IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

April 5, 2005 FSCR Putnam County Speedway Park Resumes Racing by Jon Harney SATSUMA, FL (4/2) - Over 100 race cars and drivers returned to Putnam County Speedway Park to start the 2005 season in style. Many changes to the facility were evident to drivers and fans including a reconfigured pit area, a centralized pit office/concession/dining area, and the movement and/or elimination of some of the infield retaining walls. Intermission was a treat for the children as several drivers brought their cars from the pits, parked them on the front stretch, hid plastic eggs in and around the cars (a rescheduling of an event that had been rained out the previous week), and unleashed an unrelenting invasion of youngsters onto the track for an Easter egg hunt that will be remembered for years to come. Polesitter Jason Lowe led a field of 18 modifieds to the opening green flag, but was outgunned by veteran Larry Moore by the time the field completed the first lap. Moore's car gave out quickly, however, and Lowe resumed leadership until he drifted high coming out of the fourth turn on lap six, which allowed Joey Meyers to slip inside and take a lead that he would not relinquish. Meyers, who has been competitive since his first start at the speedway in mid-2004, earned his first feature win over Lowe, Donnie Hall, Kenny Blair, and Richard Tipton. A solid turnout of 17 Limited Late Models saw Jason Fitzgerald battle it out with Ivedent Lloyd and J.O. Nobles in the first half of the race before pouring on the coals and breaking away from the pack in the latter half. Lloyd did his best to hold off Nobles' charge, but lost the position on the fifth lap. Rick Singler proved to be the hard charger of the field by converting his 15th starting spot to a fourth place finish. When time ran out, Fitzgerald was declared the race winner with Nobles in second, Lloyd in third, Singler in fourth, and Jeff Hunter in fifth. The Florida Minisprint Association brought their traveling show to Putnam with a strong showing of cars. Gregory Skyta was beaten to the punch by Paul Gottschaulk on the opening lap. Gottschaulk's moment atop the Minisprint hill was all too brief no thanks to mechanical problems. The torch was passed to John Craddock who proved capable of running the distance with it and notching the victory. Jesse Teed was a close second followed by T.J. Raymond, Alex Mills, and Mike Schroeder. The Minisprints are scheduled to return to the 3/8-mile oval on the first weekend of every month in 2005. The Pure Stocks received a minor makeover during the break as the rules were amended to make the cars compatible with the various divisions of Hobby Stocks that race at some neighboring tracks. The makeover carried over to the name of the class that will be henceforth referred to as the - surprise - Hobby Stocks. Regardless of the nomenclature, some things remain constant in this division like large fields, nonstop fender-bending and close racing. Mike Tripp is another constant in the division and his pole starting spot did not bode well for his competitors. Randy Moody and Joe Watson provided competition early, but as is often the case, Tripp's ride showed strength in the latter stages and was uncontested at the checkers. Moody, who may have won on any other night, had to settle for second ahead of Watson, Michael Moore, and Rick Ferraro. Similar to the scenario in the Hobby Stocks, when Kenny Hall is on the pole, the race for everyone else is for second. Toby Sims apparently didn't read the script and proceeded to take the measure of Hall on the second circuit and earn the lead. When Hall cut a tire two laps later, it seemed that the night was tailor made for a Sims victory. Unfortunately, the stitches unravelled from the tailoring job on a restart when he tangled with Marc Kinley and Dave Dowling Jr. All three drivers were sent to the rear which promoted Mitch Wise to the front. Wise slugged it out with Ronnie Soltis amidst many cautions. Soltis' final bid for the win came up short as he looped his car on the final lap. Wise took the checkers ahead of Fred Sowles, Tim Brown, Kinley, and Dowling. Box Stock Minis are the newest class at the speedway as the four-cylinder afficionados attempt to establish a beachhead. The cars are pretty much as their name implies - box stock - as roll cages and glass removal are two of the few modifications allowed. Kevin Hawkinberry led every lap of the feature en route to victory over Randy Strehle, Bruce Denman, Tim Jones, and Art Souther. This class is looking to grow. For rules information, contact the speedway office. All five regular divisions of racing will be back in action this Saturday Night. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children. Grandstands open at 5 PM and racing begins at 7 PM. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!