JUSTIN DURBIN FEELING "GRAND" AFTER BIG FOUR CYLINDER WIN AT OCALA

It was a night for Ocala Speedway's Four Cylinder Stock drivers to have a
chance at some big money, and in the end it was Justin Durbin finding his way
to victory lane and a prize of $1,000 in a class that normally pays $100 to
win on a regular Friday night.
Twenty-eight Four Cylinders were in the pits looking for their chance at the
pot of gold. Justin Durbin and point leader Rick Kuhn dominated their
respective heat races while Terry Dunbar held on at the line to win his heat.
Luck of the draw put Durbin on the pole and he immediately set sail although
he and his challengers would see eight caution flags over the course of 30
laps and one red flag for a three car crash on the frontstretch involving Jeff
Pittsley, Karla Phipps, and the brand new machine of Clayton Harden which was
not looking very "new" after this one. All three drivers were OK but their
cars were done for the night.
Ric Fort moved his Toyota in behind Durbin's Pinto after each caution but
was never really able to significantly challenge the young driver as Durbin
led every lap to record his first win since the second night of the season
back in March and indicated a lot of hard work along with a new set of tires
were his keys to victory.
Fort settled for second but admitted Durbin had the field "pretty much
covered." John Naber came blasting through the field after going to the rear
following a caution on lap 14 to take third in his Toyota pick-up truck while
point leader Kuhn came home a solid fourth just ahead of Joel Byall who came
from 16th at the start to fifth.
Terry Dunbar, Mike Muroski, Dan Sanderson, Steve Gallagher, and Festus Barup
rounded out the top ten.
Rich Pratt made it two in a row in the Steven A. Bagen & Associates Super
Late Models driving the Groeb Farms Chevy to a close win over hard-charging
Tate Pierce who did everything he could to get by Pratt as the two waged a
crowd-pleasing duel.
Pratt had the pole for the feature and rocketed to a big early lead while
Pierce moved up to second on lap six and was closing fast on Pratt when 2002
track champ Robbie Smith's hard luck continued with yet another engine
failure, causing him to spin on lap 19 bringing out one of only two caution
flags in the 30-lapper.
The final ten laps were fantastic as Pierce pulled out all the stops but
couldn't get by Pratt. "That was fun," said Pratt. "There's no better guy to
race against than Tate. I think he had a little better car than us, so I feel
pretty good about being able to hold him off," he said.
Keith Zavrel had another good run taking the checker in third just ahead of
point leader E.J. Wise. Super Late Model rookie Gale Grayer also continues to
impress and took a solid fifth place finish.
Pratt and Pierce won their respective SLM heats.
It was Joshua Kelley night at the race track as the ten-year-old youngster,
who suffers from a rare form of bone cancer, was able to meet his race car
driver heroes and even ride in the pace car during part of the night. Driver
Roger Damron promised Joshua that he would try his best to win the Diamond H
Air & Heat Sportsman feature, and if he did, the two of them would get their
picture taken in victory lane.
Damron made good on his promise, but the win would not come easy for him.
Damron had the pole for the feature, but Patrick Mennenga got by him on lap
two and led the next five laps before Damron's car began to come to him and he
zipped by Mennenga to re-claim the lead.
This race would see seven caution flags over the course of twenty laps,
mostly for minor spins although there was one scary moment when Jim
Higginbotham was trying to get his damaged car into the pits and was hit by
Jeremy Finegan. Finegan, making his first start of the year, was done for the
evening while Higginbotham returned to finish ninth.
Following the final caution on lap 13, Damron steadily pulled away to take
his sixth win of the season and second in a row. Mennenga, finally sporting
some sponsorship along with a new engine, was pleased with his second place
effort while William Edwards was a very close third. Frank Buchanan and Kyle
Maynard were fourth and fifth.
Buchanan and Edwards were the Sportsman heat winners.
Young driver A.J. Schreier finally got the monkey off his back taking his
first career win in the K-Country 93.7FM Street Stocks in wire to wire
fashion.
Luck of the draw put Schreier on the pole and he made the best of it leading
all the way. David Chastain stayed within striking distance but could never
really mount a challenge and settled for second. Ironically, Schreier was
driving a car that had been purchased from Chastain at mid-season.
"Mr. Third Place," Doug Webster was, you guessed it, third again - for the
tenth time this year while Paul "Tweety Bird" Fletcher came out on top of a
fender banging duel with Tommy Roberts as the pair crossed the line in fourth
and fifth.
Vacationing Andy Taylor, down from Long Island, NY, drove his brother Bobby
Taylor's car to victory in the V-8 Stock class which was sporting several new
faces this week. Taylor led all the way although he was pressed late by Dan
Tremblay who settled for the place position. Emmitt Bottoms, Laura Fletcher
and Clint Simmons completed the top five.

RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 10/3/03:

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (30 Laps):

1) Justin Durbin #33
2) Ric Fort #2
3) John Naber #3T
4) Rick Kuhn #47
5) Joel Byall #40
6) Terry Dunbar #72
7) Mike Muroski #61
8) Dan Sanderson #7
9) Steve Gallagher #39
10) Festus Barup #69
11) Joey Durbin #5
12) Tony Thompson #007
13) Chris Noce #99
14) Harold Barup #3
15) Clark Pittsley #64
16) Michael Stalnaker #8
17) James Turgeon III #18
18) Kris Richardson #24
19) Karla Phipps #8X
20) Clayton Harden #50
21) Jeff Pittsley #20
22) Jeff Stalnaker, Jr. #10
23) Tom Ellis #31
24) Mike Hilliary #9
25) Steve Moulton #41
26) Kurtis Mitchell #00
27) Dave Neiswender #38
DNS Dennis Harden #17

STEVEN A. BAGEN SUPER LATE MODELS (30 Laps):

1) Rich Pratt #0
2) Tate Pierce #81
3) Keith Zavrel #47
4) E.J. Wise #7
5) Gale Grayer #87
6) John Buzinec #08
7) Gig Smith #23
8) Tim Shull #8
9) Tom Root #19
10) Robbie Smith #01
11) Craig Tims #12

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

1) Roger Damron #76D
2) Patrick Mennenga #16
3) William Edwards #08
4) Frank Buchanan #07
5) Kyle Maynard #27
6) Tommy Brakeman #20
7) Big John Smith #31
8) Bryson Ryker #48
9) Jim Higginbotham #76
10) John Castro #5
11) Paul Hudson #08X
12) Tom Posavec #8D
13) Justin Reynolds #20X
14) Jeremy Finegan #22
15) Lamar Smith #77

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) A.J. Schreier #98
2) David Chastain #17
3) Doug Webster #72
4) Paul Fletcher #94
5) Tommy Roberts #96
6) Bobby Taylor #66
7) Mark Mitchell #71
8) Paul Fletcher #28
9) Michael Mennenga #91
10) Mike Fiddia #41
11) Jay Morgan #55
12) Dot Kelly #38
13) Rick Bass #39
14) Harry Brown #29
15) Danny Fletcher #6X
DNS Pete Close, Jr. #0
DNS Mike Rosa #76
DNS Sid Mosbrucker #62
DNS Dave Danielson #70

V-8 STOCKS (15 (Laps):

1) Andy Taylor #27X
2) Dan Tremblay #40
3) Emmitt Bottoms #96
4) Laura Fletcher #21
5) Clint Simmons #74
6) Robert Ward #92
7) Shelby Mather #17

CLOSE TOPS J.R. WILBANKS MEMORIAL - DURDEN OUTLASTS MODS AT OCALA
Story by Dave Westerman
photos by Vik's Pix

Great weather and a great field of cars welcomed fans to Ocala Speedway
Friday night with the main attraction being the 50-lap, $1,000 to win J.R.
Wilbanks Memorial for the K-Country 93.7 FM Street Stocks.
Rookie Street Stock driver A.J. Schreier surprised everyone by setting fast
time at 17.807 seconds followed by Mike Wilson's 17.820 and the 17.841 of
"Speedy" Pete Close, Jr.
Street Stock point leader Tommy Roberts had trouble with his car in practice
and picked up a ride in the Southside Builders car slated to be driven by
Marlon Durbin. Mark Mitchell blew the engine in his car in hot laps and
borrowed Kyle Maynard's Nova to keep himself in the point race.
Luck of the draw put Close on the pole, while fast-timer Schreier started
ninth. Close took the lead at the drop of the green and immediately took
command as David Chastain settled into second spot.
Seven caution flags, all for minor spins, would close the field up on
several occasions, but Close was able to fend off all challengers despite
developing a "push" late in the race.
Chastain hounded Close all the way but had to settle for second while Doug
Webster brought his "Big Bird" Monte Carlo home third behind the two lead
Camaros. It was the ninth time this year that Webster has finished in third
place in the feature. Bobby Taylor finished a close fourth followed by Paul
"Tweety Bird" Fletcher who came from 14th at the start. Mike Wilson, Krystal
Batson, Mike Fiddia, Mike Rosa, and Mark Mitchell completed the top ten.
The WIND-FM Classic Rock Modified feature would again come down to a battle
between arch-rivals David Baxley and Jeremy Gerstner, but in the end, Kevin
Durden was all smiles in victory lane.
Three heats were needed to sort out the big Modified field. Baxley won by a
large margin in heat one while Alan McAfferty made his return to Ocala
Speedway by winning heat two. John Grimm, in only his third race in two
years, held off a snarling pack to win heat three.
Baxley had the pole for the 30-lap feature and wasted little time putting
distance between himself and the rest of the field. However, four cautions in
the first 15 laps kept things close. Jeremy Gerstner had moved into second
and the duel was on between first-half champion Baxley and current point
leader Gerstner.
Their battle continued to rage through two more caution flag periods. On a
restart following a lap 21 caution, Gerstner dove low coming out of turn four
and held his ground as Baxley attempted to "slam the door shut." The two cars
made contact starting a full-scale melee involving half the field. The cars
receiving the worst end of things were Tom Bailey who hit the wall hard enough
to rip the right front wheel off his car and Larry Goolsby who hit Gerstner's
car and damaged the front end of his Maguire's Racing machine. Both were done
for the night while Baxley and Gerstner continued at the rear of the field.
Kevin Durden inherited the lead at this point, and with the time limit
expired on the race, held on through a green-white-checker finish as the race
was halted after 24 of the scheduled 30 laps.
Archer's Durden took his first win of the season with Alan McCafferty a very
close second. Kevyn Terry had a great run to take third despite some
late-race body damage that had his right rear tire really smoking at the
finish. Mike Wilson survived several near-misses and did an excellent job of
grabbing fourth just ahead of Mark Emberson who had his best run of the year.
John Grimm, John Foerg, Johnnie Newsome, John Gerstner and Jamie Tinkham
rounded out the top ten.
Domination was the only way to describe Roger Damron's run in the Diamond H
Air & Heat Sportsman feature. Chiefland's Damron topped his heat, started on
the pole for the 20-lap main event, then led every lap and won going away.
Only three cautions were needed in this race, the first coming on lap five
when Tommy Roberts (driving a new car out of the Southside Builders stable)
and Doc Batson locked horns on lap five. Mr. hard luck, Big John Smith, blew
his seventh engine of the year coming out of turn four on lap seven, then
Patrick Mennenga spun the length of the front straightaway while running
second trying to chase down Damron.
Second heat winner Kyle Maynard was a distant second to Damron, who scored
his fifth win of the year. Tommy Brakeman fended off a host of challengers
and had a solid run for third with Frank Buchanan and William Edwards coming
back from a heat race incident to finish fourth and fifth.
"Mr. Consistency" Rick Kuhn had finished either second or third in eight of
his last nine Four Cylinder Stock features. Kuhn was not to be denied this
week as he passed Harold Barup for the lead on lap seven and went on to score
his third win of the year, but first since May 2nd.
Kuhn's win added to his big point lead in the division as second place in
points Tom Ellis finished eighth.
Barup, still looking for that elusive first win, nonetheless had a good run
to finish second ahead of Dan Sanderson, Kurtis Mitchell, and Ric Fort.
Justin Durbin was looking strong early and led the opening four laps before a
slipping transmission forced him to the pits.
Four Cylinder Stock heats were won by Kuhn and Barup.
The new V-8 Stock class again had just two cars, but this week it was Dan
Tremblay turning the tables on Laura "Mrs. Tweety" Fletcher, scoring his first
win and ending Laura's three race win streak.

RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 9/26/03:

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (50 Laps):

J.R. Wilbanks Memorial winner Pete Close, Jr

1) Pete Close, Jr. #08
2) David Chastain #17
3) Doug Webster #72
4) Bobby Taylor #66
5) Paul Fletcher #94
6) Mike Wilson #1
7) Krystal Batson #B4
8) Mike Fiddia #41
9) Mike Rosa #76
10) Mark Mitchell #07 (driving in place of Kyle Maynard)
11) James Morgan #55
12) Tommy Roberts #0 (driving in place of Marlon Durbin)
13) Paul Fletcher #28
14) Rick Bass #39
15) Michael Mennenga #91
16) A.J. Schreier #98
17) Sid Mosbrucker #62
18) Doc Batson #77
19) Dan Geer #65
20) Harry Brown #29
21) Harold Edwards #11X
22) Estle Morrow #02
DNS Rennie Wilbanks #81
DNS Gordon Cade #21X
DNS Tommy Roberts #96
DNS Mark Mitchell #71

WIND-FM MODIFIEDS (30 Laps):

WIND-FM Modified winner Kevin Durden

1) Kevin Durden #56
2) Alan McCafferty #32
3) Kevyn Terry #007
4) Mike Wilson #79
5) Mark Emberson #34
6) John Grimm #72
7) John Foerg #1
8) Johnnie Newsome #31
9) John Gerstner #7
10) Jamie Tinkham #98
11) Jeremy Gerstner #70
12) David Baxley #64
13) Mike Batten #5.0
14) Glen Ervin #0
15) Larry Goolsby #19R
16) Tom Bailey #24
17) Danny Hill #15
18) Chuck Burkhalter #21
19) Bobby Valeo #8
DNS Fireball Maguire #19W

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

Diamond H Air and Heat Sportsman winner Roger Damron

1) Roger Damron #76D
2) Kyle Maynard #27
3) Tommy Brakeman #20
4) Frank Buchanan #07
5) William Edwards #08
6) Charles Hornbeak #67
7) John Luke #51
8) Tom Posavec #8D
9) Doc Batson #B4
10) Patrick Mennenga #16
11) Tommy Roberts #40
12) Big John Smith #31
13) Jim Higginbotham #76
DNS Bryson Ryker #48

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Rick Kuhn #47
2) Harold Barup #3
3) Dan Sanderson #7
4) Kurtis Mitchell #00
5) Ric Fort #2
6) Raff McDougall #39
7) Terry Dunbar #72
8) Tom Ellis #31
9) Jeff Pittsley #20
10) Chris Noce #99
11) Festus Barup #69
12) Tony Thompson #007
13) James Turgeon III #18
14) Michael Stalnaker #8
15) Justin Durbin #33
DNS Steve Visneski #42

V-8 STOCKS (10 Laps):

1) Dan Tremblay #40
2) Laura Fletcher #21

50-LAP J.R. WILBANKS MEMORIAL FOR STREET STOCKS SET FOR FRIDAY
FRITZ NAMED NEW GM AT OCALA SPEEDWAY

The K-Country 93.7 FM Street Stocks have a very special event on tap for
this Friday night at Ocala Speedway.
The 50-lap, $1000 to win Street Stock race has been re-named the J.R.
Wilbanks Memorial to honor the young son of former track officials Rennie and
Carleen Wilbanks. J.R. , at just 14 years of age, lost his valiant battle
with cancer just over three weeks ago.
Current Street Stock point leader Tommy Roberts has spear-headed the move to
have a special race to honor J.R. "It's been tough losing a neat kid like
J.R., then I lost my nephew the following week. I know they'll be looking
down on us, I just hope we can put on a good show for them," said Roberts.
Roberts has strung together a string of top five finishes and has moved two
points ahead of Paul "Tweety" Fletcher and Bobby Taylor in a close battle for
the second-half Street Stock championship. Doug Webster and David Chastain
are still in the hunt as well in fourth and fifth.
The WIND-FM Classic Rock Modifieds return to action this week with the
Gerstner Brothers, Jeremy and John, 1-2 in the current point standings.
Jeremy holds a slim five point advantage over his brother while their fellow
Tampa driver Johnnie "The Rat" Newsome is third in points, 17 out of first.
Modified rookie Bobby Valeo, who borrowed a car from Jeremy Gerstner to keep
himself alive in the point chase two weeks ago, is fourth, just one point
ahead of first-half champion David Baxley.
William Edwards finds himself back on top of the Diamond H Air & Heat point
standings, tied with last week's winner Kyle Maynard after Tom Posavec missed
the show last week with a blown engine in warm-ups and fell to seventh in the
standings.
Frank Buchanan is just three markers behind Edwards and Maynard with Patrick
Mennenga and Jim Higginbotham currently fourth and fifth.
Although Rick Kuhn hasn't won a feature since early May, he has finished
either second or third seven out of the last eight weeks allowing him to build
up a substantial 17 point advantage in the Four Cylinder Stocks over second
place Harold Barup.
Barup has only a two point edge over last week's feature winner Tom Ellis
while Terry Dunbar and Ric Fort round out the current top five.
The Four Cylinders will be gearing up this week in preparation for their big
$1,000 to win Four Cylinder Stock Championship on October 3rd.
In other news, Buff Fritz has been named Ocala Speedway's new General
Manager.
Fritz, a former teacher and coach who has spent the last 28 years in sales
and management, took over the GM duties full-time this week and plans to help
Ocala Speedway continue to grow.
Fritz is no newcomer to the racing game having been involved with his son
Ben Fritz's racing career in Sprint Cars. The younger Fritz has been honing
his skills with the TBARA over the past few seasons and is set to take his
career to the next level with the IRL Pro Infiniti Series as part of Sam
Schmidt's team based out of Las Vegas NV.
Pit gates open Friday at 4PM, grandstand gates open at 6PM and racing begins
promptly at 8PM.

COLLINS' MOPAR OUTLASTS NLMS FIELD - PRATT TOPS SLM AT OCALA
photos by Vik's Pix

Jacksonville's Johnny Collins and local favorite Rich Pratt were among the
big winners as Ocala Speedway wrapped up a big two-day show that saw plenty of
action and excitement for the fans who packed the track both nights.
The National Late Model Series dirt-track Late Models were back at Ocala
Speedway racing "topless" and were blistering the track in their qualifying
efforts Friday evening.
Sylvester, GA driver Stacey Roberts, a winner here in NLMS action back in
May, had his Ford-powered Sunbelt Ford/Georgia Peanut Taurus on a rail and set
quick time of 14.034 seconds with NLMS point leader Michael Lloyd of
Jacksonville close behind at 14.178.
Roberts, Michael Lloyd, and Ocala's Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. took the three heat
races to set the first three starting positions for Saturday's 100-lap main
event.
Heat races were also held on Friday evening for Ocala Speedway regular
divisions setting the fields for features on Saturday worth double points.
Anthony's Rich Pratt dominated the heat race for the Steven A. Bagen Super
Late Models while heats for the Diamond H. Air & Heat Sportsman were won by
Bob Masciarelli and Tommy Brakeman. Heat races for the K-Country Street
Stocks were claimed by A.J. Schreier, Pete Close, Jr., and Shane Nichols while
the Toyota "Rick and Rick show" continued in the Four Cylinder Stocks as Rick
Kuhn and Ric Fort drove their Celicas to heat race victories.
The Open Wheel Lites were also on the card for both heats and a feature on
Friday Evening. Jacksonville's Rick Lundeen and Winter Haven's Brian Gingras
took the heat wins to set the stage for the 20-lap main event.
Lundeen wasted little time blasting from his third row starting spot into
the lead on the opening lap and it looked like he was on his way to his second
straight OWL win here.
But fellow Jacksonville driver Bob Quick had other ideas as he moved into
second on lap six, chased down Lundeen and passed him for the lead on lap 14.
Quick never looked back, racing to his second OWL win of the year at Ocala.
Lundeen was second followed by Gingras, Jim Biglin and Wayne DeClerck.
Again there were only two cars in the new V-8 Stock class but they put on
quite a show with Laura Fletcher taking the measure of Dan Tremblay to score
her third win in a row.
The grand finale on Friday was the ever-popular School Bus Figure Eight race
and eight buses showed up to do battle.
Lou Tremblay, driving what actually was of former church bus, and Jim
Bertotto duked it out in the early going and were paying so much attention to
each other that they didn't notice Ted Visneski closing in on them.
Visneski made the pass for the lead with Doug Webster also making a charge.
Unfortunately, Webster's three-wide run into turn four was not what his bus
wanted and it rolled on it's side. Webster scrambled out unhurt just before
the front end of his bus burst into flames.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the race continued with Visneski
holding off Jim Bertotto and Lou Tremblay for the win. Skip Bertotto and Dan
Tremblay were fourth and fifth.
Great weather welcomed the drivers, crews and fans back to the speedway
Saturday evening and the stage was set for what would be a very entertaining
100-lapper for the National Late Model Series dirt cars, a race nobody seemed
to want to win.
Stacey Roberts was on the pole, and by virtue of his performance here in
May, was the odds-on favorite.
Roberts didn't disappoint as he blasted out front at the drop of the green
flag. Things did not go so well for point leader and outside pole sitter
Michael Lloyd as his car slowed with a broken valve and he headed to the pits
after completing only one lap.
On lap three, David Clegg and DeWayne Johnson tangled in turn four. Richard
Ferry, with no place to go, slid into Johnson's car while Lawton Minchew slid
into Ferry's machine.
When all was said and done, Clegg was done for the night while Ferry made
several attempts to return but his car was not up to par following the wreck.
With the green back out, Roberts was having an easy time of it out front but
all eyes were on Johnny Collins as he had worked his Mopar-powered machine
into fourth on lap nine after starting thirteenth.
Caution flew again on lap 11 as Jason Hylton looped his machine. Roberts
again set sail following the restart with Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. second ahead of
Johnson and Collins. Collins passed Johnson for third on lap 15 as leader
Roberts' car began to show smoke.
Smoke turned to fire on lap 20 as the red flag was tossed to get the fire
crew to a stunned Roberts, who up to that point was oblivious to what was
happening. A leaking valve cover gasket was the culprit and Roberts retired
his super-fast machine to the pits.
Much to their pleasure, Ocala Speedway fans now found local driver Ivedent
Lloyd, Jr. in front of the field with Collins second and Johnson third.
Green flag racing was now the norm as Lloyd led Collins, Johnson, Greg Ward,
Patrick Sheltra, Richard Souter, Lawton Minchew and John Rankin as the field
completed 25 laps.
Lloyd and Collins had built up a full straightaway lead as they began to
encounter lapped traffic. On lap 43, Collins dove low to lap Minchew on the
backstretch, but the two cars collided sending Minchew for a long slide into
the infield. Minchew's car was damaged too much to continue while Collins'
car had only minor sheet metal damage and he continued in second spot.
The order was pretty much the same as the field took the half-way signal
from starter Larry Bowden although Souter got past Sheltra for fifth on lap
51.
On lap 57, the engine in Lloyd's car began to sour and he dropped off the
pace and headed pitside handing the lead over to Collins. By lap 75, Collins
was laying waste to the field as only nine cars remained on the race track
with Souter slowing significantly and losing positions.
It looked to be a cakewalk for Collins as he continued to build his lead
lapping up to fifth place. DeWayne Johnson, running in second, crashed into
the lapped car of John Rankin on lap 93 to bring the caution flag out.
Since the incident involved a lapped car, Johnson was placed back in second,
however the damage had been done and he slowed on the restart with the field
zooming past his wounded racer.
Johnson's car lost a fender on the backstretch bringing out the final
caution on lap 94 as Johnson took his car into the pits.
Collins easily outdistanced Greg Ward on the restart and drove his Sheltra
Ranch & Grove/Sheltra & Son Construction/Mopar Performance car to a
well-received victory. Ward came home second followed by Collins' teammate
Patrick Sheltra. With Michael Lloyd's early problems, 17-year-old Sheltra
took over the NLMS point lead.
Jason Hylton checkered fourth followed by local driver Bob McQuaig, whose
race team is based in Ocala. Scott Thompson (driving his first race on
asphalt), Johnson, Rankin, Aaron McQuaig and Souter rounded out the top ten.
Rich Pratt's only real problem in the Steven A. Bagen Super Late Model
30-lap feature was negotiating lapped cars.
Tate Pierce, making his first start at Ocala since late last year, grabbed
the initial lead but could only hold off Pratt for two laps before Pratt
assumed the point.
Pratt and Pierce were both running strong and pulling away when Brad Heath,
another driver making his first start of the year, had something go wrong with
his car and he spun in turn four. Heath retired his car to the pits.
Pratt continued to lead with Pierce in his shadow as they moved into lapped
traffic. On lap 21, Pratt tried to lap Tim Shull, but was forced to the
infield where he spun. Pratt was awarded his lead position back and he
cruised the remaining nine laps for his first win of the year, a fitting
tribute to his Sponsor Troy Groeb of Groeb Farms who was celebrating his
birthday.
Pierce held on for second followed by point leader E.J. Wise, Robbie Smith
(sporting new sponsorship from Alternative Phone Service and University
Supercenter) and Keith Zavrel.
Kyle Maynard led all the way but had to hold off a furious last-lap charge
by Bob Masciarelli to win the Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman feature. It was
Maynard's second win of the season, but first in this particular car.
Masciarelli came home second followed by William Edwards, Roger Damron and
Frank Buchanan. Point leader Tom Posavec blew an engine in warm-ups and was
unable to race.
Ocala's A.J. Schreier looked to have his first K-Country Street Stock
feature win in the bag, but it wasn't to be.
Schreier was leading easily when Bobby Carter's car laid some oil on the
track on lap 12. Schreier spun in the oil and was clipped by second-running
Doug Webster. Schreier's car did not feel right to him and he went to the
pits, handing the lead over to Webster.
From that point, Webster, showing no ill effects from his bus crash the
night before, was able to hold off Bobby Taylor to score his second victory of
2003. Taylor checkered second followed by Tommy Roberts, Mark Mitchell, and
Paul "Tweety" Fletcher.
Only one caution flag slowed the Four Cylinder Stock main event, but nothing
could slow Tom Ellis as he took his third win of the year although it was his
first trip to victory lane since April.
Rick Kuhn, Harold Barup, Rick Fort and Terry Dunbar completed the top five.

