Gov Cup

[bubba]

I have heard Patrick Conrad's name more times than I can remember, but it never really stuck with me until the other night at the Gov Cup. He was flying through the middle of the race and would have won in my opinion with a better pit call, he had opened up almost a straightaway lead over Choquette who had newer tires. Once he got in the back, he didn't have the oomph/experience/whatever to get back up front.

Not sure what was up with Russell, but his car seemed really stuck to the track. Either there is some magic in the drivetrain or he is a hell of a driver! I will go with a hell of a driver, but I couldn't beleive how many times he held off people who were under him. He was the only one who really worked the outside and did so without a bobble.

Overall I liked the Gov Cup experience, solid field, decent racing - good winner. I am perplexed about rooting for Choquette now, due to my aversion for the 92/84, et al.

[JackTripper]

I too thought it was Patrick Conrad's race, but they blew it on pit strategy.

I was surprised at how much of a non-factor Wayne Anderson was. I was also shocked how far off the pace Jay Middleton was. Either his car was way off or the competition is that much closer since the last time Jay was here. Still good to see him again though.

I felt bad for Fain Skinner, he was having a strong run, had a good strategy and then everything went south when his right front suspension bound up. Again, good to see Fain back out here in this part of the state.

For quite some time I thought "The Ironman" Dwayne Dempsey had the fastest car out there when he was passing cars in the middle of the pack.

Bummer about the very early retirees - Jeff Scofield, David Rogers and BJ McCleod. That put a major dent in the expected front runners. There was a lot of attrition overall.

I was impressed with Joe Winchell's ability to hang around the front for quite some time and keep his nose clean. My hat is off to him.

I was also impressed by the gentleman on the stick calling the race. It was a nice change from the regular track announcer.

My only complaint - I wanted the potato pancakes and I couldn't get any...

[USAMedia]

Dave Westerman is as qualified media expert on the Governors Cup as anybody. It was a very good thing to have him working the event.

Middleton was without a spec motor for this race, making him very under powered. But the newly wed (sorry girls) made the leading racers work to pass coming back after their pit stops.

Kudos to Terry Roberts for a great edition of the Governors Cup.

[john94stang]

Who is the kid in the 88?

This was the first race I have been to in a long time. I was asking about the driver of the 88 car. A gentleman I was talking to in the stands said that this kid never raced late models till this year and has only raced them 6 or 7 times. Then he shocked me by telling me that this kid has won the pole 3 or 4 times, and has led laps at many races. I started watching him during the race and he seemed to hold his own finishing 6th, having stayed in the top 10 all night and at one time I think was running 3rd. Seemed to race everyone around him clean. Just wondered if anyone knew anything about him. I have a question about Jimmy Cope. It looked like he was starting to get into a rythem and moving to the front. I saw him go into the pits but never come back out. Does anyone know what happened to him?

Thanks for a great race. The guys put on a great show and it was worth the frost bite.

[pitcrew]

As far as Wayne Anderson being a non-factor: Not sure if the car just wasn't how he wanted it, but his pit crew wasn't doing him any favors. They pitted with Choquette early, but his pit crew was very disorganized and slow. For a professional looking crew with matching firesuits, they seemed more prepared for a fashion show than a pit stop. After Wayne rejoined the field and took the green, he was lucky that a quick caution came out. The rear tire changer had apparently reversed the right and left tires, so Wayne had to make another stop to jack the rear and SWAP the rear tires!! He made his way back to the front, but couldn't really challenge the leaders after that.

Not to single out Wayne's crew by any means, several crews looked underprepared for such a big race (including the winner's team at times). As mentioned previously, Patrick Conrad spent a LONG time in the pits after leading and he wasn't as good afterward.

Just my observation from pit road, something the fans in the stands wouldn't have seen.

[USAMedia]

The 88 was Justin Larson of Safety Harbor and he is looking to head to the ASA Late Models Southern Division next year.

