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Reprinted With Permission...
EDITOR'S NOTE - The following is the result story of Florida STOCK CAR NEWS' 1977 fictional Dream 100 which matched who were considered the best short-track drivers in the state. After the racers were ranked by this publication in what was considered an "All-Star lineup", an imaginary race was created using incidents that have previously been recorded in Florida STOCK CAR NEWS. The story is presented purely for entertainment purposes.
THE SKY WAS CLEAR and the moon was yellow as Auburndale starter Ronnie Lucock's green flag came tumbling down.
And Florida STOCK CAR NEWS' imaginary All-Star race the Dream 100 for an imaginary $25,000 purse (with $5,000 set aside for the winner) is under way. The line-up will be set in just a second since there is already action on the one-third mile oval.
Pensacola's Wayne Neidecken Jr., who was on the pole as a result of the inverted start, showed perfect reflexes coming off the fourth turn and easily gained the lead going into the first turn of the first lap.
Lake City dirt tracker Harvey Jones, started on the outside of the front role, took advantage of a slight moment of hesitation by Tampa Bay's Dave Scarborough's Mustang to nestle inside behind the leader.
Jones, however, got slight crossed up coming out of the second turn and the balance of the field was forced momentarily off the gas giving Jr. Neidecken some early daylight.
Just as the pack seemed to reorganize trying to complete one lap, an incident occurred that eliminated a pre-race favorite from possibly winning.
Dick Anderson, after starting on the inside of the fourth row, slipped quickly to the second groove when Scarborough's mount bogged on the front straight. However, heading for the third turn, Anderson's Howe Camaro and Hialeah's Bobby Brack's Rahilly Nova somehow got together and both racers were thrown high into the third turn wall.
Rat Lane, who started 20th in the field, couldn't avoid the spinning sheet metal and also ate the wall.
The race was red flagged and when the dust settled, Brack's infamous No. 57 had two right side flat tires. The front spoiler of Anderson's black No. 92 was ripped half off and the left front fender caved in. Lane's Camaro received no visible damage.
Anderson was able to drive to the infield pit area as Brack's race car was double towed off the track.
At track stewards Art Moody and Fred Griffin lined the field up for a complete restart, announcer Chip Green told the capacity crowd at Orlando's Speedworld that the line-up had been determined by a panel of so-called state short-track experts.
Brack was chosen to lead the All-Star line-up followed by Robert Hamke, Jr., Anderson, Terry Mock, LeRoy Porter, Bobby Alexander, Scarborough, Jones, and Jr. Neidecken rounded out the top nine.
The next nine included Gene Petro, Larry Rogero, Ray Bontrager, Dave Pletcher, Gene Evans, Buddy Griffin, Billy Barnwell, Lakeland's Dave Dunkin and Billy Gill.
The final six All-Stars are Gary Balough, Pensacola's Lane, Ernie Bass, Mike McCrary, Henry Pullen and Ronnie Pitts.
Only Anderson and Brack were out of their original spots as the pack steamrolled down the backstretch anticipating Lucock's green flag. Anderson was at the rear and Brack was out of the race.
Again Jr. Neidecken grabbed the lead but this time Jones was forced to stay outside as Scarborough tailgated 20-year old Neidecken down the front straight and into the first turn.
The double-file field made the race official by completing the first lap.
Through the second lap, the remaining 23 car field stayed bunched up.
The third lap was clocked at an unbelievable 15 seconds flat as the racers toured the banked third mile.
Although some activity began toward the back of the pack, the front runners managed to stay intact.
With five laps down, Jr. Neidecken was still the leader with Jones' bumper sticking to his right side door. Scarborough was staying close on the inside and Alexander was glued to Jones' trunk lid. Porter and Mock were next in the procession followed by Hamke who was already looking for an opportunity to move.
Next came Rogero and Bontrager both whom already passed Petro.
All of a sudden there was some confusion between the first and second turns as Barnwell apparently spun Griffin - or was it Griffin spinning Barnwell? Billowing clouds of white smoke poured from Barnwell's rear tires as he stayed on the gas trying to correct his out-of-shape position. The race was stopped as Griffin's black No. 7 sat helplessly on the track.