FEATURE RACE RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 9/19-20/03:

NATIONAL LATE MODEL SERIES (100 Laps):

1) Johnny Collins #5C
2) Greg Ward #241
3) Patrick Sheltra #23S
4) Jason Hylton #X
5) Bob McQuaig #5
6) Scott Thompson #38
7) DeWayne Johnson #45
8) John Rankin #53
9) Aaron McQuaig #20
10) Richard Souter #48
11) Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. #21
12) Lawton Minchew #23M
13) Stacey Roberts #11
14) Richard Ferry #17
15) David Clegg #07
16) Michael Lloyd #18
17) Steve Lade #00

STEVEN A. BAGEN SUPER LATE MODELS (30 Laps):

1) Rich Pratt #0
2) Tate Pierce #81
3) E.J. Wise #7
4) Robbie Smith #01
5) Keith Zavrel #47
6) Gale Grayer #87
7) Paul Combast #90
8) Troy Robinson #0B
9) Gig Smith #23
10) Tim Shull #8
11) Brad Heath #28

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

1) Kyle Maynard #27
2) Bob Masciarelli #72
3) William Edwards #08
4) Roger Damron #76D
5) Frank Buchanan #07
6) Patrick Mennenga #16
7) Jim Higginbotham #76
8) Bryson Ryker #48
9) Michael Smith #4
10) Tommy Brakeman #20
11) Eddie Kilbury #71
12) Charles Hornbeak #67
13) Big John Smith #31
DNS Tom Posavec #01

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Doug Webster #72
2) Bobby Taylor #66
3) Tommy Roberts #96
4) Mark Mitchell #71
5) Paul Fletcher #94
6) David Chastain #17
7) Pete Close, Jr. #08
8) Estle Morrow #02
9) Marlon Durbin #0
10) Shane Nichols #6X
11) Mike Rosa #76
12) Mike Fiddia #41
13) Sid Mosbrucker #62
14) Harold Edwards #11X
15) Rick Bass #39
16) A.J. Schreier #98
17) Harry Brown #29
18) Robert Capps #44C
19) Bobby Carter #99

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Tom Ellis #31
2) Rick Kuhn #47
3) Harold Barup #3
4) Ric Fort #2
5) Terry Dunbar #72
6) Kurtis Mitchell #00
7) Michael Stalnaker #8
8) James Turgeon III #18
9) Chris Noce #99
10) Festus Barup #69
11) Steve Visneski #42
12) Donnie Pitts #24
13) Justin Durbin #33
DNS Tony Thompson #007

OPEN WHEEL LITES (20 Laps):

1) Bob Quick #06
2) Rick Lundeen #04
3) Brian Gingras #09
4) Jim Biglin #07
5) Wayne DeClerck #96
6) Erik Powell #21
7) John Sproul #02
8) Ron Towles #01
9) Bill See #54
10) Becky Davis #6
DNS Bill Burback #77

V-8 STOCKS (7 Laps):

1) Laura Fletcher #21
2) Dan Tremblay #40

SCHOOL BUS FIGURE EIGHT (15 Laps):

1) Ted Visneski #71
2) Jim Bertotto #54
3) Lou Tremblay #10
4) Skip Bertotto #72G
5) Dan Tremblay #5
6) Doug Webster #72
7) Pete Close, Jr. #86
8) Frank Buchanan #98

TWO TYPES OF LATE MODELS AND SCHOOL BUS FIGURE EIGHTS HIGHLIGHT
BIG OCALA RACING WEEKEND

Racing fans will get to see plenty of action this weekend at Ocala Speedway
as the track hosts a two-day program showcasing the National Late Model
Series Dirt Late Models and Ocala' Speedway's own Steven A. Bagen Super Late Models.
Friday night is Gladiator Custom Trailers night. $100 gift certificates
will be available that fans may use toward the purchase of a Gladiator
trailer.
The first 500 fans will get a special Gladiator souvenir cup good for a
half-price soda at the concession stand, plus race fans will be able to get
an up close and personal look at these beautiful custom-made trailers.
Pace car rides will also be given away as well as tickets to the local
Silver Springs attractions.
Racing action will consist of time trials and heat races for the National
Late Model Series Dirt cars along with heat races for the Steven A. Bagen
Super Late Models, Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman, K-Country 93.7 FM Street
Stocks, Four Cylinder Stocks, and V-8 Stocks. These heat races will help
determine the line-up for the big feature events on Saturday.
The grand finale on Friday will be the always-popular School Bus Figure
Eight race. This wild and highly unpredictable form of racing is always a
fan favorite and will be a great way to cap off a fun Friday of competition. No
crossing guards will be posted!!
Saturday, Ocala Speedway will host a 100-lap feature for the National Late
Model Series Dirt Late Models along with big feature events for the Steven A.
Bagen Super Late Models, Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman, K-Country Street
Stocks, Four Cylinder Stocks, and V-8 Stocks. There is added importance to
these events for the local classes as double points will be awarded.
Although the National Late Model Series runs primarily on the dirt, it will
be the second time this year that the drivers have bolted on the asphalt
tires to do battle at Ocala.
Sylvester, GA driver Stacey Roberts dominated the 100-lap event held in
early May with Jacksonville's Michael Lloyd finishing second. Lloyd
currently leads the NLMS season-long point standings by seven markers over top rookie
driver Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown.
Another Jacksonville driver, Johnny Collins is third in points, 25 behind
Lloyd, with Columbus GA's DeWayne Johnson and Greg Ward of Ormond Beach
fourth and fifth. All of these drivers are expected in the field along with
Ocala-area drivers Bob and Aaron McQuaig and Ivedent Lloyd, Jr., veteran
Cecil Eunice of Waycross, GA, Kite GA's Henry Carter, Nahunta, GA's J.O. Nobles and
many more.
Ocala's E.J. Wise, the first-half champion, also leads the current points
for the Steven A. Bagen Super Late Models over Brock Oglesby, Keith Zavrel,
Rich Pratt and Gig Smith. All five and a host of others are expected to duke
it out this weekend.
Just 12 points separate the top five drivers in the Diamond H Air & Heat
Sportsman class with Dunellon's Tom Posavec leading the way over Frank
Buchanan, William Edwards, Kyle Maynard and Patrick Mennenga heading into the
two-day show.
Ocala's Paul "Tweety Bird" Fletcher has used some bad luck on the part of
Leesburg's David Chastain to once again take over the point lead in the
K-Country Street Stocks. Tommy Roberts and Bobby Taylor are nipping at
Fletcher's heels while Chastain has fallen to fourth in the standings but is
not that far behind the top three. Mike Rosa continues to have a steady
second half and is fifth in Street Stock points.
Rick Kuhn of Ocala continues to look like he'll repeat as Four Cylinder
Stock champion as he's now opened up a 15 point advantage over Harold Barup.
Tom Ellis, Terry Dunbar (a first-time winner last week), and Chris Noce round
out the current top five in Four Cylinder Stock points.

