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McDUFFIE CONTINUES HIS MASTERY OF PRO TRUCKS AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY
It was yet another great night of racing at Auburndale Speedway as a nice crowd was treated to some near-perfect weather and fantastic racing from top to bottom.
The big event of the night was the "Spring Begins 50" for the Pro Trucks and they were out in force with 22 teams signing in to do battle at the "bullring." Unfortunately both Aaron Holmes and Ray Hester had problems during hot laps and would not be able to compete leaving 20 Trucks to attempt qualifying laps.
West Palm's Derek Pugh was the surprise of time trials as the young driver clicked off a lap of 14.426 seconds to set his first career fast time. Right behind him was Bartow's Cody McDuffie at 14.472 as McDuffie was hoping to duplicate his season-opening win from January 27th. Brennon Pletcher (making his first Auburndale start), Jason Lester and Big Donnie Burkhalter completed the "fast five" in qualifying.
Pugh was not so good with the pill draw as he pulled an eight for the inversion. That placed Todd Haag and Danny Anderson on row one for the start of the 50-lap headliner. It would take two tries just to complete the first lap, though. Jason Lester got turned sideways causing everybody to check up as several cars starting toward the back of the grid received damage trying to avoid the mess. When the dust settled, good guy William Kerns was yet again a victim of circumstances and he was done for the night with front end damage. Jeff White pitted for repairs but continued.
The second attempt to start the race was no better as Nic Haag, Pugh and Colt Cecil got tangled up in turn three. All were able to continue and got their spots back since no laps had yet to be completed.
Anderson breezed out to a quick lead on the restart while McDuffie was already charging taking third on lap three from Lester. Caution was quickly out on lap five as Leroy Moore spun in turn two. McDuffie made quick work of second-running Nic Haag after the restart and set his sights on Anderson. Cecil spun off turn four to bring the yellow flag out again on lap eight.
McDuffie wasted little time zooming by Anderson to take the lead following the restart. Meanwhile, fast-timer Pugh, who had dropped as far back as ninth place early-on, moved his way back into fourth spot behind McDuffie, Anderson and Burkhalter. The field then settled in for some green flag racing until Tyler Davis spun in turn two during the 21st lap.
Interestingly, McDuffie chose the outside lane for the restart. "My truck was actually working better on the outside so that's why I restarted there," McDuffie would state later. "Plus there was a lot of dirt kicked up in the lower groove in turn one so I thought it would be a safer bet to restart from the outside," he continued.
Pugh slipped by Burkhalter for third on the restart as McDuffie easily reclaimed the lead from Anderson who was sporting a new "patriotic" paint scheme on his #50. On lap 29, Pugh made a bold inside move on Anderson as Anderson slowed a bit while lapping another truck and the pair tangled in turn three. Track officials ruled that the lapped machine had forced the two drivers lower on the race track than they wanted to be so both were awarded their spots back for the restart.
McDuffie again checked out on the restart while Pugh and Burkhalter started a great side-by-side duel for third that lasted several laps. Burkhalter forged his way to third on lap 34 but Pugh returned the favor a few laps later. From that point McDuffie cruised to the victory followed by Anderson, Pugh and Burkhalter. Despite a "toe" problem caused by his lap one troubles, Jason Lester held on for a nice fifth place finish.
Adam Briggs has a great drive up to sixth with Mike Kohut, Nic Haag, Cody Blair and Brennon Pletcher rounding out the top ten.
Steven O'Steen took the lead from Josh Lindsey on the second lap then sped to an easy win in the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Ross Francisco held off Todd Brown for second. Brown was making his first start here in over a year. Dillon Sivils came back from a lap two spin to claim fourth ahead of 71-year-old veteran Danny Maddox who is in his 54th year of racing having started his career in South Florida back in 1964. Garrett Thompson and Lindesy completed the finishers as Jimmy Castleberry was unable to start. O'Steen also won the heat race.
Driving an unfamiliar car while his own is undergoing repairs, Alan Hiefnar led the opening nine circuits of the Legend Car feature before Kyle Pitts slipped by to lead the remainder of the 25-lapper for his second win of the year in his SAR Racing Special. Jim Smith was a close second while Gavin Sexton got his first podium finish of his career with a fine third place run. 13-year-old Jade Hubert took fourth in just her second race here driving for the Little Gator Race Team. Mike Verhaagh came back from a crash in the first heat race to take fifth at the stripe followed by his brother Mitch Verhaagh who was also involved in the same incident. Dave Fusco was seventh trailed by Blake Boyette, Christian Baker, and Bob "Wild Wille" Wilson. Hiefnar had problems on the final lap and dropped out but was still scored ahead of Cale Nolen who was two laps down at the finish. Bobby Diestler did not start as his car was too badly damaged in that first heat race crash to be able to compete the rest of the night. Smith and Hiefnar won the heats.