He finally fired his Camaro and assumed the caboose position behind Barnwell.
Eight laps were gone as the field was looking for the flying green. Only Ernie Bass was not back for the restart as smoke trailed his Camaro from the start.
Neidecken still owned the premier position continuing to collect $25 lap money for each circuit led. Scarborough trailed the young leader followed by Jones, Porter, Alexander, Hamke and Mock.
Rogero, Bontrager, Pletcher, Petro, Evans, Balough, Anderson, Dunkin, Gill, McCrary, Pullen, Lane and Pitts followed by Barnwell and Griffin balanced by pack.
During the next five laps, the field began the spread out. Both Porter and Alexander moved to the outside to test Jones allowing Hamke to close up on the inside.
Porter's bid paid off as he move the Lewis Green No. 7 Amick Construction Camaro into third place. Alexander followed and past Jones a half-lap later and Hamke automatically moved to the outside.
Meanwhile, Evans slipped past Petro who slid wide in the third turn. Bontrager and Anderson followed in the next lap, but they took the outside route.
The standing-room only crowd couldn't help but notice Barnwell who was driving like a man possessed. He was able to pass four cars in three laps and was still coming strong.
Into the 25th lap, Scarborough, taking advantage of a short distance between him and third place Porter, moved to the outside of Neidecken. At the same time, Alexander moved outside of Porter. The crowd was standing.
Scarborough was able to get his front bumper weven with Neidecken's door, but that was all. After several tries he dropped back to his second position. Alexander, however, was up along side Porter and the defending Golden Gate late model champion refused to give the current point leader an inch.
But before anyone knew what happened, the engine in Alexander's No. 15 Camaro erupted in flames as the car spun wildly to the top of the track. Alexander emerged from the Harry Crouse owned racer shaken but unhurt before the track crew arrived.
The track was cleared and cleaned in less than 10 minutes. Moody and Griffin signaled for the parked racers to crank and and make several hot laps. Dickie Anderson was halfway up the flagman's stand inquiring about his position for the upcoming restart but was gestured back to his car by Chief Scorekeeper John Darveau from the pressbox.
On the restart it happened again. Neidecken jumped off to a fast lead, but Scarborough's Mustang again bogged allowing Porter to slip by with Hamke knocking on the door and finally moving to third place.
Scarborough was fourth when the restart lap was completed followed by Mock, Rogero, Pletcher, Anderson, Bontrager, Barnwell, Jones, Evans, Balough, McCrary, Dunkin, Gill, Lane, Griffin, Pullen and Pitts. Petro earlier pulled into the pit area and appeared done for the night.
Anderson made the next move threatening strong running Pletcher on the outside. The Miami driver who makes hard tasks seem easy got by Pletcher's low-slung Camaro No. 75 Camaro and continued his assault on Rogero. Anderson got Rogero and was moving on Mock in an unbelievable display of man and machine.
Getting by Mock, Anderson, who has been cleaning up at state tracks his team has visited this year, successfully past three of Florida's top racers all on the outside in less than two laps. The spectators couldn't believe their eyes. Two laps later he continued the assault by also passing Scarborough.
Anderson almost immediately closed the open space between him and third place Hamke forcing Hamke to stay inside rather than dogging Porter.
Barnwell was also on the move getting Pletcher and sliding in behind Rogero.
All of a sudden their was a roar from the crowd. With 56 laps gone, Brack was pulling back on the track and racing with the leaders. At that point, Pullen, Pitts, Balough, Lane, Jones, Dunkin and Griffin were also lapped cars.
Brack ran three laps outside of Jr. Neidecken appearing as strong or stronger than the leader before falling off the pace and coasting to the infield.
Anderson continued his charge racing past Hamke with a move that left many in the crowd shaking their heads. He tagged Porter's rear bumper before again jumping to the outside. The pair of crowd favorites, who have faced each other many times during the past two years at Golden Gate on Friday nights, battled bumper-to-bumper, sheet metal-to-sheet metal for six laps.
