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KELLY SWEEPS PRO TRUCKS - WILLIAMSON SURVIVES SPORTSMAN PROTEST TO WIN IN SSCS AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY
The weather gods finally smiled upon Auburndale Speedway Saturday as the first full racing program since late June was run and fans were treated to some excellent racing from start to finish.
The Sunshine State Challenge Series was in the house for 50 laps of racing in both the Pro Truck and Sportsman divisions. Seventeen Pro Trucks signed in to do battle along with thirteen Sportsman cars.
Tommy Kelly of Myakka City began what would be a big night for him by setting quick time in the Pro Trucks at 14.483 seconds. The current SSCS Pro Truck point leader topped the 14.507 lap turned in by Lakeland's Cody McDuffie and the 14.673 lap of Arcadia's Cody Martell. Jason Lester and Becca Monopoli were fourth and fifth quick.
Luck of the draw put Kelly on the front row for the start but it was Chad Pierce taking the early advantage for the opening pair of circuits. Kelly, however, wasted little time in snaring the lead spot as McDuffie quickly made his way into second. At that point it looked like a great battle would take place as McDuffie seemed to have the horses to eventually get by the "Hired Gun."
It was not to be however as McDuffie began to slow during the 15th lap then spun out in turn three a lap later. "The brake pedal just went straight to the floor, I couldn't believe it," said McDuffie after the race ended. McDuffie tried to stay out after the restart but his machine was just too unsafe to drive at that point and he became the first driver to retire from the event.
From there Kelly had only to survive one red flag period and four other caution flags, two for a pair of uncharacteristic spins in turn two by Danny Anderson who just couldn't seem to find the handle on his truck all night. Rookie driver Todd Haag had a pair of spins (not necessarily of his own doing) while the red flag came out for an altercation between Colt Cecil and William Kerns that ended the night for both drivers.
For Kelly, it was just another day at the office as he was firmly in control once McDuffie dropped out. Kelly powered away from the field after each restart in his Master Set Tile-sponsored machine and won easily over second place Mike Kohut who had his best career finish here while Cody Martell brought his new ride home in third place.
Becca Monopoli had a steady run for fourth just nipping Jason Lester at the line as the "Scooby-Do" truck had to settle for fifth on this night. Sixth went to Billy Carlbert, Jr. trailed by John Pettit, Pierce, Leroy Moore and Anderson. Rounding out the finishers were Haag, Cody Blair, Cecil, Kerns, Jamie Sullivan, Dakota Hunt and McDuffie.
Sportsman qualifying saw point leader Aaron Williamson of Lakeland easily the fastest as he blistered the track in 14.284 seconds topping second-quick timer Jason Vail's 14.358 lap. Junior Beckner's 14.490 lap was good for third fast ahead of Mike Smith and Brooke Storer.
The first attempt at starting the race was called back when Joe Winchell and Tom Zimmerman tangled in turn four before the opening lap could be completed. The second start was much better and Williamson, also gifted with a front row starting spot like Kelly in the Pro Trucks, jumped out front only to see the caution fly as Smith, driving for George Gorham, Jr., came to a stop at the top of turn two. Smith would return to the fray briefly but soon headed to the pits, victim of a slipping clutch.
Just after the restart, fans were shocked to see Williamson quickly backpedal through the field where he again picked up the pace after falling to last position. Most did not notice that Williamson had been black-flagged for jumping the start. "I knew I had to get back to the tail of the field as quickly as I could so I would still have a chance at a good run," said Williamson. His situation was quickly helped as Roger Blevins stopped on track during the tenth lap to bring out the second yellow flag of the event.
Brooke Storer was now the leader (actually credited with taking over the top spot on lap three when Williamson was black-flagged). After another caution on lap 12 it was Jason Vail zipping into second place while Williamson was on a mission grabbing third from Beckner.
Lap 26 saw things get really crazy. As Vail attempted an inside move for the lead he was hit in the right rear by Williamson. Vail went into a wild spin with sparks showering the track. Vail's car was OK but both he and Williamson took a trip to the rear of the restart line-up.
