IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 3, 2005 FSCR Gary Gimmler wins Dick Friedley Memorial at Charlotte County Speedway by Curtis Whalin April 2nd was the date for the 4th annual TBARA Dick Friedley Memorial Race. Mr. Friedley was the club photographer, PR officer and point’s keeper, among other things. All of those who knew Mr. Friedley remember him fondly and with great respect and admiration. There were 20 cars signed in for the memorial event. During the practice session, the number 7 of John Gilbert Jr suffered an engine failure that put an end to his night’s racing. The 6F driven by J. J. Dutton sat on the pole for the start of the first heat race. The 66 car of Ray Bragg was due to start in second place, but he waved the other cars by as they lined up giving his front row spot to Keith Butler in the number 19. Keith made the best start and took the race lead from start to finish. Fourth place starter Scott Adema came in second in the number 2 car. The second heat saw Wendy Mathis in the 80 car in the pole starting position with Bo Hartley in the 3X alongside. After the hot laps, David Steele brought the 91 car to a stop on the back straightaway with a broken driveline. He was pushed off the track. As the race went green the front row cars were side by side but the 3X came out of the first lap in the lead position and held off Wendy Mathis in the 80 car to win the heat with the 80 in second place. Gary Gimmler started on the pole for the third and final heat race, with Troy DeCaire in the 118 starting in second place. Troy got the better start and took the race lead. The 59 car driven by Daniel Statter retired to the infield on race lap 7 and Troy DeCaire took the win in the 118 followed by Shane Butler in the 18 car who had started the heat in fourth position. The 80 of Wendy Mathis and the 29 of Gary Gimmler made up the front row for the start of the 30-lap feature event. The field performed their signature 4 abreast salute to the fans parade lap and then lined up 2 abreast for the start of the race. The field got away cleanly at the start with Wendy Mathis taking the early lead in the 80 car with Gary Gimmler close behind in the 29. On lap 4, the 29 was able to get past the 80 and take the race lead. On race lap 8, the 6 of Skeeter Faulconer and the 59 driven by Daniel Statter both retired to the infield. On lap 10, the 66 car driven by Ray Bragg spun on it’s own between turns one and two bringing out the only caution of the race. Ray was able to keep the car running and he rejoined at the back of the field. Racing got back to green with the 29 still in the lead and the 3X driven by Bo Hartley in close pursuit. On lap 24, Dude Teate retired the 0 car to the infield complaining of a severe vibration in the car. On race lap 25, the 6X driven by Frank Scimeca was retired to the infield. On lap 28, the 68 driven by David Slawiak joined the other retirees in the infield with a broken wing slider hose. On the last lap of the race, J.J. Dutton retired the 6F to the pits. The 29 of Gary Gimmler was able to hold off the rest of the field and take the checkered flag. Bo Hartley took second place in the 3X, followed by last year’s Rookie of the Year Troy DeCaire in third place in the 118 car, Keith Butler in the 19 claimed fourth and Shane Butler rounded out the top 5 with the 18 car. The TBARA race again next weekend, April 9, at Desoto Speedway. We hope to see you there. TBARA Charlotte County Speedway, April 2, 2005 HEAT 1 1) 19 Keith Butler 2) 2 Scott Adema 3) 0 Dude Teate 4) 29T Jim Alvis 5) 6F J J Dutton 6) 6 Skeeter Faulconer 7) 66 Ray Bragg HEAT 2 1) 3X Bo Hartley 2) 80 Wendy Mathis 3) 42 Paulie Milum 4) 51 Mark Gimmler 5) 6X Frank Scimeca 6) 91 David Steele (DNS) 7) 7 John Gilbert Jr (DNS) HEAT 3 1) 118 Troy DeCaire 2) 18 Shane Butler 3) 68 David Slawiak 4) 29 Gary Gimmler 5) 42X – Sport Allen 6) 59 Dan Statter FEATURE 1) 29 Gary Gimmler; 2) 3X Bo Hartley; 3) 118 Troy DeCaire; 4) 19 Keith Butler; 5) 18 Shane Butler; 6) 91 David Steele; 7) 29T Jim Alvis; 8) 42X – Sport Allen; 9) 66 Ray Bragg; 10) 42 Paulie Milum; 11) 80 Wendy Mathis; 12) 51 Mark Gimmler; 13) 2 Scott Adema; 14) 6F J J Dutton (DNF) 15) 68 David Slawiak (DNF); 16) 0 Dude Teate (DNF); 17) 6X Frank Scimeca (DNF); 18) 6 Skeeter Faulconer (DNF); 19) 59 Dan Statter (DNF) Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!