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GREAT FIELD EXPECTED FOR JOEY COULTER CHARITY 212 FINALE FOR PRO TRUCKS AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY.
A very good field of Pro Trucks are slated to take part in the Joey Coulter Charity 212 Race Weekend next Saturday and Sunday, December 9-10 at Auburndale Speedway. Thirty-one teams have filed entries, seven more that at this time last year including three drivers who have accounted for six victories in the eleven charity race events held since 2006.
This big event, as usual, is more about helping several families in need rather than the racing itself. This year the money will be shared by three families: The family of five year old Gianna Palazzolo who was involved in a bad car accident. She had to wear a halo for quite some time and still has several spinal issues to be taken care of. - The Family of 17 year old Kaitlynn Swanback, who continues to deal with Scheuermann's disease effecting her back, spine and more. - The family of 28 year old Shaunna Posey-Cajigas, a mother to five year old Blake and the wife of a service man who has a very aggressive form of thyroid cancer and is going through intense chemotherapy five days a week.
Race fans will have plenty of race action to witness over the two days of activity. Along with the Pro Trucks, who are again this year sponsored by the Les & Judy Smout Foundation, the Legend Cars will be in action along with the Mini Stocks and the V-8 Bombers, all sponsored by CLL Global Research Foundation. A special event will be held for the Showtime Speedway/Citrus County Speedway Street Stock classes plus the Three-Quarter Midgets will be on hand for a little "open-wheel" action.
This event is not just about some great racing but also about a great time for fans who attend as there will be special merchandise available, a great souvenir program, raffles including a 50/50 raffle and a "Chinese" raffle along with a fantastic silent auction with many great items up for bid again this year. Roger Todd from the WPCV 97.5 Country Radio Breakfast Club will be the Grand Marshall this year and fans will again be treated to the great music of the Nathan Baldwin Band.
The invasion of Pro Trucks will be led by three-time Charity 200 winner Steve Darvalics of Venice. Darvalics has not raced very much in 2017 but will dust off his Pro Truck and once again be considered a favorite to win. The young man who lends his name to this event, Joey Coulter of Concord, NC, has won the race twice and will try and equal Darvalics' record in this, the final one. Last year's winner Brent Huber of Venice will be back to defend his crown in Pat Mahoney's Mr. Marcite machine.
Among the entries are five lady drivers led by Joey Coulter's wife Jessica who came very close to winning the event a few years back. Lakeland's Becca Monopoli, the 2017 Showtime Speedway Pro Truck champion, hopes to win this race that has eluded her for several years now. Young Kristen Clements of Lakeland has shown vast improvement in her second year of Pro Truck racing as she took second in points to Monopoli at Showtime Speedway this year. Jessica Murphy returns to the seat for the first time since this event last year while Jamie Sullivan of Christmas will complete her first season in the Pro Trucks attempting to qualify for this big race.
Kim Sheffler was expected to return to the seat of her popular purple #10 after doing yeoman work with local fund raisers and other activities to help the families this year. However work commitments will keep her on the sidelines for the event she has worked so hard for.
Veteran driver Joe Winchell of Dade City proved he hasn't lost a step by driving Donnie Rutherford's Sportsman car to a win in the Short Track Hero Fall Brawl at 417 Southern Speedway November 25th. Winchell, who has been racing since dinosaurs roamed the earth (well, 44 years to be exact) will be behind the wheel of the Griffis #5 Pro Truck for the weekend. One driver that Winchell banged fenders with in their days of racing in South Florida, John Pettit, is also entered. Pettit came out of retirement this year and now lives in Palmetto Bay.
Sunshine State Challenge Series 2017 champion Tommy Kelly of Myakka City is ready to cap off an excellent year with a win in the Charity 212 while Kody Jett of Middleburg will again wheel Donnie Burkhalter's Greenbriar Landscape Pro Truck for the weekend. Local driver Cody McDuffie has been fast all year but had nothing to show for it other than a lot of bad luck. He hopes to get things turned around with a win in the charity race. Meanwhile, the Bigley name will be well represented as Billy Bigley, Jr. of Naples has entered along with sons Dylan and Corey.
V-8 Bomber entries include 2017 Auburndale Speedway track champ James Wright III, Danny Burchfield, Bubba Healey, Phil Ellis, Brey Holmes, Brian Harbin, Jody Gill, Brandon Duchscherer, Eddie Hartin, Mark Boxell, David Purvis, Nicole Green and Ronnie Abney.