SLAWIAK TOPS TBARA - YOAKAM BLASTS FMSC - ROBINSON OVER MODS AT OCALA
Story and photos by Dave Westerman

Fans were treated to a full night of racing Friday night at Ocala Speedway
as for once there was no rain in sight all evening.
The Tampa Bay Area Racing Association Winged Sprint Cars were out in force
as 23 of the high-powered machines checked into the pits. Hard luck Bo
Hartley had yet more engine problems and was trailered before the end of hot
laps. Wayne Reutimann, Jr., a winner here in USCS competition earlier in the
year, made contact with Gary Gimmler in heat one and hit the turn two wall
ending his evening early as well.
Shane Butler, Sport Allen, and David Slawiak copped the three heat races and
21 cars were ready for action in the 25 lap feature.
It took three tries to get the race underway with Stan Butler grabbing the
top spot at the drop of the green closely followed by outside polesitter
Slawiak.
With their dad leading the race, Shane and Keith Butler were trying to make
their way to the front from their 9th and 11th starting positions when they
tangled entering turn two trying to lap a slower car. Neither sprinter was
damaged significantly and the Butler brothers continued from the rear of the
pack.
On the restart, Slawiak made his move to the outside of Stan Butler and
grabbed the lead. A lap later, Dude Teate got around Butler and set sail
after Slawiak. Meanwhile, Dave Steele, on "vacation" from the USAC wars up
north, was moving in on Butler. Steele was giving The Schmidt Special,
normally wheeled by Joey Aguilar, quite a ride moving from 12th on the grid to
fourth in just ten laps.
Action was slowed for the second and final time on lap 19 as Shane Butler
got turned around again in turn four. Once again, Butler's car suffered no
major damage but he made his second trip to the back of the restart field.
Slawiak was awesome on the restart, putting several lengths on Teate as the
green flag waved with six laps to go. With the first two spots virtually
settled, all eyes were on the battle for third spot with Steele going high and
low looking for a way around Stan Butler.
Slawiak and Teate took the checker about four car lengths apart as Steele
made one last charge to the high side on Butler for third. The two cars
crossed the stripe side by side with Steele just nipping Butler by the length
of the front nerf bar. Ray Bragg had a great view of the action just in front
of him as he crossed the line in fifth with Gary Gimmler, Doug Heveron, Sport
Allen, Wayne Reutimann, Sr., and Wendy Mathis Rounding out the top ten.
Slawiak, in just his second full year of racing in the TBARA, took his third
career win, but it was the Land O' Lakes' driver's first win here at Ocala.
The Florida Mini Stock Challenge was also on the docket for Friday night and
twenty of the fast four cylinders made the trek to try and stop the Robbie
Yoakam freight train. However, Yoakam was the locomotive
once again on this evening while everyone else was playing caboose.
Yoakam had the outside pole for the start of the 50 lap run and zipped past
polesitter Rick Partridge at the drop of the green. From there the only
question was who would finish second and it seemed like nobody wanted to.
Caution flew quickly in this one on lap two as Justin Edwards and Steve
Black got tangled up on the backstretch.
As the field restarted, Kevin Macy was on the move, grabbing second spot on
lap four with Richard Kelley, Jr. following him into third spot.
Caution was out again as Rick Sirmans lost power in his machine and coasted
to a stop in turn two. Sirmans car was pushed to the pits and he called it a
night.
Yoakam was in a class by himself out front as Kelley began to work on Macy,
moving into second on lap 12. Darren "Action" Jackson took third from Macy
four laps later.
Meanwhile, Kelley appeared to be faster than Yoakam and was within a car
length of the leader when the caution flew on lap 19 as both Tom Jones, Jr.
and Chad Ashley looped their cars separately in turns three and four.
Just before the restart, Kelley pulled his car into the infield and out of
the race.
Jackson inherited second place, but Yoakam quickly put some distance between
them after the restart while defending FMSC champion Robbie Storer was on the
charge taking third from Macy on lap 22.
At the mid point of the race, Yoakam was leading at ease over Jackson,
Storer, Macy, Mark Moniz, Chris Thornton, Jeff Stalnaker, Sr., Rick Partridge,
Dennis Valdez and Charlie Brown.
On lap 27, Jackson's car blew up going into turn three with the engine
erupting into a ball of flame as he headed into the infield off turn four.
The fire was quickly extinguished and Jackson emerged unscathed.
The remainder of the race saw the two Robbies, Yoakam and Storer, waltz away
from the field. Storer was quick, but had nothing for Hernando's Yoakam as
Yoakam took the win, his fifth in six FMSC races this year including a clean
sweep of the Ocala events.
Storer was second followed by Kevin Macy, Chris Thornton (driving Rick
Sirmans' back up car) and Mark Moniz. Jeff Stalnaker, Sr., Rick Partridge,
Dennis Valdez, Tom Jones, Jr., and Georgia driver Justin Edwards completed the
top ten.
Twenty-one WIND-FM Modifieds signed in to do battle on this night and try to
lay claim to the $800 first-place prize awaiting the winner of the 30-lap
feature.
Bob Masciarelli, Jeremy Gerstner, and Raymond Vann topped the three heat
races, picking up $100 each for their efforts. It would not be a good night
for either Vann or Masciarelli as Vann's machine couldn't make the call for
the start of the feature, while Masciarelli only made two laps in the main
event before something happened to his car and he hit the turn two wall,
fortunately without injury. It would only be the start of a disappointing
night for Masciarelli - but more on that later.
Jeremy Gerstner ended up on the pole and made the most of it, moving out to
a substantial lead early.
After the caution for Masciarelli's incident, the field managed to make
seven laps under green before Larry Goolsby and Kevyn Terry made contact in
turn four to bring out yellow flag number two.
On the restart, David Baxley and Troy Robinson were on the move taking
second and third spots and closing on the leader.
Jeremy Gerstner was doing all he could to hold off arch-rival Baxley when
Baxley's right front tire went flat going into turn three on lap 25.
As the field slowed to avoid Baxley's car, John Foerg and John Gerstner made
contact on the backstretch to bring out the caution. Both drivers went to the
rear of the field while Baxley was able to pit and return to the track on the
lead lap with a new shoe.
Following the restart, Robinson made a move to the inside of Jeremy Gerstner
in turn one. The two cars made contact coming out of turn two with Gerstner's
machine sliding high and just scraping the wall. Gerstner continued and no
caution was thrown as track officials agreed it was just good, hard racing.
Finishing this race would take some time as Chuck Burhalter spun with three
laps to go to bring out another caution. On the restart, Johnnie Newsome and
Jason Garver got together fighting for fourth spot, relegating them to the
back of the field. Only a lap could be run under green before Jamie Tinkham
spun to bring out the final caution flag on lap 28.
The two lap dash to the checker would find Robinson easily outdistancing
Mike Wilson for the win, his second of the year although not a very "popular"
one with the fans. Jeremy Gerstner, who lost several spots after the
altercation with Robinson, came back for third at the finish.
Although visibly upset over the incident, Gerstner kept a cool head
realizing he's leading the points with only a few races left on the schedule
although he did do a crowd-pleasing "fence climb" to salute his fans.
Larry Goolsby continues to impress as a rookie in the Modifieds, coming back
from his earlier incident to finish fourth, just ahead of John Foerg. John
Gerstner, David Baxley (with a great run from the back of the field following
his flat tire), Chuck Burkhalter, Johnnie Newsome, and Fireball Maguire
rounded out the top ten.
Things didn't get off to a very good start for the Diamond H Air & Heat
Sportsman cars as Roger Damron, a winner here two weeks ago, had his engine
come unglued (yet again) during the first practice session dumping enough oil
on the track to delay practice almost 20 minutes.
Patrick Mennenga jumped from his pole starting spot to take the lead at the
drop of the green with typical close Sportsman competition going on behind
him.
Despite some close calls, the only caution in the 20-lap event was for
debris on the track on lap 14 and it would not work in Mennenga's favor.
With the field allowed to close in on Mennenga, Bob Masciarelli and Doc
Batson, who had been glued together the entire race, made their move on lap 17
and sped by Mennenga to take over first and second.
The race would finish that way, but third place Mennenga filed a protest on
Masciarelli's engine which was found to be illegal. Thus Doc Batson was
awarded the win followed by Mennenga, Kyle Maynard, Tommy Brakeman, and
Charles Hornbeak. It was Batson's second win of the year.
Sportsman heats went to Mennenga and Brakeman.
The K-Country Street Stock 20-lap feature was surprisingly tame with plenty
of good racing all through the big field which sported several new cars.
Former Modified driver Shane Nichols got the jump on Doug Webster at the
drop of the green and led every lap in the Abney 6X. The racing behind him
was incredible, sometimes three-wide, as Mark Mitchell made a mid-race pass of
Webster to take second but was unable to close on Nichols.
Nichols took his initial win of the season followed by Mitchell, Webster,
Pete Close, Jr., and Tommy Roberts.
Heat races for Street Stocks were won by Close, Jr., Mike Wilson, and Doc
Batson.
Another first time winner emerged in the Four Cylinder Stocks as Terry
Dunbar and his Mustang held off the race-long challenges by Toyota drivers
Rick Kuhn and Rick Fort to pick up his first career checker.
Tom Ellis and Harold Barup completed the top five in a well-driven race.
Four Cylinder heat wins were taken by Fort and Kuhn.
Laura Fletcher outran Dan Tremblay to win the V-8 Stock feature.

RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 9/12/03:

TBARA SPRINTS (25 Laps):

1) Dave Slawiak #79
2) Dude Teate #68
3) Dave Steele #96
4) Stan Butler #118
5) Ray Bragg #66
6) Gary Gimmler #29
7) Doug Heveron #22
8) Sport Allen #88
9) Wayne Reutimann, Sr. #99
10) Wendy Mathis #80
11) Keith Butler #19
12) Shane Butler #18
13) Mark Gimmler #51
14) Sonny Hartley #32
15) Skeeter Faulconer #6
16) Frank Scimeca #98
17) Warren Baughn #6F
18) John Sambor #33C
19) Richard Bennett #3
20) Ben Fritz #16
21) Bobby Rose #56
DNS Wayne Reutimann, Jr. #00
DNS Bo Hartley #3X

FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE (50 Laps):

1) Robbie Yoakam #8
2) Robbie Storer #9
3) Kevin Macy #19
4) Chris Thornton #X5
5) Mark Moniz #41
6) Jeff Stalnaker, Sr. #10
7) Rick Partridge #13A
8) Dennis Valdez #40
9) Tom Jones, Jr. #60
10) Justin Edwards #112
11) Steve Black #0
12) Chad Ashley #07
13) Tom Zimmerman #55
14) Charlie Brown #11
15) Darren Jackson #7D
16) Richard Kelley, Jr. #61
17) Rick Sirmans #05
18) Marty Neikens #70
DNS Clint Foley #7
DNS #38
Fast Qualifier: Richard Kelley, Jr.

WIND-FM MODIFIEDS (30 Laps):

1) Troy Robinson #0B
2) Mike Wilson #79
3) Jeremy Gerstner #70
4) Larry Goolsby #19R
5) John Foerg #1
6) John Gerstner #77
7) David Baxley #64
8) Chuck Burkhalter #21
9) Johnnie Newsome #31
10) Fireball Maguire #19
11) Tom Bailey #24
12) Kevyn Terry #007
13) Mark Emberson #34
14) Jamie Tinkham #98
15) Jason Garver #27
16) Bobby Valeo #7
17) Glen Ervin #0
18) Bob Masciarelli #72
DNS Timmy Gamble #34B
DNS Raymond Vann #99
DNS Mike Batten #5.0

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

1) Doc Batson #B4
2) Patrick Mennenga #16
3) Kyle Maynard #27
4) Tommy Brakeman #20
5) Charles Hornbeak #67
6) Tom Posavec #01
7) Eddie Kilbury #71
8) Frank Buchanan #07
9) Charles Kopach #53
10) Jim Higginbotham #76
11) Glen Baum #09
12) William Edwards #08
DNS Roger Damron #76D
DQ Bob Masciarelli #72

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Shane Nichols #6X
2) Mark Mitchell #71
3) Doug Webster #72
4) Pete Close, Jr. #08
5) Tommy Roberts #96
6) A.J. Schreier #98
7) Bobby Taylor #66
8) Doc Batson #77
9) Paul Fletcher #94
10) Estle Morrow #02
11) Mike Fiddia #41
12) Krystal Batson #B4
13) Mike Rosa #76
14) Sid Mosbrucker #62
15) Paul Fletcher #28
16) James Morgan #55
17) Robert Capps #44C
18) Ken Asbell #89
19) Harry Brown #29
20) Harold Edwards #11X
21) David Chastain #17
22) Bobby Carter #99
23) Rick Bass #39
24) Mike Wilson #1
DNS Ed Taupier #07

