IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

June 14, 2004 FSCR Rahman Tops Classics at New Smyrna by Dave Westerman There were no weather problems for the Dan Webster for Florida Senate Classic Auto Racing Series Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway and two time CARS Champion Jim Rahman found himself in a familiar place once again at his favorite race track - victory lane. Unfortunately, five drivers who would have raced the previous week had the night not been rained out, were unable to return for the make-up date leaving a field of eleven cars to duke it out for 25 laps. However, Norm Agostinho broke a drive shaft in warm-ups and was unable to run the feature. Ten cars made up the starting grid and it would be quick to see that numbers wouldn't matter on this night as the competition would be keen. David Marsh had the pole position but it would be rookie CARS driver Corey Freed who would grab the early lead as Jim Rahman slid into second with Ben Booth and Bill Posey right behind him. Daryl Grief would exit the event early with smoke pouring from a leaky valve cover as Joey Strehle moved up to fifth spot and chased down the front quartet in just two laps. Freed was doing all he could to hold off Rahman as Posey was working the high line trying to pass everybody but just couldn't get his car to work in the middle of the corners. Freed, who admitted he did not have the right gear in the car for the high-banked half mile New Smyrna track, slipped just a bit in turns three and four on lap ten and Rahman wasted little time in taking advantage to assume the lead. Tim Ousley spun while in a tight battle for sixth spot on lap twelve to bring out the only caution of the race and went to the back of the field for the restart. Ousley's spin had put some dirt up on the track in the low groove of turn two and it gave Rahman fits as he tried to protect the low racing line over the next several laps as Freed nearly got under him twice. Eventually, both Booth and Posey were able to get under Freed and closed in on Rahman, but Rahman was able to fend off all challenges to score his first win of the season. It was also Rahman's third consecutive regular season win at New Smyrna. Booth held on for second to add to his point lead while Posey was right on his bumper in third. Freed held on to fourth ahead of Strehle while Ousley came back for sixth. John Smith, driving his first Classic Car race, came home seventh with David Marsh, Steve Smith (fresh off driving one of the pace cars at the Indy 500), and Daryl Grief completing the field. The Classic drivers have a bit of time off now before the next race at Desoto Super Speedway on July 10th. RESULTS - NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY - 6/12/04: 1) Jim Rahman, Clermont #5 2) Ben Booth, Deland #12 3) Bill Posey, Rockledge #00 4) Corey Freed (R), Orlando #44 5) Joey Strehle, Deland #X11 6) Tim Ousley (R), Windermere #88 7) John Smith, Orlando #31 8) David Marsh, Orlando #87 9) Steve Smith, Groveland #2 10) Daryl Grief, Deland DNS Norm Agostinho (R), Ocala #0 (R) Rookie of the Year Challenger Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!