"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
With the full moon shining over a beautiful night in the Tampa Bay area, the grandstands were packed once again at Eastbay Raceway Park. Around 100 cars signed in and hit the Clay By the Bay for an exciting night of dirty, door slamming, action packed racing.
The Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds took to the track first. Buzzie Reutimann, who was featured in Saturday’s race program in the “Look Back in Time” page with a victory lane picture from circa 1979 started in the 8th position and battled his way to the front of the field. Scotty Williams out front early and battled side by side with Dale Kelley for the lead. Reutimann had the car to beat as he made his way to the front. After taking the lead with around 7 laps to go Reutimann held off the charge from Dale Kelley to take the win, his second of the season. Reutimann last visited victory lane at East Bay on opening night back in March. Kelley finished 2nd. Williams was 3rd. Austin Sanders came home in 4th. Bobby Dixon rounded out the top 5. Williams and Kelley won the heat races.
In the Outlaw 4’s point leader Jim Coursen cruised to the victory. After a dominating performance in the 2nd heat race it seemed that Coursen had the car to beat. Coursen never looked back after the drop of the green flag and won his 2nd feature of the season. Shane Burrows finished 2nd. Jerry Bruce, Chad Rose and Stephen Hohlbaugh rounded out the top 5. Hohlbaugh and Coursen rounded each took the win in their heat races.
The Convire 4-Cylinder Bombers usually run last at Eastbay Raceway Park. Moving them to the 3rd show of the evening proved to be a great move as they put on a whale of a show. Colonel Miller started on the pole and stayed up front all night long. Miller felt the heat from George Christiansen and Collin Kruse as they battled for the lead. Colonel Miller took the win, his 1st of the young season. Christiansen finished 2nd. Collin Kruse was 3rd. DW Lester and Kever Raulerson rounded out the top 5. Christiansen and Colonel Miller won the heat races.
In the Late Models it was the KD Kelley show as he led every lap on his way to his first victory of the season. Through numerous cautions Kelley was able to maintain his lead with solid restarts each time. Bobby Alexander, Sr. challenged for the lead on one late restart but to no avail and Kelley took the win. Alexander, Sr. finished 2nd. Bobby Alexander, Jr. came home 3rd. JR Prather, Jr. finished 4th and Travis Varnadore overcame a trip to pits on an early caution to finish 5th. David Pollen, Kelley and Ryan Mitchell won the heat races.
The Limited Late Models capped off an awesome night of racing on the Clay by the Bay. Tim Gay, Forrest Gough and JR Prather, Jr. battled for the lead for the early part of the race. Once point leader Tim Gay took the lead with around 10 laps to go he never looked back. Gay crossed the line before everyone else and went to victory lane for the 2nd time this season. Gough led the early laps and ended up with a 2nd place finish. Prather, Jr. was 3rd. William Pugh and Jeremy Simpson rounded out the top 5. Jason Pope and Forrest Gough won the heat races.
ASA sanctioned racing resumes at Eastbay Raceway Park Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 6:30pm. The United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series returns with the 50 Lap, $3000 to win feature race. Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Limited Sprints, Outlaw 4’s and the Convire 4 Cylinder bombers will all be in action. It will also be Driver’s Tug of War night! For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
