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CODY McDUFFIE OUTLASTS PRO TRUCK FIELD IN WILD AND "SPOOKY" RACE AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY
Auburndale Speedway celebrated the "spirit" of Halloween Saturday night with one of the craziest nights of racing in recent memory. Although there were plenty of ghosts, goblins and more in attendance, on track it seemed like the "gremlins" eventually took over the show held on a cool, yet comfortable night.
First and foremost this night was all about the kids as they were treated to a pair of bounce houses set up through the courtesy of The Results Companies. Trick or Treat was held on the front stretch during intermission and the candy was flowing big time. The Narramore race teams brought enough candy to feed a small army and Kim Narramore was later seen going through the stands with what remained in a huge bucket. Other drivers did sort of goof up though. Mod Mini driver Tim Scalise's wife had left him a whole bunch of sweets to take to the track but he ultimately forgot to take it and was forced to stop on his way to the track and buy a bag of candy so he wouldn't feel "left out."
All that was followed by a well-received costume contest that was very difficult to judge as there were so many outstanding costumes in the house. Just before the feature racing started, ten lucky kids (five girls and five boys) won bicycles that were donated by long-time Auburndale Speedway race fans David and Martin Stubbs. Another pair of youngsters won a radio-controlled Jeep and big teddy bear donated by Jimmy Frazier Racing.
The big race of the night was for the Pro Trucks and 20 teams helped fill the pits. Eighteen of those would head out for time trials as Jacob Nicoletti's truck gave out during hot laps while Jamie Sullivan was battling a transmission issue with her brand-new machine. After intermission the problem was eventually diagnosed as a bad MSD box and Sullivan was able to start the 50-lap event.
West Palm Beach driver Derek Pugh set quick time for the fourth time this year clicking off a lap at 14.444 seconds. J. R. Garcia was making his first Pro Truck start of the season here and showed he hadn't lost a step as he set second quick time at 14.461 followed by point leader Cody McDuffie's 14.477 lap. Nick Haag and Becca Monopoli were fourth and fifth quick. True to form however, Pugh was unlucky in the re-draw for the inversion, pulling a ten pill.
That placed 15-year-old Pro Truck rookie Colt Hensley on the pole with another young driver Brey Holmes starting to his outside. Hensley proved worthy of his pole starting spot zooming out to a quick early advantage followed by the other "Colt" in the field, Colt Cecil. Cecil brought out the first of what would be seven caution flags as he went for a spin in turn two courtesy of Leroy Moore while Carter Brown also spun in turn one at the same time. Both Cecil and Moore would have to restart from the tail of the field.
By this time Brennon Pletcher had charged up to second as Monopoli was up to third by the end of lap six trailed by McDuffie. Then all "heck" broke loose as Pletcher got turned around by Monopoli between turns one and two. Pletcher was then drilled big time by Garcia as six trucks in total stacked up with all receiving damage including those of Charlie Brown and Jimmy Frazier. Everyone involved, excluding Pletcher, pitted for repairs and were able to return although Frazier fell out shortly after the restart.
Monopoli went to the back of the field for the restart along with Pletcher. On the restart, Brey Holmes got turned almost into the pit gate wall but he collected his truck and went sliding into turn three where he was collected by Leroy Moore and Kristen Clements. Moore's truck was done for the night while Holmes pitted to repair minor damage and returned. Nick Haag also fell out at this point soon to be joined by Charlie Brown whose truck looked like it had an altercation with a giant can opener.
McDuffie had somehow managed to miss all the carnage and inherited second spot. Being second did not last long for McDuffie as he blasted past Hensley into the lead on lap eight. Things finally got settled down into some green flag racing as McDuffie opened up a full straight on second-running Danny Anderson by the half-way mark. Pugh was methodically working his way through the field taking fourth from Clements then third from Hensley on the 27th lap. Sullivan's rough day ended when her truck's brake pedal went to the floor and she headed to the infield.
The next yellow flag did not appear until the 30th lap as William Kerns went for a spin in turn two. For the restart, second-running Anderson chose not to start outside of the leader allowing Pugh to move up and "give it a shot" against the high-flying McDuffie. Anderson ended up being the big loser on the restart as Pugh was giving McDuffie a run for his money while a resurgent Monopoli took third dropping Anderson to fourth. Garcia was also charging back and he took the fourth position from Anderson on the 34th lap while Monopoli slipped by Pugh for second on lap 36.
