IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 1, 2009 Shelton Wins Larry Robinson Memorial at Charlotte County By Dave Sully Bobby Shelton, from Delray Beach, went wire to wire to win the first annual Larry Robinson Memorial Super Late Model Race at Charlotte County Motorsports Park on Saturday, February 28th. The one hundred lap race, honoring Robinson, the popular Goodyear Tire representative, who succumbed to cancer last year, drew thirteen drivers to the fast three eighths mile oval. The lower than expected car count was partly due to the scheduling of a race at the nearby Desoto Speedway in Bradenton on the same night, despite Charlotte County’s earlier posted schedule. In any event, the fans saw an interesting race that ended in controversy in Victory Lane. Though Shelton led every lap after starting on the pole, the race was not without its moments, sparked mostly by an intense struggle for the runner-up spot between Shelton’s teammate Gary Padula and Joe Winchell, which boiled over at the end of the event. Charlotte County Race Results are Sponsored by Don's Electric of Port Charlotte As Shelton moved away at the start of the event, Winchell, who started eighth, and fast timer Joe Boyd moved forward , aided by several cautions that kept things close. A lap sixty caution set up one of the pivotal points in the race. The restart showed Shelton, Padula, and Winchell the top three. On lap sixty-two, Winchell, who had been hounding Padula, tried to wedge his way under him in turn three. There was contact that sent Padula around, resulting in Winchell being banished to the rear and Padula being allowed to retain his runner-up spot. Winchell made a determined charge through the field, and once again aided by some timely cautions, was lined up behind Padula again for a restart on lap eighty-two, setting up the second pivotal point in the race. Winchell got a good jump on the restart, some might say too good, and drew alongside Padula on the outside, as the race went green. The two went side by side for almost two laps, with some contact before Padula eventually drew clear and was able to keep Winchell at bay the rest of the way as Shelton was all alone in front. At the line it was Shelton by half a straightaway, followed by Padula and Winchell close together. Boyd and Travis Hanson completed the top five. When the top three emerged from their cars for post race interviews there was a heated exchange between Padula and Winchell over Winchell’s interpretation of Padula’s driving style. During the exchange, a Winchell crewman appeared to push Padula before the two were separated. A noticeably upset Padula, referring to the race, declared, “We’re doing the best we can. It’s a big insult to have that jerk behind me putting in stuff like that. I ran him clean. I gave him room. If he wants to run that way, we can run that way. I don’t care. His team doesn’t scare me. He doesn’t scare me.” The popular Winchell, avoiding reference to the on-track incidents, commented, “We had a great race tonight. I want to congratulate, Bobby Shelton. They worked really hard. They deserve that win. This race was for Larry Robinson. We were a little off tonight, but when we come back, we’re going to be ready, and we’re going to be loaded.” The winner, Shelton, almost lost in the shuffle, paid homage to his teammate Padula, who prepared his car, saying, “Thanks to Bobby Padula for getting this car ready. He worked on it night and day. I knew we had a good car from practice last night. We messed up a little in qualifying, but it worked out. We got the pole on the draw.” In other action, Clete Trimmer claimed the road warriors feature, John Pummell won in the fab fours, David Amelotte held off Derrick Horton to take the pro four event, Tom Pryor was victorious in the thunder trucks, Phil Harp eked out a win over Cody Allen in the champ karts, and Derrick Horton won the concluding figure eight race. 02/28/2008 results Champ Karts 1. 77 Phil Harp 2. 98 Cody Allen 3. 21 Jason Gallini 4. 99 JD Cordon 5. 04 Kelli Burns 6. 34 Mike Burns 7. 36 Johnny Allen Thunder Trucks 1. 69 Tom Pryor 2. 2 Lance Sober 3. 63 Andy Pryor 4. 34 David Morr 5. DQ - 3 Robert St. John 6. DNS - 77 James Dellea Pro 4 1. 85 David Amelotte 2. 27 Derrick Horton 3. 8L Mike LeMaster 4. 8 Kirk Risner 5. 4 Rose Macho 6. 14 Cody Benoit 7. 69 Andy Prior Late Models 1. 8 Robby Shelton - Delray Beach 2. 36 Gary Padula 3. 57 Joe Winchell - Dade City 4. 5 Joe Boyd - Riverview 5. 141 Travis Hanson - Cooper City 6. 4 Ross Chastain - Alva 7. 33 Casey Caudill - Port Orange 8. 16 Ray Derry - Davie 9. 14 Martin Maresca - Ft. Lauderdale 10. 77 Ed Leeke 11. 19 Dale Dean - Lehigh Acres 12. 177 Ray Hester - Lakeland 13. DNS - 8L Sean LeMaster - Naples Road Warriors 1. 0 Clete Trimmer - Buckingham 2. 33 Chris Loney - Naples 3. 29 Don Jericka - Port Charlotte 4. 97 Chris Scott - Venice 5. 31 Brandon Kolz 6. 07 Scott Anderson - Wesley Chapel 7. 2 Jeff Pacheco - North Port 8. 94 Byran Boxell- DNS Fab 4 1. 86 John Pummell 2. 14 Kevin Underwood 3. 21 Jason Perkins 4. 8L Randy LeMaster 5. 69 Cody Allen 6. 44 Barbara Hooper 7. 18 John Rizzo 8. 77 Thomas Willis 9. 7 Kyle Rice 10. 353 Brent Null 11. 5 Dan Ohleyer 12. 21x Jeremy Perkins Figure 8 1. 27 Derrick Horton - North Fort Myers 2. 5 Daniel Ohleyer 3. 89 Carl McPeak - Brandon 4. 07 Scott Anderson - Wesley Chapel 5. 18 John Rizzo Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!