| Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | |
| Glenn Morris, 27 Years Of Racing And Going Strong | BY REBECCA RICHARDS
-KARNAC
After qualifying fifth, pulling the pill to start up front, Glenn Morris from Pine Island, was geared up for Saturday night's limited late model 100 lap event at Charlotte County Speedway. If he was nervous, it didn't show, the good natured Morris was happy to be back at his home track and happy to be racing.
The 100 Cat Country Clear Channel sponsored black limited late model had been set up for the track earlier and Glenn felt they might have hit on something with the new set up , yet he knew he had some stiff competition right behind him.
"Joe Winchell, and Wayne Morris have really good cars, I think there are five of us that will pull away. It will be a good race, there are too many of us that are too close together,"stated Morris.
Glenn Morris giving the 100 a last check up.
Morris started racing late models seven years ago, before that he was in a street stock, claiming his first feature win his fifth race his first year at Charlotte County. Yet Glenn raced prior to that, he came from 20 years of racing motorcross, earning the title of Florida State Champion in 1990.
As Glenn said, "I realized I kept getting older and the riders kept getting younger, I had to change sports (laughing)!" Glenn says he can't get on a motorcross bike again, he loves it and he knows himself well enough to know he would be right back out on bikes again. Since he started racing asphlat Glenn's favorite statement is: Dirt's for farmin'.
Glenn Morris won the Rookie of the Year at Charlotte County in 1999 and Track Champion in 2000 in the Limited Late Models. Glenn said,"I like Lakeland, and Bradenton, but this is HOME (referring to Charlotte County). I've had a lot of wins here."
Peering across the infield, Morris scanned the grandstands with a grin. He appreciates the fans and always wants to give them a good show, even if it means a little body damage. "There is a good crowd here tonight! I think we'll do good tonight. I hate starting in the middle, I'd rather start in the front or the back and stay out of the wrecks," Morris continued.
For a long while, Glenn and his 100 Cat Country car led the most laps of the feature getting spun once with a little help from competitor Joe Winchell in the 57 early. Meanwhile behind Morris, Mike Hovis in the 29 was picking his way through traffic, working his way to the front, patiently. His patience paid off in the end, landing Mike Hovis in Victory Lane.
A tangle out of four brought out a caution and saw Glenn Morris and others involved sent back to the tail of the field. Morris started slowing down little by little and just couldn't get hooked back up to regain his lead. The set ups he said after the race were just a little off. And that made all the difference for the past track champ in the feature. He would settle for the eighth place spot when the checkered flag fell.
Looking at future plans, Morris says the sport has gotten so expensive that racers have to secure sponsors and they're getting harder to come by. Glenn is quick to point out that if it weren't for his Cat Country sponsor, he would not be able to race. He plans on racing for a couple more years and then he says (laughing) he's going fishing, snook fishing that is.
Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on the Message Board!
or send a letter to the editor!
|
