by Ken Willis
Last Saturday night at DeSoto Speedway three divisions boasted first-time winners and the track suffered the first known fog-out of the last two races. With the Callaghan Tire Open Wheel Modified 50-lap event just getting under way a heavy fog rolled in, giving the 90 mph race cars the appearance of ghost ships blazing out of the dense mist. After a barely seen mishap on the backstretch officials decided to call off the race and the TQ Midget event. "It was just too dangerous," said head flagman Burt Thomas. "We could barely see the cars in the corners."

Fans still got an exciting eyeful with the six completed events. In the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Stock Minis feature high school band member Todd Freed of Bradenton went from marching on the grid-iron to blazing down the straightaway into the winner's circle. It was the first win for the young stock car driver. "The car handled pretty well," Freed said. "It started off a little loose and the further I ran with my tires getting hotter it started pushing. Then I saw Clay (Joseph) and everyone coming up behind me. I just took the inside line and held on." Clay Joseph of Bradenton gave Freed a run for it but came in second with Arlin Pope of Bradenton taking third place.

Bondia Martin of Bradenton also claimed her first feature win in the Manatee Lumber Modified Minis event. "I hated to see that yellow on the 18th lap," Martin said. "The car doesn't handle well for the first couple of laps after a restart, but it did well tonight. It's my husband Michael's car and he does everything on it. I just drive. I'm really excited. I've ran here in stock but this is my first win in this class." Greg Luecke of St Petersburg took second place and Chip Gaines of Sarasota placed third.

Mark Gill of Bradenton passed a loose Greg Banach of Bradenton in turn four and held on to win the Contemporary Cabinetry & Closet Concepts Pure Stock feature event. Gill gave credit for the win to a new set of shoes. "I think it's the tires that made the difference," Gill said. "It's gotta be, I've been running all year and never looked that good. I put the new tires on last week. Or it could be the chrome rims that made it faster." Banach held on for second place and Gary Flinn of Palmetto took third place.

Scott Faulkner of Sarasota raced to the winners circle in the Express Personnel Service Street Stock feature event. "We just wanted to prove it's a winner one more time," Faulkner said. "This car has been great for us, we've had over a dozen wins in the last two year, but it's going up for sale. We're looking at going to Open Wheel Modifieds next year. We need some help so if there's any potentials sponsors out there. I'd like to thank all the fans, without them there's no sense racing." Wallace Ramsey of Bradenton placed second in the event and Ben Kelly of North Port took third place.

Johnny Cassidy took his first win of the season in the Selective HR Solutions Sportsman feature event. "This car is really working good," Cassidy said. "We worked for four or five weeks to get it right. Clyde (Cole) was giving me all I could ask for, so I guess we got it right." Clyde Cole of Sarasota placed second. Lonny Miller of Bradenton took third place.

In the DeSoto Speedway Pro Truck Paul Grenewicz of Hudson qualified seventh, started fifth and jumped to early lead. He stayed ahead of the field of 25 to claim his first win of the season in the 25 lap event. "We been doing good and there were a lot of trucks out there tonight," Grenewicz said. "I was worried about the lapped trucks but I was able to sneak by them. I've won at a couple of other places but this is my first win here. We were strong tonight."

Next week is the last Saturday night races of the season and features strong racing also. DeSoto Speedway is hosting a 125 lap Enduro race and 50 laps of Limited Late Models racing. All regular division are racing except the Street Stock.

by: Ken Willis



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