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After a punishing Summer and Early Fall on the racing community (and on everyone else for that matter) The New Smyrna-Bronson Six Pack Series returned to action Saturday night after suffering 3 rain out cancellations for the last 2 Series events at Bronson and New Smyrna Speedway. Although every other race held in Florida last night had to deal with rain issues, the weather was absolutely perfect for racing at Bronson with partly sunny skies and lower humidity. The Imperfect Storm of a big race at Auburndale for Sportsman, a nail-biting points battle at New Smyrna and undoubtedly the lingering effects from Hurricane Irma caused a smaller than expected field of cars for the third installment of this Series. While track owner Ann Young had every right in the world to reduce the payout and lap distance for this event (as I'm convinced every MALE track operator in this state would have done, hehe) Ann was a woman of her word and announced that, although she was disappointed in the car count, she would pay the full advertised $1000 to win purse and, I can tell you, most of this came out of her own pocket at a considerable personal loss. I, as all the racers in attendance did, appreciated this sacrifice and would have fully understood if she had decided to cut some of her losses with a smaller purse. Nonetheless, it was disappointing to not see Series "Regulars" Patrick Thomas, Earl "Junior" Beckner, Matthew Green as well as some of the other competitors competing on this night. However, the winningest Sportsman driver in Florida and Series points leader Sean Bass was in attendance and, as usual, in top form.
The Heat Race had Tim Alexander in his spectacularly beautiful new Blue #63 Sportsman starting on the pole flanked by Bass, Richard Maguire in his super-cool Dick Trickle tribute #99 Coors Light Special, the ever-improving young Trace Reed in his #14 Monte Carlo, Rebecca Paugh in the immaculate #23 and yours truly rounding out the starting lineup after a wonderful pill draw of #73 in a 75 number can. Bass jumped out to a commanding lead from his outside pole starting position and cruised to victory in the 8 lap preliminary. It was a little more interesting for me starting tail end and having to weave my way through traffic with a tight #07. On the Final Lap I caught Maguire and drove it in "like 10 men" into turn 3. Rick being the skilled veteran that he is, knew that in no way could I hold my line on exit and executed the old "crossover move" in throwback Dale Earnhardt style but, to my luck, I beat him back to the stripe by mere inches to take down third in the heat. I hope the fans in attendance enjoyed that as much as we did!
The 50 lap Feature event was basically a complete invert of the heat race, minus Paugh who retired early from the Heat and as a result was placed at the tail end of the field. This put young Trace Reed on the pole with Maguire 2nd. I started 3rd with Hotshoe Bass breathing down my neck behind me in 5th. Knowing that I had my work cut out for me I made an aggressive move early into turn 3 on lap one to snatch the lead from Reed. (My left front tire may or my have not been in the grass on turn entry). After a little door-banging I tried to set sail and soon had a good 7 car length lead on the field. Unfortunately for me, the car was still a tad tight and a few laps later Sean caught me and passed me with relative ease. The video from his facebook page clearly shows that I had absolutely no chance with the incredible forward bite Sean was getting off of turn 2. He used that to his advantage and checked out. With the smaller field, the rest of the race was pretty uneventful except for a few terse moments with some lapped cars, as the race went green-to-checker.
Six Pack 50 Round Three
1. 28 Sean Bass
2. 07 Scott Garrity
3. 63 Tim Alexander
4. 14 Trace Reed
5. 99 Rick Maguire
6. 23 Rebecca Paugh
The Series Finale will be part of New Smyrna's Governors Cup Weekend with the Sportsman running 75 laps immediately after the conclusion of the Super Late Model Victory Circle festivities. Car count won't be an issue at New Smyrna as a "little fish" has told me that the purse will be substantially increased by extra support for the event by Elliott-Bass Racing and American Auto. I'd like to personally thank Butch Elliott and E.J. at American Auto for giving back to the Sportsman class. I also have to give a BIG THANKS to Beyel Brothers Crane Inc. for adding an extra $50 to the second place purse money last night. Thanks guys! It's these people support that help show that a good purse and some recognition go a long way in luring a strong field of what I selfishly consider to be the best division in Florida. Either way you don't want to miss the Sportsman 75 at the Governor's Cup. I can't wait for this HUGE event!
