IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 29, 2005 FSCR Abbott tops RE/MAX Legends at SpeedWorld by Dave Westerman Mother Nature gave Orlando Speedworld a break late Saturday afternoon as the sun broke through following a dreary, drizzly morning to allow the competitors to do what they do best - race... and what a show they put on as young Kory Abbott won his second straight RE/MAX Legends feature race. Despite the Easter Holiday weekend and the "gloom and doom" weather forecast, 21 RE/MAX Legends were at the track although the day was short for rookie driver Steve Turbeville as he hit the wall very hard in practice. Turbeville climbed from his car but was later treated at the hospital for a nasty gash on his leg. Jeremy Colangelo was making his first start of the new year and wasted little time getting to form in taking heat one while Abbott checked out in heat two. Stuart Dutton, who drives all the way from Tallahassee to race on Saturday night, made a late pass to claim the win in heat three. Brian Silas, one of the most improved young drivers of the new season, had the pole for the feature in his Palm Beach Grading Special, but had Abbott outside of him for the start. Abbott wasted little time in grabbing the lead as Kevin Howard worked his way to second. As the two leaders approached the lapped car of Jimmy Norman, Howard dove low and took the lead. Howard was able to hold off Abbott for a few laps but Abbott was running strong and reclaimed the lead on lap ten. Caution flew for the first time on lap 13 as Mark Beebo spun in turn four and was hit by Spike Sabo. Both drivers were OK but their cars were done for the night. Fourth running Brandon Thomson was also forced into the pits to replace a damaged bumper but he returned at the rear of the field for the restart. Abbott continued to lead but it was Jeremy Colangelo who was on the move, taking second from Howard on lap 15 and bringing Dutton with him. Caution was out again on lap 16 for the stalled car of Paddy Rodenbeck. Abbott was still looking good after the restart as Colangelo, Dutton and Howard were dicing big time for second spot. As those three approached a lapped car on lap 18, all heck broke loose and the second through fourth place cars found themselves tangling and in the wall in turn three. No one was injured but Colangelo, Dutton and Howard saw their race come to a premature end. Abbott had no trouble leading the remaining distance to claim his second straight win although Darin Coker chased him down over the last couple of laps. Coker, however, was assessed a one-position penalty for jumping the final restart moving "Doc" Richardson up to second. Coker ended up third, which was still his best career finish. Mike Verhaagh had another strong run in fourth and was the top finishing Masters Division driver while Jared Cawley had a nice run for fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Thomson (having a good run back through the field after his bumper problem), Rodenbeck, Mitch Verhaagh, Derrick Wood, and Evan Russell. Just as Abbott was about to take the checker, Brian Silas and Bobby Byars had a hard meeting right at the start finish line and spun wildly into the infield. Both cars were badly damaged but the drivers were just fine. Gerald White, Jr. and Ryan Rust also made it two for two in Bandelero action. White won his second straight Bandits feature over Blake Eden, Donovan Ponder, Zach Harris and Nicholas Balach while Rust out ran the Young Gun field for the second consecutive week taking the checker ahead of Jeff Black, Michael Brantley and Dalton Bergman. The F.A.S.T karts brought a big field to the track. There was one scary moment in the karting action when Pro Stock driver Mark Witherby flipped his kart right in front of the grandstands. Witherby pushed the kart off himself then ran to the infield where he collapsed in obvious pain. Witherby was transported to the hospital where he was treated for several broken ribs. F.A.S.T Kart feature winners were Bubba Potts (Junior Sports Champ), Whitney Poole (Junior Champ), Tom Wofford (Senior Champ), Andy Finney (Star Champ), Tony Sanson (Pro Stock), Levi Stephens (Restricted Junior) and Jim Ross (Yamaha). Doug Webb topped Zach Colangelo in the Hurricane feature. BANDOLERO BANDITS 1. #38 Gerald White Jr. 2. #71 Blake Eden 3. #8 Donovan Ponder 4. #54 Zach Harris 5. #21 Nicolis Balach BANDOLERO YOUNG GUNS 1. #18 Ryan Rust 2. #30 Jeff Black 3. #39 Michael Brantley 4. #75 Dalton Bergman RE/MAX LEGENDS 1. #X Kory Abbott 2. #00FL Doc Richardson 3. #00 Darin Coker 4. #7 Mike Verhaagh 5. #31 Jarred Cawley 6. #54 Brandon Thompson 7. #29x Paddy Rodenbeck 8. #9 Mitch Verhaagh 9. #33 Derrick Wood 10. #37 Evan Russell 11. #27w Bob Wilson 12. #2 Jimmy Dorman 13. #57 Bryan Silas 14. #12 Bobby Byers 15. #05 Jeremy Colgangelo 16. #32 Stuart Dutton 17. #29 Kevin Howard 18. #20 Kyle Dombeck 19. #7x Mark Beebo 20. #5x Spike Sabo HURRICANES 1. #007 Doug "the Tow Man" Webb 2. #7 Zach Colangelo Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!