Saturday nights race at the Ocala Speedway was an addition to the Original TBARA schedule. The fans were glad to get a chance to see the TBARA Pavement Pounders put on a wild night of racing! The three Heat Races were Action Packed and Caution Free events won by Ray Bragg #88, Dude Teate #0, and Wayne Reutiman #22. Those three drivers were eligible for the Barfields Clean Sweep Award.
The top 12 Average Points Inversion System put Rookies Ray Bragg and Gary Gimmler on the front row for the Feature. A total of two reds, and four yellows kept the push trucks busy all night! The first red was for a collision resulting from the aborted original start, as the flagman did not like the first attempt. As the front half of the field checked up, there were several collisions with several top cars getting damaged. Fast repair work to the cars of Jim Childers, Joey Aguilar, and Larry Tyler got them back into the action, however they had to go to the rear for the restart. The only casuality was the #0 driven by Dude Teate, as his car was too damaged to continue. None of the drivers were injured.
On the actual Official start, Ray Bragg grabbed the lead, followed by Gary Gimmler, Brad Davis, and Sonny Hartley. Meanwhile, Jim Childers, Joey Aguilar, and Larry Tyler were charging towards the front from back of the field. Larry Tyler brought out the first caution on lap five after spinning into the infield. By this time, Davis had passed Gimmler and Bragg to grab the lead. On lap seven, the red was again waved as Stan Butler and Shawn Farr touched wheels resulting in Butler doing a slow roll. While the track was being cleared, Butler came to the pits for repairs. The GMS crew made the repairs to the wing of the GMS #16, and got Stan back into the race. Another yellow on Lap 12, as Gary Gimmler who was running third at the time, spun into the infield. During all this, Davis was maintaining the lead over Ernie Teed, Wayne Reutimann, Jim Childers, and Joey Aguilar. Two more yellows came out for spins that took place. The cautions kept bunching up the field, making for great racing action on the tight and fast 3/8th mile track!
FEATURE
1.Brad Davis #4d, 2.Ernie Teed #87, 3.Wayne Reutimann #22, 4.Jim Childers #111, 5.Joey Aguilar #48, 6.Sonny Hartley #32, 7.Kevin Cahill #63, 8.Ray Bragg #88, 9.Matt Mercer #10, 10.Skeeter Faulconer #6, 11.Larry Tyler #99, 12.Keith Butler #11c, 13.DJ Stewart #1, 14.Gary Gimmler #29, 15.Stan Butler #16, 16.Mike Love #77, 17.Shaun Farr #68, 18.Jerry Jones #9, 19.Dude Teate #0