Anderson finally squeezed by Porter on the 71st lap with cheering approval of the crowd. But when he tried to move to the inside to close the short gap between him and race leader Jr. Neidecken, Anderson's mount went into a wild spin coming out of the fourth turn. Porter was able to avoid Anderson's 3,000 pound racer, but Hamke wasn't as lucky. With no place to go, he put his No. 74 silver Nova sideways trying to prevent damage to the front end.
Hamke slid into Anderson with only minor damage resulting, but unfortunately the action wasn't over. Butch Mock and Scarborough drove through the confusion but Rogero wasn't as fortunate stuffing his No. 17 Allison Camaro into Hamke's right-side door. Barnwell, Pletcher, Ray Bontrager, McCrary, Evans, Dunkin, Gill, Lane, Pitts, Jones and Pullen followed. Gary Balough and Buddy Griffin dropped out of the race.
On the restart with Anderson again at the rear and both Rogero and Hamke pitted, Jr. Neidecken darted away forcing the green but Porter was sticking like a magnet. Porter jumped to the outside coming off the second turn and pulled Neidecken's No. 98 Camaro down the back chute. Scarborough, Mock, Barnwell and Pletcher were all watching the duel several car lengths back.
By the time they approached the first turn, Porter was clearly in front and assumed the lead. At that point, Neidecken had earned $1,800 lap money for leading 72 revolutions.
Scarborough, apparently hoping to also take advantage of the situation, moved to outside of Neidecken to challenge for second place. Unable to budge the current Five Flags Speedway point leader after several tries, Scarborough dropped back only to find Mock in his third place slot followed by Barnwell and Pletcher.
After losing three valuable positions, Scarborough slipped in front of Bontrager.
In the 75th lap, Barnwell started to put a move on Mock. When the Hialeah ace moved his No. 6 Camaro outside his spot was automatically taken by Pletcher, but Barnwell had no idea of having to drop back. Instead he powered his way into third place after a two lap duel with Mock, the reigning Florida Late Model Sportsman NASCAR Champion.
The train like parade continued through the 82nd lap with Porter, Neidecken, Barnwell, Mock and Pletcher holding the front five positions.
Neidecken was able to get the nose of his Camaro under Porter on the next circuit, but the two racers were so evenly paired that neither could gain an advantage, but Neidecken was on the inside. Barnwell immediately closed up the daylight between the leaders, naturally sticking to the inside.
Porter tired gamely to stay with Neidecken, but his $110 tires had already taken so much punishment that he could not stay competitive in the high groove. He was finally forced to drop back into third place behind Barnwell.
Pletcher in the meantime negotiated his way around Mock.
When flagman Lucock signaled 10 laps to go it was Neidecken, Barnwell, Porter, Pletcher, Mock, Mike McCrary, Anderson (coming from the rear), Bontrager, Gill, Dunkin, Evans, Ronnie Pitts and Pullen. Dirt track legend Jones was on the trailer.
Anderson was on the move challenging McCrary while Gill wasn't letting Bontrager forget that he was behind the No. 12 yellow Nova.
Barnwell patiently held his position making some wonder if he would move on the leader.
The move came with five laps to go, Barnwell shot to the outside allowing Porter to close up the inside. At that moment, Anderson was by McCrary and halfway past Mock.
Barnwell slipped high between the third and four turns and appeared doomed for third place or possibly worse. But he hung tough and was able to stay even with second-place Porter.
Into lap 97, Barnwell wasn't giving an inch of room on the inside as he continued to breath on Jr. Neidecken. With two laps to go, Barnwell miraculously worked his way back next to the leader. And Anderson was in the process of getting past Pletcher.
The crowd, which has been standing since lap 90, was hysterical.
Barnwell, who at one time was as far back as 22nd position, was now fighting for the lead while Anderson who saw the back end of the pack twice was also making a move for the front.
