FASCAR Orlando race notes 2003-07-18

BITHLO, FLORIDA - Larry Osteen posted his second career Goodyear victory in 2003 winning the FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Series 100 on Friday night at Orlando Speedworld.

Osteen, driving the Florida Auto Express Late Model, took the point for the final time from fast qualifier Jason Boyd, who was quicker than the lightning that streaked the sky coming from Kissimmee way in lap 83.

Osteen held his lead and his car looked quick once up front, but he would have some strong company.

"We spent all Wednesday changing the car around and it didn't look like we had enough tonight chasing Jason Boyd," said Osteen.

Boyd opened a 20 car lead at times, but lost an engine headed into turn three and retired for the night in the infield after leading from lap 12 through lap 77.

Canadian driver Jerry Artuso, who flew in from Ontario checked in second in his T.D. Thompson machine and third was taken by a hot-running Jason Crossey in his Peninsular Electric ride.

Artuso tried the leading Osteen once, but backed out and dropped behind the winner content for a second place effort in the waning laps.

"We were trying to protect our points so I decided to settle for second, because the guy behind me (Jason Crossey) was pushing me hard," said Artuso.

The fourth place effort of Doug Samion was disallowed, because of a faulty carburetor after a strong race effort in his first Goodyear race.

Rich Clouser moved into fourth as a result of the disqualification and Joe Sumasky moved to fifth.

Boyd in his Tom Donnely Plumbing car set fast time turning the three-eighths mile banked oval in 14.021 seconds or 96.28 mph in a 25 car field and drew number three for inversion.

Osteen, Artuso and Boyd opened a quick 10-car breakout and appeared in control early. Tim Russell was running fourth and Crossey was fifth.

Boyd made an outside run on Artuso in lap six passing him for second. Boyd then quickly mounted a charge pursing Osteen. The fast one-two duo opened a large lead and raced side-by-side as Boyd pressured the winner.

Boyd took the lead in lap 12 and showed he was ready to check out on the field. Boyd was then followed by Osteen, Artuso, Crossey and Jerry Symons.

The second of seven race cautions happened between turns one and two when five cars spun and two went to the pit area for repairs.

When the field went green in lap 25 it was Boyd, Osteen and Artuso. Running fourth was Symons, who had passed Crossey.

Boyd still held the lead at 50 laps followed by Osteen and Steve Smith. Artuso was fourth and Crossey fifth.

Brad May departed the track in lap 51 when his car caught fire going into turn three and burst into flames in turn four after ignition wire problems that quickly spread inside the Insultech car. May returned to racing in lap 60 after quick repairs. The fire cause was undetermined and there were no injuries.

Tim Russell brought the yellow out in lap 54 after a spin just before turn two and sustained severe front body damage. Russell had taken fifth from Crossey in lap 53.

On a lap 60 restart it was Boyd, Osteen, Artuso, Samion and Crossey.

Boyd opened a full straightaway lead, but in lap 77 his car belched engine parts onto the track in turn three and he retired for the night.

Osteen now held the lead in lap 83 followed by Artuso, Samion, Crossey and Clouser.

During lap 84 it was Crossey firing by Samion for third. The field was slowed again by a red flag for debris on the track in lap 97.

Osteen crossed the stripe followed by Artuso and Crossey.

Samion finished fourth, but was disqualified and Clouser moved to fourth. Following in fifth was Joe Sumasky.

The next Goodyear Challenge Series race will be Twin 50's at Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda on Aug. 9.

-fascar-