IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

October 25, 2004 FSCR East Bay Raceway Park Runs Twin 15-Lap Street Stock Features By Bill Green Tampa, FL (Oct. 23rd, 2004) The driver’s meeting started as any other had, track packing looked the same, even the opening ceremony appeared to go as usual. So what was so different? The difference in this weekend was the weather. Near perfect conditions for racing on Florida’s famous clay-by-the-bay, greeted racers and fans as they arrived. I even over heard one racer state, "Horsepower will be up a few ponies tonight!" They were in an impromptu meeting just after the pit gate opened and several in attendance agreed. The Street Stock Twin racers needed a B-Main last chance qualifying race to set the Twin #1 field. Only four of the 12 starters would move on ten laps later. Tim Powers took the win, with Don Gasner second, Eric Johnson third and the final transfer spot would go to Eric Pet’y. Street Stocks Twin #1 would see points leader Danny Paris go from the pole to Victory Lane. Only "Col." Austin Sanders would challenge for the top spot and lead one lap before Paris got the spot back and Sanders settled for second at the end. Third would go to Buck Woodhouse, with Joseph Jones fourth and Wayne Hayes fifth. Street Stocks Twin #2 was exciting with "Col." Austin Sanders starting on the pole as Danny Paris drew the #2 pill after the Twin #1 win. Sanders drove out front all the way except for a ¼ of one lap that Paris lead from the flag stand to turn two where he spun in front of the field and collected Joseph Jones. Austin Sanders showed everyone his poise and patients tonight, not to mention his fan club that covered Victory Lane with the very happy youngster. Second would go to Buck Woodhouse, while Tim Powers came from the B-Main to third and Don Gasner did the same to take fourth. Fifth would go to 13th starter Steven Johnson in a god run. Gagle’s Auto Parts Open Wheeled Modifieds saw a great feature with the "Mayor of Muddville" Roger Crouse out distancing the field for only his second OWM Win. Second went to 9th starter David Schmauss, with 12th starter "Prime Time" Bobby Dixon getting to third. Fourth would go to Bruce Watkins on his 18th Anniversary with Karen and fifth went to Bill Howard after a trip to the back of the pack early. Mini Stocks only 15 of the 18 cars scheduled for the feature would make the call after heat race action. That left Wallace Peacock to battle Scotty Williams for most of the race, with Chad Rose joining in to the mix on lap 5. Rose would bow out a lap later with front end damage leaving Gus Courson and Josh Peacock to join the front tussle. The end result would be a last lap nightmare for leader Wallace Peacock. As lapped traffic became a rolling road block on the bottom, allowing nephew Josh Peacock to take the win. Williams and Courson dodged the spinning cars and finished second and third respectively. Fourth would go to Rich Livernois as Danny Bowman spun to the infield at the checkered flag and that also gave Brian DeBore a top five finish in fifth. Limited Sprints watched Mike Steinruck take command of the feature and lead most of it, only to see Danny Jones pull off the last lap pass in turn-2 and pick his pocket. Steinruck settled for second, Larry "Buzz" Brazil, Jr. third, Steve Muller fourth and "Daisy Dukes" Paulie Milum made it to fifth. Late Models saw a first time winner as Marshall Austin make it to Victory Lane. The excited driver thanked his father for the support and drive to make it to the win. Second would be Shan Smith in a great drive, with David Schmauss third, Bobby Alexander Sr. fourth and John Norris fifth. Limited Late Models finished the night with Forest Gough returning to Victory Lane with the win. Second would go Timmy Gay, third to William Hampton, fourth went to Bruce Harvey and fifth saw J. R. Prather, Jr. continue his great runs in October. Next week the 360 Winded Sprints are back in action with the Late Models, Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and The Old Time Sprints visit East Bay Raceway Park for the final time in 2004. East Bay has announced their intentions to run races into December. The non-points events will include some special races, including the fan favorite "Run What ‘Ya Brung" anything goes event paying $2500 to win. Special Street Stock, Mini Stock and Open Wheeled Modified grudge matches will highlight one weekend, while Features Only with added laps will be another big draw. Call the track office 813-677-7223 for more information on this and other class additions for December. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!