"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
SAMSULA, Fla. - Once again former TBARA sprint car champion David Steele put his many years of experience to good use to outrun current point leader Troy DeCaire to the checkers in the 30 lap feature event Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
Front row starter Bobby Rose jumped to the lead at the drop of the green flag to pace the 15 car field for the first 14 circuits of the very fast half mile oval until a yellow flew for the slowed car of D.J. Hoelzle in turn one.
Steele, who had started 10th in the field, had worked his way to second and on the restart quickly dispatched Rose who was driving one of his best races in years. Rose kept his No. 56 entry in second spot just scant feet ahead of DeCaire with the balance of the field in tow.
A red flag was thrown on lap 20 as DeCair's mount lost a radiator hose and watered down third turn with the cars of Sonny Hartley and David Retzlaff spinning on the slick surface. DeCair's crew was able to get his mount repaired during the clean up and Hartley was also able to rejoin the field but Retzlaff was finished for the evening. Steele paced the field on the restart over Rose, Larry Brazil and Tommy Nichols as they ran the last 10 laps in quick fashion with DeCaire slicing his way from the rear to earn a runner up finish in the closing laps.
Chasing Steel and DeCaire to the flag were Brazil, Rose and Shane Butler. Heat race victories fell to DeCaire and Hoelzle.
First heat (8 laps) - 1. Troy DeCaire, 2. David Steele, 3. Bobby Rose, 4. Sonny Hartley, 5. David Retzlaff, 6. Larry Brazil, 7. Steve Heisler, 8. Ben Fritz.
Second heat (8 laps) - 1. D.J. Hoelzle, 2. Blaze Martin, 3. Shane Butler, 4. Mark Gimmler, 5. Tommy Nichols, 6. Mickey Kempgens, 7. Dakotah Stephens.
