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June 2000
| In the Still of the Night | 
When most of us are in bed or watching late night tv, there are wonderous things happening out there on I-95 and I-4 around Daytona Beach. Brightly colored trucks filled with two race cars and numerous parts are making their way to the Daytona International Speedway and 3 days of ever-thrilling, always exciting, roundie round asphalt stock car racing.
As the rigs get closer and closer to the Speedway, fans start to just appear along I-95 and I-4 and the main road in front of the Speedway hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite driver's semi. Look, there goes "Little E," or here comes my Bobby, or take that one away and forget where you parked it and here comes Mark. Fans for each and every driver, fans that stand by their drivers no matter who they bump to win.
The last daytime Pepsi 400 at Daytona was a killer. Even with "misting tents" the fans were melting, so I can't imagine how the poor drivers felt in cars that were burning up. The afternoon temperature was killing, and everyone was thrilled that day when they announced that the Speedway was putting up lights for night-time racing at Daytona and a new Pepsi 400.
But when that race finally came around in a year, Florida was on fire and the race had to be postponed until October. The Speedway became a camp for firefighters and nothing was wasted from the postponed 400. But on the second race at night, nothing went wrong but a little misting rain towards the end. Daytona lit up the sky for all her fans.
Once again, in the still of the Florida night, those bright, shiny trucks head our way. Kids will dream their dreams of being behind the wheel of one of the "Big Boys," and fans like my daughter and me will sit for hours after the race just to see those Big Rigs leave us once again.
Jane Smith
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| Greg Leonard Nabs Win Number 9 at East Bay | 
(Gibsonton, FL; 6/24/2000) Hot Shoe, Greg Leonard from Apollo Beach, fresh back from the 360 Nationals at Knoxville, easily steered his Kenny Mulligan-owned #3 sprint car to victory at East Bay. Leonard took the lead from 'Bubba the Love Sponge' in the Budweiser #98 on lap 5 and never looked back enroute to win his ninth trip to victory lane of the season. Brady Alvis (#22), Johnny Gilbertson (#8M), Casey Johnson (#31), and Michael Smith (#80) rounded out the top five.
In Late Models, Bill Howard took win number six in his #47 Howard Lawn Maintenance-sponsored mount over Jack Nosbisch, Jr. (#12), Ken Nosbisch (#41), Donnie Tanner (#88), and KD Kelley (#00).
Roger Crouse powered his Blue Ribbon Farms #15 Limited Late Model to victory over Tommy Evonosky (#19), Don Gansner (#17), Danny Bowman (#46), and John Bradley (#52).
In Street Stocks, it was Jerry Lape (#17) in victory lane for the first time this season over Jim Greenwood (#19), Terry Bronson (#23), John Boarders ()8), and Danny Paris (#09).
Scotty Williams (#27) found himself back in victory lane in Mini-Stocks over point leader Devin Dixon in the #2 car, Dorsey Strickland (#7JR)) Ken Rutledge (#36), and Rusty Williams (#30).
Tim George out of Venice steered his Got Milk?/Venice Wreker Service limited sprint to victory over Zephyrhills' Tim Holston (#51), Andy Kelley (#11), Clyde Poole (#85), and Darrin Miller in Miss Margies #30.
-Kenny Sand-
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| Adams Completes USCS Doubleheader Sweep at Thunderhill | (Thunderhill; 6/24/2000) Kenny Adams and company put the "Thrill upon the Hill," to quote an old song, and the United Sprint Car Series "Outlaw Thunder" 2000 tour inserted the Thunder in Saturday night's rained-delayed 30-lapper at Thunderhill Raceway. Adams, from Malabar, FL, picked up the win before the largest crowd in the speedway's 10-year history. As on the night before at Green Valley Speedway, Adams defeated 20 other drivers from 7 states to pick up his 7th USCS main event win in 2000. He still trails teammate Red Stauffer in the national point standings by 32 points.
The thrills all started in hot laps at the super high-banked, 1/4-mile oval when, Jim Raptis from Marietta, GA, sailed about 50 feet high off the turn 1 banking and landed on his wheels, knocking his engine from the car. Raptis, who said "I prayed all the way to the ground," declared Raptis, who was only slightly injured. Then during the second heat race , Mike McElya of Memphis, closely chasing Adams in the second heat race, apparently had a front axle break as he entered the same turn and likewise sailed high in the air before rolling at least five times. McElya, whose wreck was really nasty, crawled out after some anxious moments, uninjured.
