Mills Open Delivers Thrilling Action at Ocala Speedway

Ocala, FL – May 31, 2025 — A packed grandstand witnessed a night of hard-fought battles, dramatic comebacks, and local pride on display as the Mills Open lit up Ocala Speedway. With six divisions in action, the event showcased veterans holding their ground, up-and-comers charging through the field, and plenty of storylines that had fans on their feet until the final checkered flag.

Late Models: Lloyd Dominates in Hometown Victory

In the Late Model feature, Ocala’s own Ivedent Lloyd proved why he remains one of the most respected drivers in Florida. Starting from the outside of row one, Lloyd powered to the front early and never looked back, controlling the pace of the 20-lap feature.

Austin Yarbrough of Blackshear, GA, put on a smooth drive to claim second after starting fourth, while Bubba Roling grabbed the final podium spot in third. Perhaps the biggest heartbreak of the race belonged to Korbin Minchew, who started on the pole but slipped back to 10th after losing speed late.

Thunderstock / Factory Stock: Hill Holds Off the Pack

The Thunderstock/Factory Stock division delivered its trademark elbows-out racing, and in the end, it was Tommy Hill of Clewiston who came out on top. Hill muscled his way to the lead and held strong, while Jason Garver thrilled the crowd with a charge from sixth to finish second. Mikey Kopka was steady all race long, rounding out the podium in third.

Street Stocks: Stalnaker Outduels Walker and Pratt

In a 20-lap feature packed with heavy hitters, Mike Stalnaker used home-track knowledge to perfection. Starting fourth, Stalnaker methodically worked his way forward, grabbing the lead and holding off Devin Walker in a spirited battle for the win. Rich Pratt kept his car clean and fast, advancing from fifth to third.

Behind them, there were fireworks throughout the field, with Michael Doane making one of the biggest charges of the night, moving up nine spots to finish ninth after starting 18th.

Outlaw 4’s: Moniz Surges, Novak Steals the Show

The Outlaw 4’s may have only gone 15 laps, but they packed in the drama. Mark Moniz of Zephyrhills took the victory after starting mid-pack, but the crowd favorite move came from Kenny Novak, who stormed from 11th to third in one of the night’s best drives. Brian Barse held steady from the pole to finish second, but Moniz’s late-race speed proved too strong.

3/4 Modifieds: Hopke Flawless on the Front Row

Dalton Hopke put on a textbook performance in the 3/4 Modified feature, leading flag-to-flag after starting on the pole. While Steven Powers stayed close in second, he couldn’t quite mount a challenge. Jonathan Layerd gave the hometown crowd something to cheer for, moving up from fifth to finish third.

IMCA Mod Lites: Throop Takes Control

In the nightcap, the IMCA Mod Lites put on a fast-paced 15-lap duel. Robbie Throop of West Palm Beach climbed from third to claim the win, outpacing Richard Houston, who finished right where he started in second. Early leader Justin Thibodeau slipped back to third, still salvaging a podium after showing early strength.

Key Highlights of the Night

Hometown Hero: Ivedent Lloyd gave Ocala Speedway fans exactly what they wanted with a commanding Late Model victory.
Biggest Movers: Street Stock driver Michael Doane (+9) and Outlaw 4’s racer Kenny Novak (+8) electrified the night with massive charges through the field.
Heartbreaks: Pole-sitter Korbin Minchew fading to 10th in Late Models and early leader Justin Thibodeau slipping to third in IMCA Mod Lites were tough breaks after promising starts.
Consistency Counts: Dalton Hopke and Tommy Hill proved the value of clean starts, converting front-row spots into dominant wins.

Final Word

The Mills Open was a perfect snapshot of Florida short-track racing: fast, fierce, and full of unpredictability. From Lloyd’s triumphant homecoming win to underdog charges deep in the pack, fans were treated to a night that will be talked about until the next green flag drops at Ocala Speedway.

Late Model (20 Laps — A Feature & Heats)

A Feature — Finishing Order & Starting Positions

Ivedent Lloyd (#721, Ocala, FL) — Started 2nd, won (+1)
Austin Yarbrough (#18B, Blackshear, GA) — Started 4th, finished 2nd (+2)
Bubba Roling (#515, Clay Hill, FL) — Started 5th, finished 3rd (+2)
Matt Herlong (Valrico, FL) — Started 7th, finished 4th (+3)
Jason Garver (Starke, FL) — Started 6th, finished 5th (+1)
Brandon Wells (Glen St. Mary, FL) — Started 11th, gained 5 positions to finish 6th (+5)
Christian Augspurger (West Palm Beach, FL) — Started 3rd, dropped 4 positions to 7th (-4)
Morrie West (Yulee, FL) — From 10th to 8th (+2)
Lawton Minchew (Pierson, FL) — From 12th to 9th (+3)
Korbin Minchew (Pierson, FL) — From pole (1st) to 10th (–9)
Jimmy Morey (Ft. McCoy, FL) — From 14th to 11th (+3)
Tim Dowling, Billy Boyd Jr, Harley Hughes — DNFs (started 9th, 8th, 16th respectively)
Sonny Thompson and David Clegg — DNS (13th and 15th starters)

Heats (8 Laps Each)

