| Winchell shows the way at Orlando SpeedWorld March 17 | 
Joe Winchell led the Goodyear Challenge LM race flag to flag.
Orlando Speedworld kicked off the 2006 racing season with a great night of competition that offered a little bit of everything.
The big event of the evening was the season opener for the Goodyear Challenge Late Models which featured a mix of veterans and young rookies that would eventually lead to some wild racing.
A.J. Currelli topped the 28 car field in time trials with a lap of 13.900 seconds while 2005 Florida Mini Stock Challenge champion Dustin Deschamps was second quick in his first start with the Goodyear Late Models, stopping the clock at 13.964. Sam Watts was third quick at 14.000.
The race would get off to a rocky start as outside pole sitter Don Hess got loose and spun coming off turn four sliding down the track and collecting the car of 2005 Goodyear Challenge champion Rich Clouser. It was a tough start to 2006 for Clouser as his car was towed to the pits and he was credited with last place.
The second attempt was better as veteran Joe Winchell of Davie sped to the early lead from his pole position start, but before lap two could be completed a multi car mess took place in turns three and four that sent several cars to the pits for repairs and eliminated the machines of Charlie Vest and Phil Tapia.
Winchell continued to set a blistering pace until the field was slowed again as Travis Cope and Sam Watts tangled just past the flag stand sending Watts' car hard into the wall. Watts was out while Cope continued.
Winchell again pulled away as Derrick Kelley and fast timer Currelli began to make their presence felt. The two were fighting for fourth when Kelley made a low side move going into turn one, turning Currelli around. Charles Kopach spun to avoid and ended up getting into the wall. An unhappy Kelley went to the back of the pack while Currelli kept his spot.
Hess was still running strong despite damage from the opening lap incident, but running well behind leader Winchell. Third place Chuck Burkhalter was putting the pressure on Hess when Hess got loose going into turn three and spun. Travis Cope had nowhere to go and crashed into Hess' car with both racers being eliminated from the race.
Winchell set the pace through two more caution periods as Currelli moved up and got past Burkhalter for second. The red flag was displayed at lap 82 after Chris Huntoon blew an engine going into turn three and backed into the wall.
Following the restart, Currelli was able to put pressure on Winchell for a couple of laps, but Winchell had his car hooked up and pulled away, slowed only by a lap 94 caution when Deschamps spun out of fourth place.
Winchell raced untouched to the checkered flag with Currelli second and Burkhalter third. Derrick Kelley raced back to fourth at the finish taking advantage of Chuck Abell's last lap spin. Greg Kaouk drove a steady race to grab fifth spot. Rounding out the top ten were Troy Hall, Amanda Gogel, Jeremy Colangelo, Kopach, and Justin Larson. Colangelo earned the Rookie of the Race award as well as the Hard Charger award.
GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL 100
1. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie
2. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach
3. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont
4. #21 Derrick Kelley, Auburndale
5. #31 Greg Kaouk, Southwest Ranches
6. #30 Troy Hall, Coral Springs
7. #4K Amanda Gogel, New Smyrna
8. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland
9. #53 Charles Kopach, Clermont
10. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbour
11. #83 Joe Strehle, Deland
12. #51 Dustin Deschamps, Brooksville
13. #22 Alli Owens, S. Daytona
14. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka
15. #32x Ali Zargaran, Pompano
16. #99 Dean Ferri, Deerfield
17. #19x Gary Fountain, Minneola
18. #30x Chris Huntoon, Port Charlotte
19. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples
20. #64 Don Hess, Geneva
21. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson
22. #73 Sam Watts, Winter Springs
23. #37 Red Vann, Wesley Chapel
24. #38 Paul Barnhill, Crestview
25. #83x Eric Cunningham, Vero Beach
26. #32 Charlie Vest, Ocoee
27. #16 Phil Tapia, Sanford
28. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay
Top Rookie: Jeremy Colangelo
Hard Charger: Jeremy Colangelo
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