Heat winner James Wright III led all the way to capture the 25-lap V-8 Bomber feature by a country mile over second finisher Brandon Duchscherer as the race ran all the way green to checker. Danny Burchfield took third spot followed by David Purvis, Ronnie Abney, Jamie Castleberry, Randy Spicer, Zach Briggs and Jayson Healey.
Chris Narramore, Jr. grabbed the Q Mini Stock feature lead on the second lap then drove on to an easy win over his dad Chris Narramore, Sr. For the younger Narramore it was his second win of the year. Heat winner Bruce Cozad was third trailed by Fred Martin, Donald Gatlin, Tav Gary, David McCaig and T. J. Tanner. Duker Holley did not start.
Brandon Ducsherer backed up his second place finish in the V-8 Bomber feature with a victory in the 15-lap Scrambler feature run. Duchscherer jumped in the "Grocery Getter" Saturn station wagon and led all the way after also claiming the heat race win earlier.
T. J. Tanner took second followed by Travis Todd, Danny Burchfield, Fred Wilson and David Williams.
PRO TRUCK FINISH - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 3/24/18 - 50 Laps:
1) Cody McDuffie, Bartow #25
2) Danny Anderson, Bradenton #50
3) Derek Pugh, West Palm Beach #3
4) Donnie Burkhalter, Ocoee #24
5) Jason Lester, Palmetto #7
6) Adam Briggs, Lakeland #14
7) Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres #11K
8) Nic Haag, Windermere #53
9) Cody Blair, Mims #15
10) Brennon Pletcher, Lehigh Acres #92
11) Carter Brown, Lakeland #11
12) Kristen Clements, Plant City #5K
13) Colt Cecil, Lakeland #19
14) Todd Haag, Windermere #54
15) Tyler Davis, Lakeland #4
16) Jeff Williams, Deland #41
17) Mark Kemrick, Parrish #39
18) Leroy Moore, Brooksville #21
19) Mick Lizzano, Eustis #13X
20) William Kerns, Auburndale #69
DNS - Aaron Holmes, Auburndale #57
DNS - Ray Hester, Lakeland #4R
Photos:
1) Pro Truck winner Cody McDuffie...
2) Street Stock winner Steven O'Steen...
3) Q Mini Stock winner Chris Narramore, Jr.
4) Scrambler winner Brandon Duchscherer...
It was yet another great night of racing at Auburndale Speedway as a nice crowd was treated to some near-perfect weather and fantastic racing from top to bottom.
The big event of the night was the "Spring Begins 50" for the Pro Trucks and they were out in force with 22 teams signing in to do battle at the "bullring." Unfortunately both Aaron Holmes and Ray Hester had problems during hot laps and would not be able to compete leaving 20 Trucks to attempt qualifying laps.
West Palm's Derek Pugh was the surprise of time trials as the young driver clicked off a lap of 14.426 seconds to set his first career fast time. Right behind him was Bartow's Cody McDuffie at 14.472 as McDuffie was hoping to duplicate his season-opening win from January 27th. Brennon Pletcher (making his first Auburndale start), Jason Lester and Big Donnie Burkhalter completed the "fast five" in qualifying.
Pugh was not so good with the pill draw as he pulled an eight for the inversion. That placed Todd Haag and Danny Anderson on row one for the start of the 50-lap headliner. It would take two tries just to complete the first lap, though. Jason Lester got turned sideways causing everybody to check up as several cars starting toward the back of the grid received damage trying to avoid the mess. When the dust settled, good guy William Kerns was yet again a victim of circumstances and he was done for the night with front end damage. Jeff White pitted for repairs but continued.
The second attempt to start the race was no better as Nic Haag, Pugh and Colt Cecil got tangled up in turn three. All were able to continue and got their spots back since no laps had yet to be completed.
Anderson breezed out to a quick lead on the restart while McDuffie was already charging taking third on lap three from Lester. Caution was quickly out on lap five as Leroy Moore spun in turn two. McDuffie made quick work of second-running Nic Haag after the restart and set his sights on Anderson. Cecil spun off turn four to bring the yellow flag out again on lap eight.
McDuffie wasted little time zooming by Anderson to take the lead following the restart. Meanwhile, fast-timer Pugh, who had dropped as far back as ninth place early-on, moved his way back into fourth spot behind McDuffie, Anderson and Burkhalter. The field then settled in for some green flag racing until Tyler Davis spun in turn two during the 21st lap.
Interestingly, McDuffie chose the outside lane for the restart. "My truck was actually working better on the outside so that's why I restarted there," McDuffie would state later. "Plus there was a lot of dirt kicked up in the lower groove in turn one so I thought it would be a safer bet to restart from the outside," he continued.