As Storer continued to show the way, things got hectic once again on lap 29 as several cars bounced off each other coming off turn four. When all was said and done, Vail's car sat in the infield in turn two while Rick Reed's car was facing backwards headed into turn one. Several other cars including those of Williamson, Beckner, Winchell and Joshua Borem received cosmetic damage but were able to continue. Unfortunately Vail was forced to call it a night at this point.
After the restart it was some of the best racing witnessed at Auburndale Speedway in some time. Winchell drove up to second and began putting the pressure on Storer but the young lady driver from Zephyrhills was driving like a tested veteran. Winchell, meanwhile, had to now deal with Williamson who had dispatched of Beckner and was closing in from third.
Although Williamson's Chad Allman-owned Racecar Engineering-sponsored car looked like it had just been through a race at Talladega, it was right where it needed to be in the handling department. Williamson inched his way under Winchell for second then quickly closed on Storer making an inside move for the lead on the 46th lap then leading the rest of the way to the checker.
"What can you say," said Williamson. "We came from the rear twice and still won. They say we jumped a little quick there on that one restart but we still came back and won and that really goes to prove just how good a car that Chad (Allman) allows me to drive. I just wish it looked a bit better right now," he joked in victory lane.
Storer was cool and calm after just missing her first win at Auburndale. "Yeah, we were almost there," she said. "Just to be this competitive against this type of competition is great. We'll go back and make this car better and see what we can do next time," said Storer.
For Winchell, now in his 44th year of racing, his third place effort almost came as a shock to him. Driving a brand new car owned by former racer Donnie Rutherford, Winchell could not have been happier after getting a podium finish. "I started racing in 1973 and my owner (Rutherford) was one of the guys I watched race down in Hialeah so this is really special to do this right out of the box," said Winchell. "This is what racing is all about as we ran each other clean over those last few laps. Congratulations to Aaron and how about the job Brooke did," he said. By the way, Winchell is just "tuning" the car up for Rutherford who plans to start driving it himself after nearly 20 years away from the sport as a driver.
Things did not end after the checker flew, though, as fourth place Beckner protested Williamson's car. With Series technical inspector Ricky Brooks away for the night, Williamson's car was impounded after the races and inspected on Sunday where it was given the A-OK as legal.
Fifth place would end up going to Lakeland driver Shawn Jenkins who had a good steady effort over the 50-lap distance. Borem would come home sixth trailed by Bobby Mills, Zimmerman, Brandon Martin, Reed, Vail, Blevins and Smith.
Chris Spring won the Modified Mini Stock heat race then jumped out front to lead the first nine laps of the feature. Despite being turned into a spin to bring out the caution on the third lap, Chuck Frazier was hooked up and snatched the top spot from Spring on lap ten then drove off to a convincing victory.
Frazier, whose car sported new sheet metal and shoe-polish numbers following a hard crash the last time out, took the checker well in front of Spring who said he was fighting a "tight" car as well as a cold he picked up while getting tests done at a local hospital. Kenny Nurse, Jr. claimed the third spot ahead of Rachelle Rudolph, Richard Brown and Ofscar Nurse. Brandon Yates was unable to start the feature.
It looked like Chris Narramore, Sr. would cruise to yet another Q Mini Stocks victory but he suddenly pulled off the track while leading with five laps to go. "The gas pedal actually broke" said Narramore after the race. That gave the lead to Bruce Cozad who cruised to his first win of the year after having his car on display earlier in the afternoon for the Fellows Racing Kid's Club. John Cummins. Jr. closed late but had to settle for second ahead of Donald Gatlin, David Purvis, Matt Cummins and Narramore.
Dustin Wilson passed heat race winner Gilbert Corbin on the eleventh lap then went on to win his eighth Scrambler feature of the year. Corbin held off Keith Cantrill for second with William Kerns fourth.
