| Jeff Scofield takes First Leg of the Tripl.e Crown | 
The FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series roared into Bronson Motor Speedway Saturday night for a 125 lap contest to determine the winner of the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown for Late Models. This race begins a 3 race series that culminates in the Florida Governor's Cup Race, one of the most tradition rich short track races in the country.
The Friday night practice sessions showed just how serious the racers are about this series, as many hours of work went into these race cars, searching for just 1 more tenth of a second to be shaved off the lap times. As the practice session drew to an early end due to an unexpected rain storm, lap times were getting quicker and quicker.
The weather on Saturday was perfect, with no signs of a repeat of Friday night's rain. Eighteen of the fastest Super Late Models in the State were on hand to try and take top Honors. When Qualifying was finished, Rich Pratt in the Groeb Farms entry had turned the fastest lap, followed by Patrick Williams and Wayne Anderson.
Pratt drew a seven for the inversion, and luck of the draw put Chris Fontaine on the pole, with Mike Franklin on the outside pole. The second row was filled with Jeff Scofield and Fain Skinner, followed by Anderson, Williams and Pratt.
The fans, especially the younger ones, were treated to a trick or treat session with the drivers on the track before the start of the feature event. After the kids got their fill of candy from the drivers , it was time for the big show to begin.
The drivers buckled in, fired the engines, and ran their warm up laps. When the green flag fell Franklin blasted from his front row spot to take the lead going into turn 1. Pole sitter Fontaine Became the meat in a race car sandwich exiting turn 2, and was forced to the high side of the track, and a high speed freight train hung him out to dry as the field blasted thru the first lap.
The first of several cautions came out on lap 3 as the car of Brian Finney spun in turn 4. The field restarted with Franklin in the #1 spot, followed by Scofield, Daniel Webster, Anderson, Williams, Fontaine, Wayne Morris, Scotty Crockett, Pratt, Dwayne Dempsey, Jay Middleton, John Chance, Daniel Keene Jr., David Pollen Jr., and Finney.
The race stayed green for only a few laps, with the front pack trying to settle in for a long run. Lap 12 had caution again displayed when the cars of Chance and Finney got together off turn 4, with Finney ending up hard into the front straight wall. The race was red flagged on lap 18 as the track cleanup was extensive.
The restart had the lead pack keeping the same running order, with tight racing all thru the field. Lap 59 had caution on the track as the cars of Wayne Morris and Daniel Webster tangled in turn 3, with Webster flattening a tire.
At the restart, Franklin continued to lead, with Scofield, Anderson, Williams and Middleton following. The 47 car of Fontaine was placed at the end of the lead lap for dropping a piece of ballast on the racing surface. Lap 70 saw the cars of Scofield and Williams get together in turn 3, with the 77 car of Williams spinning, bringing out another caution.
The race restarted with Franklin still on the point, Scofield being returned to his spot in the running order, followed by Anderson, Middleton and Crockett. On lap 85 Franklin blew the right front tire entering turn 1, and did a great job of keeping the car off of the wall. The caution came out to clean the debris from the track, and Franklin was able to pit and rejoin the race at the end of the lead lap.
Scofield inherited the lead with Anderson working him hard to try to get by for the lead. Lap 94 had Scofield and Anderson battling for the lead. Contact was made with Scofield spinning in turn 2.
Caution was displayed on the speedway while the field was reset, with Scofield being returned to the front and Anderson to the end of the lead lap. Chasing Scofield now were Middleton, Crocket and Pratt.
The race was again slowed for brief cautions on lap 102 and 112, with Scofield still holding the lead spot, followed by Crockett, Pratt and Middleton. Crockett and Pratt tangled on lap 120, bringing out the final caution flag of the race. Both cars were sent to the rear of the lead lap, leaving Scofield in front followed by Anderson, who had worked back thru the field, and slipped past Middleton before the caution period.
The final 5 laps were a battle, and Scofield held on to claim the hard fought victory. Anderson held on to second with a badly overheating engine, while Middleton finished a solid third.
FIRST LEG OF TRIPLE CROWN
SUNBELT SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES
BRONSON MOTOR SPEEDWAY - OCTOBER 30, 2004
1. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City
2. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood
3. #74J Jay Middleton, Lake City
4. #6 Dwayne Dempsey, St. Pete
5. #47 Chris Fontaine, Lakeland
6. #77 Patrick Williams, Archer
7. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oaks
8. #28 Scotty Crockett, Land O'Lakes
9. #0 Rich Pratt, Anthony
10. #88 David Pollen Jr., Tampa
11. #97 Mike Franklin, Ocala
12. #81 John Chance, Inverness
13. #1x Daniel Webster, Brooksville
14. #47x Gary Grubbs, Brooksville
15. #98 Wayne Morris, Mulberry
16. #5 Daniel Keene Jr., Weekiwachee
17. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island
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