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Terry Dunbar #72
2) Rick Kuhn #47
3) Ric Fort #2
4) Tom Ellis #31
5) Harold Barup #3
6) Jeff Stalnaker, Jr., #8
7) Jeff Pittsley #20
8) Donnie Pitts #24
9) Steve Visneski #42
10) Chris Noce #99
11) Mike Muroski #M61
12) Kurtis Mitchell #00
13) Festus Barup #69

V-8 STOCKS (7 Laps):

1) Laura Fletcher #21
2) Dan Tremblay #40

TBARA AND FMSC HIGHLIGHT BIG NIGHT OF RACING AT OCALA SPEEDWAY

Fans will certainly get their money's worth Friday night at Ocala Speedway
as the track hosts both the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association Winged Outlaw
Sprint Cars and the Florida Mini Stock Challenge along with five of Ocala
Speedway's regular racing divisions.
The TBARA Sprinters should be out in force as the Friday Ocala event is the
first of a weekend double header that finishes Saturday night at Citrus County
Speedway.
The Winged Warriors have had an outstanding season with a number of
different winners. Several Ocala area favorites are expected including Wendy
Mathis, Ben Fritz, and Mike Love. Leesburg's Dude Teate and John Sambor of
Eustis also can call Ocala Speedway their "home" track.
They'll be challenged by a host of TBARA regulars including defending TBARA
Champion Shane Butler and his brother Keith, who won here back on July 18th.
Shane and Keith's dad, Stan Butler, has also recently gotten the itch to race
again and may be in the field.
Speaking of father-son combos, don't count out Wayne Reutimann, Sr. and Jr.
The younger Reutimann led his dad across the line to win the USCS sanctioned
race at Ocala earlier this year plus Reutimann, Jr. was second to Keith Butler
back in July.
Other drivers expected in the field include Doug Heveron, Ray Bragg, Sonny
and Bo Hartley, brothers Gary and Mark Gimmler, and three-time 2003 winner
Joey "The Ace" Aguilar.
The Florida Mini Stock Challenge drivers have not seen much action lately
due to Mother Nature, but the big question on everyone's mind at Ocala will be
who can stop Robbie Yoakam.
The second generation racer has tallied wins in four of the five FMSC races
held so far this year and already has a big points lead over defending FMSC
Champion Robbie Storer who sits in second place. Richard Kelley, Jr. is the
only driver to grace an FMSC victory lane other than Yoakam this year. He'll
be in the Friday field at Ocala along with a large group of top Mini Stock
drivers including Lee Davis, Rick Sirmans, Dennis Valdez, Tom Jones, Jr., Mark
Moniz, Darren "Action" Jackson, Chris Hooker, Steve Griffin, Marty Neikens,
Jimmy Warram, Chad Ashley, Michael Seeright and many more.
Also in action Friday will be the WIND-FM Modifieds, Diamond H Air & Heat
Sportsman, K-Country Street Stocks, Four Cylinder Stocks and V-8 Stocks.

OCALA SPEEDWAY RAINED OUT FOR THE WEEKEND

Light rain associated with Tropical Storm Henri has forced cancellation of
racing activities for Friday night at Ocala Speedway. Also, due to the
uncertainty of the weather for the remainder of the weekend and the extremely
wet grounds, there will be no Sunday rain date.
Next Friday night the TBARA Sprint Cars and the Florida Mini Stock Challenge
will both be in action at Ocala Speedway along with the regular racing
program.
The big K-Country Street Stock special from this week will be rescheduled at
a later date

FOERG FLIES - TWEETY BIRDS SING AT OCALA SPEEDWAY

Rain fell all around Ocala Speedway Friday evening, but other than a
late-day rain shower, all was dry for racing activities and a huge rainbow off
to the east greeted fans arriving just before race time and those fans would
be treated to yet another night of great racing.
It took three tries and two multi-car tangles to get the WIND-FM Modified
feature under way. Several cars received damage and Timmy Gamble's first run
of the year was cut short as his machine rode off on the hook after the second
crash.
Clermont's John Foerg had Don Emberson's Don's Paint & Body open wheeler
dialed in and had control of the race from start to finish with only three
more minor incidents allowing the field to catch up to him under caution in
the 30-lap race.
Foerg crossed the checker for his second win of the season with Leesburg's
Jamie Tinkham holding off David Baxley for second. John Gerstener, who was
everything but upside down in this race at one time or another, kept a cool
head and made a late charge to fourth just ahead of Modified rookie Larry
Goolsby.
Modified heats were won by Tinkham and Baxley.
Paul "Tweety Bird" Fletcher got out to the lead early in the K-Country
Street Stock feature and that was definitely the place to be as the action was
rather wild behind him.
Lap three saw Mark Mitchell get loose and slide into the car of David
Chastain with cars going everywhere trying to avoid the mess. After the dust
cleared, Chastain, the point leader, was done for the night while Mitchell and
A.J. Shreier attempted to continue but dropped out just after the restart.
Fletcher continued to set the pace as many of his top competitors were
dropping by the wayside. Doug Webster fell out with a flat tire on lap 10
while Bobby Taylor and Charles Kopach tangled on lap 13 sending Kopach to the
pits with a flat as well.
Behind Fletcher, Tommy Roberts was on a mission. Roberts, who lost his
nephew Keith in a highway crash on Wednesday morning, had changed his car
number to 96 in honor of his nephew who raced using that number.
Roberts duked it out in the late going with Speedy Pete Close, Jr. and
managed to get up to second at the drop of the checker. It was an emotional
victory lane celebration for Roberts who indicated he was retiring his number
44 and would race number 96 from now on to honor his late nephew.
Later, the Street Stock drivers passed their helmets through the grandstands
and collected around $1000 to help Keith Roberts' family.
Street Stock driver Bobby Taylor reached into his wallet and pulled out a $100
bill and dropped it in the box, certainly more than he made at the pay window
this night. Just another example of how racers take care of their own.
Following Fletcher and Roberts to the finish were Close, John Mamph (a great
run in his first race here since losing a leg in a highway accident last
year), and Mike Fiddia.
Heats for Street Stocks went to Roberts and Chastain.
It wasn't the only victory circle "bash" for Paul Fletcher on this night as
his wife Laura "Mrs. Tweety" Fletcher played a waiting game and when the two
leaders tangled while battling for first place, nabbed the lead and went on to
win her first race ever in the V-8 stocks.
The win was a nice birthday present to herself as she topped Kevin Hodge and
Curtis Yoemans.
The visiting Classic Auto Racing Series feature went green to checker with
CARS point leader Ben Booth of Deland leading all the way for his second win
of the year.
Following the veteran driver to the checker were Jim Rahman, Al "Hot Rod"
Hagan, Daryl Grief, and Patrick "Bam Bam" Sanders.
Booth and Rahman won the heats.
Chiefland's Roger Damron, who has been on the shelf with engine problems
recently, made a late pass on Patrick Mennenga to top the Diamond H Air & Heat
Sportsman field for his fourth win of the year, but his first since late May.
After blowing two engines in two weeks, Mennenga pieced together another one
out of some old parts and Wal-Mart shopping carts and led much of the race,
eventually just edging Frank Buchanan at the line for second place as both
cars slid to a halt sideways in turn one in a crowd-pleasing finish.
Buchanan was third while Eddie Kilbury made his return to the track with a
fourth place effort. Tom Posavec was fifth. Point leader William Edwards saw
his string of top three finishes end as he suffered mechanical problems early
and dropped out.
Posavec won the Sportsman heat.
Candler's Ric Fort looks to be on a hot streak again in the Four Cylinder
Stocks. After winning four in a row in late May - early June, Fort had been
shut out until last week and this week he made it two in a row, leading all
the way in his Toyota for win number six on the season.
Michael Stalnaker, sporting new sponsorship from Gilbert's Ace Hardware,
made a late race pass in his Nissan to take second spot away from Rick Kuhn,
who held on for third. Terry Dunbar and Joel Byall rounded out the top five.
Four Cylinder heats went to Stalnaker and Kuhn.

RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 8/29/03:

WIND-FM MODIFIEDS (30 Laps):

1) John Foerg #1
2) Jamie Tinkham #98
3) David Baxley #64
4) John Gerstner #77
5) Larry Goolsby #19R
6) Mark Emberson #34
7) Jeremy Gerstner #70
8) Mike Batten #5.0
9) Johnnie Newsome #31
10) Fireball Maguire #19
11) Glen Ervin #0
12) Bobby Valeo #13
13) Raymond Vann #99
14) Timmy Gamble #34
15) Wayne Kissam #7

CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES (15 Laps):

1) Ben Booth #12
2) Jim Rahman #5
3) Al Hagan #6
4) Daryl Grief #1
5) Patrick Sanders #8
6) Bud Spencer #7
7) Joey Strehle #X11
8) Bill Posey #00
9) Keith Baiga #42
10) Steve Smith #2
11) David Marsh #711
12) George Hall III #32
13) Tim Ousley #88
DNS George Hall, Jr. #9

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

1) Roger Damron #76D
2) Patrick Mennenga #16
3) Frank Buchanan #07
4) Eddie Kilbury #71
5) Tom Posavec #01
6) Charles Hornbeak #67
7) Tommy Brakeman #20
8) Jim Higginbotham #76
9) Kyle Maynard #27
10) William Edwards #08

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Paul Fletcher #94
2) Tommy Roberts #96
3) Pete Close, Jr. #08
4) John Mamph #65B
5) Mike Fiddia #41
6) Mike Rosa #76
7) Rick Bass #39
8) Bobby Taylor #66
9) Jay Morgan #55
10) Dan Geer #65
11) Doug Webster #72
12) Charles Kopach #1
13) Sid Mosbrucker #62
14) Ed Taupier #07
15) David Chastain #17
16) A.J. Schreier #98
17) Mark Mitchell #71

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS ( 15 Laps):

1) Ric Fort #2
2) Michael Stalnaker #8
3) Rick Kuhn #47
4) Terry Dunbar #72
5) Joel Byall #40
6) Harold Barup #3
7) Joey Durbin #5
8) Steve Gallagher #39
9) Chris Noce #99
10) Steve Moulton #41
11) Steve Visneski #42
12) Tom Ellis #31
13) James Turgeon III #18
14) Heather Stalker #78
15) Justin Durbin #33

ROOKIE DRIVERS LOOKING GOOD AS CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES HEADS TO OCALA

The Classic Auto Racing Series is back in action Friday night at Ocala
Speedway with "rookies" now occupying three of the top five positions in the
point standings.
Deland's Ben Booth sits atop the points race following another good showing
last Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park. Joey Strehle's win at East Bay
propelled him to within three points of Second place Daryl Grief while Florida
State Senator Bill Posey had a fourth place effort at "the clay by the bay"
and moved into the top five in points for the first time this year behind
Classics veteran Bud Spencer who sits fourth in the standings.
Although Booth, Strehle and Posey are technically rookies in the Classic
Auto Racing Series and are all in the running for the Door Operating Systems
Rookie of the Year Award, all three have a myriad of racing experience and
have found a new home in CARS where driving ability is needed more than money
to run up front.
Spencer, who won at Ocala in May, is looking forward to running one of his
favorite tracks and is looking for his third win of the season.
Also expected in the field are defending CARS champion Jim Rahman and his
teammate Patrick Sanders (currently sixth in points), George Hall, Jr. and
George Hall III, Al Hagan, Ed Yates and several others.
Fans will be treated to quite an evening of racing at Ocala Speedway as the
Classics will be part of a six division show that will also feature the
WIND-FM Modifieds, Diamond H Air and Heat Sportsman, K-Country Street Stocks,
Four Cylinder Stocks and V-8 Stocks.
Pit gates open at 4PM, grandstand gates at 6PM and racing action begins at
8PM.

