East Bay South Shore Auto Sales Late Model Championship

Fans and drivers gathered together to enjoy a great night of racing at the “Clay by the Bay” this past weekend. Unfortunately all had to wait for the weather for a while, but with approximately 100 cars signed in for the various racing events, no one was about to go home due to a little inclement weather.

Because of the weather problems and the resulting delay, only drivers for the Late Model class got to warm up in the heat races. All the other drivers simply had to suck it up and do their best. By the time the clouds finally parted long enough for racing to get underway at the Gibsonton, Florida, race track it was clear that spectators were in for a great evening’s racing. The South Shore Auto Sales Late Model got off to a great start and pretty soon it was clear that the 21-point lead that front-runner KD Kelly had over Travis Varnadore in the East Bay South Shore Auto Sales Late Model Championship would be greatly increased during the course of the evening. Varnadore ran into some difficulties near the beginning of the Late Models race when an early caution set him back near the back of the field on the restart. In stark contrast, Kelley ran an excellent race with very few difficulties. However, the true star of the night was Roger Crouse who started off in 6th position and quickly and effectively made his way to the front of the field. Crouse managed to win the South Shore Auto Sales Late Model race with an evening of truly fantastic driving. It was his first feature win in the Late Models so far this season and he had plenty to be proud about. He was followed over the finish line by Al Larson, whose second place finish gave him his first top-5 finish of the season, and Trevor Merrel.

Despite only coming in 9th and not being able to take home the Late Model race victory trophy, KD Kelly was able to win the East Bay South Shore Auto Sales Late Model Championship. With two features wins, nine top-5 finishes and fifteen top-10 finishes, his grip on the championship trophy was secure. Varnadore finished the feature race just one place behind him.

New Smyrna Speedway to Host FASCAR Late Model Challenge

New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, will play host to the FASCAR Late Model Challenge on Saturday 13 September. Auto racing fans can expect plenty of action as competing drivers tackle 100 laps around the half-mile asphalt track. The exciting program includes Modifieds, Super Stock, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Strictly Stock, plus double points for Modifieds.

Fans can expect the pit gate to open at 2 pm on Saturday, with an exclusive practice session for the FASCAR Late Model Challenge drivers between 3 and 4 pm followed by Division practice. Qualifying for the FASCAR Late Model Challenge (which was formerly known as the Goodyear Challenge Late Models) is scheduled for 6:30 pm with racing action starting at 7:30 pm.

FASCAR (Florida Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing) is considered to be the state of Florida’s version of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing), providing a developmental league where 16 to 18 year old drivers can develop their skills racing stock cars in preparation for competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The FASCAR Late Model Challenge Series is a twelve race season at the most challenging late model tracks in Florida. Saturday’s FASCAR Late Model Challenge is the eighth of the season, and Daniel Keene Jr. is currently in the lead for the series. Out of the five races so far this year, Keene has won four, demonstrating his exceptional driving skills. Jeremy Colangelo is second in points, while third is Jessica Murphy, followed by Alan Bruns, Darren Brown and Joe Winchell.

FASCAR has been operating since 1970 with various series taking place at their two race tracks, being New Smyrna Speedway (half-mile) and Orlando Speedworld (3/8 mile). FASCAR traveling series, which take place throughout Florida, include the Sunoco-Sunbelt Super Late Model Series and Advance Auto Parts Pro-Trucks Series. New Smyrna Speedway also hosts the annual Florida Governor’s cup in November and the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in February each year.

The next two events in the FASCAR Late Model Challenge Series take place on 25 October at the New Smyrna Speedway and 7 November at Orlando Speedworld – so make a note in your diary to be there.

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

If you live in Florida, get ready to enjoy all the excitement and action at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Held annually in St. Petersburg, Florida, this fantastic Indy Racing League IndyCar Series is broadcast on ESPN or ABC – but nothing compares to being right where the action is!

The city of St. Petersburg is certainly no stranger to fast cars and a festive atmosphere. The first race in the city took place in 1985. After that it took place regularly at the downtown waterfront circuit until 1990. The city took a short break from racing and started up again in 1996 when the cars ran on a short course around the Tropicana Field for two years. The main race of the day was the SCCA Trans-Am Series. Other races, such as the U.S. FF2000, the World Challenge, the Barber Dodge and the Pro SRF, were also held here. Unfortunately the new course was not considered to be satisfactory and so St Petersburg was again left without the sound of powerful engines roaring around a track at top speeds. In 2003 the city saw a racing revival with Champ Cars that lasted for only one year. It was only in 2005 that IndyCar racing really started to pick up momentum in this great city.

When IndyCar racing returned to St Peterburg in 2005, the race took place on a non-oval track and it was the first non-oval race course to form part of the IndyCar series. The course is currently a street circuit that connects the two landing strips of the Albert Whitted Airport. The course runs up 1st Street and makes its way back down near the beachfront before returning to the airport. The entire circuit encompasses Pioneer Park, the Bayfront Center and the IRL Paddock. At this point in time a Ballpark has been proposed for the area inside the course. As this ballpark is built, it may give cause to disrupt, change or even cancel the race in the future. Fans, however, hope that the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will suffer no further setbacks.

The 2008 race is scheduled to take place from the 4th to the 6th of April. Tickets range from $10 (for juniors) to $110 for the best seats in the house. So get your ticket now and make sure that you don’t miss out on this great IndyCar series action!

The Fun-filled Daytona 200 and Bike Week

The Daytona 200 motorcycle race is held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. This 68-lap, 200 mile (322 kilometer) motorcycle race is set to take place on 8 March 2008 as part of the Daytona Bike Week. This 10 day event that draws motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide, will start on 29 February with a schedule jam-packed full of entertainment and excitement carrying on through to 9 March 2008.

This will be the 67th time that the Daytona 200 will take place and the event continues to grow in popularity. Crowds of up to 500,000 gather to enjoy the company of fellow bikers and the revelry which includes motorcycle races, concerts and virtually non-stop street festivals and parties.

The Daytona 200 has a long history which began on 24 January 1937, when the inaugural race took place on a beach and road course stretching over a distance of 3.2 miles just south of Daytona Beach. Ed Kretz of Monterey Park, California, riding an American manufactured Indian motorcycle at an average speed of about 73 miles per hour, was the first winner of the Daytona 200 and he was presented with the City of Daytona Beach trophy. The race continued on an annual basis until it was interrupted in 1942 by the rationing of fuel and lack of key engine components brought about by World War II. Despite the racing event being called off, bikers still gathered for an unofficial party which became Bike Week. When the Daytona 200 resumed in 1948 the race featured a record of 176 competitors. Due to beach development, the race was moved further south onto a circuit measuring 4.1 miles and in 1961 the Daytona 200 moved to the Daytona International Speedway – a popular auto racing venue.

Over time the Daytona 200 and Bike Week became a 10 day festival with hundreds of events taking place throughout Volusia County for the enjoyment of the hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide. Numerous camping facilities are made available and food vendors of every description make sure the crowds are well fed. The events include an invitation for bikers to “Ride the Loop” a popular 22 mile trail that winds through some of Florida’s most beautiful countryside.

The Daytona 200 is considered by many to be the motorcycle event of the year and, judging by the efforts put in by organizers and popularity of previous events, the 2008 Daytona 200 and Bike Week will prove to be a memorable experience.