Auburndale Speedway Race Results 98-05-09

AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

(5-9-1998) Von Pope in Late Model win at Auburndale Speedway

Auburndale, FL—- Von Pope worked his way from the tail of the field to capture the 25 lap Limited Late Model feature Saturday night at Auburndale Speedway. Pope was involved in an early race spin, which put Billy Jones and him on the tail for the restart with only 2 laps complete. Pope chased down Don Carroll who was tied up in a battle for the lead with Richard Elkins. On lap 21 Elkins suddenly slowed and Pope motored past into second spot. Pope found an opening on the bottom groove and made the pass on Carroll to take the win. Carroll followed for second; Ollie Harbin, Eddie Rogers and John Waterman rounded out the top five.

The Top Cops made their second visit of the year to the quarter mile with Rick Penton being cited as the winner in the Gold Shield division feature. Penton inherited the point after Pam Manning spun while leading and Keith Muncey's car lost power and dropped from the running. Completing the top five were Chris Hollenbeck, Bob Hart, Butch Yancey and Clark Wagner.

Gary Lush took the checkers in the Top Cop Cruiser division. The original start saw Lush's car slide to a stop facing the backstretch wall after contact exiting turn two. Lush went on to the win followed by Phil Riles, Rodney Tower, Bruce Van DeGohm and Steve Wagner.

Westley Bass grabbed the lead early and went on the win in the 25 lap Street Stock feature. While Westley rode out front without challenge the same could not be said for the second place contest. Scott Gullett was busy fending off challenges from Dave Willaimson, Michael King and Tom Yutzy. When the dust settled Gullett hung on for second, King had wrestled a third place run followed by Yutzy and Jason Bennett.

Kevin Boykin won the 25 lap Modified Mini Stock feature in convincing style over a hard charging Kenny Uhl. Uhl worked his way through the field and nearly picked off the leader three laps from the end. Boykin maintained the lower groove through the turns and Uhl could not mount a challenge from the outside. Randy Storer made it a front wheel drive sweep of the first three. Wade Leithead was fourth and the first of the rear wheel drive cars in the top five. Don Ezell brought his Grocery Getter Pinto Wagon home in fifth.

Scott Taylor held back new comer Corey Hodges to win the 15 lap 4 Cylinder Pure Stock feature. It took three tries to get the feature underway with Matthew Craig flipping his machine on the front stretch on the first start attempt. Craig was not seriously injured in the mishap. Corey Hodges had dropped back as far as sixth but battled back to the second spot ahead of Gary Green, David McCaulley and Wayne Weaver. Bob Gorsuch won the 15 lap V8 Pure Stock feature over a charging Willie Lacey and Donnie Harp. Tammy Wood dominated and won the special Mothers Day Powder Puff event.

Racing action continues this Saturday night May 16th when the Dwarf cars join the regular lineup of Late Models, Street Stocks, Modified Minis, V8 Pure Stock and 4 Cylinder Pure Stocks. Super Mini Cups and the Kids Club will be in action in 2 weeks on May 23rd. The month winds to a close on the 30th of May when the Pro Figure 8 cars take on the quarter mile. For more information contact the speedway office at 941-965-7223.