|
|
|
April 13th, St. Augustine, FL - Brad Pilinko and Jimmy Britts are off to perfect starts in the 2000 ARA Weekly Racing Series at Florida Speed Park, each capturing wins in all of the first three events, Pilinko in Hobby Stocks and Britts in Modifieds. With victories, certainly, come the spoils. Victories can also bring on extra pressure from other drivers, though, who have been busy figuring out ways to catch up. Last weekend's Hobby Stock feature saw Brad Pilinko eke out a narrow win over Chris Manucy. Pilinko's margins of victory have narrowed greatly over the course of the three events, and Manucy is determined to bring the streak to an end. A similar scenario exists in the field of Modifieds. While Britts has won all three points events, he has done so against a talent-laden field which includes Chuck Cumby, Robert Deal and George Thrift. Russ Miscally, another threat, had everyone beat two weeks ago until a last lap motor problem dropped him from the lead. In racing, no one wants to settle for second, and no one in the Modifieds is content with Britts taking the checkers again. "Britts won't win his fourth one," says Charlie Cumby, whose son Chuck drives the #88 Modified. "Me and George (Thrift) have been working hard. We're picking up through the corners."Adding fuel to the fire, the speedway has imposed a $100 bounty on both Pilinko and Britts. A bounty is a bonus awarded to the driver that can beat either of these two winners. The winning car must past tech, and the driver with the bounty on him must finish the race. A bounty increases $100 every week while the win streak is intact until it is either claimed or reaches $500, when a driver can collect his own bounty. In Sportsman action, Todd Ponce, whose win from a 7th place start catapulted him to the top of the points standings, will be back in hopes of turning his lone 2000 victory into a win streak. Wade Lynn is one win away from starting his own bounty in the Thunder Truck division. Lynn, who drives the #28 Ford, will be sporting a new sponsor this weekend as Wynn's Lubricants has signed on for the remainder of the season. Larry Osteen, the 1999 Late Model champion, should be back in defense of his title and his April 1st win. A determined Donnie Oden, the current points leader, stands in his way. The Dwarf Cars will be at the speedway this weekend for their first-ever appearance at the fast paved half-mile. Mini Stocks have the night off. The 8 Ball, awarded to the driver who starts in eighth place and wins the feature in any of the six local divisions, will start out at a record high $500. Florida Speed Park is located at 900 Big Oak Road, three miles north of St. Augustine, off of Highway US 1 across from the St. Augustine Airport. Racing begins at 6:45pm, with features starting at 8:00pm. The Triple Rock Blues Band will again perform in Turn 4 at 4:00pm. Tickets are $10 General Admission, $8 Students & Seniors, $2 Ages 7-12 and Under 7 free. A $25 Family Pack admits two adults and children 18 and under. For more information, call the speedway at (904) 825-2886. Guest Book - E-Mail ® AMA Pro Racing NASCAR Winston Cup Series NASCAR 2000 NASCAR Busch Series NASCAR Goody's Dash Series NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series NASCAR Weekly Racing Series ASA-ACDELCO Racin' Florida Style |