"I'm
noticing a turn of the tide on racing Web sites like Florida's
Karnac.com, the gathering place for the most dedicated race
fans in the state." -Orlando Sentinel
Steve Dorer and Randy Fox finally get by young Ross Chastain on lap 85
Randy Fox, a hugely popular figure in southwest Florida racing, was celebrating his 53rd birthday on Sunday but late model star Steve Dorer wasn't in the mood to give presents.
The Pepsi 150 for late models at Charlotte County Motorsports Park got off to a rocky start with several early cautions on a very cold Florida afternoon. Fans were bundled in gear rarely used this far south, braving a stiff breeze pushing the wind chill to pretty uncomfortable levels.
Young Ross Chastain had qualified seventh but caught a lucky draw to invert the field and started on the pole next to Joe Winchell, a veteran who was winning races before Chastain was born. The second row was Steve Dorer inside of another Charlotte veteran Mike Hovis, with Randy Fox and Dustin Dunn in the third row.
Joe Winchell avoids disaster on lap 37
Winchell had to leave the track at the start with mechanical issues and though he returned at the rear of the field he was never a factor. Chastain was able to hold the lead the first half of the race, but eventually had to leave the race in the late going running in third place.
Though Fox had a few notions of passing Dorer he never seriously challenged and with Dorer having things his way, attention of the fans shifted back to the battle royal between "Hollywood" Mike Franklin and Jonny Kay in his familiar #48. The duo, well known to each other, battled door to door for many laps at several times during the race, fighting for position and giving the fans the best hard racing of the show.
There were many cautions in the race, most caused by hard driving and racers fighting for positions on the track. Luckily most of the cautions only caused minor cosmetic damage and maybe a little hard feelings.
A red flag interrupted the race for 20 minutes with 35 laps to go after Hovis and Dave Weaver collided hard in turn three, spilling fluid and tearing up the cars. Wayne Morris had to leave before the restart with a flat tire, after setting fast time on Friday qualifying and coming from mid pack to fifth place. Drivers were unhurt but fluids on the track required a red flag.
The margin of victory for Steve Dorer
Though the crowd was small, no doubt due to the inclement weather, the fans who braved the chilly winds saw a very entertaining race with from the from to the back of the field all 150 laps.
Steve Dorer winning at Charlotte County Motorsports Park
Late Models 1) 10-Steve Dorer 2) 4- Randy Fox 3) 48- Johnny Kay 4) 12- Mike Franklin 5) 19- Kevin Macy 6) 96- George Morales 7) 36- Gary Padulla 8) 100- Dean Ferri 9) 8- Bobby Shelton 10) 127- Kyle Maynard 11) 23- Cory Collum 12) 36c- Ross Chastain 13) 44- Koot Sapp 14) 58- Chris Huntoon 15) 5- Robert Regula 16) 56- Wayne Morris (fast time) 17) 00- John Ripley 18) 15- Joe Winchell 19) 29- Mike Hovis 20) 11- David Weaver 21) 34- Blain Koch 22) 21- Chris Grubb 23) 54- Mark Childress 24) 10x- Brian Dorer 25) 59- Dustin Dunn 26) 92- Roger Blevins 27) 3- Guy Sheets
Fab 4 1) 2- Lance Sober 2) 98- Rick Norman 3) 57-Logan Leonard
Pro 4 1) 90- Jacob Ingram 2) 16- Wally Smith 3) 09- Danny Daniels
Thunder Trucks 1) 35- Ray Jayne 2) 14- Randy Kile 3) 8- Mike Bialecki 4) 06- James Wright 5) 34- Curt Mays
Road Warriors 1) 1- Jesse Gargus 2) 16- James Buckmaster 3) 97- Chris Scott
There were many cautions in the race, most caused by hard driving and racers fighting for positions on the track. Luckily most of the cautions only caused minor cosmetic damage and maybe a little hard feelings.
A red flag interrupted the race for 20 minutes with 35 laps to go after Hovis and Dave Weaver collided hard in turn three, spilling fluid and tearing up the cars. Wayne Morris had to leave before the restart with a flat tire, after setting fast time on Friday qualifying and coming from mid pack to fifth place. Drivers were unhurt but fluids on the track required a red flag.