ANDERSON TOPS OCALA SUPER LATES - NICHOLS NABS SPORTSMAN 50 LAPPER

Well, it was one of those nights at Ocala Speedway punctuated by rain, wet
conditions, blown engines and big crashes and fans certainly got their money's
worth of action and great racing.
Just as it looked like the afternoon rains were moving out of the area, a
persistent drizzle began to fall and didn't let up for nearly two hours.
Track drying efforts began, but with no daytime heat in the race track and
the saturated conditions of the speedway grounds, it took until almost 8:30 to
get the track in race condition.
A features only format was instituted with the Steven A. Bagen Super Late
Models first out for a 35-lap event.
David Baxley grabbed the early lead in his Heat Treating Inc. Pontiac Grand
Prix and proceeded to set sail while all eyes were on Wayne Anderson who was
quickly working his Calabrese Racing/Airframe International Chevy toward the
front. Anderson, who started 13th was all the way up to third by the time the
first caution flag flew on lap 13, a caution that unfortunately ended the
evening for race leader Baxley.
Baxley had just entered a large group of lapped cars when Tim Shull and Gig
Smith tangled in front of him. Baxley plowed into Shull's stalled machine.
Walter Reardon, who had just been lapped by Baxley, got hard on the brakes but
couldn't avoid rear-ending Baxley's mount.
When all was said and done, Baxley, Reardon and Shull were done for the
night.
Baxley's misfortune handed the lead over to Chuck Burkhalter who had his
mirror full of Anderson. Try as he might, Burkhalter could not fend off
Anderson who zipped by to take the lead on lap 16 just after another restart
caused by Brock Oglesby's spin in turn two.
Anderson was clearly the class of the field as he motored away on each
restart, only to see caution flags for minor spins on laps 17, 21, 23, and 31
keep the field close.
Things would turn ugly though on lap 33. Herb Hoefler, trying to work his
way back through the field after a tangle with E.J. Wise, attempted an outside
pass of Dave Schwendeman coming out of turn four.
Somehow the two cars got locked together and turned abruptly to the right
under full acceleration. Both cars hit the wall nearly head-on with
Schwendeman's machine taking the brunt of the impact.
Despite the big crowd, there was an eerie silence as track crews attended to
both drivers. Hoeffler climbed out of his battered Monte Carlo after a couple
of minutes while track EMT's called Marion County Fire Rescue to the scene to
help treat Schwendeman.
By the time paramedics arrived, Schwendeman had come around and was talking
to the rescuers. Since he had been knocked unconscious in the crash, it was
mandatory that he be cut out of the car, immobilized and then transported to a
nearby hospital. However he was coherent, talking, and even complaining about
his car being dismantled around him and it appeared he was not seriously
hurt.
The race was called complete at lap 33 with Wayne Anderson declared the
winner, his fifth of the year. In a true show of sportsmanship, Anderson
spent several minutes at the crash scene making sure Schwendeman was OK before
walking back to the pits.
The recently un-retired Chuck Burkhalter brought Don and Mark Emberson's
Chevy home second followed by Keith Zavrel who ran most of the race with his
left front fender hanging loose. Troy Robinson was fourth and Robbie Smith
fifth.
Travis Nichols of Inverness made his first Ocala win a big one as he topped
the 50-lap Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman feature.
Tommy Brakeman jumped to an early lead as the field diced for position
behind him. The red flag flew at lap six when Patrick Mennenga's engine came
unglued going down the backstretch resulting in a flash fire that quickly put
itself out. For Mennenga, it was his second broken engine in two weeks.
Brakeman was still showing the way when Jim Higginbotham spun to bring out
the caution on lap nine. Following the restart, Nichols began to really apply
the pressure on Brakeman, finally edging past for the lead on lap 16 only to
be drilled from behind and spun by Brakeman a lap later.
Nichols was placed back at the point by track officials with Brakeman sent
to the rear of the restart line-up.
As the race reached half-way, it was a four car breakaway with Nichols
leading Frank Buchanan, Kyle Maynard and Roger Damron. About a straightaway
back, Big John Smith was leading a freight train consisting of Tom Posavec,
William Edwards, Bob Masciarelli, Pete Close, Jr. and Dusty Bouchard.
Close spun in turn three on lap 33 with Charlie Kopach and Brakeman also
getting involved to bring out the caution and close the field back up.
Nichols was having to work hard as Buchanan was applying constant pressure.
Third-running Kyle Maynard spun after a bump with Damron to bring out the
race's final caution on lap 41.
Nichols was able to hold Buchanan and Damron at bay to take the win, his
first of the season here. Big John Smith finally had a little good luck go
his way as he came home with a well-earned fourth spot just ahead of Sportsman
point leader William Edwards. Masciarelli, Posavec, Bouchard, Brakeman and
Higginbotham rounded out the top ten.
Jacksonville's Rick Lundeen was back to his winning ways in the visiting
Open Wheel Lite division leading all the way in his Suzuki powered "Flying
Grape."
The race got off to an uneasy start as two separate tangles involving the
cars of Wayne DeClerck, Bill Molenaar, Bob Quick, and Bill Burback brought
action to a halt before the field could get to turn one. All cars continued
with the exception of Molenaar who was towed to the pits.
DeClerck spun again just as the field completed lap one to bring out the
caution flag again.
Once the little cars got to some green flag racing, they put on quite a
show. Quick made a "quick" move to second while all eyes were on John Godwin
and Jimmy Wagner. Godwin, who started 11th, moved to third on lap 11 with
Wagner moving to fourth right behind him after starting last in the field.
There would be only one more caution for an Eric Powell spin on lap 13 and
from there things pretty much stabilized with Lundeen leading all the way for
the win followed by Quick, Godwin and Wagner. Ron Towles was fifth, while
DeClerck came back from his earlier miscues to checker sixth ahead of Brian
Gingras, Powell, Jim Biglin, and Jerry Davis.
Wally Schneider grabbed the early lead in the K-Country Street Stock 25-lap
feature and was looking strong until a broken axle sent him into a spin and
out of the race on lap ten.
Mark Mitchell inherited the lead at that point and led the rest of the way
although there was plenty of action behind him.
Tommy Roberts got loose and spun coming off turn four on lap 19 with Krystal
Batson, Zephyrhills Paul Fletcher, and Doug Webster crashing trying to avoid
him. The Batson and Fletcher cars were done for the night while Webster
managed to continue despite some obvious damage.
When all was said and done, Mitchell had earned his second win of the year
while Pete Close, Jr. drove from 14th on the grid to finish second.
Bobby Taylor made a late charge to nip Paul "Tweety Bird" Fletcher at the
line for third while Larry Goolsby drove a steady race in Dot and Todd
Kelley's Bi-Lo Camaro to claim fifth.
Ric Fort drove his Toyota to his fifth win of the season in the Four
Cylinder Stocks although it was his first win since mid June.
Fort snared the lead with a bold move on the opening lap and was never
headed although young Michael Stalnaker threw out all the stops in an effort
to win his third in a row, coming up just one position short.
Point leader Rick Kuhn was third just ahead of Terry Dunbar and Harold
Barup.
Charlie Kennedy led most of the way to top the new V-8 Stock class but had
to fend off the constant challenges of Laura "Mrs. Tweety" Fletcher.
Bobby Taylor, Ken Sheffield, and David Knutson rounded out the top five.
Next Friday night, Open Wheel Modified fans can see both the "old" and the
"new" as the WIND-FM Modifieds will be joined by the Classic Auto Racing
Series which features replicas of Modified style cars of the '50's and '60's.
The Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman, K-Country Street Stocks, Four Cylinder
Stocks, and V-8 Stock "Road Hogs" will also be in action.

RESULTS - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 8/22/03:

STEVEN A. BAGEN SUPER LATE MODELS (Cut to 33 Laps due to crash):

1) Wayne Anderson #84
2) Chuck Burkhalter #30
3) Keith Zavrel #47
4) Troy Robinson #0B
5) Robbie Smith #01
6) E.J. Wise #7
7) Gig Smith #23
8) Brock Oglesby #88
9) Herb Hoeffler #22
10) Dave Schwendeman #23Y
11) Paul Combast #90
12) Rich Pratt #0
13) David Baxley #64
14) Walter Reardon #54
15) Tim Shull #8
DNS Mario Hernandez #5

DIAMOND H AIR & HEAT SPORTSMAN (50 Laps):

1) Travis Nichols #2
2) Frank Buchanan #07
3) Roger Damron #76D
4) Big John Smith #31
5) William Edwards #08
6) Bob Masciarelli #72
7) Tom Posavec #01
8) Dusty Bouchard #47
9) Tommy Brakeman #20
10) Jim Higginbotham #76
11) Kyle Maynard #27
12) Steve Seymour #88
13) Pete Close, Jr. 82
14) Charles Kopach #53
15) Michael Mennenga #4
16) Doc Batson #B4
17) Patrick Mennenga #16
DNS Glen Baum #09
DNS Michael Jordan #7

OPEN WHEEL LITES (25 Laps):

1) Rick Lundeen #04
2) Bob Quick #06
3) John Godwin #22
4) Jimmy Wagner #17
5) Ron Towles #01
6) Wayne DeClerck #96
7) Brian Gingras #09
8) Eric Powell #71
9) Jim Biglin #07
10) Jerry Davis #02
11) Harvey Johnson #34
12) Bill See #54
13) Becky Davis #6
14) Bill Burback #77
15) Bill Molenaar #0

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (25 Laps):

1) Mark Mitchell #71
2) Pete Close, Jr. #08
3) Bobby Taylor #66
4) Paul Fletcher #94
5) Larry Goolsby #38
6) David Chastain #17
7) Tommy Roberts #44
8) Mike Rosa #76
9) Sid Mosbrucker #62
10) James Morgan #55
11) Dan Geer #65
12) Doug Webster #72
13) A.J. Schreier #98
14) Rick Bass #39
15) Ken Asbell #89
16) Mike Fiddia #41
17) Krystal Batson #B4
18) Paul Fletcher #28
19) Dave Danielson #70
20) Wally Schneider #91
21) Travis Wofford #24
DNS Bobby Carter #99

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (25 Laps):

1) Ric Fort #2
2) Michael Stalnaker #8
3) Rick Kuhn #47
4) Terry Dunbar #72
5) Harold Barup #3
6) Tom Ellis #31
7) Dan Sanderson #7
8) Chris Noce #99
9) Festus Barup #69
10) James Turgeon #18
11) Heather Stalker #78
DNS Stephen Visneski #42

V-8 STOCKS (15 Laps):

1) Charlie Kennedy #34
2) Laura Fletcher #21
3) Ken Sheffield #25
4) David Knutson #71
5) Dan Tremblay #5
6) Barry Curley #69
7) Bobby Taylor #27X

SUPER LATE MODELS WILL BE RUNNING TONIGHT AT OCALA SPEEDWAY!!!!

Although, not prevously indicated on the Ocala Speedway website, The Steven
A. Bagen Super Late Models will be racing this Friday night at Ocala
Speedway.
Also on tap will be a 50-lap race for the Diamond H Air and Heat Sportsman
cars, K-Country Street Stocks, Four Cylinder Stocks, and an appearance by the
Open Wheel Lites.
It had also been indicated that the K-Country Street Stocks were slated for
a 50-lap race. That event is planned for a later date.
We apologize for any inconvienience.
Pit gates will open at 4PM, Grandstand gates at 6PM and racing begins
promptly at 8PM.