Six Pack Series Updated Points Top 10
1. 28 Sean Bass 150
2. 07 Scott Garrity 138
3. 111 Patrick Thomas 95
4. 71 Earl "Junior" Beckner 90
5. 14 Trace Reed 89
6. 44 Matthew Green 48
7. 63 Tim Alexander 47
50 Jeff Wright 47
9. 22 Colton Bramlett 45
37 Kenner Brown 45
99 Richard Maguire 45
On a personal note, I have some other obseravtions and comments on the night's event. It was cool to see Tim Alexander with his beautiful new Sportsman competing last night. Although Tim suffered from a twitchty loose car for most of the event due to to a bent top link mount the car was otherwise badass fast motor-wise and with a few tweaks will be a force to reckon with with he competes at Citrus with it soon. If you are not aware, Tim has quite a few wins in the Street Stock class at Citrus County Speedway over the past few years. It is great to see a talented young driver like Tim make the jump up to the Sportsman class. I had not had seen Tim for quite a few years. When I first started competing here at Citrus in 2009, Citrus Legend Forrest Goff was kind enough to help me out and let me house my car at his shop in Brooksville. Tim kept his car there too and we became acquaintances as we each worked on our cars on many chilly winter nights in the Brooksville hills. Tim is such a nice "kid'. it was great to see him and I wish him all the luck with his new ride!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richard Maguire last evening. For those that don't know Rick has quite the stable of "Throwback" cars that he campaigns. A Dale Earnhardt #8 Goodwrench Camaro, A Pete Silva "X" Busch Beer Camaro, the aforementioned #99 Coors Light Dick Trickle Firebird Sportsman and even a "Gastown" #19 paint scheme that his Dad used to campaign. But what lured me over to his pit stall was this beautiful Mario Fiore Tribute #44 Teddy Bear Pools Tour Mod schemed OWM. This car brought back memories of so many nights as a child in the grandstand at the now defunct Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam MA. watching "The Reg" Reggie Ruggiero put it to the full field of "Tour-Type" Modifieds that competed there on a weekly basis. It was my Dad bringing me to "The Park" that nurtured my love for asphalt short-track racing and fueled my desire to one day compete. I have to thank Rick for bringing back those wonderful memories with this car in the likeness of ones that competed at New Smyrna during Speedweeks for many, many years as well, fielded by it's recently passed car owner, the beloved Mario Fiore. Thanks Rick, for keeping the sports storied past alive with all of your "throwback" cars. But this one will always have a special place in my heart.
See you all at The Governor's Cup!
The Heat Race had Tim Alexander in his spectacularly beautiful new Blue #63 Sportsman starting on the pole flanked by Bass, Richard Maguire in his super-cool Dick Trickle tribute #99 Coors Light Special, the ever-improving young Trace Reed in his #14 Monte Carlo, Rebecca Paugh in the immaculate #23 and yours truly rounding out the starting lineup after a wonderful pill draw of #73 in a 75 number can. Bass jumped out to a commanding lead from his outside pole starting position and cruised to victory in the 8 lap preliminary. It was a little more interesting for me starting tail end and having to weave my way through traffic with a tight #07. On the Final Lap I caught Maguire and drove it in "like 10 men" into turn 3. Rick being the skilled veteran that he is, knew that in no way could I hold my line on exit and executed the old "crossover move" in throwback Dale Earnhardt style but, to my luck, I beat him back to the stripe by mere inches to take down third in the heat. I hope the fans in attendance enjoyed that as much as we did!
