight at the age of 16), Singler, and Pratt. Jeff Mathews was living the high life in Modified action as he led until just shy of halfway when he slipped up the banking and allowed Robby Barris to sneak past. Mathews made several attempts to recoup his loss but fell short in every instance while Barris stayed consistent to notch another victory. Both were trailed by Kenny Blair, Mark Wortman, and David Boerner. Plenty of Pure Stocks turned out for tonight’s race. Randy Moody converted his pole starting position to the early lead only to lose it to Joe Watson on the fourth circuit. Watson had little time to celebrate, though, as he was immediately challenged by Mike Tripp. Watson held off Tripp for a few moments until submitting to pressure on the eighth lap. As with several of the other events this evening, fender bending was the rule rather than the exception. When the smoke settled, Tripp earned his third victory in a row keeping intact a streak of performing at least one such feat each season dating back to 2000. Watson proved to be second in command by holding off Dave Dowling Jr. at the line. Fourth was L. J. Klemons and fifth was Ken Lindsey. Mitch Wise seized the early Street Stock lead but was quickly tested by Jared Cooper. Wise was holding his own until a lapped car boxed him in and allowed Cooper to skate past on the inside. Cooper would never relinquish his spot and went on to take his second Street Stock win of 2004. Wise recovered for second over Richard Adams, Gordon Peck, and Glenn Kelly. Troy Kruse won the Mini Late Model race over Richard Tipton, Casey Murphy, Art Souther, and Jim Bethel. The fans were treated to an exhibition race from the Florida Mini Sprint Association. The drivers brought out their best for a ten lap dash and even brought their cars to the front stretch during intermission and invited the fans to come down and get an up-close look at their unique machines. All of this was a promotion for their tour’s upcoming visits to the high-banked, 3/8-mile facility. Putnam County Speedway will be racing this Memorial Day weekend with all five regular classes along with exciting action from the cars and stars of the Florida Mini Sprint Association. Grandstands open at 5 PM and the first heat 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!