Florida Speed Park May 13 SARA Preview

May 11th, St. Augustine, FL – Scott Lagasse, Jr. has picked an opportune time to begin his 2000 racing season. With the SARA Late Model Sportsman in town for the first of two 2000 season visits, Lagasse has put the final touches on his #22 Late Model, plus some extra weight, and is entered into this weekend’s 100 lap feature. Last year, Lagasse was involved in a daring last lap crash that not only ended his bid for a possible victory but also placed the driver outside of the top ten, destroying his race car in the process.

“We’re going to shoot for it,” says Scott, Jr. “I don’t know if it’s realistic to expect to win. This is the first time for the car, and only the second time I’ve run this year. But we’re going to go for it, that’s the goal.”

Bobby Beauchemin, of Davie, Florida, will be leading the SARA charge into Florida Speed Park’s fast paved half mile, though he holds a narrow 35 point lead over second place driver Joe Boyd, of Riverview, Florida. Rookies David Logan and Michael Faulk both enter into the event among the top five in SARA points.

“Every time this series comes to town they bring along an exciting show,” says speedway manager Louis Smith. “They’ve gotten off to a great start so far this season, and we’re looking forward to more of the same on Saturday.”

Robert Deal, who maintained his slim points lead over Jimmy Britts in the Rick’s Muffler Modified division, is riding a two-race winning streak heading into Saturday night’s Modified feature. George Thrift, 1999’s division champion, is expected to challenge Deal’s recent dominance. Marc Kinley, the 1998 division champion who finished sixth last week in the Tommy Patterson Memorial at New Smyrna Speedway, is also looking to end Deal’s streak.

Jay Farris, whose car was badly damaged two weeks ago in the Tattoo Dee’s Old Rooster Mini Stock feature in a second lap accident that wiped out almost one third of the field, has been hard at work getting his vehicle back together in order to hold on to his narrow points lead over Jake Hartley, who went on to a dominating victory in the event. 1999 champion Kevin Burkett is a close third.

Brad Pilinko and Chris Manucy are expected to resume their battle up front in the Alpha Communications Hobby Stock feature. Pilinko, who has been off to a torrid start after missing all of last season, holds a comfortable points lead over Manucy. Jody Stratton, third in points, has experienced several motor problems over the past few weeks and is questionable as to whether he will be able to race this weekend.

The high speed go karts, who thrilled fans last month with two 10 lap features, will also be on the weekend’s program.

Grandstand gates open at 5:00 pm, with SARA qualifying at 7:00 pm and heat races to immediately follow. The SARA Late Model Sportsman event will be the night’s first feature.

Admission is only $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $2 for children ages 7-12. Under 7 is free. A family pack, which allows two adults and all household children ages 18 and under, is available for $25.