Caution flew again on lap 39 as Kerns and Johnny Marra got tangled up in turn four. For this restart, neither Monopoli nor Pugh wanted the outside starting spot so Garcia moved his way to second hoping to see what he had for the leader. Garcia had nothing for McDuffie but he did slip in front of Monopoli and was now in second. With five laps to go, Pletcher, Carter Brown and Cecil got tangled up in turn four to bring out another caution.
On the restart it was Monopoli inching by Garcia for second only to see the final caution of the night on lap 48 for a Platcher spin in turn two that set up a green-white-checker finish. McDuffie was easily up to the task as he was clearly the class of the field on this night as he sped to the win over Monopoli who had a fine drive after her earlier miscue. Pugh provided the last lap excitement as he used a "bump 'n run" to snag third from Garcia. Anderson held on for a solid fifth place finish with Clements having an equally good run for sixth as Pletcher, Hensley, Holmes and Carter Brown rounded out the top ten finishers.
Thete's no rest for the weary as the Pro Trucks are right back at it next week for the Veterans Pro-Truck Memorial 50 as part of the twice rained out J. C. Penny Realty Veterans Twin 50/DARN FFA Night that will also include a 50-lap contest for the Sportsman cars. It will be the final tune-up for the Pro Trucks ahead of the season points finale on November 24th and the big Bristol Family "Making a Difference" charity race that will be held December 14-16 featuring the Pro Trucks going for 113 laps on Sunday, December 16th. 41 entries have already been received for that event.
It took two tries to get the 25-lap Legend Car feature under way but when the green finally came out it was Anthony Cataldi grabbing the early advantage and looking like he might be well on his way to victory. All eyes were on point leader and heat race winner Jim Smith as he quickly moved from his seventh starting spot into fifth by the end of lap one, fourth by lap four, and then taking third during lap number seven. Smith passed Dennis Misuraca for second on the ninth lap and took off after Cataldi. At that point the top three drivers in this race were all ones that have also had experience in Super/Pro Late Model cars.
Smith closed on Cataldi and Jarrett Wagman got around Misuraca for third as this one looked like it was going to go green to checker until the "gremlins" took over. With two laps to go, Misuraca and Brandon Taylor tangled up in turn two with Taylor's car ending up in the wall. Smith took the lead from Cataldi on the restart but the pass was negated when Mike Verhaagh spun out in turn two. On the restart it was Misuraca and Rusty Mallett tangling up in turn two to keep the yellow out. Misuraca headed to the pits where a later altercation between his team and that of Taylor's saw both drivers disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct with further action pending.
The restart saw a wild scramble between Cataldi, Smith and Wagman that came to a head in turns three and four as the fenders were flying and wheels banging with Cataldi spinning around and Smith off into the infield where he recovered and headed for the checker just barely beating out Joey Langis who finished the race blasting through the Kelly's Used Cars/Nexcel Investments victory lane to finish the event only a bumper behind Smith with Wagman recovering nicely to grab third spot as the young driver continues to impress.
Verhaagh came through for fourth as Cataldi righted his car and claimed fifth. Rounding out the finishers were Logan Misuraca, Mallett, and Cale Nolen. For Smith it was his fourth win of the season as he pretty much has the season points title wrapped up.
The Modified Mini Stock 25-lap headliner got off to a good start with heat winner Kenny Uhl, Jr. moving to a quick advantage. The race was slowed on lap nine to check a possible fire underneath the car of Clint Holmes but nothing was found and Holmes continued. Uhl was now feeling the pressure from Levi Parsons after the restart and Parsons took over the point on lap twelve just before the caution flag appeared a lap later for a spinning Rachelle Rudolph in turn four.
On the restart, point leader Chris Spring bounced off the back stretch wall and directly into the path of Uhl who was sent spinning. Spring stayed on track while Uhl pitted and returned after "adjusting" some sheet metal. Although there was one more caution for a spinning Holmes in turn four with two laps to go, Parsons was not to be headed on this night. Returning to racing this year after a bit of a hiatus, Parsons parked his car in victory circle in just its second race. Scott Bumgardner had his best run of the year in taking second while Spring somehow brought his battered car home in third.
