| Monday, February 27, 2006 | |
| Robbie Yoakum Starts 2006 With Citrus Win | Yoakam Wins FMSC 2006 Season Opener at Citrus County.
2/25/2006
by: Rick Warren
The waiting finally over, 30 Mini-Stocks made their way to Citrus County Speedway for the season opener of the 2006 American Building Materials / Florida Mini Stock Challenge. The weather was not promising, but the racers were ready to go after the winter layoff.
Rick Sirmans set the tone in the Fascats Cattery entry, by turning the fastest lap in qualifying. After the draw for inversion, Kevin Macy in the Corporate Lighting machine sat on the front row. Alongside Macy was Chuck Frazier in the Chuck Frazier Builders entry. The second row was filled by Jim Smith and Robbie Yoakam. Row 3 consisted of Chris Thornton and Jason Rendell, followed by Robbie Storer, Jay Zolciak,
Johnathan Guy and Rick Sirmans rounding out the front ten starting spots.
The 30 car field finally took to the track, ready for 50 green flag laps of competition. Macy led the field to the green flag, and the battle was on. Macy took the early lead followed by Frazier, Yoakam, Smith, Thornton and Rendell. The first caution of the race came on lap 6 as Phillip Joyner Jr., got loose and spun exiting turn 4.The field lined up for the double file restart with Macy still out front, followed by Yoakam, Frazier,Smith and Thornton. The race restarted with Macy trying to extend his lead, and Yoakam determined not to allow the leader to get away. By lap 10 Yoakam was all over Macy, looking for a way to get by. Caution again was displayed on the speedway on lap 12 as the 91 car had mechanical problems and was unable to exit the speedway under his own power. The field lined up for the restart with Macy still holding the lead and Yoakam right on his bumper. Frazier still held third, followed by Smith, Storer, Thornton and Sirmans. Yoakam was able to work by Macy on lap 19, with Storer following for second. Lap 21 saw caution again, as the car of Rotkis spun, and was collected by Cody Blair. The running order for the restart had Yoakam out front, followed by Storer, Smith, Sirmans, Frazier, Thornton, and Kevin Harrod.
At the halfway point, the running order was Yoakam, Storer, Smith ,Frazier, Thornton, Harrod, and Sirmans. The race was slowed by several minor cautions from this point on. Lap 31 saw Robbie Storer lose an engine in a spectacular display of smoke and pyrotechnics. On the restart Yoakam opened a comfortable lead, but the rest of the field was not thru fighting for positions. Positions 3 thru 10 saw lots of passing and jostling for position. The closing laps saw some very competitive action, and a great deal of passes made. When the checkered flag waved, Yoakam had sealed the deal, and brought home the win in the Weston Properties entry. Jim Smith finished a strong second, in the J.D. Smith Pest Control entry, followed by Chuck Frazier, Chris Thornton and Kevin Harrod.
Congratulations to Dennis Valdez for Earning the Hard Charger Award.
The racers of the Florida Mini Stock Challenge will once again be in action on March 25, 2006 at the High Banks of New Smyrna Speedway. We look forward to you joining us there for some great racing action.!
FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE
1 8 Robbie Yoakam Hernando, Fl
2 124 James Smith Inverness,Fl
3 21 Chuck Frazier Avon Park,Fl
4 24 Chris Thornton Clearwater,Fl
5 34 Kevin Harrod Floral City
6 05 Rick Sirmans Pinella
7 98 James Ellis Brooksville,Fl
8 9x Travis Nichols Brooksville,Fl
9 11x Mary Green Clearwater,Fl
10 40 Dennis Valdez Tampa,Fl
11 2 Don Faunce Spring Hill,Fl
12 24k Jamie King Bartow,Fl
13 13 Johnathon Camp Beverly Hills,F
14 23 Jessie Henly Beverly Hills,F
15 42 Jonathan Guy Auburndale,Fl
16 v3 Rex Christensen Port Orange
17 15 Mark Maniz Zephyrhills,Fl
18 91 Jason Rendell Lakeland, FL
19 6 Chris Hooker Floral City,Fl
20 19 Kevin Macy Winter Haven,Fl
21 81 Cody Blair Winter Park,Fl
22 15x Cecil Martin Zephyrhills,Fl
23 9 Robbie Storer Zephyrhills,Fl
24 93 Phillip Joyner, Jr. Brooksville,Fl
25 11 Billy Calbert Holmes Beach,Fl
26 5 Jeff Barnes Largo,Fl
27 20 Jef Pittsley Eustis,Fl
28 12 Justin Edwards Ft. Valley,GA
29 3 Jay Zolciak St. Petersburg
30 03 Raymond Folwell St. Petersburg
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