By Dargan Watts

SUMTER, S.C. -November 15, 2005- The season will be closed out at the Sumter Speedway dirt oval on Saturday afternoon, November 26 with what promises to be the biggest event of the season. Beginning with heat races for the six support classes at 2 p. m. and ending with a demolition derby that night, fans will see plenty of racing in between.

The highlight of the program will be the annual Turkey Shoot-Out for the Super Late Model cars and drivers with a purse of $14,400 being offered and the winner will take home $4,000 for his/her efforts. Last year, Sumter resident Terry Caples was the victor as he led a star-studded field across the finish line. A total of 41 cars and drivers were on hand, with the top 24 making the field.

Another fine field of cars is expected in all classes as interested parties are calling from the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and as far away as Wisconsin.

As of today, several out-of-state drivers have indicated that they will take part in the happenings and according to Jacksonville car owner, Buddy Massengill, there will be at least four Super Late Model entries that are connected with his operation, plus at least one Late Model T&L entry. Florida modified champion, Jason Fitzgerald is among the group. He finished second to Ed Gibbons of Manning in the April running of the Carolina Clash event. Nineteen-year-old Bodine Massengill, who won the pole for the Shoot-Out last year and finished second to Caples, will return along with his cousin, Michael. Also, Johnny Collins, a driver who finished third in a Carolina Clash event at Sumter in 2004 and later won a Clash race at Laurens is expected.

Gibbons said that his car is ready and he was in hopes he would make the Thanksgiving event. "Right now, our equipment is ready and I am ready, but there is something that has come up that I hope to be able to work around before I can commit," Gibbons concluded.

One driver who is raring to get back is Gerald Mintz. The Hopkins resident and winner of many of the Thanksgiving events is always tough on the 3/8-mile track. "One year, the temperature was in the 20-degree range and with no windshield to protect us from the cold air that was whipping into us, it was almost unbearable. I blew a tire with about ten laps to go, so I pulled into the pits and was going to quit, because I was almost frozen to death."

Mintz continued, "I was about to unbuckle my seat belts when my brother, Randle, informed me that only a couple of drivers were on the same lap with us, so we changed tires and went back out and won the race. It took me two days to thaw out."

In 2006, Mintz will join the National Late Model Series and will compete in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida in hopes of winning the title as well as the $10,000 cash award that goes to the season champion.

Another local driver who should be among the leaders is 2003 Thanksgiving winner and former track champion, Daren Griffin. Jimmy Blackwell, Dale Hammond, Scott Shirey and others familiar with the local track are expected.

Four-time winner, Buddy Truett heads the list of Late Model T&L drivers along with three-time winners Randy Hill and Robbie Disher. Two-time winner and season points champion, Jody Truett is also expected to be among the leaders. Nine-time winner James Stephens heads the list of Pro Stock competitors with Johnny Welch and Joey Ayers offering plenty of competition.

Points champion James Yost and William Disher are expected to be the headliners in the Pure Stock class while eight-time Super Stock 4 winner and points champion Banjo Duke should lead the field. Seven-time winner and points champion Tony Rabon and six-time winner Cody McAllister head the list of Mini Stock drivers. Pete McKenzie should offer the stiffest challenge in the Pure Street class as he seeks his ninth win of the season. Four-time winner Mark Bartlette and two-time winners Roger Horne and Adam Hill should be in the thick of things as well.

A Power Wheels race for the children is planned to take place before the 2 p. m. program gets underway.

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