The main event had plenty of racing action as USCS National points leader, Red Stauffer from Winter Park, FL, started 9th and chased teammate Adams home second. Defending USCS champion, Marshall Skinner, driving a borrowed car, had to start last after the motor died on his first push off and put on quite a show coming from last to third and appeared to have the fastest car at the checkered flag.
Chris Rogers, who started in the seventh row, finished 4th, followed by Jim McKenzie, Brian Thomas, Ray Bugg, Pete Walton, Neal Gatian, with Doug Day rounding out the top ten. Walton and Adams won their heat races and Gatian won his second "Power Dash" in a row. The Huggins Cams 'Hard Charger' Award was Skinner's and Charlie Alexander garnered the All Star Motorsports/Hart Racing top rookie honors.
Ray Bugg and Terry Fick recieved C&R Racing Radiators "I'm Cool" awards.
A Main Results
1. Kenny Adams
2. Red Stauffer
3. Marshall Skinner
4. Chris Rogers
5. Jim McKenzie
6. BrianThomas
7. Ray Bugg
8. Pete Walton
9. Neal Gatian
10. Doug Day
11. Randy Helton
12. Charlie Alexander
13. Terry Fick
14. Kenny Hart
15. Marion Jacobs
16. Tony Wilson
17. Michael Miller
18. Mike McElya
19. Wesley Hale
20. Jim Raptis
USCS National Point Standings
Red Stauffer is still the USCS National points leader after the first 12 "Outlaw Thunder' 2000 events.
1. Red Stauffer, 1738
2. Kenny Adams, 1706
3. Chris Rogers, 1670
4. Pete Walton, 1534
5. Randy Helton, 1508
6. Jim Raptis, 1438
7. Marshall Skinner, 1242
8. Jim McKenzie, 1116
9. Michael Miller 1006 (Rookie point leader)
Kenny Adams Collects Green at Green Valley Speedway
(Gadsden, AL; 6/23/2000) Kenny Adams out ofMalabar, FL, got back on track and ended his streak of bad luck in the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) at Green Valley Speedway on Friday night by leading every lap of the 30-lap main event before the largest crowd in recent speedway history.
Adams bested a field of 21 cars from 8 states, including fourth starting Dewayne Prince of Memphis who finished second on seven cylinders. Prince appeared to have something for the fleet Adams until, "My motor picked up a miss on lap 7 or 8, and I could still pull up on him in traffic, but I just didn't have the horsepower to get it done."
He still held off Adam's teamate, Red Stauffer from Winter Park, FL as well as Marshall Skinner, Jim Raptis, Ray Bugg, Neal Gatian, Pete Walton, Wesley Hale, and Chris Rogers who completed the top ten. Heat race winners were Adams and Stauffer with Gatian winning the Power Dash. The Huggins Cams 'Hard Charger' award went to Raptis who started 14th.
Top Rookie honors went to Michael Miller and C&R Racing radiator awards went to Neal Gatian and Miller.
A Main Results
1. Kenny Adams
2. Dewayne Prince
3. Red Stauffer
4. Marshall Skinner
5. Jim Raptis
6. Ray Bugg
7. Neal Gatian
8. Pete Walton
9. Wesley Hale
10. Chris Rogers
11. Kyle Hale
12. Doug Day
13. Michael Miller
14. Jim McKenzie
15. Dave Thorman
16. Brian Thomas
17. Terry Fick
18. Randy Scott
19. Randy Helton
20. Marion Jacobs
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| Sherwood Sheds Monkey; Wins Street Stocks at DeSoto | Wayne Morris of Mulberry drove a methodical race to claim the feature win in the Southern Comfort Pools Limited Late Models 50-lap feature event at DeSoto Speedway Saturday night.
"I was pretty patient," Morris said. "The 17 (Jason Crossley) was driving hard and doing a real good job. I just felt he was driving a little too hard. I lost brakes and Joe Boyd got around me for a while, but he went out and I got second back. Sometimes, I think I'm a little too patient but it paid off this time."
Sonny Hughes of Bradenton set fast time for the event with a 15.22 second (83 mph) lap time. Crossley pulled the pole position and led through 45 laps of the race, while more than six caution flags shuffled the field behind him.