A host of Legend Cars should be on hand including 2017 SSCS champion Seth Adams, 2017 Auburndale Speedway titlist Alan Hiefnar, Kyle Pitts, Michael Cherry, Joey Langis, Dave Fusco, Cale Nolen, Bobby Diestler, Blake Boyette, Gavin Sexton, Jim Smith and the brother act of Mike and Mitch Verhaagh.
The Mini Stocks will be led by Chris Narramore, Sr., run-away champion for the class in 2017. Others expected include Brandon Duchscherer driving for Bruce Cozad, Donald Gatlin, "Fast" Freddy Martin, John Cummins, Jr., Dalton Herman and Robert "Boogs" Fellows.
The Street Stocks that compete at Showtime Speedway (Pinellas Park) and Citrus County Speedway (Inverness) are being sponsored by Jett Concrete of Middleburg. Early entries include veteran driver Marty Neikens, Dodge Carlbert, Andrew Hall, Ryan Tower, Chuck Mathias, Tom Meyer, Casey Hall, Justin Amspaugh and Dennis Wilson.
The TQ Midgets, sponsored by Autotech Collision Center will be led by Jimmy Wilkins III of Ft. Pierce. Other entries include Mike Nelson, Stu Chamberlain, Al Seitz and Todd Morey.
Action actually begins on Friday evening December 8, with open practice for all classes from 5-9 pm. Admission to the pit area will be just $10 for the night.
Saturday morning, December 9, pit gates will open for the Pro Truck teams only at 8 am then open for the other racing classes at 10 am. Tech inspection opens at 11 am with practice (for Pro Trucks only) starting at 1 pm through 3 pm. Practice for the V-8 Bombers will be from 3-4 pm and practice for the other divisions racing will be from 4-5 pm. Grandstand gates open at 5 pm while the Pro Trucks are on track for a quick 15 minute tire scuff session.
Qualifying for the Showtime/Citrus County Street Stocks, Pro Trucks and V-8 Bombers starts at 6 pm with racing getting under way at 7 pm with a 25 lap run for the TQ Midgets and 30 laps for the Legend Cars. A "Last Chance Race" for the Pro Trucks follows to set the remainder of the field of 24 Pro Trucks for Sunday's 212-lap race. Mini Stocks are up next for 30 laps of racing followed by a last chance race for the V-8 Bombers, if needed. The evening wraps up with the 50-lap Jett Concrete Showtime/Citrus County Street Stock finale.
Pit gates will open on Sunday morning, December 10, at 9 am. Final practice for the Pro Trucks will be from 10-10:30 am with the final set of hot laps for the V-8 Bombers running from 10:30-11 am. Grandstand gates open at 12 noon and fans are reminded to get to the track early for the on-track autograph/photo op session and to enjoy the great music of the Nathan Baldwin Band.
Pre-race ceremonies begin at 1:45 pm with the Charity Truck Race 212 getting under way at 2:30 pm. There will be a half-way break around lap 106 for crews to make adjustments to their trucks for the second segment. After the victory lane ceremonies are completed, the V-8 Bombers will take to the track for their big 50-lap spectacular.
Adult grandstand admission for Saturday night is just $10 with seniors 55+ getting in for $8. All kids aged 12 and under are free both days. Adult admission for Sunday is $13 with seniors getting in for just $10. Pit passes for Saturday are $25 and $30 for Sunday. As always, parking is free.
“ As we prepare for this 12th and final event I want to thank my friend Joey Coulter and his family, Rex and Colette Guy along with Ken and Charlotte Hyatt for being partners with me these last six years," says event organizer Rick Bristol. "I also want to thank Don Nerone for helping this all get started 12 years ago. Then to all those friends and volunteers for helping each year to make it happen, thank you! You will never know how much it means. Thank you to all the drivers who have competed, many for so many years... I appreciate you all so much. To my family for allowing and helping me these last 12 years of this event and the 14 years previously doing go-kart fundraisers for children’s homes, thank you for loving me and supporting my vision, it means so much to me. Let’s have a great weekend and make it a great “Finale,” said Bristol.
