LAKE CITY, FL (6/2) - North Florida Speedway managed to snatch a race day from the jaws of a rainout. A make up race for the Late Models was the first order of business before starting up the heat races. Carlton Allen jetted from the pole to take a lead he would not give up during a caution-plagued 20-lap event. Most of the incidents were minor and restarts came quickly. The best battle on the track was between Lonnie Roberts and Adam Bedenbaugh for the runner up spot several seconds behind Allen. The finishing order was Allen, Roberts, Bedenbaugh, Billy Costello, and Earl Boyett.
Six divisions of heat races followed, then it was time to bring out the main events. Hobby Stocks were first up. Heath Walker outdragged polesitter William Martin into turn one to capture the lead. Scotty Nolan started near the rear of the field but didn't stay there long as he systematically picked his way towards the front. Tim Owens Jr. offered a little resistance to Nolan for second in the closing laps, but could not hold off the inevitable as Nolan shot by with one lap remaining. The race, however, had run continuously green flag and by the time Nolan broke free for second, he was a half lap down to the leader. Walker remained on course and took his most dominant win in 2007. Nolan finished second ahead of Owens, Martin, and David Smith.
Pure stocks were next in line. The race for the win appeared to be a foregone conclusion when Shane Taylor lined up on the pole. Taylor quickly built up a sizable lead on the pack and was heading towards picking up another trophy for an already crowded display case. Nevin Gainey started in eighth but had a very fast car and rushed to third before a caution erased Taylor's advantage. Gainey immediately blew past second place Russ Moseley on the restart and began to work on the leader. Taylor raced Gainey as cleanly and as hard as possible to defend the lead, but Gainey had the momentum and worked the outside groove for several laps to finally edge out Taylor and earn the lead. Taylor wasn't finished yet and he gave Gainey a few more challenges before the laps ran out. Gainey won with Taylor finishing second. Billy Smith was able to keep up with the leaders and finish third a couple of lengths behind. Shawn Taylor and Rick Reed rounded out the top five.
B-Modifieds raced a quick feature that was slowed by only one caution on the opening lap. Polesitter Pete Timbie grabbed the lead and was immediately challenged by Ronnie Chance. The duo went at it for several laps and were soon joined by Nick Kirkus. Just past halfway Timbie's engine suddenly gave out at the worst possible moment - going into the turn at top speed. Timbie and Chance got into the oil and spun while Kirkus was able to avoid the pair before spinning a few yards ahead. Timbie and Chance narrowly missed the unforgiving first turn wall. Chance and Kirkus were given their spots back, but Timbie was finished. From the point, Chance had no equals and was able to run the final laps uncontested for the win. Kenny Blair salvaged second with a last lap pass of third-finishing Kirkus. Joe Watson was fourth and Timbie was credited for fifth.
Justin Carney worked his way from the back of the Mini Stock feature to the lead with a pass over Jason Floyd on lap six. Carney led the remaining circuits to take his third win in 2007. Floyd held on to second over Mike Parsell, Brian Hull, and James Cook.
A solid field of Street Stocks took the green with David Hart leading the way early. A drizzling rain began falling on lap three and the show was stopped for a few minutes to allow the mist to pass. Racing after the restart saw Jody Turner do battle with Hart for a few laps before gaining the top spot on lap six. Two laps later Stanton Mills blew past Turner for the lead. Chris Vogel quickly followed suit for second, but had nothing for Mills this evening, who went on to take the victory by a wide margin. The top five consisted of Mills, Vogel, Turner, Dean Sands, and Hart.
Late Models closed out the show with their regularly scheduled feature. Richard Ferry had the pole, but Wayne Stevens had the power and picked up the lead on the initial start. Ferry and Lonnie Roberts picked up the pursuit and the trio gave the fans a good show. Roberts overtook Ferry with three laps to go, but could not do the same with Stevens, who motored on for his first NFS win of 2007. Stevens, Roberts, and Ferry took the podium spots in that order. Earl Boyett and Adam Bedenbaugh completed the top five. Within moments of the finish, the skies began to open up with another drizzling downpour, almost as if it had waited for the end of the night's events.
The Winged Sprint Cars return this Saturday and race along with the A-Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and Pure Stocks. For details, call the track at 386-754-8800 or visit www.northfloridaspeedway.com.
