IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

November 21, 2004 FSCR Six Classes Crown Six 2004 Champions At East Bay Raceway Park By Bill Green "From Behind The MIC!" Tampa, FL (Nov. 20th, 2004) East Bay ended it's points season tonight, but J. R. Prather, Jr. starting his 2004 Limited Late Model Championship celebration some two weeks ago, as did Danny Paris in the Street Stock class and "Big" Tim George in the Limited Sprints as 2004 Champion. Last week it was Brian Maddox's turn to celebrate his 360 Sprint car Championship for 2004. This week it would be long time Late Model racer Donnie Tanner battling till the end for another season Championship. Open Wheel Modifieds were up first and the Gagle's Auto Parts sponsored class did not disappoint as 25 cars took the original green. Heat wins went to Rusty Dixon and Brian Hollifield respectively in Heat-1 and Heat-2. As the feature event got to lap 5, the lights went out at East Bay. I'm talking dark. Luckily the field was under caution and all stopped safely. Fans and drivers were treated to an impromptu fireworks display compliments of East Bay owners and D-N-D Fireworks. When racing resumed it would be Rusty Dixon going flag to flag for the victory. Second went to Jamie Burrows, with Roger Crouse third, John Bradley fourth and Bruce Watkins fifth. That would mean John Bradley would be the 2004 OWM Champion. Congratulations! The Able Body, INC. Limited Late Models brought 21 cars to the final points event of 2004 and it would be a great race with Tim Gay taking the win. Second would go to Timmy Bronson, Shane Koperda third, William Hampton fourth and Robert Douglas fifth. 2004 Champion J. R. Prather, Jr. would finish outside the top-5, but still have a great 2004 season as one of the most consistent drivers of the season. Late Models saw a barn burner in the end as "The Master" Donnie Tanner and David Schmauss battled all year till the final event, with Donnie Tanner taking another close Championship victory. Schmauss would win the final A-Main of 2004, but Tanner would win the Championship by 30 plus points. Third would go to Marshall Austin from 13th starting spot. Fourth was Jeff Mathews and "The Sheriff" K. D. Kelly fifth. Limited Sprints saw a first in the class for East Bay. Young Susanne George turned 16 this week and brought out her Limited Sprint #01 for her first ever competition under green. The young lady stayed out of trouble and got a Top-10 finish in 10th her very first time out. But, it was Frank Beck III in Victory Lane tonight while "Big" Tim George took the Limited Sprint 2004 Championship with the 5th place finish. Third went to Greg Leonard in the Clyde Poole #85 car. Danny Jones took forth in front of the season Champion George. Street Stocks brought the biggest class of the year to the biggest feature on the night, as 32 machines would start the feature. To night's victory would go to Paul Gibbs, while Steven Johnson settled for second, Austin Sanders went third, Michael Cherry fourth and Steve Burch fifth. Buck woodhouse would salvage a 6th place finish to secure second in the points chase, leaving Austin Sanders 3rd in points. Mini Stocks saw a good one as Scotty Williams out lasted the field for the win, beating Cecil Martin at the line by inches. Jim Courson went third, Chad Rose fourth and Josh Peacock over came a jumping the start call for the final top-5 spot. Next week East Bay Raceway Park will be dark for the Thanksgiving weekend, but we'll be back on Dec the 4th with $10 Adult Grandstand tickets and children 12 and under FREE. Dec 11th will be Features Only Night with all features getting an extra 5 laps per event and Dec 18th will see the rebirth of the "Run-What-Ya-Brung" Special for anything with fenders, clutch and starter. Plus that final Saturday event, Dec 18th, will include a Demolition Derby and a Roll Over Derby. So don't miss any of the December 2004 action at East Bay Raceway Park. We'll See You At The RACES! Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!