Orlando SARA race report 2001-04-27

Executive Racing School SARA Late Model 100
Track: Orlando Speedworld

BITHLO, FLORIDA - Michael Faulk coasted home with his first 2001 SARA victory in the Executive Racing School SARA Late Model 100 Friday night at OrlandoSpeedworld.

Faulk of Ft. White, Fla., driving the Pierce Motorsports Chevrolet, took thelead in lap-45 rocketing to his second career SARA victory in a 28-car starting field. Once on the point Faulk was flawless in his run to victory.

"The car was set up just about perfect and all I had to do was just steer itand keep out of the way of lapped traffic," said Faulk.

Jason Boyd led a 40-car field during qualifying breaking a track record, driving his GPC Chevrolet. Boyd of Orlando, Fla., turned the three-eighths miletrack in 13.898 seconds for a speed of 97.14 mph.

There were two previous record times. Boyd set the first mark in 1999 and David Logan of Jupiter, Fla., set the other in a SARA event during 2000. The previous record time was 13.995 seconds recorded by both drivers.

Boyd, starting from the pole after drawing the number one pill, opened a quick 10-car lead until a caution slowed the field during lap-19.

Faulk was also on the move early and moved by Richard Baer of Miami, Fla. for the second spot in lap-29. Brad Barkis of Ft. Myers, Fla. driving the FastEquipment Chevrolet, was also making a strong run and was fourth.

In lap-44, the second race caution was caused by a bad lane change by Kevin Ingram of Auburndale, who swung unwisely to the outside. Wayne Morris of Mulberry, Fla., who was already on the charge and with no where to go slammed into Ingram. This quickly ended a bid by Morris for a third straight 2001 win.

Boyd with still plenty of muscle led with Faulk, Barkis and Larry O'Steen ofClermont, Fla. following on the restart.

Another quick caution soon followed in lap-45 and Boyd's Chevrolet limped into the pits with a flat tire, returning to the speedway before green, but relegating him to the tail end of the lead lap.

Faulk, now the halfway leader after assuming the point was followed by Barkis and O'Steen. The fast moving, but smooth driving Bobby Beauchemin of Davey, Fla., driving the Don Robinson Concrete Chevrolet, was now fourth.

With Faulk comfortably in the lead Barkis pressured by O'Steen for second had a bigger threat awaiting him in Beauchemin, who worked the inside groove for third.

"We gained two positions after the five-car wreck about halfway by dodging lapped cars," said Beauchemin.

In lap-66, Beauchemin took over the third spot and started to reel in Barkis. Beauchemin worked Barkis hard for second place on the inside, but Barkis was able to hold his loose Chevrolet down in turns two and four with his tires appearing to be going away.

"I moved my line a little bit and was able to pick up speed," Beauchemin. "Brad (Barkis) did a great job of driving his car and was consistent with whathe had to do to keep the second spot."

"Toward the end of the race I started getting loose going around the corners," Barkis said. "I'm extremely pleased with my second place finish."

With Faulk clearly in charge, Beauchemin made one last attempt at Barkis to no avail in lap-95, but it was not to be.

Faulk crossed the stripe followed by Barkis and Beauchemin.

Rounding out the top-five Kenrick Gomez of Plantation, Fla. put his Electric Mobility Pontiac in fourth after a strong run. Joe Boyd of Riverview, Fla.,driving the All-American Steel and Tubing Chevrolet was fifth.

The SARA series will be at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla. on May 12th. Late Models and Modifieds will both run.

-John Barker