United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series Off and Running

By Rick Anges

Ocala, Fl. – The United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series presented by Central Mobile Homes rolled into Ocala Speedway for their first race of 2008. Promoter and Series owner Ken Kinney had decided on the opening night at Ocala not only because of its return to dirt after a dozen years but because of its central location in the state of Florida.

 “This series is truly about the drivers, I’m very proud to open up the series at Ocala Speedway. Its centrally located to the guys in Georgia and South Florida as well”, Kinney said in the pre-race drivers meeting.

All of Kinney’s hard work paid off as 45 of the Souths top racers showed up for what would be one of the most exciting Late Model races seen in these parts in quite sometime. Names like Johnny Collins NLMS 07 champion, Billy Costello North Florida Speedway champ, David Schmass East Bay Raceway champ, Shan Smith 07 Central Sheds and Trailers winner and of course Ocalas own Ivedent Lloyd 07 Southern All Star Regional Champion and Multiple Ocala champion when dirt.

The starting line up would first be decided by five heat races with the top four drivers from each race moving on to the A-Main. Then a pair of B-Mains would send two cars from each on to the big race with the final two spots in the twenty-six car field being a promoters and track provisional.

A standing room only crowd roared to life as the first heat rolled out onto the speedway. Nearly 4,000 screaming race fans almost drowned out the sound of the motors as they began forming up for the first ever heat race for the UDLMCS.

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Heat winners were Mark Whitner, Shan Smith, Bill Howard, Johnny Collins *(Broke a Tranny and was unable to make the feature) and Marshall Austin.

The cars that transferred from the 1st B-main were David Schmass and Ted Erskine with Jack Nosbisch and John Rankin following from the 2nd B-main.

The twenty-six-car field lined the entire front stretch. The top four drivers Mark Whitner, Shan Smith, Bill Howard and Marshall Austin pulled pills for the inversion. Promoter Ken Kinney gave each driver the option of starting from the rear of the field with the chance of winning an extra $1,500 if they could take the checkers bumping up the possibility of a winners share to $4,500.

The new surface and the excellent field of drivers for the event made the decision easy for the top four as all declined the challenge. Shan Smith would draw the number one pill with Marshall Austin taking number two followed by Whitner and Howard.

The first caution flew over the field before they were able to make it back to the start finish line for lap number one. Bill Howard’s car went around in front of the on coming pack causing a huge pile up in turn four. Paul George, Jeff Conyers and Richard Wheelihan had their evenings cut short along with Howard due to the incident. Keith Nosbisch was also involved but was able to drop into the pits for repairs and return.

When the race got back under way it was Shane Smith taking the early top spot. The racing was hot and heavy as the racers went three and four wide in the turns and were wheels up coming out of turn four.

It wasn’t long before Shane Williams picked his groove and made his way from his sixth starting spot to the lead. Williams is on a tear early in the 08 season winning three out of four races in the Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway and a win at North Florida Speedway. Ivedent Lloyd and Mark Whitner followed Williams by for second and third respectively.

The highlight of the night was Ivedent Lloyd and Shane Williams in an intense battle for the lead in the feature event Just past the halfway mark it looked liked Lloyd was going to make the pass for the lead but the yellow came out sending him back to his second spot for the restart. It was easy to see that Lloyd’s car was just getting tighter and tighter after the restart as Williams car just got better and better as the green flag stayed out.

Williams went on to take the victory in the inaugural race for the Central Mobile Homes United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series and the $3,000 winners check. “I think the racetrack is going to be really good when we get a base down its going to a really great facility.”

Local fan favorite Ivedent Lloyd finished in the second spot. I was just a little bit to tight and had to scoot the back tires around on it and used up the back tires.

Mark Whitner finished third Marshall Austin was fourth and fifth went to Jeff Matthews.

The race was simulcast by Real Racin USA networks. The archived version can be heard on RealRacinUSA.com

1.Shane Williams
2.Ivedent Lloyd
3.Mark Whitner
4.Marshall Austin
5.Jeff Matthews
6.Shan Smith
7.Tyler Iver
8.Roger Crouse
9.Adam Bedenbaugh
10.Keith Nosbisch
11.Justin Choquette
12.David Schmass
13.Ted Erskine
14.Jack Nosbisch
15.Jason Davis
16.Evan Becton
17.J.O.Nobles
18.John Rankin
19.Ray Johnson
20.Brandon Cameron
21.Dennis Williams
22.Kent Corbin
23.Bill Howard
24.Paul George
25.Jeff Conyers
26.Richard Wheelihan