IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

July 5, 2004 FSCR PCS Outlasts Rain and Streets Deliver Fireworks by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (7/3) - Extra laps and extra cash attracted several first-rate Limited Late Model teams to Putnam County Speedway last Saturday evening. They braved threatening weather and even more threatening competition to lay claim to the night’s prize. Rick Singler took off from his pole starting spot to lead the initial laps. He received a challenge from Eric Platt that proved too hot to handle and was relegated to second. Scott Singler – Rick’s brother – also zipped by Rick two laps later only to lose the position by spinning. As the rest of the field rocked and socked for position, Platt built up commanding leads during each restart and was never seriously tested on his way to victory. Rick took second in the battle of Singlers over Scott, with Rich Pratt and Brandon Cameron filing behind them for fourth and fifth. Robby Barris blasted past Kenny Blair on lap three and routed the Modified field for his seventh win of 2004. With the front spot so convincingly settled, all eyes were on the cars of Jason Lowe and Joey Meyers as they overcame early race incidents to pick their way back to contention. Lowe caught third place D. J. Braddock in the closing stages and engaged in perhaps the best battle of the race. Blair had his best run of the year and may have won on any other night, but his Straight Flush was no match for Robby’s Royal Flush so he settled for second. Braddock beat out Lowe for third while Meyers finished fifth. The Classic Auto Racing Series made their first visit to Putnam County Speedway in several years. Twelve cars populated the pits this evening. The Classics are predominantly stock engine and stock chassis cars with replica fiberglass bodies of 1930s coupes and sedans. Tonight's event was a non-points race for this touring series. When the checkers dropped Ben Booth was the first across the line and was trailed by Daryl Grief, Bud Spencer, Greg Helton, and Tim Ousley. The Classics enjoyed their night at Putnam and are in negotiations to return later in the year for what may be a points race, which should draw more cars. When Mike Tripp starts on the pole of a Pure Stock feature, it usually means that everyone else is running for second place. Joe Watson chose to ignore this fact of Pure Stock life and surprised Tripp on the initial green flag to nab the lead. Kenny Durham also upended Tripp and gave hot pursuit. After a few brutalizing side-by-side laps, Durham came out ahead though not alone as a 6-pack of cars formed a breakaway for the lead. Jason Pipkins pulled off the move of the night when, after failing several times to pass a defense-minded Durham on the inside, made a brave move to the high groove in turn one, buried the throttle, and hung on for dear life to jet past for the lead on the back stretch. Misfortune soon fell on Tripp and Durham as both cut tires on approximately the same lap in separate incidents. From that moment Pipkins remained consistent and effectively navigated lapped traffic to notch another win. Rick Ferraro claimed second for the Ford fans over L. J. Klemons, Martin Johnson, and Kenneth Hall Jr. Seventeen Street Stocks reduced themselves to seventeen hundred pieces in a rough and ready rumble that saw its distance cut short due to numerous time-consuming incidents. One of the few cars that was not involved in the carnage and controversy was the #3 of Kenny Hall, who seized the lead on the third lap and won by a dominant margin. Surviving behind Hall were Mitch Wise, Jared Cooper, Mike Tripp (making his Street Stock debut), and Richard Adams. While no drivers were injured during the making of this race, rumors abounded of legal action possibly being pursued by the local SPCA (Society to Prevent Cruelty to Automobiles). Mini Stocks closed out tonight’s show with Richard Tipton taking early command en route to the checkers. The finishing order was Tipton, Ephraim Souther, Kevin Hawkinberry, Casey Murphy, and James Strehle. More exciting racing is on tap Saturday night as all four regular Putnam County Speedway divisions step up for heats and features. Racing action 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!