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3/13/99
Southern Pro Trucks
Punta Gorda, Fla. - The Myakka Brokers Southern Pro Truck Series visited
the fast 3/8ths mile oval of Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda, Fla.
for the second race of the 1999 season. When the dust settled at the
completion of the 75 lap race it was Butch Yoakam who once again stood in
Victory Lane after working his way to the front of the field and leading
the last half of the X1R Lubricants Challenge. The win was the second of
the season for the Newport-Richie, Fla. driver and his Pasco
Aluminum/Goodwin Construction/Meadowwood Homes Ford F-150. Eddie Hartin in
the Bear Motorsports Chevrolet tried everything he knew to try and pass the
veteran Yaokam, but was forced to settle for second. Finishing a close
third was Bobby Gamache in the Bobby’s Aviation/Country Skillet/Tropica
Tire Chevrolet.
“This was a tough one,” Yakam stated of his win. “Eddie (Hartin) Was all
over my back bumper over the last few laps and I had to really work hard to
hold him off. It was tough getting to the front, and then even tougher to
stay there.”
Rusty Dixon, of Riverview, Fla. in the Myakka Brokers/Jimmy Cope Race
Cars/T.C. Koon Transmission Ford set the fast time in qualifying for the
second race in a row with a fast lap of 15.52 seconds, a new track record
for the Late Model trucks. Rusty then drew the number 8 pill and the top
four rows were inverted putting Bruce Gaskins on the pole for the start.
When the green flag flew, Gaskins was able to fend off outside pole sitter
Jeff Sloan and take the lead through turn one while Sloan slotted into
second with Gamache third, Hartin fourth and Yaokam fifth. Gaskins set a
blistering pace and opened a quick lead while back in the pack the action
was fast and furious. Scott Bramlett and Dixon were putting on a show for
the crowd as they raced side by side for a number of laps as Dixon began
his charge through the field.
Unfortunately for Gaskins his truck developed a fuel leak and he was forced
into the pits to make repairs. With his departure Sloan inherited the lead
on lap 18. Dixon continued his charge that would eventually see him as high
as second place before a cut tire would force him to the pits.
Yoakam had been able to pass Hartin, and Gamache and move in on leader
Sloan and began to apply the pressure. Dixon had now worked his way into
the top five and began to close on the lead duo. On lap 33 Yoakam went to
the outside groove and made it work as he passed Sloan in turn three to
take the lead. Two laps later Dixon was able to move into second before he
puntured his tire and headed to the pits for a new Hoosier. Dixon’s crew
did not get him back on the track quick enough and he went a lap down
during the pit stop.
Erstwhile leader Sloan would break a rear end to end his race, and on lap
49 Mark Manfredi and Bramlett spun to slow the pace. Dixon was still
showing his early speed as he tried desperately to get his lap back, moving
through the field seemingly at will. The most serious incident of the event
came on lap 62 when Steve Smith and Jason Williamson spun and Fred Wagner
slammed into the two trucks virtually destroying his Chevrolet. Wagner was
unhurt in the incident.
From lap 60 to the checkered flag Hartin Battled with Yoakam for the lead.
Trying outside and inside Hartin tried to make the pass, all without
success as the veteran Yakam used his years of short track experience to
fend off the challenges. The Rest of the top ten were just as active with
positions being changed every lap as first one and then the other driver
gained an edge. At the finish line Yoakam had an extremely narrow victory
over Hartin with Gamache, Hubert Simmons Jr. and Tommy Caveney rounding out
the top five.
The next event for the Southern Pro Truck Series will be March 20th at
Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, Fla. The event has been moved from
DeSoto Speedway due to the ASA Race scheduled for that venue.
OFFICIAL FINISH X1R Performance Lubricants Challenge
1. 47 Butch Yoakam
2. 5 Eddie Hartin
3. 44 Mike Gamache
4. 74 Hubert Simmons Jr.
5. 46 Tommy Caveney
6. 76 Ronnie Barnett
7. 97 Rusty Dixon
8. 31 Jeff Sloan
9. 20 Mark Manfredi
10. 10 George Receveur Jr.
11. 28 Steve Smith
12. 70 Jason Williamson
13. 22 Fred Wagner
14. 7 Randy Davis
15. 12 Scott Bramlett
16. 37 Bruce Gaskins
-John Kaiser, SPTS
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