by Dave Westerman

Race fans were treated to plenty of racing action with near-perfect weather Friday night at Orlando Speedworld headed by the Orlando Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep 125 for the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series.

Mike Fritts set quick time in his RE/MAX sponsored Ford Fusion but the inversion would have Fritts starting the 125 lap run in fifth spot with the front row filled by Jeff Choquette and Wayne Anderson.
Choquette wasted little time asserting himself as the car to beat taking a quick lead as Anderson settled into second just ahead of Justin Drawdy and Fritts while fourth place starter Chris Fontaine got shuffled back several positions.

Caution flew on lap three as Patrick Conrad hit the front stretch wall with his car finally grinding to a halt in turn one. Conrad was unhurt but his car was done for the balance of the evening.

The restart saw Choquette again pull away from Anderson while Drawdy had his rear-view full of Fritts. They continued to run that way until the green flag brought out the caution. One of starter Chris Hopkins' green flags blew out of the starters stand and landed on the track causing the rather unusual slow-down.

Fritts was on the move following the restart taking third from Drawdy and setting his sights on second place Anderson. Brian Finney went for a spin courtesy of Jerry Artuso on lap 43 to bring out the third caution with Artuso going to the back of the pack for the restart.

Anderson now had a handful with Fritts behind him while Choquette was in another league and pulling away. The two racers running for second were putting on a heck of a show with even more spots being contested behind them but it was looking like this would be Choquette's night as he continued to out-distance the field.

David Rogers spun on the front stretch to bring out the caution on lap 70 and was relegated to the tail of the field. Action was still hot and heavy behind Choquette with Jeff Scofield getting around Drawdy for fourth with Drawdy looping his car in turn two shortly thereafter to bring out the fifth caution.

The fans were having a great time watching Fritts work over Anderson for second as Anderson's machine was starting to "push" exiting the corners. Fritts was all over him with the front end of Fritts' Ford beginning to show some damage from several "bumps."

Caution was back out on lap 100 as Corey Freed and Chad Pierce got together in turn four. Three laps after the restart, Fritts was finally able to get by Anderson for second and set off to see if he could chase down Choquette. Meanwhile, Scofield reeled in Anderson and was going for third spot when the two touched and spun on lap 110. Sunbelt officials ruled Anderson at fault and he was sent to the rear of the field while Scofield restarted in third.

The caution gave Fritts a shot at Choquette, but the young driver from Okeechobee was hooked up and powered away to the checker trailed by Fritts, Scofield, Mario Gosselin and Chris Fontaine, who made a great run to fifth after his early troubles. Brian Finney was sixth while Mike Bresnehan, Tim Russell, James Powell III and Fain Skinner completed the top ten. Russell was the top rookie of the race with Powell earning the hard charger award starting 18th and finishing 9th.

Rounding out the finishers in the 24 car field were Jared Allison, Jerry Artuso, David Rogers, Rich Pratt, Corey Freed, Anderson, Drawdy, Blake Lehr, Chad Pierce, Scott Millar, Mario Maresca, Russ Shaw, Patrick Conrad and Jason Boyd.

Anderson, who came in as the point leader just 15 markers ahead of Scofield and 31 in front of Choquette, saw his lead slip away with his 16th place finish, making it a real dog fight for the championship which will be decided later next month.


ORLANDO DODGE SUNBELT SUPER LATE MODEL 125
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006

1. #70 Jeff Choquette, Loxatchee
2. #27 Mike Fritts, Debary
3. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City
4. #12 Mario Gosselin, Lake Wales
5. #47 Chris Fontaine, Auburndale
6. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island
7. #3 Mike Bresnahan, Lecanto
8. #36 Tim Russell, Longwood
9. #77 James Powell, Astor
10. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak
11. #18 Jared Allison, Cocoa
12. #5 Jerry Artuso, Sault Saint Marie, CA
13. #11 David Rogers, Orlando
14. #0 Rich Pratt, Anthony
15. #112 Cory Freed, Orlando
16. #84 Wayne Anderson, Wildwood
17. #12 Justin Drawdy, Ft. Pierce
18. #4 Blake Lehr, Orlando
19. #57 Chad Pierce, Orlando
20. #20 Scott Millar, Ocala
21. #14 Mario Maresca, Ft. Lauderdale
22. #68 Russ Shaw, Lakeland
23. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont
24. #34 Jason Boyd, Orlanod
25. #22 Dusty Cornelius, Cocoa DNS