| Wayne Anderson wins Clyde Hart Memorial | by Jane Smith
Samsula, Fla. (July 1, 2004) A perfect day, only a few short sprinkles, plenty of cars, plenty of fans was July 1 at New Smyrna Speedway. Thirty two Super Late Models went thru tech for one of the most important races on their Sunbelt Super Late Model schedule.
Before the races began, a very special ceremony was held for the dedication of the "Clyde Hart Highway" with State Senator Bill Posey, State Senator Evelyn Lynn, State Representative Pat Patterson and Volusia County Commissioner Joey Alexander.
As Robert and Andrew Hart listened to each of the guest speakers talk about Clyde Hart, the crowd was silent. Robert Hart is the current owner of both Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway and the only child of Clyde Hart. Andrew Hart, Robert Hart's only child, will someday take over what Clyde and his father built for the racers and fans of local short track stock car racing.
An emotional Robert Hart thanked each and every speaker for their kind words about his father and cut the yellow ribbon for the grand opening of the "Clyde Hart Highway" which will run from State Road 415 to Deland, approximately a ten mile stretch.
State Senator Evelyn Lynn gave the command "Gentlemen, start your engines", and Andrew Hart threw the green flag.
Wayne Anderson of Wildwood set fast time with a 17.991, the only driver to hit the 17 second bracket. But after the pill draw, it was Brian Finney of Merritt Island on the pole for the 125 lap Clyde Hart Memorial.
On the green, it was Finney and Mike Fritts of Debary going side-by-side for the lead with Fritts taking the point followed by Justin Drawdy, Brian Finney, Mario Gosselin and Wayne Anderson. By lap 1, Gosselin and Anderson had passed Finney taking over third and fourth with Finney settling down in fifth.
Lap 2 saw the first caution for Bruce Lawrence II who spun at the bottom of turns 3 and 4. The field was realigned and the green was out as Fritts led the way. It took Wayne Anderson approximately four laps to pass Drawdy for the second spot and set his eyes on Fritts for the lead. By lap 12, it was Mike Fritts and Wayne Anderson doing some close side-by-side action. But on lap 13, Drawdy, Finney, and Dick Anderson get tangled up at the top of turns 3 and 4. Drawdy lost his rear-end with Finney having no where to go and hitting Drawdy. Anderson received little damage and was able to continue. Drawdy and Finney were both taken in on the hook and done for the night.
Anderson took the point on the restart on lap 18 followed by Mike Fritts, Mario Gosselin, Dick Anderson and David Rogers, Scotty Crockett, Mike Good, Barry Willoughby, Fain Skinner and Jay Middleton. On lap 26, while running second, Mike Fritts slows and is off the pace. Fritts pulls down on pit road and is done for the night. Lap 29 sees Michael Williams with the South Forty Motorsports Super Late also go in, done for the night. New running order is Anderson, Gosselin, Dick Anderson, David Rogers and Scotty Crockett.
Whether it was the heat or full moon, cars dropped out of the race one by one. Lap 35 Daniel Keene Jr. was off, lap 40 Sean Murphy was off. Anderson continued to lead the way followed by Gosselin, Dick Anderson, David Rogers, Scotty Crockett, Mike Good, Barry Willoughby, Fain Skinner, Jay Middleton, Jeff Scofield, and Chris Fontaine. On lap 49, Scofield brings out the yellow as he hits the backstretch wall coming off turn 2.
Anderson holds the point on the restart with Mario Gosselin close on Anderson's tail. Jay Middleton begins his drive to the front as he passes Fain Skinner and takes over eighth with Skinner sliding to ninth. A new face comes into the top ten as Ryan Foster takes over tenth. By lap 68, Middleton has seventh, Chris Fontaine takes over eighth with Willoughby in ninth and Skinner in tenth.
The caution comes out on lap 76 for Chet Morrison who has spun on the bottom of turns 1 and 2. Morrison gets the car going and rejoins the field in the rear. Anderson holds the point for the restart followed by Gosselin, Dick Anderson, Scotty Crockett, David Rogers, Mike Good, Jay Middleton, Chris Fontaine, Barry Willoughby, and Fain Skinner.
Debris on the track brings out the yellow on lap 84. Anderson leads the way. But current point leader Fain Skinner has problems as his hood is pushed up and to the point where Skinner cannot see. Skinner tries to continue for several laps but on lap 98, the yellow comes out for Skinner who pits to have the hood removed.
Lap 102 sees the restart with Anderson, Gosselin, Dick Anderson, Crockett and Rogers in the top five. After having one good run, young Ryan Foster of Arkansas brings out the yellow on lap 103 as he has spun in turns 1 and 2. This was the last caution of the race as it was balls to the wall for the rest of the 20 laps.
Anderson holds strong and takes the checkered followed by Mario Gosselin, Dick Anderson, Scotty Crockett, David Rogers, Jay Middleton, Mike Good, Chris Fontaine, Barry Willoughby and Jonny Kay.
NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY - JULY 1
CLYDE HART MEMORIAL SUNBELT 125
1. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood
2. #59 Mario Gosselin, Lake Whales
3. #92 Dick Anderson, Wildwood
4. #28 Scotty Crockett, Land O'Lakes
5. #11 David Rogers, Orlando
6. #74j Jay Middleton, Lake City
7. #27 Mike Good, Lake Mary
8. #47 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland
9. #74 Barry Willoughby, Port St. Lucie
10. #48 Jonny Kay, Deerfield Beach
11. #86 Chet Morrison, Houma, LA.
12. #16 Bruce Lawrence, Sorento
13. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oaks
14. #20 Kevin Gillum, West Palm
15. #116 Bruce Lawrence, Jr., Sorento
16. #10 Ryan Foster, Lowell, Arkansas
17. #00 Melvin Cooper, Albany, Ga
18. #57 Jim "Hoot" Flynn, Orlando
19. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City
20. #32 Sean Murphy, Ft. Lauderdale
21. #5 Daniel Keene Jr., Weekiwachee
22. #40 Michael Williams, Mims
23. #88 Brock Oglesby, Ocala
24. #27x Mike Fritts, Debary
25. #12 Justin Drawdy, Ft. Pierce
26. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island
27. #61 Jimmy Cope, St. Pete
28. #7 Jamie Skinner, New Smyrna.
29. #7x Mark Vandevender, New Smyrna DNS
30. #22 David Froehlich Jr., Loxahatchee DNS
31. #2X Wayne McCall, Jacksonville DNS
32. #78 B.J. McLeod, Wauchula DNS
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