by Jane Smith

Bithlo, Fla. (July 9, 2004) With a number of families and drivers taking vacation right before school starts, only 16 Late Models showed for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model race at Orlando SpeedWorld. But those 16 gave the fans one heck of a show.

Jason Boyd of Orlando set fast time but drew the number five pill putting Joe Winchell of Davie, Florida on the pole. Winchell did not hesitate taking the lead on the green followed by Doug Samion, Martin Pierce, Wayne Morris, and Jason Boyd. Boyd took little time making his move on Morris and taking over fourth.

On lap 12, the caution came out for Steve Smith of Lakeland who spun in turns 3 and 4. A number of cars were spinning avoiding Smith with Charles Kopach of Astatulo getting the worse end when he hit the turns 3 and 4 wall. Kopach was fine but done for the night. Travis Wilson also suffered some frontend damage but was able to continue racing with Smith joining the field in the rear.

Winchell held the point on the restart as Doug Samion of Orlando found his hands full of Jason Boyd. As Samion and Boyd went side-by-side for several laps, it was Boyd in the end in second with Samion in third followed by Martin Pierce and Wayne Morris. The yellow came out for another spun car in turns 3 and 4 and during the caution, Wayne Morris took his ride in for the night with mechanical problems.

Winchell retained the number one spot on the green with Jason Boyd, Doug Samion, Martin Pierce, Greg Kaouk in the top five. Chuck Burkhalter began to make his move as he passed Kaouk and took over fifth with Kaouk sliding back to eighth. Now it was Winchell, Boyd, Samion, Pierce, Burkhalter, Tate Pierce, David Green, Greg Kaouk, Rich Clouser, Travis Wilson and Steve Smith in the top 11.

Boyd looks high and low but Winchell is not to be passed. On lap 50, Doug Samion spun out in turns 3 and 4 and retired from the race after being told he had to go to the rear. Winchell still holds strong on the restart although Boyd is giving him no room for a mistake. By lap 52, Boyd has passed Winchell on the outside and set sails in the lead followed by Winchell, Pierce, Burkhalter, Tate Pierce, Kaouk, Clouser, Wilson, Jerry Artuso, David Green, Bill Ostriker, Dawayne Bryan and Steve Smith.

Artuso takes over eighth as Tate Pierce fights back the charge of Greg Kaouk. Pierce holds him off and retains fifth but Chuck Burkhalter pulls off and is done for the night. The top five are now Boyd, Winchell, Pierce, Tate Pierce and Greg Kaouk.

Boyd now holds about a 10 car lead over Winchell who has about a 10 car lead over Pierce. It is the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place cars of Pierce, Kaouk, Clouser and Artuso who are putting on the show as they fight their way forwards. Clouser makes his move on the outside passing taking over fourth with Jerry Artuso coming along for the ride in fifth. Tate Pierce retires his car to the pits.

Closuer closes in on Pierce but is unable to pass Pierce who is determined to finish this race with a good position. Boyd takes the win and the checkered followed by Joe Winchell, Martin Pierce, Rich Clouser and Jerry Artuso.

OFFICIAL RESULTS ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD - JULY 9, 2004

GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL 100

1. #15 Jason Boyd, Orlando, Fla.
2. #57 Joe Winchell, David, Fla.
3. #75 Martin Pierce, Sanford, Fla.
4. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay, Fla.
5. #5 Jerry Artuso, Ontario
6. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbrook Pines, Fla.
7. #47 David Green, Ft. Pierce, Fla.
8. #62 Travis Wilson, Bartow, Fla.
9. #0 Bill Ostriker, Ridge Manor, Fla.
10. #28 Steve Smith, Lakeland, Fla.
11. #81 Tate Pierce, Zephyrhills, Fla.
12. #63 Dawayne Bryan, Lake Alfred, Fla.
13. #1 Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont, Fla.
14. #04 Doug Samion, Orlando, Fla.
15. #56 Wayne Morris, Mulberry, Fla.
16. #53 Charles Kopach, Astatulo, Fla.

FAST QUALIFIER: #15 Jason Boyd
TOP ROOKIE: #62 Travis Wilson