IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

January 24, 2005 FSCR John Gerstner Takes Citrus Modified Winter Spectacular Win by Larry MacMillan (Inverness, Fl 1/22/05) Despite a 2 hour weather delay Citrus County Speedway was not to be denied Winter Spectacular IV and the start of their 50th racing season. This of course was a preseason race but 93 race cars came to play in the midwinter special in a 6 division race card. Qualifying was wiped out by a 5:30 rain that left the track in terrible condition and certainly discouraged a number of fans but the true race fans hung in their and the racers made it well worth their while. The big race of the night was the Modified 75 lap special that saw Rick Haugh take the pole and the early lead over the 17 car field of hot shoes. Harold Cannon and defending modified champ Billy Bechtelheimer went to war early, coming out of the 4th and 6th starting slots, getting together in a race for third that sent them to the rear of the field. Tommy Schnader worked his way from 12th to first by the halfway point after several caution flags tightened up the field. He was being hounded by Richie Smith before the heavy hitters made their way up from the back of the field to get back into contention. A caution came out in lap 59 and Tommy was unable to restart due to engine failure putting John Gerstner on the point followed by Kyle Bookmiller, Harold Cannon, Billy Bechtelheimer and Richie Smith when the checkered flag came out. Five more cars were still running at the end of 75 laps with Bryan Rodgers, Harold Crooms, Doug Miller, Mitch Korzenski and Donnie Cantara rounding out the top ten. Twenty one Hobby Stocks took on the 3/8ths mile oval in their 50 lap special and Tommy Smith flexed his horsepower early snatching the lead away from Wild Bill Ryan early in the race. Seven caution flags shortened the race to 40 laps with Doc James Batson working his way through traffic from 21st starting spot to chase the leaders across the line for a third place finish. Early leader Doug Webster had to work his way back up through traffic after a spin that sent him to the rear of the pack to salvage fourth followed by Don Teague. Rounding out the top ten were Jeff Tillman, Bob Becker, Tony Trancucci, Josh Teague and Frank Stromquist. Twenty, Figure 8’s put on a wild show for 20 laps that saw outside pole sitter Donnie Thomas snatch the lead away from pole sitter Ron Nelson and go on for the win. Sixth starter Cliff Rousseau won the battle with John Thomas in the race for second with Nelson holding out for fourth over Robert Aaron, Robbie Hage, Charlie Meyer, Zach Perry, Rodger Davis and Bob Hage rounding out the top ten. In other action Mike Bell dominated the 9 car Sportsman field that had a few Super Stocks in the field that just couldn’t compete. Only 5 of the 9 starters stayed with it with Rick Kase finishing well behind Bell, followed by Ricky Hoffman, Jason Holbrook and Joey Brinson. Seventeen, Thunder Stocks put on one of the most competitive races of the night. Rick Badessa took the early lead holding on for 13 laps before Ted Taylor made the pass and took the win just ahead of Mark Wilkins relegating Badessa back to third when the checkers flew. D.J. Macklin and Steven Stinedurf took fourth and fifth spots. Wrapping up the night of action 4 Cylinder Bombers saw Kevin Stone, Tim Herrington, John Crichton and Shane Guy swap the lead several times with the order of finish being Guy, Crichton, Herrington and Stone with rookie John DeGeorge Jr. rounding out the top five. Citrus County Speedway will officially open their 50th racing season on Saturday, February 12th featuring the TBARA Winged Sprints opening their series for 2005. Added to the program will be the Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Thunder Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers. Citrus County Speedway Results Winter Spectacular IV Modified Feature – 75 Laps – 17 Cars 1. #77 John Gerstner 2. #03 Kyle Bookmiller 3. #3 Harold Cannon 4. #6 Billy Bechtelheimer 5. #42 Richie Smith Hobby Stock Feature Feature – 50 Laps – 21 Cars 1. #42 Tommy Smith 2. #33 Bill Ryan 3. #77 James Batson 4. #72 Doug Webster 5. #2x Don Teague Figure 8 Feature – 20 Laps – 20 Cars 1. #40 Donnie Thomas 2. # 3 Cliff Rousseau 3. #77 John Thomas 4. # 8 Ron Nelson 5. # 6 Robert Aaron Sportsman Feature – 15 Laps – 9 Cars 1. #17 Mike Bell 2. #35 Rick Kase 3. #32 Ricky Hoffman 4. #17x Jason Holbrook 5. #27b Joey Brinson Thunder Stock Feature – 25 Laps – 17 Cars 1. #77 Ted Taylor 2. #10 Mark Wilkins 3. #88 Rick Badessa 4. #14 D.J. Macklin 5. #0X StevenStinedurf 4 Cylinder Bomber Feature – 25 Laps – 9 Cars 1. #32 Shane Guy 2. # 1 John Crichton 3. #82 Tim Herrington 4. #98 Kevin Stone 5. #22 John DeGeorge Jr. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!