PRO TRUCK ENTRIES AS OF 12/2/17:
Truck Number - Driver - Hometown - Sponsors
05 - Jamie Sullivan, Christmas, Sullivan Moving Systems
2 - John Pettit, Palmetto Bay, Golden Rule Seafood/Smokinhotbrass.com/Mitchell's Welding
4 - Tyler Davis, Lakeland, Downtown Counseling/Holley Carburetors/Jason Rendell Motorsports
5 - Joe Winchell, Dade City, Griffis Pools
5K - Kristen Clements, Lakeland, Autotech Collision Center/Narramore's Machine Shop
7 - Jason Lester, Palmetto, B&E Auto/Miller Insulation Acoustics
11 - Carter Brown, Lakeland, Autotech Collision Center
11K - Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres, MOK Pro Flooring/Roberts Tires
11S - Robert Strader, Jr., Orlando, Strader Racing/B&H Truck and RV Service
13 - J. R. Garcia, Wimauma, Ambassador Racing School
14 - Adam Briggs, Lakeland, B&W Supply/Shifters Transmissions/Robert Todd Racing
14B - Billy Bigley, Jr., Naples, Sam Scott Motorsports/Finishing by Theodore
15 - Tommy Kelly, Myakka City, Master Set Tile
16 - Joey Coulter, Concord, NC, CIV Driver Optimization
18 - Shawn Bailey, Bushnell, Value Tire and Alignment/SRD Automotive
19 - Colt Cecil, Auburndale, Roadway Products LLC/Mid Florida Paving & Seal Coating
24 - Kody Jett, Middleburg, Greenbriar Landscape/Davenport Fights Back
25 - Cody McDuffie, Lakeland, Southern Air Compressor Service/Q Auto & Injury Attorneys
26 - Jessica Murphy, Clermont, Murphy Motorsports
28 - Corey Bigley, Naples, Bigley Motorsports
37 - Driver TBA, National Roofing
40 - Cody Martell, Arcadia, National Roofing
41 - Steve Darvalics, Venice, Fred's Garage
47 - Blaise Hetznecker, Holly Hill, Precision Auto Glass and Mirror
50 - Jett Noland, Groveland, Noland's Roofing/Cypress Ridge Hunting Preserve
57 - Aaron Holmes, Auburndale, 5 Points Kustomz/Ace Wrecker
59X - Becca Monopoli, Lakeland, Q Auto & Injury Attorneys/Florida Sherrif's Youth Ranches
64 - Brent Huber, Venice, Mr, Marcite
99 - Johnny Marra, Punta Gorda, Marra Racing
128 - Dyland Bigley, Naples, Biggley Motorsports
TBA - Jessica Marie Coulter, Concord, NC, CIV Driver Optimization
Photos:
1) Defending champion Brent Huber will try and make it two in a row...
2) Two time winner Joey Coulter and his wife Jessica are both entered...
3) Three time winner Steve Darvalics
4) 2017 Showtime Speedway Pro Truck champion Becca Monopoli
A very good field of Pro Trucks are slated to take part in the Joey Coulter Charity 212 Race Weekend next Saturday and Sunday, December 9-10 at Auburndale Speedway. Thirty-one teams have filed entries, seven more that at this time last year including three drivers who have accounted for six victories in the eleven charity race events held since 2006.
This big event, as usual, is more about helping several families in need rather than the racing itself. This year the money will be shared by three families: The family of five year old Gianna Palazzolo who was involved in a bad car accident. She had to wear a halo for quite some time and still has several spinal issues to be taken care of. - The Family of 17 year old Kaitlynn Swanback, who continues to deal with Scheuermann's disease effecting her back, spine and more. - The family of 28 year old Shaunna Posey-Cajigas, a mother to five year old Blake and the wife of a service man who has a very aggressive form of thyroid cancer and is going through intense chemotherapy five days a week.
Race fans will have plenty of race action to witness over the two days of activity. Along with the Pro Trucks, who are again this year sponsored by the Les & Judy Smout Foundation, the Legend Cars will be in action along with the Mini Stocks and the V-8 Bombers, all sponsored by CLL Global Research Foundation. A special event will be held for the Showtime Speedway/Citrus County Speedway Street Stock classes plus the Three-Quarter Midgets will be on hand for a little "open-wheel" action.
This event is not just about some great racing but also about a great time for fans who attend as there will be special merchandise available, a great souvenir program, raffles including a 50/50 raffle and a "Chinese" raffle along with a fantastic silent auction with many great items up for bid again this year. Roger Todd from the WPCV 97.5 Country Radio Breakfast Club will be the Grand Marshall this year and fans will again be treated to the great music of the Nathan Baldwin Band.
The invasion of Pro Trucks will be led by three-time Charity 200 winner Steve Darvalics of Venice. Darvalics has not raced very much in 2017 but will dust off his Pro Truck and once again be considered a favorite to win. The young man who lends his name to this event, Joey Coulter of Concord, NC, has won the race twice and will try and equal Darvalics' record in this, the final one. Last year's winner Brent Huber of Venice will be back to defend his crown in Pat Mahoney's Mr. Marcite machine.