SUNSHINE STATE CHALLENGE SERIES - OFFICIAL FINISHES - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 10/14/17:
PRO TRUCKS (50 Laps)
1) Tommy Kelly, Myakka City #15
2) Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres #11K
3) Cody Martell, Arcadia #40
4) Becca Monopoli, Lakeland #59X
5) Jason Lester, Palmetto #7
6) Billy Carlbert, Jr., Palmetto #11
7) John Pettit, Homestead #2
8) Chad Pierce, Orlando #57
9) Leroy Moore, Brooksville #21
10) Danny Anderson, Bradenton #50
11) Todd Haag, Windermere #54
12) Cody Blair, Winter Park #15X - DNF
13) Colt Cecil, Lakeland #19 - DNF
14) William Kerns, Auburndale #69 - DNF
15) Jamie Sullivan, Orlando #05 - DNF
16) Dakota Hunt, Lakeland #99 - DNF
17) Cody McDuffie, Lakeland #25 - DNF
SPORTSMAN (50 Laps)
1) Aaron Williamson, Lakeland #67
2) Brooke Storer, Zephyrhills #9
3) Joe Winchell, Dade City #92
4) Earl "Junior" Beckner, Apopka #71
5) Shawn Jenkins, Lakeland #43
6) Joshua Borem, Lakeland #111
7) Bobby Mills, Lakeland #06
8) Tom Zimmerman, Largo #01
9) Brandon Martin, Bartow #53
10) Rick Reed, Punta Gorda #4
11) Jason Vail, Clermont #407 (DNF)
12) Roger Blevins, Bartow #29 (DNF)
13) Mike Smith, Lakeland #03 (DNF)
Photos:
1) Tommy Kelly led all the way to win the 50-lap SSCS Pro Truck race...
2) Brooke Storer led 43 laps of the SSCS Sportsman feature but had to settle for second place...
3) Veteran Joe Winchell took third in the SSCS Sportsman race driving for owner Donnie Rutherford (R)...
4) Q Mini Stock winner Bruce Cozad (My Country Photos)
5) Boogs Fellows rides one of the Big Wheels during the Fellows Racing Kid's Club get together before the races (My Country Photos)
The weather gods finally smiled upon Auburndale Speedway Saturday as the first full racing program since late June was run and fans were treated to some excellent racing from start to finish.
The Sunshine State Challenge Series was in the house for 50 laps of racing in both the Pro Truck and Sportsman divisions. Seventeen Pro Trucks signed in to do battle along with thirteen Sportsman cars.
Tommy Kelly of Myakka City began what would be a big night for him by setting quick time in the Pro Trucks at 14.483 seconds. The current SSCS Pro Truck point leader topped the 14.507 lap turned in by Lakeland's Cody McDuffie and the 14.673 lap of Arcadia's Cody Martell. Jason Lester and Becca Monopoli were fourth and fifth quick.
Luck of the draw put Kelly on the front row for the start but it was Chad Pierce taking the early advantage for the opening pair of circuits. Kelly, however, wasted little time in snaring the lead spot as McDuffie quickly made his way into second. At that point it looked like a great battle would take place as McDuffie seemed to have the horses to eventually get by the "Hired Gun."
It was not to be however as McDuffie began to slow during the 15th lap then spun out in turn three a lap later. "The brake pedal just went straight to the floor, I couldn't believe it," said McDuffie after the race ended. McDuffie tried to stay out after the restart but his machine was just too unsafe to drive at that point and he became the first driver to retire from the event.
From there Kelly had only to survive one red flag period and four other caution flags, two for a pair of uncharacteristic spins in turn two by Danny Anderson who just couldn't seem to find the handle on his truck all night. Rookie driver Todd Haag had a pair of spins (not necessarily of his own doing) while the red flag came out for an altercation between Colt Cecil and William Kerns that ended the night for both drivers.
For Kelly, it was just another day at the office as he was firmly in control once McDuffie dropped out. Kelly powered away from the field after each restart in his Master Set Tile-sponsored machine and won easily over second place Mike Kohut who had his best career finish here while Cody Martell brought his new ride home in third place.