Morris started second, Kevin Ingram was third, Jeff Wogoman fourth, and Teddy Nelson fifth. When Boyd lost his motor after working his way up from tenth place, Wogoman took over third behind Morris. Coming out of turn 4, Crossley hit a spot of water and got loose, sliding sideways to the track before correcting. Morris and Wogoman took advantage of the slip, went under the skidding Crossley and took over the top two spots.
Wogoman, from Ft. Myers, took second place while driving with a rib broken from an earlier jet ski incident. "The doctor said there's nothing to do for it but tape it and run," Wogoman said. "It was painful. And I got in trouble early in the race with lap cars, but I just rode it out. I'm learning patience."
Jason Crossley of West Palm Beach was not unhappy with his third place in the action-packed race. "I got a little low coming out of the corner, hit a puddle near the infield and got a little squirrelly," said Crossley, in his second year of driving the Limited Late Models. "I am kind of disappointed but I'm happy we ran as good as we did. We're new in this series. It's only our fifth race, but I think we can run with anyone."
DeSoto Speedway had a full pit with 160 total cars for the eight feature events. The Southern Comfort Pools Limited Late Models had 18 cars and the Q Auto Attorneys sponsored DSP Truck lined up 30 trucks to take the green flag.
Todd Bontrager of Sarasota took a solid lick but kept on ticking to the checkered flag in the DSP Truck race. Bontrager passed Paul Grenewicz to take the lead moments before Leonard McCue of Bradenton spun between turns three and four on lap 22. Bontrager went into a skid to avoid a collision, but Grenewicz was unable to avoid Bontrager. The collision sent McCue to the rear of the field, Grenewicz to the pits and an undamaged Bontrager to the winner's circle.
Danny Foster of Sarasota moved up to take second place with Shawn Icely of Bradenton claiming the third spot. "He hit me hard in the door," Bontrager said. "It's too bad. Paul had a good truck tonight and if it hadn't been for traffic I don't know if I'd passed him. I thought my tires would be flat but I came out smelling like a rose."
Steve Gainey of Bradenton grabbed the win in the Selective HR Solutions Sportsman feature event after a blazing race against Lonny Miller of Bradenton who placed second and Brian Teeters of Palmetto who grabbed third place. "It looked to me like a hole opened up and I went for it," Gainey said. "I was glad of it I needed this win. The car's running good. Fred (Fred's Garage) has got the motor running good. I think we're going to deal with them now."
Bruce Sherwood of Bradenton claimed his first win of the season in Express Personnel Service Street Stock feature event. "Last week's rain break was helpful," Sherwood said. "We'd kept slinging belts off the motor and we didn't have any brakes. I thought we'd had that monkey on our backs forever. But it's finally off. It's about time to have some luck." Jamie Cassidy of Sarasota placed second and Dan Hall of Sarasota took third.
Jimmy Walker of West Palm Beach won the Callaghan Tire Legends feature event. Rod Sanders of LeBelle took second place and Sammy Whited of Ormand Beach placed third.
Mike Mitrisin of Brooksville took the checkered flag in the Manatee Lumber Modified Minis feature event. "The flames are on fire," Mitrisin said, referring to the flames painted on the side of his car. "This is three in a row, and none came easy." Randy Koon of Lakeland placed second and Shane Cook of Dade City took third.
Young Jesse Dutilly of Bradenton took the checkered flag in the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Stock Minis feature event. Tony Elrod, Jr. of Kathleen placed second. Tommy Huffstutler of Bradenton took third place.
Gary Gimmler of Palm Beach Gardens roared to the finish line in the DeSoto Speedway TQ Midgets feature event while driving Ralph Wheeler's #15. Gimmler edged out his high-powered brother Mark Gimmler of Palm Beach Gardens for the win. Jack Duggy of Sarasota took third place. "It was a very good night," Gimmler said. "This is a good car. I don't think we'll give Ralph ideas for the next race; we already knew it was an excellent car."
-Ken Willis-
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| Twin 125's Coming to New Smyrna Speedway on June 30th | As fans and drivers ready themselves for one of Nascar's favorite night races, the Pepsi 400, short track fans from around the state and out-of-state will also have bumper-to-bumper racing action on June 30th at New Smyrna Speedway when FASCAR presents the 2nd Annual 'Clyde Hart Memorial' 125 Sunbelt Super Late Models race and a Late Models 125-lap race.