The white flag was out as Neidecken and Barnwell were trading the lead by inches. Porter was third on the inside with Anderson coming on strong on the outside.
And then every one in attendance gasped as Neidecken and Barnwell bumped doors coming out of the second turn. Both racers momentarily got squirrely before regaining control for the race to the finish. Porter was forced off the gas for a fraction of a second allowing Anderson to gain valuable ground.
Going into the fourth turn it was Jr. Neidecken and Barnwell side-by-side followed tightly by Porter and Anderson.
Lucock was frantically waving the checkered flag not knowing himself who would cross beneath it first.
To most present, it appeared the racers in the outside groove were able to beat their counterparts across the finish line, but no official announcement was immediately made.
Score keepers Darveau, Doris Bowman, Gloria Dufrense and Cora Batton huddled in the press box to discussed the finish for several minutes before announcer Chip Green made the announcement: Billy Barnwell won the Dream 100 and $5,000 by inches at the checkered flag.
Jr. Neidecken was second in the wild finish winning $3,500 in purse money plus $2,200 in lap money. Anderson was third picking up a sweet $2,500. Porter settled for fourth taking home $1,700 in purse money and $275 lap money. Pletcher was fifth receiving $1,200.
Mock finished sixth and collected $1,000. McCrary raced hard all night to finish seventh winning $900. Billy Gill was next picking up $800. Bontrager followed banking $700 and Dave Dunkin rounded out the top ten for $600.
Evens, Pitts and Pullen who were still running finished in that order winning $500 as did the 11 other racers forced to retire during the event.
Following the trophy presentation, winner Barnwell was immediately besieged with friends and fans. A moment later he was the victim of a beer shower compliments of his wife, Juanita.
Barnwell was enthusiastic about his win. "We've been having a bad year so far, but we always seem to do better in the longer races.
"It was a hard race, but the car worked great," he said. "The money is great too. My crew worked hard and made this win possible."
And Billy Barnwell made Florida short track history winning the first and probably only Dream 100. The winning car and hauler was reportedly put up for sale after the race.
EDITOR'S NOTE - The following is the result story of Florida STOCK CAR NEWS' 1977 fictional Dream 100 which matched who were considered the best short-track drivers in the state. After the racers were ranked by this publication in what was considered an "All-Star lineup", an imaginary race was created using incidents that have previously been recorded in Florida STOCK CAR NEWS. The story is presented purely for entertainment purposes.
THE SKY WAS CLEAR and the moon was yellow as Auburndale starter Ronnie Lucock's green flag came tumbling down.
And Florida STOCK CAR NEWS' imaginary All-Star race the Dream 100 for an imaginary $25,000 purse (with $5,000 set aside for the winner) is under way. The line-up will be set in just a second since there is already action on the one-third mile oval.
Pensacola's Wayne Neidecken Jr., who was on the pole as a result of the inverted start, showed perfect reflexes coming off the fourth turn and easily gained the lead going into the first turn of the first lap.
Lake City dirt tracker Harvey Jones, started on the outside of the front role, took advantage of a slight moment of hesitation by Tampa Bay's Dave Scarborough's Mustang to nestle inside behind the leader.
Jones, however, got slight crossed up coming out of the second turn and the balance of the field was forced momentarily off the gas giving Jr. Neidecken some early daylight.
Just as the pack seemed to reorganize trying to complete one lap, an incident occurred that eliminated a pre-race favorite from possibly winning.
Dick Anderson, after starting on the inside of the fourth row, slipped quickly to the second groove when Scarborough's mount bogged on the front straight. However, heading for the third turn, Anderson's Howe Camaro and Hialeah's Bobby Brack's Rahilly Nova somehow got together and both racers were thrown high into the third turn wall.
Rat Lane, who started 20th in the field, couldn't avoid the spinning sheet metal and also ate the wall.
The race was red flagged and when the dust settled, Brack's infamous No. 57 had two right side flat tires. The front spoiler of Anderson's black No. 92 was ripped half off and the left front fender caved in. Lane's Camaro received no visible damage.