Becca Monopoli had a steady run for fourth just nipping Jason Lester at the line as the "Scooby-Do" truck had to settle for fifth on this night. Sixth went to Billy Carlbert, Jr. trailed by John Pettit, Pierce, Leroy Moore and Anderson. Rounding out the finishers were Haag, Cody Blair, Cecil, Kerns, Jamie Sullivan, Dakota Hunt and McDuffie.
Sportsman qualifying saw point leader Aaron Williamson of Lakeland easily the fastest as he blistered the track in 14.284 seconds topping second-quick timer Jason Vail's 14.358 lap. Junior Beckner's 14.490 lap was good for third fast ahead of Mike Smith and Brooke Storer.
The first attempt at starting the race was called back when Joe Winchell and Tom Zimmerman tangled in turn four before the opening lap could be completed. The second start was much better and Williamson, also gifted with a front row starting spot like Kelly in the Pro Trucks, jumped out front only to see the caution fly as Smith, driving for George Gorham, Jr., came to a stop at the top of turn two. Smith would return to the fray briefly but soon headed to the pits, victim of a slipping clutch.
Just after the restart, fans were shocked to see Williamson quickly backpedal through the field where he again picked up the pace after falling to last position. Most did not notice that Williamson had been black-flagged for jumping the start. "I knew I had to get back to the tail of the field as quickly as I could so I would still have a chance at a good run," said Williamson. His situation was quickly helped as Roger Blevins stopped on track during the tenth lap to bring out the second yellow flag of the event.
Brooke Storer was now the leader (actually credited with taking over the top spot on lap three when Williamson was black-flagged). After another caution on lap 12 it was Jason Vail zipping into second place while Williamson was on a mission grabbing third from Beckner.
Lap 26 saw things get really crazy. As Vail attempted an inside move for the lead he was hit in the right rear by Williamson. Vail went into a wild spin with sparks showering the track. Vail's car was OK but both he and Williamson took a trip to the rear of the restart line-up.
As Storer continued to show the way, things got hectic once again on lap 29 as several cars bounced off each other coming off turn four. When all was said and done, Vail's car sat in the infield in turn two while Rick Reed's car was facing backwards headed into turn one. Several other cars including those of Williamson, Beckner, Winchell and Joshua Borem received cosmetic damage but were able to continue. Unfortunately Vail was forced to call it a night at this point.
After the restart it was some of the best racing witnessed at Auburndale Speedway in some time. Winchell drove up to second and began putting the pressure on Storer but the young lady driver from Zephyrhills was driving like a tested veteran. Winchell, meanwhile, had to now deal with Williamson who had dispatched of Beckner and was closing in from third.
Although Williamson's Chad Allman-owned Racecar Engineering-sponsored car looked like it had just been through a race at Talladega, it was right where it needed to be in the handling department. Williamson inched his way under Winchell for second then quickly closed on Storer making an inside move for the lead on the 46th lap then leading the rest of the way to the checker.
"What can you say," said Williamson. "We came from the rear twice and still won. They say we jumped a little quick there on that one restart but we still came back and won and that really goes to prove just how good a car that Chad (Allman) allows me to drive. I just wish it looked a bit better right now," he joked in victory lane.
Storer was cool and calm after just missing her first win at Auburndale. "Yeah, we were almost there," she said. "Just to be this competitive against this type of competition is great. We'll go back and make this car better and see what we can do next time," said Storer.
For Winchell, now in his 44th year of racing, his third place effort almost came as a shock to him. Driving a brand new car owned by former racer Donnie Rutherford, Winchell could not have been happier after getting a podium finish. "I started racing in 1973 and my owner (Rutherford) was one of the guys I watched race down in Hialeah so this is really special to do this right out of the box," said Winchell. "This is what racing is all about as we ran each other clean over those last few laps. Congratulations to Aaron and how about the job Brooke did," he said. By the way, Winchell is just "tuning" the car up for Rutherford who plans to start driving it himself after nearly 20 years away from the sport as a driver.