Tim Scalise drove a steady race to take fourth while Uhl came back to round out the top five. Rudolph came home sixth trailed by Matt Cummins, Holmes, Randy Foote and Dave Barnett. Bo Davis, Mike Prevatt and Joey Foote did not start.
Heat winner Chris Narramore, Jr. took the lead from David McCaig on lap seven and went on to win his ninth Q Mini Stock feature of the year. Despite driving a car covered in Halloween decorations, Chris Narramore, Sr. took second in front of Freddy Martin. McCaig held on for fourth ahead of Bruce Cozad and Reggie Ware II. John Cummins, Jr. did not start.
Point leader Douglas Herrin, Jr. took the lead from Clay Samuels on lap seven and went on to claim his ninth win of the year in the Mini Cup feature. Heat winner Bryton Horner was second ahead of Wilson Martins who had his first top three finish finally coming home in front of his sister Maria who took fourth. Samuels ended up fifth in front of Russell Bush, Bill Rychel and Brey Holmes.
Showtime Speedway regular Adam Larsh made his first Auburndale Speedway start a good one as he led every lap of both the heat and feature to dominate the Scrambler class action. Point leader Danny Burchfield, Sr. was second followed by Keith Cantrill, Fred Wilson, Donnie Mosman and Jimmy McLeod. Danny Burchfield, Jr. was unable to start.
OFFICIAL FINISH - PRO TRUCKS - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 10/27/18 (50 Laps):
1) Cody McDuffie #25
2) Becca Monopoli #59X
3) Derek Pugh #3
4) J. R. Garcia #13
5) Danny Anderson #50
6) Kristen Clements #5K
7) Brennon Pletcher #92
8) Colt Hensley #77
9) Brey Holmes #57
10) Carter Brown #11jr
11) Johnny Marra #99
12) William Kerns #69
13) Colt Cecil #19 (DNF)
14) Jamie Sullivan #05 (DNF)
15) Charlie Brown #11 (DNF)
16) Leroy Moore #21M (DNF)
17) Nic Haag #53 (DNF)
18) Jimmy Frazier #74F (DNF)
DNS Bryton Horner #21H
DNS Jacob Nicoletti #74N
Auburndale Speedway celebrated the "spirit" of Halloween Saturday night with one of the craziest nights of racing in recent memory. Although there were plenty of ghosts, goblins and more in attendance, on track it seemed like the "gremlins" eventually took over the show held on a cool, yet comfortable night.
First and foremost this night was all about the kids as they were treated to a pair of bounce houses set up through the courtesy of The Results Companies. Trick or Treat was held on the front stretch during intermission and the candy was flowing big time. The Narramore race teams brought enough candy to feed a small army and Kim Narramore was later seen going through the stands with what remained in a huge bucket. Other drivers did sort of goof up though. Mod Mini driver Tim Scalise's wife had left him a whole bunch of sweets to take to the track but he ultimately forgot to take it and was forced to stop on his way to the track and buy a bag of candy so he wouldn't feel "left out."
All that was followed by a well-received costume contest that was very difficult to judge as there were so many outstanding costumes in the house. Just before the feature racing started, ten lucky kids (five girls and five boys) won bicycles that were donated by long-time Auburndale Speedway race fans David and Martin Stubbs. Another pair of youngsters won a radio-controlled Jeep and big teddy bear donated by Jimmy Frazier Racing.
The big race of the night was for the Pro Trucks and 20 teams helped fill the pits. Eighteen of those would head out for time trials as Jacob Nicoletti's truck gave out during hot laps while Jamie Sullivan was battling a transmission issue with her brand-new machine. After intermission the problem was eventually diagnosed as a bad MSD box and Sullivan was able to start the 50-lap event.
West Palm Beach driver Derek Pugh set quick time for the fourth time this year clicking off a lap at 14.444 seconds. J. R. Garcia was making his first Pro Truck start of the season here and showed he hadn't lost a step as he set second quick time at 14.461 followed by point leader Cody McDuffie's 14.477 lap. Nick Haag and Becca Monopoli were fourth and fifth quick. True to form however, Pugh was unlucky in the re-draw for the inversion, pulling a ten pill.