Anderson was able to drive to the infield pit area as Brack's race car was double towed off the track.
At track stewards Art Moody and Fred Griffin lined the field up for a complete restart, announcer Chip Green told the capacity crowd at Orlando's Speedworld that the line-up had been determined by a panel of so-called state short-track experts.
Brack was chosen to lead the All-Star line-up followed by Robert Hamke, Jr., Anderson, Terry Mock, LeRoy Porter, Bobby Alexander, Scarborough, Jones, and Jr. Neidecken rounded out the top nine.
The next nine included Gene Petro, Larry Rogero, Ray Bontrager, Dave Pletcher, Gene Evans, Buddy Griffin, Billy Barnwell, Lakeland's Dave Dunkin and Billy Gill.
The final six All-Stars are Gary Balough, Pensacola's Lane, Ernie Bass, Mike McCrary, Henry Pullen and Ronnie Pitts.
Only Anderson and Brack were out of their original spots as the pack steamrolled down the backstretch anticipating Lucock's green flag. Anderson was at the rear and Brack was out of the race.
Again Jr. Neidecken grabbed the lead but this time Jones was forced to stay outside as Scarborough tailgated 20-year old Neidecken down the front straight and into the first turn.
The double-file field made the race official by completing the first lap.
Through the second lap, the remaining 23 car field stayed bunched up.
The third lap was clocked at an unbelievable 15 seconds flat as the racers toured the banked third mile.
Although some activity began toward the back of the pack, the front runners managed to stay intact.
With five laps down, Jr. Neidecken was still the leader with Jones' bumper sticking to his right side door. Scarborough was staying close on the inside and Alexander was glued to Jones' trunk lid. Porter and Mock were next in the procession followed by Hamke who was already looking for an opportunity to move.
Next came Rogero and Bontrager both whom already passed Petro.
All of a sudden there was some confusion between the first and second turns as Barnwell apparently spun Griffin - or was it Griffin spinning Barnwell? Billowing clouds of white smoke poured from Barnwell's rear tires as he stayed on the gas trying to correct his out-of-shape position. The race was stopped as Griffin's black No. 7 sat helplessly on the track.
He finally fired his Camaro and assumed the caboose position behind Barnwell.
Eight laps were gone as the field was looking for the flying green. Only Ernie Bass was not back for the restart as smoke trailed his Camaro from the start.
Neidecken still owned the premier position continuing to collect $25 lap money for each circuit led. Scarborough trailed the young leader followed by Jones, Porter, Alexander, Hamke and Mock.
Rogero, Bontrager, Pletcher, Petro, Evans, Balough, Anderson, Dunkin, Gill, McCrary, Pullen, Lane and Pitts followed by Barnwell and Griffin balanced by pack.
During the next five laps, the field began the spread out. Both Porter and Alexander moved to the outside to test Jones allowing Hamke to close up on the inside.
Porter's bid paid off as he move the Lewis Green No. 7 Amick Construction Camaro into third place. Alexander followed and past Jones a half-lap later and Hamke automatically moved to the outside.
Meanwhile, Evans slipped past Petro who slid wide in the third turn. Bontrager and Anderson followed in the next lap, but they took the outside route.
The standing-room only crowd couldn't help but notice Barnwell who was driving like a man possessed. He was able to pass four cars in three laps and was still coming strong.
Into the 25th lap, Scarborough, taking advantage of a short distance between him and third place Porter, moved to the outside of Neidecken. At the same time, Alexander moved outside of Porter. The crowd was standing.
Scarborough was able to get his front bumper weven with Neidecken's door, but that was all. After several tries he dropped back to his second position. Alexander, however, was up along side Porter and the defending Golden Gate late model champion refused to give the current point leader an inch.
But before anyone knew what happened, the engine in Alexander's No. 15 Camaro erupted in flames as the car spun wildly to the top of the track. Alexander emerged from the Harry Crouse owned racer shaken but unhurt before the track crew arrived.
