By Rick Warren

31 racers signed in to take part in the Southern Sportsman 50 lap feature Friday night at Orlando Speedworld. The drivers of this series really seem to like this track, and some very fast practice times pointed toward a great race.

Steve Gainey drove the Fred’s Garage/Gainey Land Development entry to the fastest qualifying time, With Patrick Thomas, Arthur Conquest, Richard Elkins Jr., and Ronnie Heard Jr. rounding out the top five qualifiers. After the top 5 cleared tech. inspection, Gainey pulled a 3 for the inversion.

The Southern Sportsman Feature rolled onto the track with Arthur Conquest in the pole position, and Patrick Thomas on the outside of the front row. They were followed by Gainey, Elkins, Heard, Craig Cuzzone, Joey Catarreli, Mark Peterson, Tommy Conquest, and David Williamson in the top ten starting positions. The Green flag waved to start the race, and Conquest took the early lead with Thomas and Gainey running right behind. After several laps of hard racing, Conquest’s car started getting just a little loose off the corners, and that was all Gainey and Thomas needed to move to the front. Cuzzone, running fourth, started to work on Conquest for the third position, while Heard and Elkins were having a heated battle for the fifth spot. With 31 cars starting the race, their were battles for position anyplace you looked on the speedway. When the leaders started working thru lapped traffic, Thomas would close in on Gaineys bumper, and when the leaders had clear track, Gainey was able to open a slight lead. Conquest and Cuzzone traded paint and positions a couple of times, while the racing behind them was two and sometimes three wide. The race was slowed for only a few cautions, and one red flag. The red was for a fire on the car of Tommy Conquest, as a result of a blown engine.

Gainey went on to take the victory, and obviously excited in Victory Lane, said” That was fun! Man, That was racin’”.

Final Results : Southern Sportsman Series 04/06/2007
Orlando Speedworld 50 Laps.

1. #79X Steve Gainey Bradenton, Fl.
2. #25 Patrick Thomas Oviedo, FL.
3. #97 Craig Cuzzone Lakeland, FL.
4. #78 Arthur Conquest Bronson, Fl.
5. #55 Richard Elkins Jr. Auburndale, Fl.
6. #12 David Williamson Mulberry, Fl.
7. #98 Roger Welch St. Petersburg, Fl.
8. #73 Mark Peterson Sarasota, Fl.
9. #21C Chris Peludat New Smyrna, Fl.
10. #9 Wes Filyaw Brooksville, Fl.
11. #2 Derek Heath Parkland, Fl.
12. #19 T.C. McElyea Dania Beach, Fl
13. #3 James Frisbie Palm Bay, Fl.
14. #00 Ron Heard Jr. Seffner, FL.
15. #121 Gordon Cade Ocala, Fl.
16. #32 Vince Keeler Sebastian, Fl.
17. #6 Greg Gorniak Homestead, Fl.
18. #15. Joey Catarreli Pinellas Park, Fl.
19. #71 John Marcovich Lakeland, Fl.
20. #7 Tom Raiser Naples, Fl.
21. #12R Rikk McMehan Hudson, Fl.
22. #72 Tommy Conquest Jr. Bronson, Fl.
23. #36 Chad Cushing Largo, Fl
24. #41 Michael Carr Palm Bay, Fl.
25. #13 Aaron Williamson Mulberry, Fl.
26. #1 Bart Weatherford Lakeland, Fl.
27. #44 Bob Beiler Melbourne, Fl.
28. #26 Derek Slade Clermont, Fl.
29. #51 Kyle Alford Haines City, Fl.
30. #21 Daniel McClain Auburndale, Fl.
31. #89 Ronnie Davis Jr. Pinellas Park, Fl.