That placed 15-year-old Pro Truck rookie Colt Hensley on the pole with another young driver Brey Holmes starting to his outside. Hensley proved worthy of his pole starting spot zooming out to a quick early advantage followed by the other "Colt" in the field, Colt Cecil. Cecil brought out the first of what would be seven caution flags as he went for a spin in turn two courtesy of Leroy Moore while Carter Brown also spun in turn one at the same time. Both Cecil and Moore would have to restart from the tail of the field.
By this time Brennon Pletcher had charged up to second as Monopoli was up to third by the end of lap six trailed by McDuffie. Then all "heck" broke loose as Pletcher got turned around by Monopoli between turns one and two. Pletcher was then drilled big time by Garcia as six trucks in total stacked up with all receiving damage including those of Charlie Brown and Jimmy Frazier. Everyone involved, excluding Pletcher, pitted for repairs and were able to return although Frazier fell out shortly after the restart.
Monopoli went to the back of the field for the restart along with Pletcher. On the restart, Brey Holmes got turned almost into the pit gate wall but he collected his truck and went sliding into turn three where he was collected by Leroy Moore and Kristen Clements. Moore's truck was done for the night while Holmes pitted to repair minor damage and returned. Nick Haag also fell out at this point soon to be joined by Charlie Brown whose truck looked like it had an altercation with a giant can opener.
McDuffie had somehow managed to miss all the carnage and inherited second spot. Being second did not last long for McDuffie as he blasted past Hensley into the lead on lap eight. Things finally got settled down into some green flag racing as McDuffie opened up a full straight on second-running Danny Anderson by the half-way mark. Pugh was methodically working his way through the field taking fourth from Clements then third from Hensley on the 27th lap. Sullivan's rough day ended when her truck's brake pedal went to the floor and she headed to the infield.
The next yellow flag did not appear until the 30th lap as William Kerns went for a spin in turn two. For the restart, second-running Anderson chose not to start outside of the leader allowing Pugh to move up and "give it a shot" against the high-flying McDuffie. Anderson ended up being the big loser on the restart as Pugh was giving McDuffie a run for his money while a resurgent Monopoli took third dropping Anderson to fourth. Garcia was also charging back and he took the fourth position from Anderson on the 34th lap while Monopoli slipped by Pugh for second on lap 36.
Caution flew again on lap 39 as Kerns and Johnny Marra got tangled up in turn four. For this restart, neither Monopoli nor Pugh wanted the outside starting spot so Garcia moved his way to second hoping to see what he had for the leader. Garcia had nothing for McDuffie but he did slip in front of Monopoli and was now in second. With five laps to go, Pletcher, Carter Brown and Cecil got tangled up in turn four to bring out another caution.
On the restart it was Monopoli inching by Garcia for second only to see the final caution of the night on lap 48 for a Platcher spin in turn two that set up a green-white-checker finish. McDuffie was easily up to the task as he was clearly the class of the field on this night as he sped to the win over Monopoli who had a fine drive after her earlier miscue. Pugh provided the last lap excitement as he used a "bump 'n run" to snag third from Garcia. Anderson held on for a solid fifth place finish with Clements having an equally good run for sixth as Pletcher, Hensley, Holmes and Carter Brown rounded out the top ten finishers.
Thete's no rest for the weary as the Pro Trucks are right back at it next week for the Veterans Pro-Truck Memorial 50 as part of the twice rained out J. C. Penny Realty Veterans Twin 50/DARN FFA Night that will also include a 50-lap contest for the Sportsman cars. It will be the final tune-up for the Pro Trucks ahead of the season points finale on November 24th and the big Bristol Family "Making a Difference" charity race that will be held December 14-16 featuring the Pro Trucks going for 113 laps on Sunday, December 16th. 41 entries have already been received for that event.
It took two tries to get the 25-lap Legend Car feature under way but when the green finally came out it was Anthony Cataldi grabbing the early advantage and looking like he might be well on his way to victory. All eyes were on point leader and heat race winner Jim Smith as he quickly moved from his seventh starting spot into fifth by the end of lap one, fourth by lap four, and then taking third during lap number seven. Smith passed Dennis Misuraca for second on the ninth lap and took off after Cataldi. At that point the top three drivers in this race were all ones that have also had experience in Super/Pro Late Model cars.