BIG NIGHT SLATED FOR SPORTSMAN AND STREET STOCKS AT OCALA SPEEDWAY

Two of Ocala Speedway's most competitive racing classes take center stage
this week with 50-lap events scheduled for the Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman
and K-Country Street Stocks.
After the big Florida Pro weekend last week, the Steven A. Bagen Super Late
Models have the night off. The WIND-FM Modifieds are also off this week so
many of the Ocala Speedway regulars who take part in the UPM Modified Tour can
prepare for Saturday's race at Citrus County Speedway.
Blown engines have been a huge factor in the Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman
class over the past several weeks, but many competitors like Roger Damron,
Kathy Ray, and Big John Smith are expected back this week along with Patrick
Mennenga and Jim Higginbotham who scattered their powerplants last week.
One guy who has been able to keep things together is Gainesville's William
Edwards who leads the Sportsman points chase by six over Tom Posavec who
literally won last week's feature with a broken engine. Kyle Maynard is close
behind in third spot, just two points behind Posavec with Frank Buchanan and
Mennenga fourth and fifth and well within striking distance of the point
leader. All of these drivers and many more are looking for the big money
after the 50-lap distance is completed.
Leesburg's David Chastain took advantage of Paul "Tweety Bird" Fletcher's
mechanical misfortunes last week to move atop the K-Country 93.7FM Street
Stock point standings for the first time this year.
Chastain has a ten point cushion over Fletcher and a 12 point edge over
Tommy Roberts and Bobby Taylor who are tied for third. Mike Rosa continues to
have a great second half and is fifth in points.
These five plus a host of other Ocala regulars like Doug Webster, A.J.
Schreier, Mike Fiddia, Pete Close, Jr. (who has won the last two weeks), Estle
Morrow, Bobby Carter and Zephyrhills Paul Fletcher are expected be challenged
by a bunch of "outsiders" looking to claim the 50-lap money.
Also in action will be the Four Cylinder Stocks where Rick Kuhn still
maintains the point lead by seven over Tom Ellis and Weird Harold Barup.
The Open Wheel Lites will also be in action to round out the card.
Pit gates open at 4PM, Grandstand gates at 6PM and racing begins at 8PM.

CARLTON CLOBBERS FLORIDA PRO SERIES FIELD AT OCALA
FANS AND DRIVERS OPEN UP THEIR HEARTS FOR WILBANKS FAMILY

Despite a stellar field of Florida Pro Series Super Late Models, the biggest
for any Super Late Model race this year at Ocala Speedway, no one had
anything for former Florida Pro series champion Rick Carlton as he dominated
the field for all 100 laps Friday night.
The real winners on this evening however were the Wilbanks family. Rennie
Wilbanks, the former tech inspector for Ocala Speedway and his wife Carleen,
who took photos at the speedway for several years, have both recently quit
their jobs to spend all their time with their son, 13-year-old J.R. Wilbanks,
who is battling cancer.
Spearheaded by Street Stock driver Tommy Roberts, fans, track officials,
drivers and crews raised over $3,100 to help the Wilbanks family through this
tough time. Many race teams and fans donated $100 or more. Once again, the
racing family proves it will be there to help out one of their own when in
need.
Twenty-seven Florida Pro Series cars signed in with Craig Seewald being the
only driver unable to time trial after a wall-banger in practice. Seewald
would be able to make repairs and join the tail end of the field for the
100-lapper.
Shane Seig, driving the Great Clips car for Dick Anderson, set quick time at
14.713 seconds but saw that time disallowed in tech when his car came up light
on the scales. Merritt Island schoolteacher Brian Finney's lap of 14.721
seconds would thus become quick time followed by Rick Carlton at 14.728, Wayne
Anderson at 14.739 and Wayne "Rocketman" Jefferson at 14.777.
The re-draw of the top ten qualifiers saw Finney pick the eighth spot and
Anderson tenth. Carlton picked the outside pole while Florida Pro series
point leader Jay Middleton of Lake City took the pole in his North Florida
Medical Chevrolet.
Carlton wasted little time taking the lead at the drop of the green with
Middleton settling into the second spot just ahead of local favorite Patrick
Williams in the Armstrong Homes entry.
Seig, relegated to last on the starting grid following his DQ after time
trials, pulled off the track and out of the race on lap five.
Carlton had his McNatt Plumbing Monte Carlo on a rail, pulling out to a
healthy advantage before the first caution flag came out on lap 15 as Scot
Walters got together with another car and spun into the infield off turn four.
Despite some body damage, Walters was able to continue.
Carlton continued to lead Middleton, Williams, Mike Bresnehan and James
Powell III following the restart. Powell breezed by Bresnehan on lap 25
bringing Wayne Anderson with him.
Caution number two came out on lap 34 as Keith Zavrel spun in turn four.
With Carlton still dominating, Anderson slipped past Powell for fourth just
before the caution flew for bodywork flying off the car of Walters. Walters
took his now "air conditioned" car to the pits.
The race was back under green on lap 60 with Carlton cruising in front of
Middleton, Williams, Anderson, Powell and Bresnehan. Powell's car began to
slow and he faded back into the field, eventually dropping out on lap 71.
Carlton was flying, opening up a full straightaway advantage over Middleton
while Williams had his hands full trying to hold off Anderson's Calabrese
Racing/Airframe International Chevy.
Wayne Jefferson brought out the final caution flag on lap 85 as his engine
expired. The red flag was thrown to clean up the oil left on the track,
setting up a 15-lap shoot-out for the win.
However, this was Rick Carlton's night. On the restart he simply drove away
from the field to claim his first Florida Pro win in two years. Middleton
solidified his point lead with a second place finish while Williams held off
the hard-charging Anderson for third.
Aric Almirola did the passing job of the night, starting 13th and
methodically working his way up to fifth. Bresnehan, Rich Pratt, Brian
Finney, Mike Fritts, and E.J. Wise rounded out the top ten.
In other racing action, the WIND-FM Modified 30-lap feature was a wild one
with more twists and turns than a WWE TV show.
Johnnie "The Rat" Newsome grabbed the early lead in this one as there was
all kinds of jockeying for position behind him. John Gerstner got too low in
turn three and spun into the infield, then back up on the track causing the
field to scatter on lap eight.
The restart saw Troy Robinson move in to challenge Newsome and Robinson
would slip by to take the lead on lap eleven. Charging from his ninth
starting spot, point leader David Baxley moved by Jeremy Gerstner for third on
lap 14, moving up to challenge Newsome for second.
Something broke on sixth-running Alan McCafferty's car on lap 23 and he hit
the turn four wall to bring out the caution. On the restart, Baxley and
Jeremy Gerstner sped past Newsome who started to fade back into the field.
Chuck Burkhalter and Raymond Vann got together in turn two on lap 27 with
Jason Garver having no place to go as he hit Burkhalter's machine putting both
cars out of the race.
Robinson easily led the final three laps to the checker, but it was a wild
finish for second as Baxley and Gerstner locked horns with Baxley spinning
sideways across the stripe to take the apparent runner-up spot.
However, Baxley got a little too "excited" coming in for the victory lane
celebration and track officials disqualified him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
With Baxley earning no points or money for the evening, he saw the point lead
slip from his grasp.
It still wasn't over as apparent winner Robinson was found to have
unapproved nine inch wheels on his car and he was disqualified in tech thus
awarding the win to Jeremy Gerstner, his third of the year.
"I can't understand why David (Baxley) is so upset," said Gerstner. "It was
just hard racing and he still would've finished second, in fact actually won
the thing. I feel bad for Troy Robinson because he was so hooked up he could
have won on flat tires. But the competition is so keen in this class right
now, we'll take a win any way we can," he said.
In just his second week out in a Modified, Bob Masciarelli claimed second
ahead of Mike Batten, Newsome, and Jamie Tinkham. Completing the top ten were
Raymond Vann, John Gerstner, Kevyn Terry, John Kahl and Jason Garver.
Modified heats were taken by Jeremy Gerstner and Jason Garver.
Usually when you suffer engine problems, have your car catch on fire, dump
oil and water all over the race track and drop a cylinder... well you haven't
had too good a night... unless you're Tom Posavec.
An engine malfunction in warm-ups almost ended his evening early.
"Something broke causing the engine to fill up with water forcing the oil out
causing a fire," said Posavec.
Track crews took nearly 15 minutes to clean up the mess and everyone figured
Posavec's car would be on the trailer - wrong!
Posavec's crew went to work and found out the problem could be repaired
especially since the Diamond H Air and Heat Sportsman feature would take place
after the Florida Pro 100-lapper giving them ample time to complete the work.
To top it off, Posavec was on the pole for the 20-lap feature and he quickly
took the lead at the drop of the green. Posavec would have plenty of
opportunities to give his engine a rest in this race. The red flag flew on
lap four as Pete Close, Jr. tangled with William Edwards and hit the turn to
wall airborne. Close's Bellview Auto Salvage Camaro was badly damaged but he
fortunately walked away unhurt.
Posavec was easily fending off the field after the restart, but the red flag
would be out again on lap eight as Patrick Mennenga's engine exploded on the
backstretch and he spun wildly into the infield. No sooner did the track crew
clean up the mess and the green come back out, than the red was out yet again
as Jim Higginbotham's engine came unglued on the backstretch on lap nine.
Once the green came back out, Posavec was again looking strong, however he
began to struggle over the last five laps having to pull out all the stops to
hold off a hard-charging William Edwards who had moved into second to claim
his second win of the year.
"We dropped a cylinder with five laps to go," said Posavec. "I can't
believe we won tonight," he said.
Edwards held off a tight pack for second with Bob Masciarelli backing up his
second-place Modified finish with a third in his Sportsman car. Kyle Maynard
passed teammate Frank Buchanan late in the going to take fourth spot after
Buchanan made a huge attempt to pass the leader on the outside, but got
freight-trained by the pack.
Heats for Sportsman were won by Mennenga and Masciarelli.
Speedy Pete Close, Jr. had a better time of it in the K-Country Street
Stocks as he led all 20 laps for his second win in a row.
There was plenty of action in this one too and several cautions along with
one red flag when Estle Morrow pounded the turn four wall while trying to
avoid a wreck in front of him. Morrow wasn't injured but his car was in bad
need of attention.
Pardon the pun, but no one could get close to Close in this race as he
motored away to an easy victory. Doug "Big Bird" Webster held off a
determined Tommy Roberts for second while David Chastain and Bobby Taylor
rounded out the top five.
Winning the two heats for Street Stocks were Webster and Roberts.
Also make it back to back wins for Michael Stalnaker and his Nissan in the
Four Cylinder Stock class. The Ocala youngster did something no one else has
been able to do recently - beat Steve Gallagher's Volkswagen when Gallagher is
still running at the end of the race.
Gallagher pushed Stalnaker the entire distance as they motored well in front
of the rest of the field, but the young man was up to the challenge claiming
his fourth win of the year.
Gallagher was a close second ahead of Justin Durbin, Weird Harold Barup, and
Dan Sanderson.
Point leader Rick Kuhn had problems with his car and borrowed Chris Noce's
machine for the feature finishing seventh.
Four Cylinder Stock heat wins went to Gallagher and Ric Fort.
The new V-8 Stock class made its debut with Bobby Taylor taking the initial
win in a close battle with Ken Sheffield. Charlie Kennedy, Dan Tremblay, and
Laura "Mrs. Tweety" Fletcher completing the top five.

