IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

September 19, 2004 FSCR Six Divisions 4 First Time Winners Restart Citrus Race Season By Larry MacMillan (Inverness, Fl. 9/18/04) Storm weary racers and fans warmed up to the restart of the 2004 racing season after a two week layoff due to Charley and Frances. They were greeted by blue skies and a pleasant breeze that helped them forget the past month of storm activity and rainy weekends. Citrus County Speedway was more fortunate than most in respect to damages. The only major damage was to the track lighting system that had 21 of the 53 bulbs blown out. Thanks to Hobby Stock driver Bill Ryan, who owns a commercial sign and lighting business, the lights were back on for the resumption of action Saturday night. The layoff and high stress level of the drivers was quite apparent as flagman Brent Fults had more than his share of caution periods to deal with. Between caution flags and restarts his arm was just about worn out after 13 heat and six feature races saw the final checkered flag. Eighteen of the twenty one registered Super Streets took the green flag for their scheduled 30 lap race that was cut to 25 laps due to multiple caution flags and time consumption caused by wrecks and equipment failure. When the checkers flew 12th starter, Ocalas Bob Masciarelli scored his first ever feature at Citrus. Masciarelli managed to keep 16th starter Mike Bell off his rear bumper for the final five laps. Ernie Reed was denied his fourth win of the season with a third place finish being chased by Richie Smith and point leader Joe Viverito. Only 12 of the original starters took the checkered flag. Heat wins went to Dusty Bouchard and Ernie Reed. Fifteen Mini Stocks had a major anxiety attack in their 30 lap main that saw 7 caution flags in the first five laps. This led to the loss of four of the original starters before things settled down. On the 7th restart Don Faunce picked up the point off the pole and held on until Jason Rendell came from 13th to the front in the 20th lap to take the point and the win in his first ride at Citrus in Chad Johnsons #94. Faunce salvaged a second place finish over Johnny Siner who managed to stay in the top five from the get go. Point leader Jim Curry moved from 14th to fourth at the stripe followed by Mike Lawhorn to round out the top five. Faunce and Chris Hooker took the heat wins. All 32 Hobby Stocks took the green flag in a single 30 feature that saw mayhem throughout the entire race. At times it appeared that the drivers had forgotten what patience was due to the two week layoff. Trying to make up for lost time in the first few laps just wasnt the formula for getting to the front. When the smoke cleared and the checkers flew 12th starter Tim Whitehead won his very first feature after trying for three years. Rookie Bob Becker drove his best race of the year taking the point early then giving up the lead to Curtis Neumann who experienced engine problems again that ended his night at mid race. Becker opened the door on the low side of the track for Whitehead in lap 25 to make the pass. Becker was able to hold off 30th starter Doc James Batson in the run for second in a side by side race for the stripe. Tommy Smith came from 31st to make a last ditch run for the front in the final five laps but had to settle for a fourth place finish over Bobby Taylor. Smith and Taylor are neck and neck in the run for the championship with Smith in the drivers seat at this point of the season by a little over 20 points. Heat wins went to Whitehead, Becker and Curtis Neumann. Fred Henick took the point from the get go in the 30 lap Thunder Stock main and set the pace for the first 21 laps when a caution came out and then things went down hill for him after the restart. Some of the heavy hitters came from the back of the 20 car pack and put the pressure on up front. Ted Taylor started 18th and worked his way through the heavy traffic patiently avoiding the multiple mishaps that haunted the final nine laps to take his second win of the season. Point leader Jerry Hoover managed the top spot with a second place finish over D.J. Macklin who had just come off his first feature ever three weeks ago. Steven Steindurf and Ray White battled to the stripe in the run for fourth. Gary Budek and Ted Taylor locked in the heat wins. The 4 Cylinder Bombers had a race within a race in their 20 lap feature. Four regulars at Auburndale came to visit and joined the locals Saturday night. Shane Guy, Donnie Guy, Dwayne Guy and Kenny Taylor were pretty dominant from the back of the 8 car starting field. Shane, Donnie and Dwayne finished 1, 2, 3 in overall while Kenny Taylor was black flagged for leaking fuel. Local Dan Sanderson finished fourth overall followed by Clark Pittsley and Mike Curry. Rusty Adams was unable to finish. The two groups were paid separate purses thus the race within the race. Sanderson and Donnie Guy won the heat races. Capping off the night of action, the Florida Open Wheel Lites saw Jacksonvilles Ron Towles take his second Citrus win of the season followed by first timer Dan Hyman, West Palms Beachs George Landis, Jacksonvilles Rick Lundeen and Mike Belusar out of West Palm Beach. It was Towles and Belusar taking the heat wins. Next Saturday night the Super Late Models get back into action with another Twin 50. Two 50 lap races back to back with a 10 minute break between races in the infield for two graduating purses. The stormed out Triple 50 have been rescheduled for October 9th. Added to the Saturday race card will be the Super Stocks, Mini Stock, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers. Have an opinion on this story? 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