Lakeland USA FASCAR race report 2002-06-02

LAKELAND, FLORIDA - Jerry Symons made it two straight FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Late Model Series 100 wins posting victory Saturday night at USA International Speedway by taking the point when it counted.

Symons of New Smyrna, FL, driving the Gene Kelly Roofing Chevrolet, took the lead in lap 94 passing second place finisher Mike Greenwell of Alva, FL in the Greenwell Family Fun Center Chevrolet. Symons started his pass on the back straightaway completing it out of turn four.

"I was just riding back there behind Greenwell," said Symons. "He was doing a heck of a job out there. I couldn't pass him all night and then he finally got loose and we got him."

"We got a little loose there at the end," said Greenwell. "It was just one of those deals. We missed the setup at the end."

Greenwell set fast time turning the three-quarter mile USA high-banked oval in 21.670 seconds or 124.60 mph and led 20 Goodyear Late Models to green.

Jason Boyd of Orlando, FL, denied the pole for the first time this season in his GPC Staffing Chevrolet, roared to the front in the opening lap and battled Michael Holley Chevrolet driving Wayne Morris of Mulberry, FL side-by-side for eight tight racing circuits with the crowd roaring in approval.

Boyd finally took control and was on the quick move, but in lap 30 his car slowed leaving the field for the pits with a broken rear-end. Boyd led for 27 laps.

Morris was now leading followed by Greenwell and Symons. Rounding out the top five were Larry Osteen of Clermont, FL and Mike Hovis of Ft. Myers, FL.

Osteen looked to pass Symons in lap 40, but backed off for another try. Hovis then had thoughts of moving into fourth by passing Osteen as the field began to tighten.

Morris now had a five-car lead by lap 43 followed by Greenwell and Symons with Osteen still in fourth.

By lap 50, Morris still was in front with Greenwell in hot pursuit and Symons waiting his chance to make his move into second. Osteen dropped from the field after 72 laps with oil problems.

Morris slammed the wall in turn one after encountering tire problems in lap 82 after leading 55 laps. Greenwell moved to the point followed by Symons, Hovis and a scampering Tim Russell of Longwood, FL, who would finish third in his Hamke Race Cars Chevrolet.

"I got to give a lot of credit to my crew," said Russell.

Tony Amico of Clearwater, FL had his Executive Racing School Chevrolet in fourth by lap 85 and was "Hard Charger" with a good run after starting 12th. Hovis left the field in lap 86 and Russell filled the void moving to third.

Symons was on the prowl for the lead and following Greenwell closely moving in and passing him out of turn four on circuit 94. Symons then opened a seven-car lead. Greenwell led for 11 laps.

Symons crossed the stripe followed by Greenwell and Russell.

Rounding out the top five were Amico and Joe Sumansky of Lehigh Acres, FL in his Gary Wilks Inc. ride.

The next FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Late Model 100 Series race will be on July 4th at New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula, FL.

-fascar-