Some of Florida's best Super Late Models drivers will be in the line-up like James Powell, Jack Cook, David Rogers, B.J. McLeod, Jimmy Cope, Travis Kittleson, Brian Finney, Barry Willoughby, Jacob Warren, Ronnie Roach, Bill Pratt just to name a few and wet your whistle. Also, such drivers as Mike Murphy, Bruce Lawrence, Jr., David Logan, Randy Dye, Chad Pierce, Jeremy Fitch will be ever present for the Late Model race.
And overlooking the racing surface of New Smyrna Speedway and the Twin 125's will be Clyde Hart and his beloved green truck that watches over the track and its racers every weekend. Clyde Hart loved racing, no matter how many cars were in the line-up, and Clyde Hart still loves his racers and watches over them each weekend.
So fans and drivers and all Pepsi 400 fans, remember, on June 30th, there will be racing at New Smyrna Speedway; not Orlando SpeedWorld. Come join the excitement and fun for some of the best short track racing in the country and the "Best" Super Lates and Late Models drivers our state has to offer.
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| $15,000 Up For Grabs at Citrus Saturday, July 1st | A full contingency of Late Models are expected for qualifying in the McNatt Plumbing 75-Lap Late Models Shootout at Citrus County Speedway, this Saturday, July 1.
Approximately $15,000 will be up for grabs in the biggest Late Models race of the year, and about 30 cars are expected to register to try and win the $3,000 purse plus contingency awards. Figure-8s, Limited Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Street Legal Junkers, and Fan Participation races are also on the card.
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| Sprinter, Sport Allen, Wins 15th Annual 'Jimmy Haynes Memorial' | (Inverness, FL; 6/24/2000) Citrus County Speedway hosted the 15th running of the 'Jimmy Haynes Memorial' Sprint Car race, and the fans were treated to a high-speed run they won't soon forget.
Three-time Little Indy 500 winner, Jim Childers kicked things off with a win in the first heat. Bo Hartley smoked the field in the second heat, and Todd Schmidt locked on to the point and the checkered flag in the third heat.
Twenty sleek, 750-HP, asphalt-pounding sprinters took the green flag in the 25-lap main event and Sport Allen (Pinellas Park) locked on to the point and checked out the rest of the field for his first win, since returning to the asphalt from his dirt track championship last year. Allen consistently turned 12.5-second laps on the fast quarter mile. No one in the top five could reel him in. Brad Davis, Dave Pletcher, Wayne Reutimann, and teen-age sprinter, Shaun Farr, in his second year of racing, took the balance of the top five positions.
Point leader, Jim Childers finished sixth followed by Kevin Cahill, Keith Butler, Shane Miller and Shane Butler to round out the top 10.
Fred Stoner picked up his second win of the season with a flag-to-flag win in the Southern Pro Engine and Machine Late Models Big Purse Challenge make-up race. He pocketed the $1,300 win purse and picked up 13 points over point leader, Mike Bresnahan in the race for the crown.
Dan Johnson locked on to Stoner's rear bumper with Herb Neumann Jr., Robert Elting, and Dick Anderson riding in the leaders' tire tracks in the 30-lap run to round out the top five. Heat winners for last week were Scotty Crockett and Al Lawrence.
Seventeen cars qualified in time trials for the M. Dominique Mobile Home Restoration Limited Sportsman 40-lap special. Robbie Yoakam took fast time and point leader Mike Veltman was second fast qualifier.
Six laps into the race, the sponsor of the race, Mark Dominique, blew a motor bringing out the first of three caution flags.
Alan Struble took the early lead dropping out of the race after the second restart and turning the lead over to brother, Rex. Rex's motor failed him with ten laps to go. Robbie Yoakam picked up the point and after a few laps, his right front wheel got to smoking badly and he was black flagged for safety purposes.
Mark Gillette came up with his first win of the season when he held off Travis Nichols and John Gann Jr. in the run for the flag. Jim Wilson and David Dollar took the balance of the top five spots.
Hobby Stocks ran double features with Richie Smith taking the make-up first race. Chris Hooker, Jim Hand, Roy Perkins, and Kreg Belcastro took the top five spots.
Chris Hooker came off the pole in the second feature to take his fifth feature win of the year, being chased to the line by a distant Roy Perkins, James Teague, Larry Schreckengost, and Jim Peters.