Among the entries are five lady drivers led by Joey Coulter's wife Jessica who came very close to winning the event a few years back. Lakeland's Becca Monopoli, the 2017 Showtime Speedway Pro Truck champion, hopes to win this race that has eluded her for several years now. Young Kristen Clements of Lakeland has shown vast improvement in her second year of Pro Truck racing as she took second in points to Monopoli at Showtime Speedway this year. Jessica Murphy returns to the seat for the first time since this event last year while Jamie Sullivan of Christmas will complete her first season in the Pro Trucks attempting to qualify for this big race.
Kim Sheffler was expected to return to the seat of her popular purple #10 after doing yeoman work with local fund raisers and other activities to help the families this year. However work commitments will keep her on the sidelines for the event she has worked so hard for.
Veteran driver Joe Winchell of Dade City proved he hasn't lost a step by driving Donnie Rutherford's Sportsman car to a win in the Short Track Hero Fall Brawl at 417 Southern Speedway November 25th. Winchell, who has been racing since dinosaurs roamed the earth (well, 44 years to be exact) will be behind the wheel of the Griffis #5 Pro Truck for the weekend. One driver that Winchell banged fenders with in their days of racing in South Florida, John Pettit, is also entered. Pettit came out of retirement this year and now lives in Palmetto Bay.
Sunshine State Challenge Series 2017 champion Tommy Kelly of Myakka City is ready to cap off an excellent year with a win in the Charity 212 while Kody Jett of Middleburg will again wheel Donnie Burkhalter's Greenbriar Landscape Pro Truck for the weekend. Local driver Cody McDuffie has been fast all year but had nothing to show for it other than a lot of bad luck. He hopes to get things turned around with a win in the charity race. Meanwhile, the Bigley name will be well represented as Billy Bigley, Jr. of Naples has entered along with sons Dylan and Corey.
V-8 Bomber entries include 2017 Auburndale Speedway track champ James Wright III, Danny Burchfield, Bubba Healey, Phil Ellis, Brey Holmes, Brian Harbin, Jody Gill, Brandon Duchscherer, Eddie Hartin, Mark Boxell, David Purvis, Nicole Green and Ronnie Abney.
A host of Legend Cars should be on hand including 2017 SSCS champion Seth Adams, 2017 Auburndale Speedway titlist Alan Hiefnar, Kyle Pitts, Michael Cherry, Joey Langis, Dave Fusco, Cale Nolen, Bobby Diestler, Blake Boyette, Gavin Sexton, Jim Smith and the brother act of Mike and Mitch Verhaagh.
The Mini Stocks will be led by Chris Narramore, Sr., run-away champion for the class in 2017. Others expected include Brandon Duchscherer driving for Bruce Cozad, Donald Gatlin, "Fast" Freddy Martin, John Cummins, Jr., Dalton Herman and Robert "Boogs" Fellows.
The Street Stocks that compete at Showtime Speedway (Pinellas Park) and Citrus County Speedway (Inverness) are being sponsored by Jett Concrete of Middleburg. Early entries include veteran driver Marty Neikens, Dodge Carlbert, Andrew Hall, Ryan Tower, Chuck Mathias, Tom Meyer, Casey Hall, Justin Amspaugh and Dennis Wilson.
The TQ Midgets, sponsored by Autotech Collision Center will be led by Jimmy Wilkins III of Ft. Pierce. Other entries include Mike Nelson, Stu Chamberlain, Al Seitz and Todd Morey.
Action actually begins on Friday evening December 8, with open practice for all classes from 5-9 pm. Admission to the pit area will be just $10 for the night.
Saturday morning, December 9, pit gates will open for the Pro Truck teams only at 8 am then open for the other racing classes at 10 am. Tech inspection opens at 11 am with practice (for Pro Trucks only) starting at 1 pm through 3 pm. Practice for the V-8 Bombers will be from 3-4 pm and practice for the other divisions racing will be from 4-5 pm. Grandstand gates open at 5 pm while the Pro Trucks are on track for a quick 15 minute tire scuff session.
Qualifying for the Showtime/Citrus County Street Stocks, Pro Trucks and V-8 Bombers starts at 6 pm with racing getting under way at 7 pm with a 25 lap run for the TQ Midgets and 30 laps for the Legend Cars. A "Last Chance Race" for the Pro Trucks follows to set the remainder of the field of 24 Pro Trucks for Sunday's 212-lap race. Mini Stocks are up next for 30 laps of racing followed by a last chance race for the V-8 Bombers, if needed. The evening wraps up with the 50-lap Jett Concrete Showtime/Citrus County Street Stock finale.