He was the fast time at the Icebreaker All American Challenge Series race at DeSoto in October, and finished 2nd to Jeff "The Enforcer" Scofield.


Many drivers complained about the tires, especially the second set. Choquette talked about it on the INSIDE FLORIDA RACING show tonight. As for the pit crews, many teams at this level struggle to make the race, much less afford top level experienced 'hot' pit crews, which is why the sanction allows teams to stay on the lead lap while in the pits under caution.

[pitcrew]

I agree about the tires, sometimes one set is better or worse than the other, even when they are the same size and from the same batch. As for not being able to afford a pit crew and struggling to make the race, I don't believe that would apply to Wayne and/or Dick Anderson's crews (not to mention Russell, Cope, and several of the other "funded" teams).

[JackTripper]

I hate to disagree with you, but your assertion about certain teams "not being able to afford a pit crew" is way off base. Just listen to any of Wayne's interviews from last year. One of his biggest problems was getting guys together to travel and crew a car. If you think those teams are buying a pit crew, you're way off. Other than the Monster team, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a paid pit crew at the Gov Cup.

[pitcrew]

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here, and I wasn't assuming that any of the teams "paid" their pit crews (although I know for sure that the 4 isn't the only paid crew, times are tough and getting good help for free isn't as easy as a lot of old schoolers would like to think). What I meant was that those guys have the name and reputation to get good help (if you were volunteering wouldn't you rather work for Tony Stewart than Kirk Shelmerdine for ex.) and so I was surprised by the apparent lack of preparation.

Maybe I'm all wrong, and in that case I'm underestimating my own ability and I better get my butt to Charlotte soon

[JackTripper]

For someone that doesn't want to ruffle feathers, don't come in here and insult people that are volunteering to help out on crews by saying things like "for a professional looking crew with matching firesuits, they seemed more prepared for a fashion show than a pit stop."

Looks like you have about a seven hour drive ahead of you.

[Cope Fan 26]

I think it is great that you guys come on here including Cope as one of the "funded" teams.... Without a huge sponsor and guys that come to help out for free they just prove that it doesn't always take the most money to have fast cars... but it sure does help!

Hopefully that team will get sponsorship they deserve sometime soon and everybody will REALLY see what a "funded" team races like.....

Middleton and Cope were sharing pit stalls, so it seemed, wish Cope would have came in first with Choquette and Anderson... I believe the end result would have turned out a little different...

All in all it was a great race, and I can't wait for the Snowball! Hopefully the Florida boys take it home.... I'm pulling for Choquette... he seems to be on a roll... and in Dickie's car it is almost a sure thing!

[Frasson118]

As much as I like Choquette (which is a LOT), considering it "almost a sure thing" is a bit optimistic. Those boys up there are TOUGH. The competition there makes Florida's group look almost second rate. Last year Jeff was the best of our group, but was a top-10 car at best. Scofield didn't even make the show, David Rogers was a non-factor, as was Middleton. Guys like Clay Rogers, Bobby Gill, Cassius & Johhny Clark, Kyle Busch, Mike & Ben Rowe... those guys are every bit the racers as anyone in the country.
One thing is certain though. You'll see great competition, lots of different leaders, pit strategy will play a huge part in the outcome, as well as post-race tech. Last years winner, Johnny Brazier was DQ'ed for 1/4 of an inch too wide in his wheel offsets. He's a local and loyal racer up there, and it would have been easy for the tech guys to let that slide, but they didn't... handing the win to Clay Rogers.
One of the most entertaining races I'd ever been to, and I would expect the same this year. Good Luck to the Choquette/Anderson crew. I think they have a great shot at it, but just because they had a great year here, doesn't mean SQUAT at the Derby!

[Cope Fan 26]

You are completely right, Frasson... I prob. am being a little too optomistic, but I can't help but root for the FL boys

[JackSmith]

Quite refreshing to see you all having a good civil argument about the racing....!

If Yoho had of had better second set he would have smoked em,Cope and Coquette wouldn't of had a chance.....more turkey please