| Saturday, November 3, 2007 | |
| Patrick Conrad tops Orlando Dodge Sunbelt 125 at Orlando SpeedWorld | by Dave Westerman
(all photos courtesy Jim Jones Photography)
Blake Lehr and Ricky Charmichael race side by side
After over a week of persistent rains that left the grounds soaking wet, Friday evening turned out to be dry, breezy and cool as Orlando Speedworld welcomed the Sunoco Sunbelt Super Series Super Late Models for the Orlando Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep 125.
Eighteen Super Late Models signed in to do battle but just 16 were around for time trials as both Daniel Webster and Sam Watts found their cars already back in the trailer after hot laps.
Blake Lehr in his Orlando Predators Arena Football League team sponsored car blistered the track with quick time at 14.010 seconds. Current Sunbelt Series point leader Tim Russell was second quick at 14.054 and Patrick Conrad tripped the clocks third quick at 14.078.
The re-draw saw the top three from qualifying inverted for the start of the main event. With the track having some seepage problems, it was decided to start the cars in single-file order. That put Conrad on the pole and he made the most of it by zipping off to a comfortable lead with Russell a few car lengths back.
The field continued to circulate under green until Ronnie Roach spun his mount off the back stretch on lap 26. Four laps after the green reappeared, Brock Burns spun his car coming off turn four and was hit by Travis Towell. Both cars were forced to retire.
Following the restart, Conrad again pulled away as the field settled into a long green flag period that saw Lehr move in and pass Russell near mid-race.
The next caution flag period didn't occur until lap 77 as Roach spun a second time on the back stretch. The caution would prove Lehr's undoing as his car suddenly began to slow and he began dropping back through the field. Conrad continued to lead easily as the next caution period (for debris on the front stretch) would not take place until there were five laps to go.
Patrick Conrad Held off Tim Russell To pick up big Sunbelt Win
Conrad had no trouble holding off the field during the final quintet of laps for a wire to wire victory and his first career Sunbelt Series win. Russell claimed the second position while Dusty Cornelius was third for a career best Sunbelt finish.
James Powell III ran fifth
Brian Finney drove home in fourth with James Powell III in fifth. Completing the top ten were Ricky Carmichael, Joe Winchell, Chad Pierce, Corey Freed and Lehr. Rounding out the finishers were Ricky Moxley, Roach, Towell, Burns, Vince Keeler and Russ Shaw.
Orlando Dodge Sunbelt 125
November 2 - Orlando SpeedWorld
1. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont
2. #36 Tim Russell, Longwood
3. #22 Dusty Cornelius, Cocoa
4. #22 Brian Finney, Merritt Island
5. #77 James Powell, III., Astor
6. #4X Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee
7. #64 Joe Winchell, Dade City
8. #57 Chad Pierce, Orlando
9. #12 Corey Freed, Orlando
10. #4 Blake Lehr, Orlando
11. #30 Ricky Moxley, West Palm Beach
12. #14x Ronnie Roach, Orlando
13. #7 Vince Keeler, Sebastian
14. #68 Russ Shaw, Lakeland
15. #40 Brock Burns, Auburndale
16. #16 Travis Towell, Sanford
FAST QUALIFIER: #4 Blake Lehr, Orlando
TOP ROOKIE: #22 Dusty Cornelius
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