The race was cut to 10 laps due to multiple caution flags and clean-up.
Mark Sowell, Rick Coleman, Billy Smith, George Neumann, and Mike Moore took the top five spots in the first of two Mini-Stock features. Sowell logged his third feature win of the season. In the second run for the night, it was Frank Coleman, Kevin Harrod, Rick Coleman, George Neumann, and Bob Castarella finishing in the top five positions.
Street Stock action saw Victor Stanley lock horns with Harley Wilson in the run for the point with Wilson getting bumped out of contention on turn 1 early in the race.
Stanley took the point and checked out on everyone except Wes Wilson who held on for a second place finish. Ernie Reed, Jr. had his best finish in several weeks running a solo third. Sport Wilson moved from thirteenth to fourth at the checkered flag and Dean Lawyer held out for fifth.
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| Brad Barkis Takes Win Over Billy Bigley, Jr. | Punta Gorda, FL - Last week Billy Bigley, Jr. (Naples) won the inaugural Kentucky 150 NASCAR All-Pro Series race at the brand new Kentucky Motor Speedway. Bigley, the current All Pro Series Points Leader, was the fast time qualifier this week at Charlotte County Speedway for the second race of the Circle One Limited Late Models 6-Pack Series.
However, it was Brad Barkis (Fort Myers) and Joe Winchell (Davie) who started on the first row of the 100-lap race. Barkis managed to maintain first place, building a big lead despite the yellow flag coming out numerous times, several in which involved him. The biggest battle of the evening was trying to beat the raindrops as they fell sporadically throughout the race, eventually causing the red flag to come out for a temporary halt to the racing program.
When the race resumed, Barkis was on the point but Joe Sumasky (Lehigh Acres) who had been running second had to restart in the rear as he had to change a flat tire under the red flag, which left Glenn Morris (Bokeelia) in second until he spun Barkis on lap 35 and was sent to the rear of the field.
A four car freight train consisting of Barkis, Rusty Hillman (North Fort Myers), Bigley, and Mike Greenwell (Alva) kept race fans on their feet. Yellow Fever hit the race track as the caution flag flew numerous times late in the race including one in which Bigley was sent to the rear after a racing altercation with Hillman.
Barkis again built up a sizable lead while Hillman, Greenwell, Mike "Hobo" Hovis (North Fort Myers) and Randy "Hondo" Fox (Lehigh Acres) put on a great show for the spectators battling for position.
On lap 98, controversy took over the race as Hovis was sent to the rear of the field for an incident involving Greenwell. On the last lap Greenwell got loose, allowing Sumasky and Fox to get around him. Barkis took the win, followed by Hillman, Sumasky, Fox and Bigley. Greenwell was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct for hitting Sumasky's car after the race was over.
After the rain stopped and the track was dried, 27 Road Warriors hit the asphalt and after one complete restart were able to run 12 laps before the caution flag flew. Scott Barnes (Fort Myers) led the first 16 laps until "Tipover" Terry Price (Punta Gorda) passed him for the lead, taking Del Beckner (Naples) with him.
After a late caution flag on the 18th lap, Beckner passed Price for the win after starting in the 25th position, leaving Price second and Barnes third. Barnes was disqualified in post race technical inspection, which moved Chris Oncken (Fort Myers) to third.
Price did take home a heat win, as did Shane Bryan (Naples). Calvin Fillingame (Lehigh Acres) and Joe Reese (Bonita Springs) ran side-by-side for 15 caution-freelaps during the Q Country Pure Stocks feature until points leader, Chuck Sweet (Port Charlotte), got around both of them to take the lead briefly until Reese passed him again for the lead.
Reese took the checkered flag first, with Sweet finishing second, followed by "Outta My Way" Kay Jackson (Punta Gorda). Reese also took a heat win, as did "Gentleman" Jim Keating (Bonita Springs).
Chase Goodson (West Palm Beach) and Paul White (North Fort Myers) both hit the wall hard on the backstretch midway through the Big Wheels Mini-Stocks feature bringing out the red flag. Brian Richardson (North Fort Myers) led the entire race until he experienced mechanical problems on the 12th lap and Steve Arnold (Cape Coral) took over the lead, but time ran out on the 13th lap, forcing an early end to the race.