The track was cleared and cleaned in less than 10 minutes. Moody and Griffin signaled for the parked racers to crank and and make several hot laps. Dickie Anderson was halfway up the flagman's stand inquiring about his position for the upcoming restart but was gestured back to his car by Chief Scorekeeper John Darveau from the pressbox.
On the restart it happened again. Neidecken jumped off to a fast lead, but Scarborough's Mustang again bogged allowing Porter to slip by with Hamke knocking on the door and finally moving to third place.
Scarborough was fourth when the restart lap was completed followed by Mock, Rogero, Pletcher, Anderson, Bontrager, Barnwell, Jones, Evans, Balough, McCrary, Dunkin, Gill, Lane, Griffin, Pullen and Pitts. Petro earlier pulled into the pit area and appeared done for the night.
Anderson made the next move threatening strong running Pletcher on the outside. The Miami driver who makes hard tasks seem easy got by Pletcher's low-slung Camaro No. 75 Camaro and continued his assault on Rogero. Anderson got Rogero and was moving on Mock in an unbelievable display of man and machine.
Getting by Mock, Anderson, who has been cleaning up at state tracks his team has visited this year, successfully past three of Florida's top racers all on the outside in less than two laps. The spectators couldn't believe their eyes. Two laps later he continued the assault by also passing Scarborough.
Anderson almost immediately closed the open space between him and third place Hamke forcing Hamke to stay inside rather than dogging Porter.
Barnwell was also on the move getting Pletcher and sliding in behind Rogero.
All of a sudden their was a roar from the crowd. With 56 laps gone, Brack was pulling back on the track and racing with the leaders. At that point, Pullen, Pitts, Balough, Lane, Jones, Dunkin and Griffin were also lapped cars.
Brack ran three laps outside of Jr. Neidecken appearing as strong or stronger than the leader before falling off the pace and coasting to the infield.
Anderson continued his charge racing past Hamke with a move that left many in the crowd shaking their heads. He tagged Porter's rear bumper before again jumping to the outside. The pair of crowd favorites, who have faced each other many times during the past two years at Golden Gate on Friday nights, battled bumper-to-bumper, sheet metal-to-sheet metal for six laps.
Anderson finally squeezed by Porter on the 71st lap with cheering approval of the crowd. But when he tried to move to the inside to close the short gap between him and race leader Jr. Neidecken, Anderson's mount went into a wild spin coming out of the fourth turn. Porter was able to avoid Anderson's 3,000 pound racer, but Hamke wasn't as lucky. With no place to go, he put his No. 74 silver Nova sideways trying to prevent damage to the front end.
Hamke slid into Anderson with only minor damage resulting, but unfortunately the action wasn't over. Butch Mock and Scarborough drove through the confusion but Rogero wasn't as fortunate stuffing his No. 17 Allison Camaro into Hamke's right-side door. Barnwell, Pletcher, Ray Bontrager, McCrary, Evans, Dunkin, Gill, Lane, Pitts, Jones and Pullen followed. Gary Balough and Buddy Griffin dropped out of the race.
On the restart with Anderson again at the rear and both Rogero and Hamke pitted, Jr. Neidecken darted away forcing the green but Porter was sticking like a magnet. Porter jumped to the outside coming off the second turn and pulled Neidecken's No. 98 Camaro down the back chute. Scarborough, Mock, Barnwell and Pletcher were all watching the duel several car lengths back.
By the time they approached the first turn, Porter was clearly in front and assumed the lead. At that point, Neidecken had earned $1,800 lap money for leading 72 revolutions.
Scarborough, apparently hoping to also take advantage of the situation, moved to outside of Neidecken to challenge for second place. Unable to budge the current Five Flags Speedway point leader after several tries, Scarborough dropped back only to find Mock in his third place slot followed by Barnwell and Pletcher.
After losing three valuable positions, Scarborough slipped in front of Bontrager.
In the 75th lap, Barnwell started to put a move on Mock. When the Hialeah ace moved his No. 6 Camaro outside his spot was automatically taken by Pletcher, but Barnwell had no idea of having to drop back. Instead he powered his way into third place after a two lap duel with Mock, the reigning Florida Late Model Sportsman NASCAR Champion.
