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Monday, April 14, 2008
by Dave Westerman
Sixteen Mini Stocks signed in to do battle with Winter Park's Cody Blair snatching quick time over an extremely quick field of cars with a lap of 15.262 seconds. Johnathan Camp and Brian Dorer were right behind Blair, but Blair would be required to start the 50 lap feature from eleventh spot by virtue of him winning the last FMSC race.
The top nine in qualifying were inverted for the start placing Inverness driver Steve Griffin on the pole and he grabbed the lead immediately. There was a big shuffle of cars during lap two which saw Camp and Brandon Strevels get together dropping both well behind the field as no caution was thrown.
Griffin was looking strong in the lead, but a problem he had been experiencing all day reared itself again on lap eight as his car momentarily jumped out of gear allowing Chris Hooker to blow by into the lead. Nine laps later, the same thing happened again but this time the results were disastrous as it caused several cars to get together trying to avoid Griffin's slowing machine. Ninth starter Jared Allison had to choose either t-boning another car or hitting the wall. Allison chose the latter and damaged his racer just enough to send him to the pits. Griffin and Dorer were also eliminated in the wreck.
Once the field went green Hooker continued to set the pace but Marty Neikens and a host of others were on the charge. With the race continuing under green, Hooker's car began to get loose and Neikens sped by into the lead. Meanwhile, Camp had been furiously working his way through the field and passed Hooker for second bringing Cody Blair with him.
Camp began to pressure Neikens but Neikens wasn't giving him any room. With seven laps left, Blair spun out of third in turn one and went to the rear of the field for the restart. Again Camp began to put a ton of pressure on Neikens but his charge was slowed again on lap 45 for a spin by James Ellis.
As the two leaders came out of turn four on the final lap, Camp gave Neikens a good shove, nearly spinning him out, but the veteran from Pinellas Park held on to take the win although he let Camp know his feelings about the incident on the cool-off lap.
Neikens would take the win followed by Camp and Hooker. Mason Love had a steady run for fourth while local driver David Russell of Melbourne grabbed fifth. Blair drove back to sixth with Strevels, Ellis, Mitchell Webb and Mike Birk, Jr. completing the top ten. The remaining finishers were Randy Blakeslee, Mark owers, Jason Bertsch, Griffin, Dorer and Allison.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE 50
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD - APRIL 11, 2008
1. #70 Marty Neikens
2. #13 Jonathan Camp
3. #6x Chris Hooker
4. #71 Mason Love
5. #31 David Russell
6. #81 Cody Blair
7. #14 Brandon Strevels
8. #98 James Ellis
9. #6 Mitchell Webb
10. #10 Mike Birk, Jr.
11. #77 Randy Blakeslee
12. #9 Mark Powers
13. #18 Jason Bertsch
14. #3 Steve Griffin
15. #97 Brian Dorer
16. #92 Jared Allison
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
by Jane Smith
Orlando, FL (April 8, 2008) Fans are in for a treat this weekend at Orlando SpeedWorld when the Florida Mini Stock Challenge and Southern Sportsman take centerstage Friday night. Also running will be the Modifieds, Super Stock and Strictly Stock.
Cody Blair leads the points for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge with 258 points over Mike Birk, Jr. with 228. Blair is very familiar with Orlando SpeedWorld as he comes to race there quite a few times during the year. Birk, who raced at Ocala Speedway before it was dirt, will use practice time to become familiar with Orlando.
Third in points is Mason Love followed by Mitchell Webb and Mark Powers.
At least one weekly Mini Stock driver from Orlando will also join the fun, Jared Allison. Allison has won every Mini Stock race this year and has proven why he was the Mini Stock Champion many years ago.
Patrick Thomas leads the Southern Sportsman with 254 points over Steve Gainey with 234. These two drivers love to battle it out and Orando is one place where they are both good. Mike Soukup is third in points followed by Joey Catarelli and Jeff Padilla. These guys come to race and will provide the fans with a great show.
The pit gate will open at 2 pm on Friday with practice for the Florida Mini Stock Challenge and Southern Sportsman alone from 3 to 4 pm. Qualifying will begin at 6:45 pm with racing action at 8:00 pm.
Grandstands open at 6 pm with general admission $15.00, students and seniors (62 and older) $10.00, children 11 and under FREE.
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| Wednesday, November 21, 2007 | |
| 2008 Florida Mini Stock Challenge Race Schedule | 3/01 DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY
3/22 COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK
4/11 ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
5/17 NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
6/14 DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY
7/12 NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
8/30 COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK
9/27 TBA
10/10 ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
MEMBERS ONLY
25 Points for rainouts if you are registered
50 additional points for towing to Columbia Only!!
Must be registered.
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