Top three finishers were Arnold, Jason Kuykendall (Punta Gorda) and points leader, Frank Welch (North Fort Myers). Kuykendall and Richardson took home heat win trophies.
Kevin Williams (Port Charlotte) led the Oldies 95 Open-Wheel Modifieds but current points champion, Chris "Big Fish" Turner (Naples), gave him a run for his money in the late stages of the race. Williams did hang on to take the win with Turner and Tommy Schnader (Largo) rounding out the top three. Heat wins went to Eric Rudd (Naples) and Schnader (Largo).
The Speedway will be closed on July 1 due to the running of the Pepsi 400 Winston Cup race in Daytona.
The Keels and Wheels Mid-Season Championship BLOW-OUT Weekend takes place July 7 and 8 with special events being held on Saturday and Sunday at the Speedway. All seven regular divisions including Limited Late Models, Open-Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Mini- Stocks, Road Warriors, and Cowboy Cadillacs will be racing with the Mid-Season Champion in each division declared at the end of the evening's racing action.
Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, and follow the Charlotte County. Airport signs. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 575-2442.
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| Wood / McLeod Joslin Memorial Winners | Jerry Joslin would have been very pleased Friday night at Orlando SpeedWorld to see how many of his friends turned out for a night of modified and super late model racing to honor him and his father. This special night brought friends together once again and once again, it was hard to believe that we lost Jerry just a year ago. Many of his friends still remember that smiling face at the track and all his bright, shiny Dodge trucks.
They say sometimes you never know how many friends you have until it is too late but the Joslins were lucky because they knew they had friends. That was evident when you looked at the faces behind some of the open wheel modifieds and super late models. Brad May made his first appearance in the no. 99 mod for this special race along with the no. 8l of Ricky Wood who set fast time and had the pole for the 50 lap modified race. Then there was Jason Boyd in the famous 2x, Bill Gunn in the always fast and exciting no. l3. and DeWayne Dempsey, our multi talented SARA driver. Justin Henderson, our Port St. Lucie no. 16 driver, also came for this very special 50 lap race. And the field goes on and on for the Dick Joslin Memorial.
Ricky Wood took the lead from the very first flag having set on the pole. Brad May did a great job of running in second until he lost his transmission and was forced to retire from the race. This left Jamie Burrows, Jason Boyd, Bill Gunn and DeWayne Dempsey in the top five, all trying to take the second spot and catching Wood. But, Wood was hooked up and the no. 81 went to Victory Circle after a few well controlled donuts in front of the grandstands with Jason Boyd second, DeWayne Dempsey third and Bill Gunn fourth.
The 50 lap Super Late Model Jerry Joslin Memorial race saw B.J. McLeod with fast time and Lee Collins, former SARA Modified driver and one of the DeSoto Speedway regulars, on the front row. David Rogers. fan favorite driver at New Smyrna Speedway, came for Jerry along with Barry Willoughby, Brian Finney, Ronnie Roach, Travis Kittleson, Ricky Wood, Mike Good, Rusty Ebersole and a number of other Super Lates.
Lee Collins jumped out to the lead over B.J. and held it up until the very last few laps when B.J. was able to get around Collins, taking the lead and winning by about 7 car lengths. All in all, the race had only a few cautions and no major damage to any of the cars. Barry Willoughby and David Rogers seem to have a few problems with bumping and going around but both cars finished the race with no damage and in good spirits.
Collins gave B.J. a very good run for the win and B.J. tried everything to get around Collins but Collins was too strong on green lap racing. But with the last caution and restart, B.J. was finally able to pass Collins and take the lead and win. But all in all, a very good race for Jerry Joslin run in his honor by his friends. Lee Collins took second, Bill Pratt had third, Brian Finney fourth and Ronnie Roach fifth.
Next big race for Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway will be the second Clyde Hart Memorial 125 on June 30 at New Smyrna Speedway.
