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SRC="http://www.karnacmedia.com/images2008/MarkGimmlerCFSS081608.jpg"> The Checked Flag Sprint Series (CFSS) made its first appearance of the year at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness on Saturday August 16, with a 35 lap feature race. This was the first race outside of Charlotte County Motorsports Park for the series and 16 cars made the trip to be in the race.
There were two heat races. The 15 car driven by Jason Gillespie was smoking during the hot laps for the first heat and had to pull off before the start of the heat race with an oil leak. Darrin Miller in his 21 car started heat one, the Landrum Spring Heat, in the pole position with the79DD of Dakotah Stephens on the outside.
The 21 took the lead from the green flag and after fighting for position with the 79DD for two laps two cars came together going into turn 1 on the 3rd lap, leaving both cars with a broken front axle. Once both cars had been cleared from the track, the 29 car of Gary
Gimmler who had been running in 3rd position had the lead and was able to hold off the rest of the field for the remaining 6 laps and take the heat win.
The second heat, the Brown Miller Racing Solutions Heat, saw Ryan Partin in the 14 car on the pole alongside Bryan Riddle in the 11X. It was the 11X who got a better start and took the race lead, leading for 3 laps before being passed by Mark Gimmler in the 51. The 11X pulled into the infield on lap 6 and Mark held onto the lead to take the heat win, giving both Gimmler brothers a heat win each!
All 16 cars were able to make it out for the start of the 35 lap Gulf American Construction and Development feature race. Due to the points inversion system of lining up the cars, Ryan Partin in the 14 car was again on the pole, this time with the 22 of Scott Adema alongside on the front row. The 22 took the lead going into turn one but was only able to hold onto the lead for one lap when he was passed by 4th place starter Mark Gimmler. Mark started to make a lead for himself while a battle formed behind him with the 22 of Scott Adema and the 19 of Keith Butler.
The 2 car driven by Geoff Styner pulled off early on lap 6 followed on the next lap by Jason Gillespie in the 15 car. The first caution of the race was called on lap 8 for debris on the track on the front straightaway. Then on lap 11, David Slawiak in the 79 car spun on the back straightway trying to avoid another car bringing out another caution, He was pushed back off and as the cars restarted the race, one of cars in the middle of pack swerved to avoid the cone and as a result made contact with Wendy Mathis in the 80 car, sending her hard into and very nearly over the wall going into turn 1.
The race was red flagged, but Wendy was able to walk out of the car unharmed. The 80 and the 75 of Curtis Sutton retired from the race due to damage from the accident but the 21 car driven by Darrin Miller who was also caught up in the accident was able to restart the race. All of the cars were pushed back off and lined up and the race got back underway with Mark Gimmler in the 51 still in the lead. Mark was able to pull out a good lead, and the other retirement from the race was the 00X car driven by Bobby Gordon that pulled off on lap 13.
Mark Gimmler took the race win, claiming both his second win of the season with CFSS and the Barfield’s Clean Sweep Award for winning both his heat race and the feature event. Scott Adema in he 22 car finished in second place, followed by Brian Gingras in the 99, Keith Butler in the 19 and Dakotah Stephens in the 79DD rounded out the top 5. The Real Racin Harrd Charger Award went to Dakotah Stephens in the 79 DD car who started the race in 12th position and finished in 5th place.
Just a reminder that Keith Butler and the sponsors of his car, the 19 car that has been named “The Patriot”, have started an initiative called “Race for Freedom” to c$ollect supplies and donations for the troops overseas. Fans coming to the track can donate money or bring supplies (razors, deodorant, shampoo, baby wipes, etc) and drop them off at the track entrance. Any cash donations will be used to buy additional supplies and pay for the mailing costs.
So far the Butlers have sent over 250 pounds of supplies to troops overseas thanks in a large part to the generosity of the CCMP racers and fans. The donation boxes will be available at the next CFSS race for anyone that would like to contribute. If you can’t make it to a race but still want to contribute or would like more information, you can contact Keith or Jennifer at kjmotorsports@aol.com.
CFSS will be back at Charlotte County Motorsports Park on September 20th. Thanks to the fans and the racers for their continued support.
Gulf American Construction and Development Feature 1) 51 Mark Gimmler; 2) 22 Scott Adema; 3) 99 Brian Gingras; 4) 19 Keith Butler; 5) 79DD Dakotah Stephens; 6) 29 Gary Gimmler; 7) 79 David Slawiak; 8) 14 Ryan Partin; 9) 11X Bryan Riddle; 10) 21 Darrin Miller; 11) 21A Amanda Ferguson; 12) 00X Bobby Gordon; 13) 80 Wendy Mathis; 14) 75 Curtis Sutton; 15) 2 Geoff Styner; 16) 15 Jason Gillespie
Gimmler who had been running in 3rd position had the lead and was able to hold off the rest of the field for the remaining 6 laps and take the heat win. 
Mark Gimmler took the race win, claiming both his second win of the season with CFSS and the Barfield’s Clean Sweep Award for winning both his heat race and the feature event. Scott Adema in he 22 car finished in second place, followed by Brian Gingras in the 99, Keith Butler in the 19 and Dakotah Stephens in the 79DD rounded out the top 5. The Real Racin Harrd Charger Award went to Dakotah Stephens in the 79 DD car who started the race in 12th position and finished in 5th place. 
