(KNS Aug 19, 2000) Last night at the high banked, 3/8-mile oval of Orlando SpeedWorld, fans were delighted to see some of Florida's finest Super Late Model drivers. Although the race did provide those hang-on, fingernail gripping, tongue biting moments, NO ONE was hurt. A few tempers did fly but no helmet throwing or car banging was done.

For all the fans that could not make it to Orlando, the list of drivers and where they started was as follows: Shane Sawyer (pole), Ricky Carlton (outside pole), Lee Collins, Dick Anderson, Michael Williams, BJ McLeod, Mike Franklin, Jr., Brian Finney, Justin Drawdy, David Rogers, Jimmy Cope, James Powell, Jonathan Brown, Mike Fritts, Billy Mowery, Travis Kittleson, Bill Pratt, Jeff Sloan, John Lovelady, Mac Johnson, Barry Willoughby, Joe Fitos, Eric Black, Jeff Emery, Randy Fox, Morgan Hoover, Tom Root, Robert Yoho, Dave Swendeman, and Perry Lovelady.

After 125 laps of some pretty hard racing, l7 out of the 30 original cars finished with Dick Anderson in his #00 JET Super Late Model leading all the lap and winning his first race in five years at Orlando SpeedWorld. Anderson showed the fans and fellow drivers why he is "King of the Short Track" and has earned so much respect for his driving ability over the years. It is nice to have him back with us again.


Jimmy Cope went into race number 6 leading the points and will remain in the lead for race number 7. David Rogers is running second in points. Cope finished third last night with Rogers fifth. But with Anderson's win last night and Lakeland last month, Cope and Rogers better watch out. The "King" may just be "King" yet.



When it was all over and the smoke and dust had calmed down, I think fans were not disappointed and quite happy with the outcome. But back in the pits, there was some rearranging being done for a few of the night's casualities with haulers and open trailers. But, that is what you get sometimes when you go short-tracking. But no one was hurt, only cars, and that was a blessing.

Hopefully race no. seven will hold as much excitement as this race did; however, Lee Collins, you gave too much excitement. We'd rather you stay on the racing surface, not the wall but then again, I am sure that is what you prefer also. But, the fans and drivers were all glad that you were not hurt, just SORRY about your car.

Tonight, Dick Anderson will be at Hialeah in the #92 and I am sure fans there will be just as excited as ours were last night as he drove the #00 to Victory Circle. Great race guys, YOU ARE THE BEST.

--Jane Smith

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