Pugh slipped by Burkhalter for third on the restart as McDuffie easily reclaimed the lead from Anderson who was sporting a new "patriotic" paint scheme on his #50. On lap 29, Pugh made a bold inside move on Anderson as Anderson slowed a bit while lapping another truck and the pair tangled in turn three. Track officials ruled that the lapped machine had forced the two drivers lower on the race track than they wanted to be so both were awarded their spots back for the restart.
McDuffie again checked out on the restart while Pugh and Burkhalter started a great side-by-side duel for third that lasted several laps. Burkhalter forged his way to third on lap 34 but Pugh returned the favor a few laps later. From that point McDuffie cruised to the victory followed by Anderson, Pugh and Burkhalter. Despite a "toe" problem caused by his lap one troubles, Jason Lester held on for a nice fifth place finish.
Adam Briggs has a great drive up to sixth with Mike Kohut, Nic Haag, Cody Blair and Brennon Pletcher rounding out the top ten.
Steven O'Steen took the lead from Josh Lindsey on the second lap then sped to an easy win in the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Ross Francisco held off Todd Brown for second. Brown was making his first start here in over a year. Dillon Sivils came back from a lap two spin to claim fourth ahead of 71-year-old veteran Danny Maddox who is in his 54th year of racing having started his career in South Florida back in 1964. Garrett Thompson and Lindesy completed the finishers as Jimmy Castleberry was unable to start. O'Steen also won the heat race.
Driving an unfamiliar car while his own is undergoing repairs, Alan Hiefnar led the opening nine circuits of the Legend Car feature before Kyle Pitts slipped by to lead the remainder of the 25-lapper for his second win of the year in his SAR Racing Special. Jim Smith was a close second while Gavin Sexton got his first podium finish of his career with a fine third place run. 13-year-old Jade Hubert took fourth in just her second race here driving for the Little Gator Race Team. Mike Verhaagh came back from a crash in the first heat race to take fifth at the stripe followed by his brother Mitch Verhaagh who was also involved in the same incident. Dave Fusco was seventh trailed by Blake Boyette, Christian Baker, and Bob "Wild Wille" Wilson. Hiefnar had problems on the final lap and dropped out but was still scored ahead of Cale Nolen who was two laps down at the finish. Bobby Diestler did not start as his car was too badly damaged in that first heat race crash to be able to compete the rest of the night. Smith and Hiefnar won the heats.
Heat winner James Wright III led all the way to capture the 25-lap V-8 Bomber feature by a country mile over second finisher Brandon Duchscherer as the race ran all the way green to checker. Danny Burchfield took third spot followed by David Purvis, Ronnie Abney, Jamie Castleberry, Randy Spicer, Zach Briggs and Jayson Healey.
Chris Narramore, Jr. grabbed the Q Mini Stock feature lead on the second lap then drove on to an easy win over his dad Chris Narramore, Sr. For the younger Narramore it was his second win of the year. Heat winner Bruce Cozad was third trailed by Fred Martin, Donald Gatlin, Tav Gary, David McCaig and T. J. Tanner. Duker Holley did not start.
Brandon Ducsherer backed up his second place finish in the V-8 Bomber feature with a victory in the 15-lap Scrambler feature run. Duchscherer jumped in the "Grocery Getter" Saturn station wagon and led all the way after also claiming the heat race win earlier.
T. J. Tanner took second followed by Travis Todd, Danny Burchfield, Fred Wilson and David Williams.
PRO TRUCK FINISH - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 3/24/18 - 50 Laps:
1) Cody McDuffie, Bartow #25
2) Danny Anderson, Bradenton #50
3) Derek Pugh, West Palm Beach #3
4) Donnie Burkhalter, Ocoee #24
5) Jason Lester, Palmetto #7
6) Adam Briggs, Lakeland #14
7) Mike Kohut, Lehigh Acres #11K
8) Nic Haag, Windermere #53
9) Cody Blair, Mims #15
10) Brennon Pletcher, Lehigh Acres #92
11) Carter Brown, Lakeland #11
12) Kristen Clements, Plant City #5K
13) Colt Cecil, Lakeland #19
14) Todd Haag, Windermere #54
15) Tyler Davis, Lakeland #4
16) Jeff Williams, Deland #41
17) Mark Kemrick, Parrish #39
18) Leroy Moore, Brooksville #21
19) Mick Lizzano, Eustis #13X
20) William Kerns, Auburndale #69
DNS - Aaron Holmes, Auburndale #57
DNS - Ray Hester, Lakeland #4R
Photos:
1) Pro Truck winner Cody McDuffie...
2) Street Stock winner Steven O'Steen...
3) Q Mini Stock winner Chris Narramore, Jr.
4) Scrambler winner Brandon Duchscherer...
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