Jane Smith
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| Kart Action from Lakeland | Our future drivers took to the track last Saturday night at the Lakeland GoKart Track for some hot and heavy action. Soon you'll be reading about these kids roaring around the speedways across the state and who knows maybe the next Gordon or D.E.jr are among them. So I figured maybe we should get to know some of the names. Tina Baker sent me the results from last Saturday so congratulations to all the winners and good luck to the rest of yall......Rick Anges
Novice ages 5-8 years old
1st Lance Shavatt
2nd Cody Pitts
3rd Tony Grimes
4th Brandon Suggs
5th Max Bennett
6th Andrew Smith
7th Cory Scott
Blue Ages 8-10
1st Eric Boswell
2nd Dallas Long
3rd Charles Black
4th Kyle Pitts
5th Amanda Moon
Purple Ages 8-10
1st Lance Glass
2nd Nick Spaeth
3rd John Karl Sapp
Jr. Gold Ages 10-14
1st Johnathan Waters
2nd Kristin Seese
3rd Justin Brinson
Jr Champ Ages 10-16
1st Lee Trump
2nd Ryan Williams
3rd Jason Green
Jr Non Ages 14-16
1st Brandon Strevels
2nd Alan Mckinny
3rd Daniel Wynne
Stock Lite
1st Joey Franklin
2nd Gale Bard
3rd Jason Lopez
Stock Medium
1st Rick Buechat
2nd Wayne Wallace
3rd Justin Buechat
Stock Heavy
1st Larry Chumney II
2nd Anthony Morales
3rd Ricky Burnett
Super Heavy
1st Skip Baird
2nd Bobby Fistilla
3rd John Boyd
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| Franklin holds off Anderson for Powell Memorial Win | The Fifth Annual Powell Memorial Late Model race was held under clear, breezy conditions at Ocala Speedway giving race fans an evening of first class late model racing action in the traditional Powell Memorial fashion. A full field of late model racers captured the excitement of the crowd and crews alike for a race, which will be talked about for some time.
The starting order of the event found Jack Cook of Holly Hill on the pole with James Powell on the front row outside. Behind the front row were Wayne Anderson, Mike Franklin, Rich Pratt and Mac Johnson. The field had a tough time getting through the first lap under full green conditions. Drivers were spinning in turns one and three bringing caution flags. After the second restart, which was a single file restart, the pack settled in with James Powell of Astor taking the early lead. Ocala Speedway's 1999 late model track champion Herb Neumann Jr. had a tough night as he spun on the backstretch and into the infield. This put him at the back of the pack with the entire field ahead of him.
The first portion of the race found James Powell leading a small pack of front-runners including Wayne Anderson, Mike Franklin, Rich Pratt and David Reutimann. It seemed nothing could separate the cars from each other as they drove through the corners in single file. These front-runners continuously pulled away from the remainder of the pack. However, as it is in racing, caution flags would fall and the pack would once again bunch up giving the back runners a chance at the lead. The cautions also opened up the track for the leaders giving them clear sight of the track instead of lapped traffic.
Mike Franklin of Homestead and Wayne Anderson of Wildwood traded positions several times during the race. Whenever these two were side by side you couldn't tell who would come out the winner. Mike was trying to overtake Wayne on both the high and low side of the track.
At the halfway point of the race it appeared that Powell, Anderson and Franklin were tied together. Bouts of slight bumping in the tight turns didn't seem to phase any of these drivers as they maintained control of the
cars and kept the throttle pressed to the firewall. Anderson and Franklin both made a dramatic move on the inside of turn 1 on about lap 75 to take the lead from James Powell and opened up a slight lead over the other lead cars. A few laps later Mike Franklin made a few swift moves on Anderson and took the lead position. The leaders, including Mike Franklin, Wayne Anderson, James Powell and David Reutimann continue to hold the lead pack together. Several caution flags were dropped for some debris on the track
and a couple of spins in the turns. Each time these caution flags dropped it once again bunched up the field and opened up the track for the leaders.
Franklin constantly felt pressure from Anderson and he knew he had to be aggressive on the restarts. Mike proved his driving ability as he pulled away from the field on each restart. However, after a few laps Anderson was right back at Franklin's bumper. A final caution flag on lap 123 made for a dramatic two-lap dash for the trophy. Mike Franklin of Homestead claimed the win of the Fifth Annual Powell Memorial Late Model Race at Ocala Speedway followed by Wayne Anderson, James Powell, David Reutimann and Mike Fritts. The remainder of the finishing order was Jimmy Cope, Lee Faulk, Jack Cook, Scott Grossenbacher, Tom McCann, Jeff Emery, Kevin Bryant, Herb Neumann Jr., John Carter, Robert Yoho, Rich Pratt, Rob Elting, Dwayne Dempsy, Kenny Vaughn and Mac Johnson.
by Joe Brake
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| JOSLIN MEMORIAL SLATED FOR ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD ON JUNE 16TH | The eighth annual Joslin Memorial Night is slated for Orlando Speed World on Friday, June 16. The event was conceived by the late Dick Joslin's sons, Jerry and Jimmy, in 1993 to honor their father for his success and dedication to auto racing.