Things did not end after the checker flew, though, as fourth place Beckner protested Williamson's car. With Series technical inspector Ricky Brooks away for the night, Williamson's car was impounded after the races and inspected on Sunday where it was given the A-OK as legal.
Fifth place would end up going to Lakeland driver Shawn Jenkins who had a good steady effort over the 50-lap distance. Borem would come home sixth trailed by Bobby Mills, Zimmerman, Brandon Martin, Reed, Vail, Blevins and Smith.
Chris Spring won the Modified Mini Stock heat race then jumped out front to lead the first nine laps of the feature. Despite being turned into a spin to bring out the caution on the third lap, Chuck Frazier was hooked up and snatched the top spot from Spring on lap ten then drove off to a convincing victory.
Frazier, whose car sported new sheet metal and shoe-polish numbers following a hard crash the last time out, took the checker well in front of Spring who said he was fighting a "tight" car as well as a cold he picked up while getting tests done at a local hospital. Kenny Nurse, Jr. claimed the third spot ahead of Rachelle Rudolph, Richard Brown and Ofscar Nurse. Brandon Yates was unable to start the feature.
It looked like Chris Narramore, Sr. would cruise to yet another Q Mini Stocks victory but he suddenly pulled off the track while leading with five laps to go. "The gas pedal actually broke" said Narramore after the race. That gave the lead to Bruce Cozad who cruised to his first win of the year after having his car on display earlier in the afternoon for the Fellows Racing Kid's Club. John Cummins. Jr. closed late but had to settle for second ahead of Donald Gatlin, David Purvis, Matt Cummins and Narramore.
Dustin Wilson passed heat race winner Gilbert Corbin on the eleventh lap then went on to win his eighth Scrambler feature of the year. Corbin held off Keith Cantrill for second with William Kerns fourth.
SUNSHINE STATE CHALLENGE SERIES - OFFICIAL FINISHES - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 10/14/17:
PRO TRUCKS (50 Laps)
1) Tommy Kelly, Myakka City #15
2) Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres #11K
3) Cody Martell, Arcadia #40
4) Becca Monopoli, Lakeland #59X
5) Jason Lester, Palmetto #7
6) Billy Carlbert, Jr., Palmetto #11
7) John Pettit, Homestead #2
8) Chad Pierce, Orlando #57
9) Leroy Moore, Brooksville #21
10) Danny Anderson, Bradenton #50
11) Todd Haag, Windermere #54
12) Cody Blair, Winter Park #15X - DNF
13) Colt Cecil, Lakeland #19 - DNF
14) William Kerns, Auburndale #69 - DNF
15) Jamie Sullivan, Orlando #05 - DNF
16) Dakota Hunt, Lakeland #99 - DNF
17) Cody McDuffie, Lakeland #25 - DNF
SPORTSMAN (50 Laps)
1) Aaron Williamson, Lakeland #67
2) Brooke Storer, Zephyrhills #9
3) Joe Winchell, Dade City #92
4) Earl "Junior" Beckner, Apopka #71
5) Shawn Jenkins, Lakeland #43
6) Joshua Borem, Lakeland #111
7) Bobby Mills, Lakeland #06
8) Tom Zimmerman, Largo #01
9) Brandon Martin, Bartow #53
10) Rick Reed, Punta Gorda #4
11) Jason Vail, Clermont #407 (DNF)
12) Roger Blevins, Bartow #29 (DNF)
13) Mike Smith, Lakeland #03 (DNF)
Photos:
1) Tommy Kelly led all the way to win the 50-lap SSCS Pro Truck race...
2) Brooke Storer led 43 laps of the SSCS Sportsman feature but had to settle for second place...
3) Veteran Joe Winchell took third in the SSCS Sportsman race driving for owner Donnie Rutherford (R)...
4) Q Mini Stock winner Bruce Cozad (My Country Photos)
5) Boogs Fellows rides one of the Big Wheels during the Fellows Racing Kid's Club get together before the races (My Country Photos)
Attached Files