Pit gates will open on Sunday morning, December 10, at 9 am. Final practice for the Pro Trucks will be from 10-10:30 am with the final set of hot laps for the V-8 Bombers running from 10:30-11 am. Grandstand gates open at 12 noon and fans are reminded to get to the track early for the on-track autograph/photo op session and to enjoy the great music of the Nathan Baldwin Band.
Pre-race ceremonies begin at 1:45 pm with the Charity Truck Race 212 getting under way at 2:30 pm. There will be a half-way break around lap 106 for crews to make adjustments to their trucks for the second segment. After the victory lane ceremonies are completed, the V-8 Bombers will take to the track for their big 50-lap spectacular.
Adult grandstand admission for Saturday night is just $10 with seniors 55+ getting in for $8. All kids aged 12 and under are free both days. Adult admission for Sunday is $13 with seniors getting in for just $10. Pit passes for Saturday are $25 and $30 for Sunday. As always, parking is free.
“ As we prepare for this 12th and final event I want to thank my friend Joey Coulter and his family, Rex and Colette Guy along with Ken and Charlotte Hyatt for being partners with me these last six years," says event organizer Rick Bristol. "I also want to thank Don Nerone for helping this all get started 12 years ago. Then to all those friends and volunteers for helping each year to make it happen, thank you! You will never know how much it means. Thank you to all the drivers who have competed, many for so many years... I appreciate you all so much. To my family for allowing and helping me these last 12 years of this event and the 14 years previously doing go-kart fundraisers for children’s homes, thank you for loving me and supporting my vision, it means so much to me. Let’s have a great weekend and make it a great “Finale,” said Bristol.
PRO TRUCK ENTRIES AS OF 12/2/17:
Truck Number - Driver - Hometown - Sponsors
05 - Jamie Sullivan, Christmas, Sullivan Moving Systems
2 - John Pettit, Palmetto Bay, Golden Rule Seafood/Smokinhotbrass.com/Mitchell's Welding
4 - Tyler Davis, Lakeland, Downtown Counseling/Holley Carburetors/Jason Rendell Motorsports
5 - Joe Winchell, Dade City, Griffis Pools
5K - Kristen Clements, Lakeland, Autotech Collision Center/Narramore's Machine Shop
7 - Jason Lester, Palmetto, B&E Auto/Miller Insulation Acoustics
11 - Carter Brown, Lakeland, Autotech Collision Center
11K - Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres, MOK Pro Flooring/Roberts Tires
11S - Robert Strader, Jr., Orlando, Strader Racing/B&H Truck and RV Service
13 - J. R. Garcia, Wimauma, Ambassador Racing School
14 - Adam Briggs, Lakeland, B&W Supply/Shifters Transmissions/Robert Todd Racing
14B - Billy Bigley, Jr., Naples, Sam Scott Motorsports/Finishing by Theodore
15 - Tommy Kelly, Myakka City, Master Set Tile
16 - Joey Coulter, Concord, NC, CIV Driver Optimization
18 - Shawn Bailey, Bushnell, Value Tire and Alignment/SRD Automotive
19 - Colt Cecil, Auburndale, Roadway Products LLC/Mid Florida Paving & Seal Coating
24 - Kody Jett, Middleburg, Greenbriar Landscape/Davenport Fights Back
25 - Cody McDuffie, Lakeland, Southern Air Compressor Service/Q Auto & Injury Attorneys
26 - Jessica Murphy, Clermont, Murphy Motorsports
28 - Corey Bigley, Naples, Bigley Motorsports
37 - Driver TBA, National Roofing
40 - Cody Martell, Arcadia, National Roofing
41 - Steve Darvalics, Venice, Fred's Garage
47 - Blaise Hetznecker, Holly Hill, Precision Auto Glass and Mirror
50 - Jett Noland, Groveland, Noland's Roofing/Cypress Ridge Hunting Preserve
57 - Aaron Holmes, Auburndale, 5 Points Kustomz/Ace Wrecker
59X - Becca Monopoli, Lakeland, Q Auto & Injury Attorneys/Florida Sherrif's Youth Ranches
64 - Brent Huber, Venice, Mr, Marcite
99 - Johnny Marra, Punta Gorda, Marra Racing
128 - Dyland Bigley, Naples, Biggley Motorsports
TBA - Jessica Marie Coulter, Concord, NC, CIV Driver Optimization
Photos:
1) Defending champion Brent Huber will try and make it two in a row...
2) Two time winner Joey Coulter and his wife Jessica are both entered...
3) Three time winner Steve Darvalics
4) 2017 Showtime Speedway Pro Truck champion Becca Monopoli
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