The train like parade continued through the 82nd lap with Porter, Neidecken, Barnwell, Mock and Pletcher holding the front five positions.
Neidecken was able to get the nose of his Camaro under Porter on the next circuit, but the two racers were so evenly paired that neither could gain an advantage, but Neidecken was on the inside. Barnwell immediately closed up the daylight between the leaders, naturally sticking to the inside.
Porter tired gamely to stay with Neidecken, but his $110 tires had already taken so much punishment that he could not stay competitive in the high groove. He was finally forced to drop back into third place behind Barnwell.
Pletcher in the meantime negotiated his way around Mock.
When flagman Lucock signaled 10 laps to go it was Neidecken, Barnwell, Porter, Pletcher, Mock, Mike McCrary, Anderson (coming from the rear), Bontrager, Gill, Dunkin, Evans, Ronnie Pitts and Pullen. Dirt track legend Jones was on the trailer.
Anderson was on the move challenging McCrary while Gill wasn't letting Bontrager forget that he was behind the No. 12 yellow Nova.
Barnwell patiently held his position making some wonder if he would move on the leader.
The move came with five laps to go, Barnwell shot to the outside allowing Porter to close up the inside. At that moment, Anderson was by McCrary and halfway past Mock.
Barnwell slipped high between the third and four turns and appeared doomed for third place or possibly worse. But he hung tough and was able to stay even with second-place Porter.
Into lap 97, Barnwell wasn't giving an inch of room on the inside as he continued to breath on Jr. Neidecken. With two laps to go, Barnwell miraculously worked his way back next to the leader. And Anderson was in the process of getting past Pletcher.
The crowd, which has been standing since lap 90, was hysterical.
Barnwell, who at one time was as far back as 22nd position, was now fighting for the lead while Anderson who saw the back end of the pack twice was also making a move for the front.
The white flag was out as Neidecken and Barnwell were trading the lead by inches. Porter was third on the inside with Anderson coming on strong on the outside.
And then every one in attendance gasped as Neidecken and Barnwell bumped doors coming out of the second turn. Both racers momentarily got squirrely before regaining control for the race to the finish. Porter was forced off the gas for a fraction of a second allowing Anderson to gain valuable ground.
Going into the fourth turn it was Jr. Neidecken and Barnwell side-by-side followed tightly by Porter and Anderson.
Lucock was frantically waving the checkered flag not knowing himself who would cross beneath it first.
To most present, it appeared the racers in the outside groove were able to beat their counterparts across the finish line, but no official announcement was immediately made.
Score keepers Darveau, Doris Bowman, Gloria Dufrense and Cora Batton huddled in the press box to discussed the finish for several minutes before announcer Chip Green made the announcement: Billy Barnwell won the Dream 100 and $5,000 by inches at the checkered flag.
Jr. Neidecken was second in the wild finish winning $3,500 in purse money plus $2,200 in lap money. Anderson was third picking up a sweet $2,500. Porter settled for fourth taking home $1,700 in purse money and $275 lap money. Pletcher was fifth receiving $1,200.
Mock finished sixth and collected $1,000. McCrary raced hard all night to finish seventh winning $900. Billy Gill was next picking up $800. Bontrager followed banking $700 and Dave Dunkin rounded out the top ten for $600.
Evens, Pitts and Pullen who were still running finished in that order winning $500 as did the 11 other racers forced to retire during the event.
Following the trophy presentation, winner Barnwell was immediately besieged with friends and fans. A moment later he was the victim of a beer shower compliments of his wife, Juanita.
Barnwell was enthusiastic about his win. "We've been having a bad year so far, but we always seem to do better in the longer races.
"It was a hard race, but the car worked great," he said. "The money is great too. My crew worked hard and made this win possible."
And Billy Barnwell made Florida short track history winning the first and probably only Dream 100. The winning car and hauler was reportedly put up for sale after the race.
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