Fast Motorsports Extravaganza Hits It Big In Ocala
by Bill Green
The youth movement was in full swing at Ocala Speedway Saturday night.
Fast Media Group brought it’s 2006 Fast Motorsports Extravaganza to the legendary Ocala Speedway egg shaped oval this past Saturday Night. Known as one of the toughest tracks to tame on a regular basis, Ocala defines itself as a drivers track. But, the veteran drivers of the Fast series classes seemed to have more trouble than the younger guns in the field.
All three Fast Features were won by teenagers.
Fast Late Model qualifying would be eye opening. As the full bodied bullets went into the 15’s and were knocking on the 14 second door when it was over. Fast qualifier would be last years Pro Truck Champion Sean Bass in the Jeff Moyer #20 at 16.067, just an eye lash off the 14 sec numbers. Second fast went to 14 yr/old rising star Cody Pitts out of Auburndale, FL driving the Autoway Chevrolet of Tampa entry. His 15.192 put him ahead of the beautiful Burns Flooring & Designs #40 of third fast driver, Brock Burns at 15.260.
The Drifter Finals saw a seasoned Florida Pro VS a new young gun in Formula DST, as “Hachi” Bill Sherman, took on the new comer Jason Jovoini. Sherman showed his skill in keeping the longest and most controlled slide going. But, the youngsters enthusiasm showed as he pushed his 240 SX past its limits and had the crowd on its feet.
Also running with the FMG Extravaganza were two long time fun filled series from central Florida. The Florida Quarter Midgets, saw Ernie Teed take win number 4 in a row. While the Classic Cars watched Bud Spencer breeze to Victory in his #7 Special.
The Fast Kids qualified first with the 14 yr/old out of Jupiter, FL, Michael Pilla getting his Master Care Auto #24 around the egg in quick time, at 16.115.
And that would prove to be quicker than all of the Fast Truck Pro racers. Second quick in Fast Kids division would be NAPA Chevy driver Brian Blum’s #31 at 16.125. Leaving John Kidwell to squeeze another top three time out of the M & C Bobcat & Clean Up Service #7NY at 16.251.
Fast Kids ran 35 laps of green flag racing and after several rough starts, got it right with 15 yr/old Austin Howe, out of Ormond Beach taking the exciting win in his Bob’s Space Racers machine.
Second to Howe would be Brian Blum’s #31, with previous winner Anthony Campi going third. Rounding out the top-5 would be Dustin Dunn fourth and John Kidwell fifth.
The Fast Late Models saw the youngest winner on the night in its 100-lap contest, as Cody Pitts kept his hot streak alive with his second Victory Lane visit in as many shows. Second to Pitts would be fast qualifier Sean Bass, leaving Brock Burns third, Michael Seeright 4th and C. J. Calabrese fifth.
Did I mention the young man had to start dead last in his #1 machine, due to a rule about last event winners, yet Pitts work the field like a veteran and took the lead fairly early.
That Fast Truck Pro qualifying time we alluded to earlier belonged to the #9 “Get-R-Done” Motorsports, Xcell Communications entry of 15 yr/old top qualifier Levi Hobbs at 16.172. Second quick for the Pros was the Silver Bullet #05 Cairo Lane Used Auto Parts ride of “Hollywood” Michael Powers at 16.194. Followed closely by the #50 Q Auto & Injury Attorneys backed entry of Danny Anderson at 16.256.
The final event of the night was the 75-lap Fast Truck Pro Feature and it showed the tenacious nature of the Ocala asphalt. As no fewer than 5 of the original 24 trucks that signed in earlier, could not start at A-Main time. But, what a show the 19 truck field would put on. Loads of passing and a little bumping and grinding, but an exciting event to watch.
Eventual winner Levi Hobbs was very excited about his Pro Victory and it showed.
As he thanked his entire family tree and those of his crew. Second behind the orange and camouflage #9 was the hard charging “Machine” J. R. Garcia III in the Ramm Transport #36 out of Balm, FL. Finishing behind him would be young Andy Megronigle in the #94 Vann’s Automotive backed truck. Fourth went to Travis Roland, with Stewart Robertson hanging on for a nice 5th place finish.
Next weekend, April 22nd, the Fast Motorsports Extravaganza travels to the Orlando Speed World asphalt for what should be more great racing. Also, tune your radio to 97.5 WPCV Country for a chance to win tickets to the Orlando Speed World event and hear the FMG advertisements throughout the week. You could be “Grand Marshall” for the event.
Thanks to all the fans and teams supporting Fast Motorsports racing, and a big Thank You to Ocala Speedway for a great night of racing.
Five classes went some 260 laps for the fans on Easter Eve, WOW! What a show!
The youth movement was in full swing at Ocala Speedway Saturday night.
The Fast Kids qualified first with the 14 yr/old out of Jupiter, FL, Michael Pilla getting his Master Care Auto #24 around the egg in quick time, at 16.115. 
Eventual winner Levi Hobbs was very excited about his Pro Victory and it showed. 
