Auburndale Speedway results 98-03-21

AUBURNDALE REMEMBERS NEMECHEK. MORRIS, DAVIS, AND FARINA TAKE WINS

Auburndale, FL- Track operator Bill Martino dedicated tonight's races to the memory of John Nemechek, the local Florida racer who was tragically killed in the Homestead NASCAR Truck race a year ago this weekend. John Nemechek and his brother Joe Nemechek have always been popular favorites with race fans at this Central Florida race track. Winners tonight included Wayne Morris (Late Model), Rodney Davis (Figure 8), David Farina (Street Stock), Lee Davis (Modified Mini Stock), Wayne Weaver (4 Cylinder Pure Stock), and Donnie Harp (V-8 Pure Stock).

Late Model racing action saw the 25 lap Feature turn in to a battle of attrition as several of the nineteen starters were eliminated in accidents. Wayne Morris of Mulberry, Florida proved to be the dominant force in Late Model action tonight as he won both his Heat Race and the Feature in convincing style. Behind Morris in the Feature, incidents caused several cars to retire to the pits, including Jimmy Castleberry, Von Pope, R.J. Ramano, Thomas Poff, Ted Head, Eddie Rogers, Johnny Gamble, and Richard Scruggs. Morris got plenty of practice on his restart technique and drove his Bradshaw/Boyd Racing Engines Monte Carlo to victory lane. Bart Weatherford's Catfish Country Chevrolet followed Morris across the stripe in second, with Richard Elkins Jr. on his rear bumper in third. Robbie Storer took fourth place this evening, while Ollie Harbin rounded out the top five. Jimmy Castleberry won his Late Model Heat Race earlier in the night, before being taken out in a crash with Richard Scruggs during the Feature.

Crowd favorite Rodney Davis gave the fans something to cheer about as he scored a wild come from behind victory in Figure 8 competition. Davis, coming from well back in the pack in the 20 lap Feature, used a daring late race pass at the intersection to get by pole sitter Tim Gay with two laps to go. Davis took the popular win, while Gay hung on to second spot, just ahead of the father and son duo of Denny Meyer Jr. and Denny Meyer Sr. in third and fourth. Richard Todd finished fifth in Figure 8 action.

Street Stock racing was very competitive as David Farina managed to hold off last weeks winner Jeff Warren for the victory. Jason Bennett was a close third, with Paul Gibbs finishing fourth, and David Roberts in fifth spot in the 25 lap Feature. Heat Race wins were taken by Gibbs and the popular Westly Bass. Bass was a threat to win the Feature until he was sent to the back of the pack because of a late race spin, he eventually finished twelveth.

Lee Davis used a great start to grab the win in the 25 lap Modified Mini Stock Feature. A determined Kenny Uhl took second spot, fighting his way from the back of the twenty-one car pack to be right on the rear bumper of the Ford of Davis at the finish line. Bo Davis was third, followed by last weeks winner Travis Roland and Ellen Leithead in fourth and fifth. Modified Mini Stock Heat Race wins went to Lee Davis and Joe Chaves.

Pure Stock 4 Cylinder racing was a slam-bang affair as usual. Wayne Weaver survived the carnage to drive into victory lane after the 15 lap Feature. Billie May used a good drive to take second, with Hugh Williams in third, Jim West fourth, and pole sitter Lynn Baker fifth. Heat race wins in Pure Stock 4 Cylinder went to Chris Kingham and Billy Standridge.

Donnie Harp looked strong in Pure Stock V-8 competition as he charged to wins in his Heat Race and the Feature. Harp's Gator Tile/King Bros. Roofing Monte Carlo held off last weeks winner Randy King in the Feature, with Tiernan Chidlow in third. David Davis drove to fourth place, and Carl Thompson finished fifth.

Next Saturday March 28, Auburndale Speedway presents a special Motorcycle Demolition Derby, along with the Allison Legacy Cars, and the regular program featuring Late Models, Modified Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Pure Stock 4 Cylinder, and Pure Stock V-8.