OFFICIAL FINISHES - OCALA SPEEDWAY - 8/15/03:

FLORIDA PRO SERIES SUPER LATE MODELS (100 Laps):

1) Rick Carlton, Homossassa #3
2) Jay Middleton, Lake City #74
3) Patrick Williams, Archer #5
4) Wayne Anderson, Wildwood #84
5) Aric Almirola, Tampa #14
6) Mike Bresnehan, Lecanto #31
7) Rich Pratt, Anthony #0
8) Brian Finney, Merritt Island #80
9) Mike Fritts, Orange City #77
10) E.J. Wise, Ocala #71
11) Brock Oglesby, Ocala #88
12) Michael Faulk, Gainesville #25
13) Joe Winchell, Davie #13
14) John Gerstner, Tampa #62
15) David Hodges, Jr., Valdosta, GA #16
16) Steve Lamb, Hollywood #99
17) Scott Grossenbacher, San Antonio #09
18) Jody Turner, Jacksonville #7
19) Wayne Jefferson, Tampa #55
20) James Powell III, Astor #37
21) Doyle Boatwright, Lawtey #57
22) Scot Walters, Naples #2
23) Keith Zavrel, Booksville #47
24) Eddie Hamby, Miami #43
25) David Hussey, Georgia #32
26) Craig Seewald, Hollywood #44
27) Shane Seig, Tucker, GA #92

WIND-FM MODIFIEDS (30 Laps):

1) Jeremy Gerstner #70
2) Bob Masciarelli #72
3) Mike Batten #5.0
4) Johnnie Newsome #31
5) Jamie Tinkham #98
6) Raymond Vann #99
7) John Gerstner #77
8) Kevyn Terry #007
9) John Kahl #23
10) Jason Garver #27
11) Chuck Burhalter #1
12) Alan McCafferty #32
13) Bobby Valeo #8
14) Glen Ervin #0
DQ Troy Robinson #0B
DQ David Baxley #64

DIAMOND H AIR AND HEAT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps):

1) Tom Posavec #01
2) William Edwards #08
3) Bob Masciarelli #72
4) Kyle Maynard #27
5) Frank Buchanan #07
6) Tommy Brakeman #20
7) Glen Baum #09
8) Justin Reynolds #20X
9) Jim Higginbotham #76
10) Patrick Mennenga #16
11) Greg Dick #10
12) Pete Close, Jr. #86
13) Paul Hudson #08X

K-COUNTRY STREET STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Pete Close, Jr. #08
2) Doug Webster #72
3) Tommy Roberts #44
4) David Chastain #17
5) Bobby Taylor #66
6) Mike Rosa #76
7) Paul Fletcher #28
8) Sid Mosbrucker #62
9) A.J. Schreier #98
10) Mike Fiddia #41
11) Rick Bass #39
12) Ted Vesneski #71
13) Bobby Carter #99
14) Mike Wilson #1
15) Estle Morrow #02
16) Paul Fletcher #94

FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS (20 Laps):

1) Michael Stalnaker #8
2) Steve Gallagher #39
3) Justin Durbin #33
4) Harold Barup #3
5) Dan Sanderson #7
6) Tom Ellis #31
7) Rick Kuhn #99 (in Chris Noce's car for points)
8) Terry Dunbar #72
9) Tony Thompson #007
10) James Turgeon III #18
11) Heather Stalker #78
12) Festus Barup #69
13) Ric Fort #2
DNS #47 (Rick Kuhn)

V-8 STOCKS (15 Laps):

1) Bobby Taylor #66
2) Ken Sheffield #25
3) Charlie Kennedy #34
4) Dan Tremblay #40
5) Laura Fletcher #21
6) Bryan Wise #5

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE FOR FLORIDA PRO LATE MODEL FANS THIS WEEKEND

Fans of Super Late Model Racing have quite a weekend in store for them in
North Central Florida as the Florida Pro series visits two vastly different
race tracks on back to back nights for a pair of 100 lap events.
FPS drivers start the weekend off at Ocala Speedway on Friday night then
move to Citrus County Speedway near Inverness Saturday evening.
Drivers and crews will be dealing with two of the more difficult tracks to
set up for in the State of Florida.
Every turn is considerably different at Ocala Speedway, in fact most drivers
say there are really five turns to the odd-shaped Marion county race track.
Most of the drivers agree you can't really set your car up for this track.
It's more of a compromise set-up to try and be fast at the beginning and end
of the long races which is difficult to do.
The tight "bullring" atmosphere of Citrus County Speedway puts a premium on
qualifying and starting as close to the front as possible because passing is
so difficult. One veteran driver states the bumpers and fenders are "just as
important as the tires" in each teams "handling package" at Citrus. "The term
rubbin' is racin' is never more true than when you run at Citrus County
Speedway," says Florida Pro Series Promoter Bert Ashelman.
Right now it's the "young guns" leading the way in the Florida Pro series
point standings. Defending FPS Rookie of the Year Jay Middleton of Lake City
and his North Florida Medical team have the point lead going into this
weekend's action. Middleton "tuned up" for this week with a third place
effort last Friday at Ocala.
Just fourteen markers behind Middleton is second generation driver Mike
Faulk of Gainesville who also leads the 2003 rookie standings. Starke's Doyle
Boatwright is only 15 points behind Faulk in third with David Froelich of
Loxahatchee and Merritt Island's Brian Finney fourth and fifth. All five are
expected to be in action this weekend.
Orange City's Mike Fritts hopped in Tommy Sytsma's "South Florida Silver
Streak" for the first time last week and came home a winner in the regularly
scheduled 30 lap Super Late Model feature at Ocala. Fritts has become one of
the premiere Super Late Model chauffeurs during the last couple of seasons
scoring many big wins including last years Governor's Cup race at New Smyrna
Speedway.
Fresh from a great seventh place effort in ARCA competition at Nashville
Super Speedway last week, Wildwood's Wayne Anderson is expected back in action
with the Florida Pro Series this weekend. Anderson hasn't competed much at
his "home" track, Ocala Speedway this year, but when he does, most of the
drivers are looking at his rear bumper. Wayne has started five SLM features
at Ocala this year, winning four and finishing second in the other. He has
competed in two of the four Florida Pro events held this year, winning the
season opening event at Charlotte County Speedway and finishing second in his
other race at Columbia Motorsports Park.
Wayne Anderson's dad, the legendary Dick Anderson, is expected to compete at
Ocala but it's not known if his self-imposed "semi-retirement" will allow him
to compete at Citrus.
The Florida Pro Series regulars will have to contend with a host of local
area "hot shoes" that should make for the biggest fields of the year.
Ocala's E.J. Wise and Patrick Williams of Archer, who finished 1-2 in the
first half season point chase at Ocala Speedway should be strong contenders
along with Anthony's Rich Pratt who competes on a regular basis at Ocala as
well as traveling with Florida Pro. Scott Grossenbacher of nearby San Antonio
has hopefully shaken off some early season engine woes and always runs strong
at Ocala.
At Citrus County Speedway, Mike Bresnehan, Jim Smith, Ricky Carlton, Danny
Johnson, Rex Struble, and Herb Neumann, Jr. should provide stiff competition
and many of the Ocala/Citrus regulars plan on running both events.
As usual, South Florida will be well represented by the likes of Steve Lamb,
Joe Winchell, and Steve Godlewski while David Hodges, Jr. will make the trek
south from Georgia with a new car. Fellow Georgia drivers David Hussey and
Jeff Gordon are also possible entries.
Other top drivers who may compete include Gainesville's Kevin Durden, David
Browning of Jacksonville, Newberry's Mac Johnson and young Fain Skinner of
Live Oak.
Pit gates open Friday afternoon at Ocala Speedway at 2PM with practice laps
beginning at 4PM. Grandstand gates open at 6PM with Florida Pro Series time
trials at 7:30PM and racing at 8PM.
Saturday at Citrus County Speedway, pi gates open at 1PM, practice begins at
2PM, Florida Pro Series qualifying is at 5:30 PM and racing begins at 6PM.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE FOR FLORIDA PRO LATE MODEL FANS THIS WEEKEND

Fans of Super Late Model Racing have quite a weekend in store for them in
North Central Florida as the Florida Pro series visits two vastly different
race tracks on back to back nights for a pair of 100 lap events.
FPS drivers start the weekend off at Ocala Speedway on Friday night then
move to Citrus County Speedway near Inverness Saturday evening.
Drivers and crews will be dealing with two of the more difficult tracks to
set up for in the State of Florida.
Every turn is considerably different at Ocala Speedway, in fact most drivers
say there are really five turns to the odd-shaped Marion county race track.
Most of the drivers agree you can't really set your car up for this track.
It's more of a compromise set-up to try and be fast at the beginning and end
of the long races which is difficult to do.
The tight "bullring" atmosphere of Citrus County Speedway puts a premium on
qualifying and starting as close to the front as possible because passing is
so difficult. One veteran driver states the bumpers and fenders are "just as
important as the tires" in each teams "handling package" at Citrus. "The term
rubbin' is racin' is never more true than when you run at Citrus County
Speedway," says Florida Pro Series Promoter Bert Ashelman.
Right now it's the "young guns" leading the way in the Florida Pro series
point standings. Defending FPS Rookie of the Year Jay Middleton of Lake City
and his North Florida Medical team have the point lead going into this
weekend's action. Middleton "tuned up" for this week with a third place
effort last Friday at Ocala.
Just fourteen markers behind Middleton is second generation driver Mike
Faulk of Gainesville who also leads the 2003 rookie standings. Starke's Doyle
Boatwright is only 15 points behind Faulk in third with David Froelich of
Loxahatchee and Merritt Island's Brian Finney fourth and fifth. All five are
expected to be in action this weekend.
Orange City's Mike Fritts hopped in Tommy Sytsma's "South Florida Silver
Streak" for the first time last week and came home a winner in the regularly
scheduled 30 lap Super Late Model feature at Ocala. Fritts has become one of
the premiere Super Late Model chauffeurs during the last couple of seasons
scoring many big wins including last years Governor's Cup race at New Smyrna
Speedway.
Fresh from a great seventh place effort in ARCA competition at Nashville
Super Speedway last week, Wildwood's Wayne Anderson is expected back in action
with the Florida Pro Series this weekend. Anderson hasn't competed much at
his "home" track, Ocala Speedway this year, but when he does, most of the
drivers are looking at his rear bumper. Wayne has started five SLM features
at Ocala this year, winning four and finishing second in the other. He has
competed in two of the four Florida Pro events held this year, winning the
season opening event at Charlotte County Speedway and finishing second in his
other race at Columbia Motorsports Park.
Wayne Anderson's dad, the legendary Dick Anderson, is expected to compete at
Ocala but it's not known if his self-imposed "semi-retirement" will allow him
to compete at Citrus.
The Florida Pro Series regulars will have to contend with a host of local
area "hot shoes" that should make for the biggest fields of the year.
Ocala's E.J. Wise and Patrick Williams of Archer, who finished 1-2 in the
first half season point chase at Ocala Speedway should be strong contenders
along with Anthony's Rich Pratt who competes on a regular basis at Ocala as
well as traveling with Florida Pro. Scott Grossenbacher of nearby San Antonio
has hopefully shaken off some early season engine woes and always runs strong
at Ocala.
At Citrus County Speedway, Mike Bresnehan, Jim Smith, Ricky Carlton, Danny
Johnson, Rex Struble, and Herb Neumann, Jr. should provide stiff competition
and many of the Ocala/Citrus regulars plan on running both events.
As usual, South Florida will be well represented by the likes of Steve Lamb,
Joe Winchell, and Steve Godlewski while David Hodges, Jr. will make the trek
south from Georgia with a new car. Fellow Georgia drivers David Hussey and
Jeff Gordon are also possible entries.
Other top drivers who may compete include Gainesville's Kevin Durden, David
Browning of Jacksonville, Newberry's Mac Johnson and young Fain Skinner of
Live Oak.
Pit gates open Friday afternoon at Ocala Speedway at 2PM with practice laps
beginning at 4PM. Grandstand gates open at 6PM with Florida Pro Series time
trials at 7:30PM and racing at 8PM.
Saturday at Citrus County Speedway, pi gates open at 1PM, practice begins at
2PM, Florida Pro Series qualifying is at 5:30 PM and racing begins at 6PM.

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