Smith closed on Cataldi and Jarrett Wagman got around Misuraca for third as this one looked like it was going to go green to checker until the "gremlins" took over. With two laps to go, Misuraca and Brandon Taylor tangled up in turn two with Taylor's car ending up in the wall. Smith took the lead from Cataldi on the restart but the pass was negated when Mike Verhaagh spun out in turn two. On the restart it was Misuraca and Rusty Mallett tangling up in turn two to keep the yellow out. Misuraca headed to the pits where a later altercation between his team and that of Taylor's saw both drivers disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct with further action pending.
The restart saw a wild scramble between Cataldi, Smith and Wagman that came to a head in turns three and four as the fenders were flying and wheels banging with Cataldi spinning around and Smith off into the infield where he recovered and headed for the checker just barely beating out Joey Langis who finished the race blasting through the Kelly's Used Cars/Nexcel Investments victory lane to finish the event only a bumper behind Smith with Wagman recovering nicely to grab third spot as the young driver continues to impress.
Verhaagh came through for fourth as Cataldi righted his car and claimed fifth. Rounding out the finishers were Logan Misuraca, Mallett, and Cale Nolen. For Smith it was his fourth win of the season as he pretty much has the season points title wrapped up.
The Modified Mini Stock 25-lap headliner got off to a good start with heat winner Kenny Uhl, Jr. moving to a quick advantage. The race was slowed on lap nine to check a possible fire underneath the car of Clint Holmes but nothing was found and Holmes continued. Uhl was now feeling the pressure from Levi Parsons after the restart and Parsons took over the point on lap twelve just before the caution flag appeared a lap later for a spinning Rachelle Rudolph in turn four.
On the restart, point leader Chris Spring bounced off the back stretch wall and directly into the path of Uhl who was sent spinning. Spring stayed on track while Uhl pitted and returned after "adjusting" some sheet metal. Although there was one more caution for a spinning Holmes in turn four with two laps to go, Parsons was not to be headed on this night. Returning to racing this year after a bit of a hiatus, Parsons parked his car in victory circle in just its second race. Scott Bumgardner had his best run of the year in taking second while Spring somehow brought his battered car home in third.
Tim Scalise drove a steady race to take fourth while Uhl came back to round out the top five. Rudolph came home sixth trailed by Matt Cummins, Holmes, Randy Foote and Dave Barnett. Bo Davis, Mike Prevatt and Joey Foote did not start.
Heat winner Chris Narramore, Jr. took the lead from David McCaig on lap seven and went on to win his ninth Q Mini Stock feature of the year. Despite driving a car covered in Halloween decorations, Chris Narramore, Sr. took second in front of Freddy Martin. McCaig held on for fourth ahead of Bruce Cozad and Reggie Ware II. John Cummins, Jr. did not start.
Point leader Douglas Herrin, Jr. took the lead from Clay Samuels on lap seven and went on to claim his ninth win of the year in the Mini Cup feature. Heat winner Bryton Horner was second ahead of Wilson Martins who had his first top three finish finally coming home in front of his sister Maria who took fourth. Samuels ended up fifth in front of Russell Bush, Bill Rychel and Brey Holmes.
Showtime Speedway regular Adam Larsh made his first Auburndale Speedway start a good one as he led every lap of both the heat and feature to dominate the Scrambler class action. Point leader Danny Burchfield, Sr. was second followed by Keith Cantrill, Fred Wilson, Donnie Mosman and Jimmy McLeod. Danny Burchfield, Jr. was unable to start.
OFFICIAL FINISH - PRO TRUCKS - AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY - 10/27/18 (50 Laps):
1) Cody McDuffie #25
2) Becca Monopoli #59X
3) Derek Pugh #3
4) J. R. Garcia #13
5) Danny Anderson #50
6) Kristen Clements #5K
7) Brennon Pletcher #92
8) Colt Hensley #77
9) Brey Holmes #57
10) Carter Brown #11jr
11) Johnny Marra #99
12) William Kerns #69
13) Colt Cecil #19 (DNF)
14) Jamie Sullivan #05 (DNF)
15) Charlie Brown #11 (DNF)
16) Leroy Moore #21M (DNF)
17) Nic Haag #53 (DNF)
18) Jimmy Frazier #74F (DNF)
DNS Bryton Horner #21H
DNS Jacob Nicoletti #74N