Samsula, Fla. (March 17, 2007) St. Patrick's Day, a good day, greeted the fans and racers at New Smyrna Speedway as they opened their 2007 season. Green was the color for many and it was a good day but a cool day with our newest cool front upon us.

Twenty five of the finest Late Model drivers in our coolish state came to try their luck at the second race of the season for the Goodyear Challenge Late Models. A few faces were missing from last week's Goodyear race at Lakeland but a few new faces were added.

Justin Larson of Safety Harbor, who was all decked in green for St. Patrick's Day, set fast time with a 17.933. Completing the top five were Jason Boyd of Orlando, Doug Moff of Ft. Meyers, A.J. Curreli of Daytona Beach, and Drew Brannon of Miami. Larson pulled the 3 pill for the inversion putting Doug Moff on the pole for the 100 lap race.

Jason Boyd takes the lead on the green followed by Moff, Larson, Curreli, and Brannon. But it is a very short green as the leader has problems on lap 4 and is seen against the wall in turns 1 and 2 as the car dumps water on the track. Boyd goes in for his crews' attention along with Johnny Kay who has gotten some damage in the process. Kay returns and is able to continue.

By lap 13 the mess is cleaned and the race goes back green as Moff holds the point over Larson, Curreli, Kay and Darren Brown. But another short green as the yellow comes out again on lap 17 for Alan Bruns who has spun in turn 4 along with J.R. McMichael. Both seems to be okay but must restart in the rear of the field.

The race goes back green on lap 20 with Moff, Larosn, Curreli, Brannon, Brown, Sam Watts, Rich Clouser, Joe Winchell, Daniel Keene Jr. and Greg Kaouk lead the way.

But lap 28 sees the yellow once again for Stuart Dutton who has problems and slows on the track. Moff holds the point on the restart but things just seem to be going nuts as the yellow comes out again on lap 45 for Alan Bruns and Richard Douglas who both have bad luck. Bruns is against the turn 2 wall and Douglas is spun at the entrance to the pits on the backstretch. Both drivers are fine but not happy with their night.

Even with all the restarts, Moff holds his point as Larson tries but does not succeed to challenge Moff for the lead. However, Curreli finds his hands full of a very hard charging young Drew Brannon on his tail. By lap 65 Brannon is seriously challenging Curreli for third. Brannon makes the pass and makes it work as Sam Watts follows on Brannon's coattails as Curreli is shuffled back to fifth. A quick yellow comes out for debris on the track and it is back racing again.

Lap 70 sees the restart with Moff, Larson, Brannon, Watts, and Curreli in the top five. Rich Clouser, who is running sixth, finds his hands full of Joe Winchell who does pass Clouser for sixth with Chuck Burkhalter following thru also leaving Clouser eighth. In the front five, Brannon passes Larson for second as Larson settles into third. Short track racing at it's best going on.

Just when you think it is safe, it isn't. Lap 75 sees Larson spin in turns 1 and 2 bringing out what every racers does not want to see, the yellow flag. This usually means "sorry Charlie, go to the rear" which is exactly what Larson did.

Lap 77 sees the green as Moff leads the way over Watts, Brannon, Curreli, and Winchell. Winchell tries Curreli for fourth but Curreli is not moving and maintains his position.

Dave Grosswiler and Daniel Keene Jr. bring out the yellow on lap 81 as Grosswiler spins down the frontstretch. Neither Grosswiler nor Keene were damanaged but both sent to the rear for the restart.

Lap 85 sees the restart and bad luck for A.J. Curreli who breaks while running once again up front. This boy definitely needs more four leaf clovers in his car.

Larson, who was sent to the rear, is on a mission and is coming up fast. Moff continues his lead with Watts in second. Brannon, who is third, taps on Watts's tail but in doing so does something to his car and slows against the pit wall. The yellow is thrown as Brannon sees his night come to an end after a very good run and only six laps to go.

Moff takes the checkered for his first win of 2007 in the Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series. Following Moff over the checkered was Sam Watts, Joe Winchell, Justin Larson, and Chuck Burkhalter.

Nex up for the Goodyear Challenge Late Model drivers will be Bronson Motor Speedway on April 7. For more information on the Goodyear Series go to www.fascar.org.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
GOODYEAR CHALLENGE LATE MODEL 100
NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY, MARCH 17

1. #46 Doug Moff, Ft. Meyers
2. #73 Sam Watts, Winter Springs
3. #57 Joe Winchell, Davie
4. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor
5. #1x Chuck Burkhalter, Clermont
6. #9 Rich Clouser, Palm Bay
7. #31 Greg Kaouk, Penbroke Pines
8. #119 J.R. McMichael, Davie
9. #16 Daniel Keene, Jr., Weekie Wachee
10. #53 Darren Brown, Ormond Beach
11. #19 Chuck Abell, Apopka
12. #40 Jeremy Goddard, Naples
13. #08 Drew Brannon, Miami
14. #48 Johnny Kay, Deerfield
15. #100 Dean Ferri, Deerfield
16. #23 Dave Grosswiler, Margate
17. #99 Rick Penton, Loxahatchee
18. #98 Ricky Lindner, Deltona
19. #2 A.J. Curreli, Daytona Beach
20. #1xx Richard Douglas, Christmas
21. #4b Alan Bruns, Clermont
22. #Stuart Dutton, Tallahassee
23. #26 Jason Boyd, Orlando
24. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, DeLand DNS
25. #60 Chad Akins, Port Orange DNS