Heat 1 winner: Ivedent Lloyd (from 5th)
Heat 2 winner: Korbin Minchew (from pole)
All heat racers transferred to A Feature

Thunderstock / Factory Stock (20 Laps)

A Feature — Finish vs. Start

Tommy Hill (#5H, Clewiston, FL) — Started 2nd, won (+1)
Jason Garver (#01, Starke, FL) — Started 6th, finished 2nd (+4)
Mikey Kopka (#41L, Astor, FL) — Started and finished 3rd (—)
Ryan Baker (Lakeland, FL) — Pole to 4th (–3)
Karlin Ray (Floral City, FL) — From 8th to 5th (+3)
“Willy The Kid” Cuddy (Christmas, FL) — From 4th to 6th (–2)
Blake Lloyd (Ocala, FL) — From 10th to 7th (+3)
William Edwards (Gainesville, FL) — From 12th to 8th (+4)
Arthur Conquest (Bronson, FL) — Started and finished 9th
Jeffery Rook (Inverness, FL) — From 13th to 10th (+3)
David Dowling, Justin Durbin, John Kari — DNFs

Heats

Heat 1 won by Tommy Hill (pole)
Heat 2 won by Ryan Baker (from 1st)
All competitors transferred

Street Stocks (20 Laps)

A Feature — Finish vs. Start

Mike Stalnaker (#8, Ocala, FL) — From 4th to win (+3)
Devin Walker (#55JR, Mayo, FL) — From 2nd to 2nd (—)
Rich Pratt (#0, Anthony, FL) — From 5th to 3rd (+2)

Others:

Devin McLeod (Zephyrhills) 6th from 6th (—)
Mike Bresnahan (Lecanto) 5th from 9th (+4)
Heath Walker (Mayo) 6th from 8th (+2)
Patrick Mennenga (Belleview) 7th from 13th (+6)
Tim Powers (Okeechobee) 8th from 12th (+4)
Michael Doane (Volusia) 9th from 18th (+9)
Jason Garver (Starke) 10th from 11th (+1)
Multiple DNFs including Stephen Hohlbaugh, Tanner Cobb, Brad Langford, Jeff Stalnaker Jr, Kody Fisher, Tim Gay, Rance Damron; and DNS Brian Barse, Joe Forsyth, Joey Durbin

Heats

Heat 1 won by Jeff Stalnaker Jr (from 3rd)
Heat 2 won by Rich Pratt (from pole)
Heat 3 won by Mike Stalnaker (from 3rd)
All transferred

Outlaw 4’s (15 Laps)

A Feature — Finish vs. Start

Mark Moniz (#41E, Zephyrhills, FL) — From 5th to win (+4)
Brian Barse (Riverview, FL) — Pole to 2nd (–)
Kenny Novak (Sebring, FL) — From 11th to 3rd (+8)
Justin Thibodeau (West Palm Beach) 4th from 6th (+2)
Dalton Ellis 5th from 9th (+4)
DNFs: Stephen Hohlbaugh, Bradley Button, Jesse Brown, Richie Wheelihan, Douglas Johnson, Brad Langford

Heats

Heat 1 won by Brian Barse (from 4th)
Heat 2 won by Stephen Hohlbaugh (from 5th)
All transferred

3/4 Modifieds (15 Laps)

A Feature — Finish vs. Start

Dalton Hopke (Jacksonville, FL) — From pole to win (—)
Steven Powers (Lake Helen, FL) — From 2nd to 2nd (—)
Jonathan Layerd (Ocala, FL) — From 5th to 3rd (+2)
Others: Ethyn Hwan 4th from 3rd (–1), Chase Cooke 5th from 7th (+2), Dakota Cleland 6th from 6th (—); DNFs: Logan Malone, Bubba Durban, Timmy Hogan; DNS: Samara Hwan, Nathyn Hwan

Heats

Heat 1 won by Dalton Hopke (pole)
Heat 2 won by Steven Powers (from 2nd)
All competitors transferred

IMCA Mod Lite (15 Laps)

A Feature — Finish vs. Start

Robbie Throop (#55, West Palm Beach, FL) — From 3rd to win (+2)
Richard Houston (#41H, Morriston, FL) — From 2nd to 2nd (—)
Justin Thibodeau (#213, West Palm Beach, FL) — Pole to 3rd (–2)
Others: Tom Hann 4th from 7th (+3), Ron Nelson 5th from 4th (–1); DNFs include Yuri Tulchin, Wade Smith, Steve Throop, Jeff Bonnema, James Vary

Heats

Heat 1 winner: Richard Houston (pole)
Heat 2 winner: Justin Thibodeau (pole)
All transferred

Highlights & Key Takeaways

Biggest Movers:

Brandon Wells +5 in Late Model
Kenny Novak +8 in Outlaw 4’s
Michael Doane +9 from 18th to 9th in Street Stocks

Notable Starts-to-Finish Drops:

Korbin Minchew –9
Justin Thibodeau (IMCA Mod Lite) –2

Feature Winners:

Driven from mid-pack: Ivedent Lloyd, Robbie Throop, Mark Moniz, Mike Stalnaker
From pole/front row: Dalton Hopke, Tommy Hill, Bay Barse, Richard Houston