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| Citrus Closes 2004 with 2 Day Winter Spectacular | by Larry MacMillan
(Inverness, Fl. 12/2/04) Thursday evening opens three days of action at Citrus County Speedway with an open practice from 5 until 8 p.m. kicking off the Citrus County Speedway Winter Spectacular. Practice will be in preparation for two nights of racing action that will close out the 49th racing season at the 3/8th mile venue that now boasts three groove racing.
Friday night will open up with a Bar B Q which will be a preview to qualifying time trials for Mini Stocks and Super Stocks. The pit gates only will open at 4 p.m. and racing should start at about 7:30 p.m. Fans and participants should use the pit gate only because the grandstand gates will not open Friday night. The speedway and Mackie’s Concessions will provide the meat and drinks for the Bar B Q so come early, bring an appetite and a covered dish for side dishes and deserts.
Mini Stocks will be going after a $1,000 win purse in their 75 lap main event in a race that will see these super quick racers turning laps in the 14 second bracket. Qualifying racers who take the green flag in the feature will pick up a minimum of $100. Fifty Four racers participated on 2004 and they have been known to find a fourth groove in Florida’s fastest 3/8ths mile bull ring. Many of the locals will be facing the Mini Stock Challenge hot shoes from all over the state which also include some of the local racers. Jim Curry was this year’s Mini Stock Champion and Rookie of the Year who will also face a lot of these experienced drivers like former Challenge Champion Robbie Yoakam who claims Citrus as his home race track.
Super Stocks will also be qualifying for their 50 lap main. Fifty nine local drivers earned points in the 2004 championship race for the crown that saw young Joe Viverito win without ever seeing Victory Lane this season. Lots of local competition, as well as, visitors are expected to compete in the race for the $750 win purse.
Topping off the Friday night action will be the hurricane postponed Demolition Derby that hopefully will bring in a field of 20 to 25 competitors. Those cars that are not pre registered should be sure to register upon arrival at the speedway.
The Winter Spectacular continues on Saturday with the Super Late Models qualifying in time trials for their 150 lap season finale. Forty four Super Late Models chased two time champion Herb Neumann Jr. for the local championship run and another 20 Super Lates raced in special Florida Pro and Sunbelt Series races throughout the season. A full field of Florida’s best will be going after the $3,000 win purse in what could be the most competitive race of the season at the super fast venue. The Super Late Models are working their way towards breaking into the 12 second bracket which would break Scott Grossenbacher’s track record.
The 2004 Winter Spectacular will be topped off with the Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Thunder Stocks rounding out a full night of racing action for the two day event. The weather may be a little cool but the racing will be hot to close out Citrus County Speedway’s 49th racing season.
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