IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

June 2, 2008 Kelley Clips Peacock In East Bay Late Models By Scott McAllister Gibsonton, FL 5/31/2008 - Eastbay Raceway Park was packed with fans and racecars this past Saturday night. Featuring 5 divisions including both Late Models and Open-Wheel Modifieds, 108 teams were on hand for what is quickly being referred to across the country as the Best Weekly Show on Dirt. The feature racing kicked off with the Motorstats.com Street Stocks. Points leader Buck Skinner wound it up with 3 to go as he tried to run down Tampa native Danny Hill. Hill, already with 2 wins himself this season, had lead from the start and fended off challenges from Danny Paris, Jr., Donnie Reed and Mathew Grissom, all finishing 3rd 4th and 5th. Skinner closed in as the pair drove deep into turn 3, and came off turn 4 side-by-side, bringing the fans to their feet. Hill was able to hang on by merely inches for the win. Skinner finished 2nd, but managed to hang on to the points lead by a tiny margin. The action continued to pick up when the Gagel’s Auto Parts Open-Wheel Modifieds rolled out for their 15 lap feature. With drivers like Buzzie Reutimann, Jeff Mathews, Dale Kelley, Bobby Dixon and Scotty Williams on hand, everyone was looking forward to what was bound to be a race to remember. Valrico, FL driver Jamie Burrows used his experience and driving skills to work his way to the lead, and appeared to be well on his way to adding another victory to his long list of victories at Eastbay, but #27 John Bradley closed in on the final lap and they would also find themselves in a side-by-side battle through turns 3 & 4. A sweet crossover move and a drag race to the stripe allowed John Bradley to pick up his 1st win of the 2008 season. While only his 1st win of the year, Bradley is 2nd in points behind Scotty Williams who wound up 9th. Burrows took home a bittersweet 2nd place finish, while Greg Leonard, Kyle Bronson and Jerry Rogers all turned in excellent performances finishing 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. The Convire 4-Cylinder Bombers allowed the crowd to take a breath as Colonel Miller was able to hang on for the win over the Odessa Flash, George Christensen. The 14 year old driver from Tampa, Kyle Kruse finished 3rd, DW Lester 4th and Frank Miller in the #138 finished 5th. The Late Models were also stacked with top talent across the board including drivers such as Roger Crouse, David Schmauss, Jeff Mathews, Bobby Alexander, Sr. and JR Prather, Jr. The 25 lap A-Main was a wide-open show not for the faint of heart. There was two and three action all over the track, from front to back and momentarily 4 wide encounters through the turns. There was no doubt that the #21 driver Josh Peacock had the car to beat after winning his heat race handily, and had lead this feature race on 24 of 25 laps in the race. But the star of the show would be the #00 driver K.D. Kelley out of Dover, Fl. After an early race accident caused Kelly to tag the rear of the field, he would begin a performance that Eastbay fans won’t soon forget. He turned the top groove into his own launching pad, passing two and three cars a lap until he found himself on the final lap just behind Peacock. Neither driver lifted as they powered through turns 3 & 4, and as they came to the stripe, the two were so close, neither drivers or fans could tell who the winner was. Race control was able to determine that K.D. Kelley was the winner by the smallest of margins. While finishing 2nd to Kelley, Peacock had to be encouraged with the performance of his car and team. Steve Miller, David Schmauss and Jeff Mathews completed the top 5. As the final division of the night took to the track, the crowd thought this could be their opportunity to take their seat and catch their breath, but the Outlaw-4 drivers were determined to provide what can only be described as “unbelievable” racing action. This time, the Valrico, FL driver in the 55B car, Shane Burrows and current points leader Jim Courson would provide the heart-pounding action that once again, would bring fans to their feet. Burrows maneuvered his way through the field to take the lead and opened up a considerable lead over the field, but with 5 laps remaining, Courson began his run that brought him to Burrows bumper with only two to go. It appeared that Courson would carry his momentum past the 55B machine, but Borrows would hang on at the end to win his 2nd race of the season. Courson hung on for a 2nd place finish and the overall points lead while Jerry Bruce, Matt Haynes and Chad Rose completed the top 5. ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, June 7th, 2008 at 6:30pm. The race schedule will include the Convire 4-Cylinder Bombers, Motorstats.com Street Stocks, Limited Late Models and Twin 20-Lap Feature Events for the Late Models. For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!