by Dave Westerman

After a rather nice Friday afternoon, thunderstorms began to rumble through the Ocala area during the evening and put a damper on activities at Ocala Speedway.

Clouds began to build just as practice was wrapping up, and the skies opened up shortly thereafter dumping several inches of rain and treating fans who ducked for cover to a spectacular display of lightning.

After about an hour, the rain subsided and track drying efforts began while fans were treated to a karaoke contest that was actually scheduled for the intermission.

Just as the Four Cylinder Stocks hit the track for their feature at almost 10:30, the rain began to fall again and track officials decided to call it an evening and return for the Sunday afternoon rain date.

The entire afternoon was a picture of frustration for many drivers, track officials and fans who were stuck in a huge traffic jam on I-75 due to several multi-vehicle wrecks.

Sportsman driver Big John Smith, who just can’t seem to buy a break this year, was involved in one of those incidents on his way to the track receiving damage to both his van and trailer. Fortunately no one in the van was hurt and Big John made it to the track just in time to see it start raining.

Pit gates will open at 11:30 AM on Sunday with grandstand gates opening at 1PM and racing getting under way at 3PM.

In action will be the WIND-FM Modifieds, Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman, K-Country 93.7 FM Street Stocks and Four Cylinder Stocks.