| Wednesday, October 25, 2006 | |
| Ronnie Larson Takes FMSC Win At USA International | By Rick Warren
The Florida Mini Stock Challenge Series rolled into USA International Speedway for a shot at the Big Track in Lakeland. They came with 25 entries, all loaded for bear. A tight points race, a large crowd, and arguably Florida’s’ fastest short track gave all the ingredients for a great race, and the fans were not disappointed.
Qualifying gave a hint of what was to come, with the top 4 qualifiers separated by less than 3/10 of a second. Ronnie Larson wheeled his Jandy Pool Products entry to lap of 24.225 seconds and 111.46 MPH, to lead all qualifiers. Second fastest, in the Windy Day Fishing Charter entry, was Robbie Yoakam at 24.376 seconds and 110.76 MPH.
Chris Thornton drove the Gulf to Bay Enterprises sponsored entry to a time of 24.451 seconds and 110.42 MPH. The Autoway Chevrolet entry of Jeff Barnes drove to the fourth fastest time, 24.504 seconds and 110.19 MPH.
After the draw for starting inversion was held, the line up was set, with Chris Thornton on the pole position, joined on the front row by the (amazingly) still un-sponsored Raymond Folwell. Row two was filled by Rick Sirmans and Cody Blair. Row three consisted of Robbie Yoakam and Jay Zolciak, followed by Ronnie Larson, Jeff Barnes, Jared Allison and Dustin Perez rounding out the top ten. Robbie Storer, winner of the last series event at Citrus County, by series rule would start from 11th position.
When the race began, Folwell powered to the lead, followed by Thornton, Sirmans and Yoakam. The caution flag came out on lap 2 as the car of Jason Rendell lost power on the front straight and was not able make it to pit road.
At the same time, the car of Yoakam had engine problems and coasted onto pit road, his racing done for the night. The race restarted with Folwell still out front, while the battle for second was heating up. Larson was in a dogfight trying to take second place from Thornton. The two raced side by side for several laps, before Larson was able to complete the pass. Lap 6 saw Larson catch and pass Folwell for the lead, and shortly after, the second caution of the race came out.
The cars of Doug Schwier Lee Davis made contact, with both cars hitting the outside retaining wall. Both drivers were unhurt, but their racing was over for the evening. With the field reset for the restart, Larson was out front, followed by Folwell, Thornton, Sirmans, Barnes, Allison, Storer,Perez, Jamie Kennedy, and Cody Blair holding the top ten spots.
Larson was able to hold a comfortable lead, but the fight for the rest of the top positions was short track racing at it’s best. The race was slowed only a few times for minor incidents, and the battles continued through out the field of racers. Several of the top runners took turns holding second spot and chasing Larson for the lead. There were passes made for the top positions nearly every lap.
Just after the halfway mark, Allison and Storer began to show a little muscle, and were making moves toward the front of the lead pack. Several short cautions in the closing laps set the field up for a 3 lap dash to the checkered flag, With Larson out front, and Thornton, Storer, Allison, Folwell, and Barnes all ready to fire the big guns one more time.
The field took the green flag, and Larson once more opened a lead from the pack, while Allison went to the outside, trying to move to the front of the race for second. Allison hung tough in the high groove, and his race showed some muscle.
Exiting turn 4, coming for the checkered flag, Thornton’s motor blew, and went up in flames. The racers came under the checkered flag three wide, with Thornton in flames in the middle of the three.
The finish was wild, and the order had changed several times in the final 3 laps. When it was all said and done, Larson had garnered his second win this year at USA Speedway, Allison had made the big move into second, and Folwell had grabbed third.
Folwell was especially pleased with the finish, as he and his crew had worked around the clock since arriving at the track. Folwell’s crew changed the motor, the rear end, and who knows what else.
According to Folwell’s crew chief, (dad), “they changed everything but the paint” on the 03 car. After the top finishers cleared post race tech inspection, the race results were declared official.
Final Results 10/21/2006 USA Speedway
Fast Qualifier Ronnie Larson
Hard Charger Mary Green
Most Laps Led RonnieLarson
1. #61 Ronnie Larson Clearwater, Fl.
2. #92 Jared Allison Cocoa, Fl.
3. #03 Raymond Folwell St. Petersburg, Fl.
4. # 9 Robbie Storer Zephyrhills, Fl.
5. #24 Chris Thornton Clearwater, FL.
6. # 5 Jeff Barnes Largo, Fl.
7. #45 Joe Irwin St. Petersburg, FL.
8. # 0 Dustin Perez Tampa, Fl.
9. #05 Rick Sirmans Pinellas Park, FL.
10. #15 Steve Booth Sarasota, Fl.
11. #98 James Ellis Brooksville, Fl.
12. #89 Scotty Sharpe Lakeland, Fl.
13. #11X Mary Green Clearwater, Fl.
14. #81 Cody Blair Winter Park, Fl.
15. #42 Jonathan Guy Auburndale, Fl.
16. #70 Marty Neikens Clearwater, Fl.
17. #91 Jason Rendell Lakeland, Fl.
18. #11 Billy Carlbert Ellenton, Fl.
19. #111 Charlie Brown Lakeland, FL.
20. #40 Dennis Valdez Tampa, Fl.
21. #99 Jamie Kennedy Lakeland, Fl.
22. #17 Doug Schwier Longwood, Fl.
23. #12 Lee Davis Lakeland, FL.
24. # 8 Robbie Yoakam Hernando, Fl.
25. # 3 Jay Zolciak St. Petersburg, FL.
DNS #41 Mark Moniz Zephyrhills, Fl.
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