"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, Fl (November 16, 2008) Saturday at New Smyrna Speedway started out somewhat warm and nice but by the end of the night, the blankets, hats, jackets and hot chocolate was coming out in full force as the cold front slowly made it's way into the track. Those who came in shorts and short sleeve shirts were looking for jackets and long pants.
Nineteen Super Late Models came for the Marion Edwards Memorial/Bright House/Noritz/Tempaco/Orlando Dodge Super Late Model 75 with six previous winners of the race in the pits. Speedy Reeves, Billy Barnwell, Jim McCoy, Joe Winchell, Dick Anderson and Wayne Anderson along with most all of the Edwards family and a lot of Hialeah drivers. Jim McCoy, who had built a Super Late Model just for the race, was disappointed as his driver Joe Winchell was when their car was not able to run but they stayed and enjoyed the night's events and will come back next weekend for the Governor's Cup.
After fans enjoyed an on-track autograph session and meeting the six previous winners and the family, it was time to go racing. Daniel Webster had the pole for the 75 lap event but it was David Rogers who quickly jumped to the lead over Daniel Webster, Matt Bowers in the 92, Jeremy Colangelo and David Pletcher. Wayne Anderson passes Pletcher for fifth as Tim Russell puts the heat on Anderson but Anderson holds.
The first caution of the night comes out for Daniel Webster who spun in the bottom of turn 4. At this time Justin Larson goes to pit road along with Webster. Webster rejoins the field in the rear for the restart along with Larson.
On the restart Anderson puts the heat on everyone and quickly takes over the lead followed by Matt Bowers, David Rogers, Dustin Skinner and Tim Russell. Webster must once again takes his car to pit road as Anderson continues to lead the way over Bowers, Skinner, Russell and Pletcher.
Suddenly David Rogers slows and begins slipping backwards to tenth. Anderson continues to lead the way over Bowers, Skinner, Russell, Pletcher, Anthony Campi, Jeremy Colangelo and Brian Finney. Russell begins to put the heat on Skinner but Skinner will have nothing to do with it and holds his position. Running order is Anderson, Bowers, Skinner, Russell, Pletcher, Campi, Colangelo, Finney, Rogers and Corey Freed. Russell once again tries Skinner this time going on the outside and finally takes the position as he settles into third and Skinner fourth. Campi tries to put pressure on Dave Pletcher but Pletcher has nothing to do with the challenge and holds on to fifth. Freed passes Finney for eighth as Finney goes to ninth.
Lap 41 sees the caution come out for Skinner as Larson and Rogers take a trip to pit road for some crew attention. Both cars go back out but Rogers must do a few more ins and outs before he is happier with his car. It is a short restart as Jeremy Colangelo has hit the wall and must come in with a badly damaged frontend.
On the restart it is Anderson, Bowers, Russell, Pletcher, Campi, Freed, Finney, Larson and Rogers. The caution comes out a few more times especially when Campi and Rogers get together coming down the frontstretch and end up at the bottom of pit road.
Anderson continues to lead the way and takes the checkered followed by Tim Russell, Matt Bowers, Brian Finney and Dave Pletcher. The drivers will now move on to the 43rd Annual Governor's Cup 200 at New Smyrna Speedway on November 22, 2008.
OFFICIAL RESULTS NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY NOVEMBER 15, 2008 MARION EDWARDS MEMORIAL/BRIGHT HOUSE/NORITZ/TEMPACO/ORLANDO DODGE SLM 75
Pos Driver Car # 1 Wayne Anderson 84 2 Tim Russell 36 3 Matt Bowers 92 4 Brian Finney 80 5 Dave Pletcher 75 6 Anthony Campi 81 7 Vince Keeler 7 8 Mario Maresca 14X 9 Justin Larson 88 10 David Rogers 11 11 David Le Beau 05X 12 Rusty Ebersole 23 13 Earl Beckner 36X 14 Jeremy Colangelo 05 15 Dustin Skinner 5 16 James Crowe, Jr. 89 17 Mike Finn 06 18 Daniel Webster 33 19 Corey Freed 12