This year's edition will take on special meaning as Jerry Joslin passed away last September following a heart attack at age 42. Dick Joslin began his racing career on Central Florida ovals in 1948 and quickly chalked up wins at Sunbrock Speedway, Orlando Raceway and Deland Fairgrounds just to name a few. Track championships soon followed and it was time to move on to NASCAR where he participated in various events on the famed beach/road course.  Running his own '39 Ford Sportsman, Joslin came home the winner of the beach run in 1954 for his biggest career win.
Racing out of Columbia, S.C. Joslin hit many small dirt ovals like Columbia, Newberry and Lancaster where he again topped many of the best wheelmen of the time. In 1956 Dick built a new Dodge and chased the NASCAR convertible circuit around the country before returning to Orlando at mid-season for Jerry's birth. For the next few seasons he participated in a variety of Grand National (now Winston Cup) events as well as selected short track runs in a variety of cars. In 1962 Joslin ran his last race in a Dumont Smith owned Chevy late model and became the pit steward at Orlando Raceway. An automobile salesman by trade, Joslin was a familiar fixture at Leppere Pontiac which later became McNamara Pontiac. He also took over the promotional reins at Orlando Raceway and organized the state's promoters under the SEPAC banner, striving for a common set of car rules.
Dick Joslin's passing came in early 1972, the result of heart problems, and one of the most popular, outgoing racers of the era was gone but certainly not forgotten. Jerry Joslin was brought up in racing but music was his calling and he toured professionally for seveal years before finding his way back to Orlando in the late 80s. Like his father, Jerry was an "iron peddler" (car salesman) and spent many years at Sonny King's Orange Buick/GMC Truck in Orlando. He and younger brother Jimmy convinced Speed World promoters Clyde and Robert Hart to stage a memorial race in their father's honor in 1993 with Dick Anderson the winner of the 100 lap late model run in Buddy Foster's potent Dodge. From that begining the event has blossomed into one of the most prestigeous special events in the state and has featured the popular Florida modifieds since 1995.
In addition to a great field of cars and drivers each year, the event has played host to many of the former drivers, car owners and track officials from speedways all over the state. Familiar names like Phil Orr, Bill Enters, Ernie Bass, Bobby Brack, Bill Hohman and Buzzie Reutimann are among those who have attended the event as guests of the track as they enjoy friendships and events of years gone by.
This year's edition of the event, renamed the Joslin Memorial Night, is the result of many friends of Dick and Jerry Joslin who refused to allow the hard work and dedication of the past seven years fade into history following Jerry's untimely death last September. Come out and enjoy yourselves on June 16th and know that you will be part of something very special in Florida short track racing. The format will consist of twin 50 lap features, the Dick Joslin Memorial Modified 50 and the Jerry Joslin Memorial Late Model 50 and an outstanding field of cars is expected for both.
PREVIOUS JOSLIN MEMORIAL RACE WINNERS:
1993 Dick Anderson, late model; 1994 Dick Anderson, late model; 1995 Doug Moff and Jerry Symons, twin modifieds; 1996 Doug Moff, modified; 1997 Ross Eldridge, modified; 1998 Jeremy Fitch, modified; 1999 Teddy Nelson, modified.
by: Marty Little
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| SARA EXPANDS WITH NEW TRUCK SERIES | The Southern Automobile Racing Association has announced the expansion of the SARA series into truck racing. This news comes on the heels of the disbandment of the Southern Pro Truck Series earlier in the month.
The new series is expected to run the same rules as the defunct Southern Pro series, and will pick up up some of the dates left vacant by the series. The first race will be June 10th at Charlotte County Speedway with possible future dates at Auburndale, Bronson, Hialeah, New Smyrna and Orlando.
Ray Curtis, one of the regulars with the Southern Pro series said the “SARA deal brings stability and credibility” to the high powered truck racing scene in Florida. The SARA series with Rick Day at the helm has become the standout series in Florida’s limited late model racing as well as in the open wheel modifieds. Both series normally have brought high car counts to area race tracks over the last two years.
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