Real Racin’ USA Media
Track owner Chris Ponsoldt and his staff hosted the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series on Saturday night, and oh my what a chilly, no downright COLD night in South Florida it was. But the place was packed with fans, and though not official by any means we estimate there was close to a thousand race fans on hand.
Over 40 of the south’s top dirt late model drivers came to lay claim to the $3000 winners purse for the 2nd Annual Ponce DeLeon Classic, staged by promoter Ken Kinney. The local drivers were out in good numbers as well, cheered on by their faithful. Plenty of vendors and lots of food choices added to the carnival atmosphere and left no doubt the New Hendry County Speedway is for real. There is certainly the makings of a great little race track here in the deep southland, on the edge of the Everglades where sugarcane is king.
New Hendry County Speedway is located near Clewiston, Florida situated on the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee and is the southern most stock car racing facility in America. Having survived the pitfalls of some less than stellar ownership over the last decade or so, and having survived the death of the previous owner, it seems to be in pretty good hands at the moment. Sure, there are detractors, but that is true of any ownership, doubly true in Florida, one of the toughest entertainment markets in the United States.
This track was basically done for after the untimely death of Steve Medinger. Late summer 2004 most tracks in Florida didn’t race much, as the entire state was devastated by 4 very tough hurricanes that laid waste from the Panhandle to the Keys. As writer Jane Smith recalled “September 18th Hendry County Speedway in Clewiston was lucky enough to race. But that night the owner of Hendry County Speedway, Steve Medinger, lost his life in his race car as he suffered a massive heart attack and died at the track.” Family members tried to sell the property and for a time it appeared it would never again be used for racing.
While there is plenty of room for improvement in the race program and promotions Florida race fans can thank Chris Ponsoldt for literally saving Hendry County Speedway in Clewiston from extinction.
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The feature event Saturday night, after some excellent heat races and “b mains”, turned into one of those races that drive promoters nuts. The winds had howled for 24 hours and the track was on the dry side, the starting field of 27 hard driving late model racers had a heck in the beginning, and eventually we counted 21 cautions.
Not to say there wasn’t some great racing in the 50 lap event, once the cars got on track. Ryan Mitchell, whose story will be detailed on Real Racin’ USA later, led the first 31 laps finally slipped up under the pressure from Ivedent Lloyd and spun without assistance. Lloyd then cruised to victory, though not without having to hold off a late race charge from Dover Fl. driver of the 21P, Josh Peacock. Peacock actually started on the pole, but gave the top spot up to Johnny Collins early on.
Full race results, complete race story by Rick Anges and photos from Rick Warren to follow.
More information on New Hendry County Speedway is at newhendrycountyspeedway.com
