IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

October 13, 2008 Rocketman Wayne Jefferson wins 75-Lap Feature at Desoto Super Speedway By: Tom Blakeley (Bradenton, Florida October 11, 2008) The evening of racing started off with two 8-lap heat races for the Fast Mini Cup Class Cars. The first heat was won by Aaron Irish in the #06 car. Brittini Huntinton took second in the #57 car and placing third was Jordan Martin in the #55 car. The second heat race was won by Flint Anderson in the #44 car. Cindarae Irish was second in the #05 car and third belonged to Jerry Parker in the #6 car. These Fast Mini Cup NASCAR look-a-likes are a fan favorite, and they ripped around the track at speeds in excess of 75 MPH. The drivers range in age from 8 to over 60 years old and they all have a great time. The Street Stock Class was next onto the big bad asphalt track. Greg Krom in the white #35 car jumped all over the green flag and never looked back as he took the checkered flag for the 20 lap event. Coming in second was James Nanney in the blue #6 car. James Brenner took the third spot in the hot #57 car. The race was a quick one as the field of cars was small. Next up was the Pure Stock Class. This is always one of the most exciting classes to watch week in and week out, as all the cars and drivers are so closely matched. Points leader Randy Johnson lead for most of the 25 laps and won. He drove the #73 Silver Bullet to Victory Circle. On Randy’s bumper for the entire race was Troy Thiem in his #18 car. Mark Picklesimer drove hard and took the third spot. The drivers did a great job of hard racing and keeping it clean. The Fast Mini Cup feature race was next on the race card. The drivers flew around the track and when it was all over Flint Anderson in the #44 car won the 25-lap feature event. Cindarae Irish took second in the #05 car while Aaron Irish came in third in the #06 car. It was an exciting race that included a couple yellow flags for spinouts. After a short 10 minute intermission, it was time for the Open Wheel Modified Class. This race is considered to be the first leg of a possible Triple Crown for the Open Wheel Modified class at Desoto Super Speedway. The drivers pulled their cars onto the front stretch and got out of their cars for the driver introductions. The fans got to see the drivers without their helmets and close-up. There were lots of different payouts for this race in addition the normal payouts. At the “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” command they fired these hot and fast cars up and the field of 15 cars were ready to tear it up. After several yellow flags the number #81 car of Tate Pierce was sent to the rear for being part of two cars going into the wall. The # 57 car of Timmy Moore and the #12 car of Eric Rudd went hard into the wall after getting tangled with the #81. Tate Pierce drove his #81 car over to flagman Bud Howell in the flag stand and tried pleading his case, but to no avail. The officials convened and agreed with the ruling on Pierce. Pierce then stormed off the track and into the pits a high rate of speed saying he was never coming back to Desoto Super Speedway and did not finish the race. Timmy Moore in the #57 car was sent to the rear in the early part of the race and had fought his way back to fourth place when he went into the wall. After all the drama and a lot of hard racing it was the Rocketman Wayne Jefferson taking the checkered flag with a very impressive win. It was a race to the finish though and Sean McLaughlin in the #99 car was a close second and Pat Nanney in the #60 car took third. There were 12 different prizes and payouts in addition to the normal payouts. Look at all these other winners in this race: Hard Charger ($100) Sammy Coghill Jr. Halfway Leader ($100) Wayne Jefferson Fast Time ($100) Wayne Jefferson Tough Luck ($100) Ralph Bowman The last five cars to finish each got a $50 bonus, they were: Scott Kleiber #2K car Dewayne Dempsey #6 car John Shields #37 car Dennis Cantara #66 car Ralph Bowman #2 car The winner of the set of 4 Hoosier Racing Tires was: Eric Rudd #12 car The winner of the 5 gallons of Sunoco Racing Duel was: Pat Nanney #60 car The winner of the Open Wheel Modified Entry fee for the next races was: Sean McLaughlin #99 car The Race of Champions for these Open Wheel Modified’s will be a 125-lap event with incredible payouts of $3,000 to win and $200 to start. The Sportsman Class was now on the track and ready to run their 20-lap feature. The winner of this race was Roger Welch in the #98 car, with Chad Cushing taking second in the #36 car. Third place belonged to Kevin Healy in the #47 car. It was now time for the Rockem-Sockem Bombers to show their love for each other. Steve Elder blew his engine in practice and made a complete motor swap in the pits and was back out there to start the race. Talk about dedication and hard work. Jody Collins was a late arrival for the race but he won it in the #32-C car. Points leader Michael Crooks came in a very close second and third place belonged to The Hammer, Steve Elder in the Black and Blue #42 that just had the motor replaced in the pits. The racing action continues next Saturday October 18th at Desoto Super Speedway. The gates open at 5:30 P.M. with the racing starting at 7:00P.M. Desoto Super Speedway is located just 9 miles east of I-75 exit #220 (SR#64). For more information please call 941-748-3171. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!