New Smyrna Thursday summary 2003-02-13

37th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing
Night 7
Race 7 of 9

SUPER LATE MODELS

SAMSULA, FLORIDA -- Junior Hanley of Campbellville, Ontario won "World Series" Super Late Model 50 on Thursday night at New Smyrna Speedway after first place finisher Mike Fritts was disqualified for a weight infraction during post race technical inspection.

Fritts appeared to have some major car handling problems, but held a tough Hanley off several times. Hanley driving his Big Rigs Chevrolet did take the lead once in lap 42, but a caution sent him back to second.

Fritts held the lead for all 50 circuits with a 30 car field following him to green flag racing on the one-half mile oval.

Fritts led as the top five cars remained the same through 36 laps. The leader was followed by Freddie Query of Mooresville, NC, Hanley, B.J. McCleod of Wauchula, FL in his BJD Enterprises ride and James Powell III of Astor, FL, driving A Natural Difference Chevrolet.

Hanley took the second spot from Query in lap37 on the inside changing the top five for the first time since lap one.

Fritts still had the same quick company as Hanley, McCleod and Query, who slipped back to fourth after Hanley's pass. Powell stayed pretty close in fifth when it mattered.

Hanley made his pass of the leader in lap 42, but a caution unfurled with a car spun on the front straightaway sending him back to his second spot. Hanley had made passing efforts on seven occasions.

Fritts crossed the checkered flag for his apparent race win followed by Hanley and McCleod.

Rounding out the top five were Query and Powell, who both advanced one position in the disqualification of Fritts. Louie Mechalides of Tyngsboro, Mass. moved up to fifth.

Notes: Current World Series Super Late Model point leader Wayne Anderson of Wildwood, FL will now be in the #92 owned by father Dick Anderson that Fritts drove Thursday night, because Wayne Anderson totaled his race car in a late race wreck during that same race.

The Florida Cracker Super Late Model 100 will be on Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway.

NASCAR TOUR TYPE & SK MODIFIEDS

Jr. Bertuccio of Centereach, N.Y. led a field of 24 NASCAR Tour Type Modifieds to a checkered flag finish Thursday night in a 25 lap "World Series" race on New Smyrna Speedway.

The victory appeared sweet for Bertuccio, who led all 25 circuits Thursday night after losing victory in the final circuit on Wednesday night during a 10 caution two lap fiasco.

Bo Gunning of Bethlehem, CT won the SK Modified race finishing 10th overall.

The field sorted out by lap nine with Bertuccio in charge, but being hounded at every opportunity by George Kent of Horseheads, N.Y. and Eddie Flemke Jr. of Berlin, CT in his Hillbilly Racing Enterprises 362.

This running order of the top five would remain the same for every circuit including fourth and fifth. Rounding out the top five were Bob Summers of Manchester, CT in his Start/Finish 358 fourth and Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT in the Sherm's Sunoco Troyer 358 fifth.

Kent put tough pressure on the race leading Bertuccio, who still managed to control every passing situation throughout the quick race.

Kent moved on the leading Bertuccio a half dozen times, but Kent still had to protect his second spot from the flying car of Flemke. Christopher was also trying to stay in the hunt back in fifth place, be his car wasn't at its best.

Bertuccio took the checkered flag finish followed by Kent and Flemke.

Rounding out the top five were Summers and Christopher.

LATE MODELS

Jason Boyd of Orlando, FL, driving his Donnely Plumbing Chevrolet was the Late Model 20 winner Thursday night with a green to checkered flag finish in a 27 car starting field in "World Series" racing.

Following Boyd in the opening circuit Mike Murphy of Clermont, FL in his South Lake Truck ride and Scott Watts of Seabrook, N.H.

Rounding out the top five were Joey Miller of Farmington, Minn. driving his Great Clips Chevrolet and A.J. Curreli of Daytona Beach, FL.

Murphy tried Boyd on the inside looking for an early race pass in lap one, but it wasn't to be tonight. Jerry Artuso of Soo St. Marie made a move to second in lap two.

Following a caution third place runner Joey Miller of Farmington, Minn. bumped the back straightaway wall and dropped off the pace.

The running order in lap seven was Boyd, Murphy and Watts. Rounding out the top five were Artuso and Jerry Osteen of Clermont, FL.

In lap 15, the top three were Boyd, Murphy and Osteen. Rounding out the top five were Artuso and Watts.

FLORIDA/IMCA MODIFIEDS

Once again Jerry Symons had more than enough to win the "World Series" Modified 20 Thursday night at New Smyrna Speedway.

With Symons in the lead from the opening lap, Jason Boyd of Orlando, FL was following and a quick Brad May of Orlando was an early challenger in third place with Jerry Artuso Soo Saint Marie, Ontario following.

Artuso passed May for third place and then targeted Boyd for second in lap 10 with Symons having his way in the lead with no serious challengers.

May dropped to fourth in lap 15. Symons still held a comfortable lead in lap 18.

Artuso finally moved by Boyd on a lap 18 restart, but was unable to mount any run on Symons

Symons won the race with ease followed by Boyd after Artuso was disqualified and May ended up third.

Rounding out the top five were Matthew Wheeler of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Chet Morrison.

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