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Reutimann Wins Again in Gagel's Open Wheel Modifieds
By Jason Loughren
It was another perfect Tampa Bay night for racing as around 100 cars signed in to race at East Bay Raceway Park. Great side by side racing within the six classes was the rule for the night as the cars roared around the Clay By the Bay.
The Limited Late Models hit the track first. Tommy Price started on the pole and led in the early laps battling with Doug Watson. Tim Gay had the car to beat starting in the 12th spot, he quickly made his way to the front of the field and eventually the lead. Gay the points leader coming into the night took the win, his 4th of the season. William Pugh finished 2nd. Ricky Land finished 3rd. Prince and JR Prather, Jr. rounded out the top-5. Forrest Gough and Gay won the heat races.
In the Outlaw 4’s series points leader Jim Coursen has had the car to beat all season long. Not even a 10th place starting spot could keep Coursen from making his way to the front of the field. Chad Rose led the early laps all while Coursen was gaining positions on each lap. Coursen made it to the front of the field as the laps wound down eventually seeing the checkered flag and the victory. It was Coursen’s 5th win of the season. Shane Burrows, 2nd in the points finished 2nd. Jerry Bruce finished 3rd. Rose came home 4th and Matt Haynes rounded out the top-5. Haynes and Coursen took the checkered flag in the heat races.
The story of the season in the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds has been Buzzie Reutimann with 2 trips to victory lane already under his belt. Reutimann was back at the Clay by the Bay looking for another win. Reutimann and Dale Kelley started on the front row and battled side by side for the early laps each taking turns leading. Jeff Mathews made his way to the front of the field and challenged Reutimann for the lead. Reutimann was able to hold off all competitors and take the win. The win was his 3rd trip to victory lane on the season. Mathews finished 2nd. Austin Sanders started 8th and finished 3rd. Bruce Harvey was 4th. Kelley finished 5th. Bruce Harvey and Mathews won the heat races.
In the Late Models Ted Erskine started on the front row and led all of the laps early during a long green flag run battling with Travis Varnadore. Erskine was able to pull away from Varnadore and open up a large lead before the first caution. Meanwhile Jeff Mathews was making his way through the field from his 12th place starting position. On a late restart Mathews took the lead away from Erskine and pulled away to the victory, his 1st of the season in a Late Model. After a strong run Erskine finished 2nd. JR Prather, Jr. was 3rd. Roger Crouse finished 4th and Bobby Alexander rounded out the top-5. David Schmauss and Alexander, Sr. won the heat races.
In the Motorstats.com Street Stocks Buck Sinner, started in the 10th spot and took the win, his 2nd of the season. Danny Paris Jr. finished in the 2nd position. Matthew Collins earned his first top-5 finish of the season coming home 3rd. Jeff Stewart started 19th and battled his way to a 4th place finish. Buck Woodhouse rounded out the top-5.
The MicroSprints of Florida made their first trip to East Bay Raceway Park and ran a 12- lap feature event. Scott Green took the win. Dave Van Raatle finished 2nd. Chick LaRose was 3rd. Jimmie Kennedy finished 4th and Tink rounded out the top-5.
ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, May 24th, 2008 at 6:30pm. Late Models, Limited Sprints, Motorstats.com Street Stocks, Outlaw 4’s and the Convire 4 Cylinder bombers will all be in action. Part of the Memorial Day Weekend tradition will be a special Salute to Veterans. Also the 2nd Driver’s Tug of War will take place. For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
