By Dave Westerman

Hernando's Robbie Yoakam was by far the fastest of the FMSC cars as he turned the track at 15.045 seconds, over two-tenths quicker than the second fastest driver, Robbie Storer, who tripped the clock at 15.256 seconds.

Despite second quick time, Storer would have to start 11th per FMSC/SSS rules, having won the previous race at Bronson Motor Speedway.

Rick Sirmans of Pinellas Park in the Fascats Cattery machine had the pole for the 50-lap Florida Mini Stock Challenge feature and was looking to make it a run-away as he built up a huge advantage as the first 35 laps of the race were run under green.

Yoakam quickly moved up to second with Ronnie Larson shadowing his every move. At the half-way point it was Sirmans leading Yoakam, Larson, Storer, Chris Thornton, Chris Hooker, Raymond Folwell, Marty Neikens, Jeff Barnes and Jared Allison.

It was apparent the heat and humidity of the evening was beginning to start to take its toll as Allison dropped off the pace just after taking the half-way signal. Ten laps later, Yoakam slowed in turn three as his car began to overheat and he pulled into the infield with a car that looked more like a steam locomotive. That prompted track officials to put out the first caution of the race to check the track for fluid.

Larson's car had started to smoke as well and he was pulled off the track for leaking fluid as well during the caution flag period.
On the restart, Sirmans' car began to slow and Storer zipped by for the lead just as the caution came out for Neikens, who had stalled in turn two. Now it was Sirmans' turn to head for the pits.

Storer set sail on the restart with point leader Chris Thornton settling into second only to see his engine start to go sour. Raymond Folwell was trying to slip under Thornton with two laps to go, but spun in turn one to bring out the final caution.

Storer sped to his second consecutive FMSC victory while the restart spelled trouble for Thornton who was freight-trained back to sixth at the checker. Chris Hooker came home second ahead of Jeff Barnes, Marty Neikens (who made a great run after pitting following the caution he brought out) and Folwell. Thornton, James Ellis, Mary Green, Kelly Jarrett and Matt Perkins completed the top ten.

Rounding out the finishers were S.C. Klinger, Dennis Valdez, Peter Lloyd, Sirmans, Larson, Yoakam, Cody Blair, Jared Allison, Chuck Frazier and Heather Suggs. While the FMSC race was fairly tame and full of mechanical failures, the Southern Sportsman race was a slug-fest with the yellow flag being displayed eight times over the course of 50 laps, mostly for minor skirmishes.

OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD - JULY 21

FLORIDA MINI STOCK CHALLENGE 50

1. #9 Robbie Storer, Zephyrhills
2. #6 Chris Hooker, Floral City
3. #5 Jeff Barnes, Largo
4. #70 Marty Neikens, Clearwater
5. #03 Raymond Folwell, St. Pete
6. #24 Chris Thornton, Clearwater
7. #88 James Ellis, Brooksville
8. #11x Mary Green, Clearwater
9. #97 Kelly Jarrett, Orlando
10. #99 Matthew Perkins, Seminole
11. #87 S.C. Klinger, Pembrook Pines
12. #40 Dennis Valdez, Tampa
13. #51 Peter Lloyd, Davie
14. #05 Rick Sirmans, Pinellas Park
15. #61 Ronnie Larson, Clearwater
16. #8 Robbie Yoakam, Hernando
17. #81 Cody Blair, Winter Park
18. #92 Jared Allison, Cocoa
19. #21 Chuck Frazier, Avon Park
20. #06 Heather Suggs, Geneva