IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 16, 2005 FSCR Alan McCafferty takes top Honors in FASCAR/UPM Modifieds at Ocala Speedway. By Rick Warren Great weather, Great track, Great racing. What could be better on a Saturday night? Tight Racing in turn 3 The FASCAR/UPM Pro Modified Series rolled into Ocala Speedway Saturday for 50 laps of green flag racing excitement. Twenty-five racers signed in to compete for the win, and provided an excellent field of quality race cars. After all the racers had passed thru tech inspection, and had their turn to try out the racers on the track, it was time to qualify. The drivers were all in qualifying mode as the cars were lined up in the infield, getting set to take a run at the clocks on the tough track. All the drivers seemed to turn up the wick just a little bit, knowing how important track position would be in the 50 lap feature. The track proved that it was as tough as its reputation, and when it was all said and done, Dwayne Dempsey was the fastest qualifier, with Alan McCafferty just a tic of the watch behind him. Jimmy Britts turned the 3rd quickest lap, followed by Rob Partelo and Mark Emberson rounding out the top 5. After the top 5 qualifiers cleared tech once more, Dempsey, as the fast qualifier, had the honor (or misfortune) of drawing for the inversion. The #3 pill was drawn, and the starting order was set. The racers lined up on the front straight for driver introductions, with Jimmy Britts and Alan McCafferty on the front row. The second row was filled by Dwayne Dempsey and Rob Partelo, followed by Mark Emberson, Chucky Burkhalter, Red Vann, Mickey Kempgens, Patrick Menninga, Chris Escott, Wayne Anderson, and Jeremy Gerstner filling the first 6 rows. The first attempt at starting the race was no good, as the #5 of Brian Cox spun in turn 1. The field was reset, and once more the field took the green flag. Britts and McCafferty raced side by side for several laps with neither driver able to gain an advantage. Britts finally got a good run off turn 2 and took over first place, but not for long. Lap 7 saw Britts slip just enough to open the door for McCafferty to drive under him and take the lead, with Dempsey right on McCaffertys tail to take over second spot. Britts dropped in line in 3rd, followed by Partelo and Burkhalter. Lap 9 saw the first caution flag, for the 99 car of Raymond Vann, spinning off turn4. Alan McCafferty in Victory lane When the one to go signal was given, McCafferty led the pack, followed by Dempsey, Britts, Partelo, Burkhalter, Red Vann, Emberson, Anderson,Gerstner and Menninga rounding out the top ten. The Restart was once again no good, as the 5 car of Brian Cox backed into the turn 2 wall, hard. The race was red flagged while the track was cleaned and made safe for racing. The race restarted, and the lead pack was nose to tail, and trying to separate from the field. The 57 car of Anderson was making a big run thru the field, and picked up 2 more positions, before the caution again was displayed on lap 17, for the 29x of Ray Bragg, spinning in turn 4. The race restarted, and stayed green only two laps, when caution was again displayed for the cars of Troy Robinson and Patrick Williams, making contact off turn 2. The field was reset with McCafferty still leading the pack, followed by Dempsey, Britts, Partelo, Burkhalter, Red Vann,Anderson, Gerstner, Emberson, and David Baxley. During the caution period, several cars went to the pit area, with Williams and Chris Fadling able to return before the race was restarted. The green flag again came out, and McCafferty Held the lead, with Dempsey making serious challenges to pass for the lead. Lap 24 saw Anderson and Red Vann get together off turn 4, with both cars continuing, but losing several positions. Lap 25 had caution on the track for the 99 car spinning off turn 4 after contact with the 57. The race restarted with the 99 and 57 starting form the rear of the lead lap. McCafferty continued to run a flawless race, with Dempsey looking high and low for an opening to make a run for the lead. The fans were screaming with excitement as these two classy drivers put on a great display of hard, clean racing. Lap 30 had the caution out again, for the 17 car of Williams. The race restarted with the top 5 still in the same order, but close enough to throw a blanket over the entire lead pack. The lead pack continued to battle furiously, trying to gain any advantage on the leader, but to no avail. Two more cautions for minor incidents slowed the field before the final laps. Dempsey continued to hound McCafferty, looking for an opening. Gerstner made a big run to move ahead of Burkhalter, and Baxley followed Gerstner thru the opening. As the checkered flag waved for McCafferty, battles continued behind him for position. There were some bent race cars, and some tempers flared. When the smoke cleared, McCafferty had claimed thewin, followed by Dempsey and Britts. Order was restored, and it was announced that the 57 car had been disqualified. After the top finishers had cleared tech inspection, the race was declared official. Mark your calanders for June 4th, when the FASCAR/UPM Pro Modified Series will once again be in action, at the USA International Speedway, in Lakeland FL. Final results: FASCAR/UPM Pro Modifieds - Ocala Speedway, 50 Laps 1. #32m Alan McCafferty 2. # 6 Dwayne Dempsey 3. # 9 Jimmy Britts 4. #93 Rob Partelo 5. #70 Jeremy Gerstner 6. #64 David Baxley 7. #51 Chuck Burkhalter 8. #89 Lee Collins 9. #30 Mark Emberson 10. #32x Red Vann 11. #99 Raymond Vann 12. #17 Patrick Williams 13. #06 Greg Nordstrom 14. #23 John Kahl 15. # 8 Chris Escott 16. # 2 Mickey Kempgens 17. #13 Kevyn Terry 18. #16 Patrick Menninga 19. #12 Corey Freed 20. #29 Chris Fadling 21. #60 Greg Valdez 22. # 0 Troy Robinson 23. #29x Ray Bragg 24. # 5 Brian Cox Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! news@karnac.org or send a letter to the editor!