The 50 lap Feature event was basically a complete invert of the heat race, minus Paugh who retired early from the Heat and as a result was placed at the tail end of the field. This put young Trace Reed on the pole with Maguire 2nd. I started 3rd with Hotshoe Bass breathing down my neck behind me in 5th. Knowing that I had my work cut out for me I made an aggressive move early into turn 3 on lap one to snatch the lead from Reed. (My left front tire may or my have not been in the grass on turn entry). After a little door-banging I tried to set sail and soon had a good 7 car length lead on the field. Unfortunately for me, the car was still a tad tight and a few laps later Sean caught me and passed me with relative ease. The video from his facebook page clearly shows that I had absolutely no chance with the incredible forward bite Sean was getting off of turn 2. He used that to his advantage and checked out. With the smaller field, the rest of the race was pretty uneventful except for a few terse moments with some lapped cars, as the race went green-to-checker.
Six Pack 50 Round Three
1. 28 Sean Bass
2. 07 Scott Garrity
3. 63 Tim Alexander
4. 14 Trace Reed
5. 99 Rick Maguire
6. 23 Rebecca Paugh
The Series Finale will be part of New Smyrna's Governors Cup Weekend with the Sportsman running 75 laps immediately after the conclusion of the Super Late Model Victory Circle festivities. Car count won't be an issue at New Smyrna as a "little fish" has told me that the purse will be substantially increased by extra support for the event by Elliott-Bass Racing and American Auto. I'd like to personally thank Butch Elliott and E.J. at American Auto for giving back to the Sportsman class. I also have to give a BIG THANKS to Beyel Brothers Crane Inc. for adding an extra $50 to the second place purse money last night. Thanks guys! It's these people support that help show that a good purse and some recognition go a long way in luring a strong field of what I selfishly consider to be the best division in Florida. Either way you don't want to miss the Sportsman 75 at the Governor's Cup. I can't wait for this HUGE event!
Six Pack Series Updated Points Top 10
1. 28 Sean Bass 150
2. 07 Scott Garrity 138
3. 111 Patrick Thomas 95
4. 71 Earl "Junior" Beckner 90
5. 14 Trace Reed 89
6. 44 Matthew Green 48
7. 63 Tim Alexander 47
50 Jeff Wright 47
9. 22 Colton Bramlett 45
37 Kenner Brown 45
99 Richard Maguire 45
On a personal note, I have some other obseravtions and comments on the night's event. It was cool to see Tim Alexander with his beautiful new Sportsman competing last night. Although Tim suffered from a twitchty loose car for most of the event due to to a bent top link mount the car was otherwise badass fast motor-wise and with a few tweaks will be a force to reckon with with he competes at Citrus with it soon. If you are not aware, Tim has quite a few wins in the Street Stock class at Citrus County Speedway over the past few years. It is great to see a talented young driver like Tim make the jump up to the Sportsman class. I had not had seen Tim for quite a few years. When I first started competing here at Citrus in 2009, Citrus Legend Forrest Goff was kind enough to help me out and let me house my car at his shop in Brooksville. Tim kept his car there too and we became acquaintances as we each worked on our cars on many chilly winter nights in the Brooksville hills. Tim is such a nice "kid'. it was great to see him and I wish him all the luck with his new ride!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richard Maguire last evening. For those that don't know Rick has quite the stable of "Throwback" cars that he campaigns. A Dale Earnhardt #8 Goodwrench Camaro, A Pete Silva "X" Busch Beer Camaro, the aforementioned #99 Coors Light Dick Trickle Firebird Sportsman and even a "Gastown" #19 paint scheme that his Dad used to campaign. But what lured me over to his pit stall was this beautiful Mario Fiore Tribute #44 Teddy Bear Pools Tour Mod schemed OWM. This car brought back memories of so many nights as a child in the grandstand at the now defunct Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam MA. watching "The Reg" Reggie Ruggiero put it to the full field of "Tour-Type" Modifieds that competed there on a weekly basis. It was my Dad bringing me to "The Park" that nurtured my love for asphalt short-track racing and fueled my desire to one day compete. I have to thank Rick for bringing back those wonderful memories with this car in the likeness of ones that competed at New Smyrna during Speedweeks for many, many years as well, fielded by it's recently passed car owner, the beloved Mario Fiore. Thanks Rick, for keeping the sports storied past alive with all of your "throwback" cars. But this one will always have a special place in my heart.
See you all at The Governor's Cup!
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