(photo: www.pitroadnetwork.com)

Ocala, FL – Fans packed the grandstands Saturday night as Ocala Speedway delivered a full slate of dirt track excitement, with seven divisions battling under the lights. The evening featured everything from hard-charging comebacks to nail-biting podium fights, showcasing why the historic Florida oval remains a must-see stop on the racing calendar.

Garver Charges to Open-Wheel Modified Victory

The headline event of the night saw Jason Garver (#27, Starke, FL) storm from the eighth starting spot to take the Open-Wheel Modifieds A-Feature win. Garver methodically carved through the field, holding off a fast-closing Seth Geary (#7G, Gibsonton, FL) and Eric Moon (#07M, Zephyrhills, FL), both of whom also made impressive runs from deep in the pack. The trio’s charge through traffic kept the crowd on its feet until the checkered flag.

Conquest Prevails in Thunderstock/Factory Stock

In the Thunderstock ranks, Arthur Conquest (#78, Bronson, FL) powered to victory after a spirited battle with multi-class racer Jason Garver (#01). Ryan Baker (#54, Lakeland, FL) completed the podium, capitalizing on late-race attrition that sidelined multiple challengers.

Walker’s Speed Dominates Street Stocks

Devin Walker (#55JR, Mayo, FL) proved unstoppable in the Street Stocks, topping both hot laps and the feature. Walker clocked the night’s quickest lap at 18.548 seconds, then backed it up with a commanding A-Feature win over veteran Rich Pratt (#0, Anthony, FL). Jeff Conyers (#47, Dover, FL) claimed third, while Mike Stalnaker made headlines with a huge 12-spot climb to finish fourth.

Outlaw 4’s Deliver Wild Finish

The Outlaw 4’s were anything but predictable as Mark Moniz (#41E, Zephyrhills, FL) muscled his way forward from mid-pack to score the win. Justin Thibodeau (#2) stormed from deep in the field to grab second, with Douglas Johnson (#09) rounding out the top three. Multiple DNFs added drama to an already chaotic race.

Cooke Captures 3/4 Modifieds

The 3/4 Modifieds saw Chase Cooke (#5C, Orlando, FL) edge out Jonathan Layerd (#7L, Ocala, FL) in a tightly contested 20-lap shootout. Mechanical issues sidelined several contenders, leaving the young duo to battle it out for top honors.

Childers Surges in Gladiators

The Gladiator division lived up to its name as Dustin Childers (#18, Pierson, FL) charged from deep in the lineup to claim a convincing win. Tracey Maynard (#62) and Robert Kissam (#911) filled out the podium in a race that saw several front-runners fall victim to mechanical gremlins.

Throop Tops IMCA Mod Lite Field

The night closed with Robbie Throop (#55, West Palm Beach, FL) storming from sixth to victory in the IMCA Mod Lites. Larry Hubbard Jr. (#56H, Cape Coral, FL) and Robbie Smith (#96, Ocala, FL) completed the podium, capping off an evening of competitive battles across every class.

Takeaway

From Garver’s dominant Modified drive to Walker’s double-threat performance in Street Stocks, the August 9th program proved Ocala Speedway’s reputation for close, unpredictable racing. With multiple divisions producing comebacks, heartbreaks, and barn-burner finishes, fans left buzzing about the next round of action at Florida’s toughest dirt track.

Open-Wheel Modifieds (A-Feature, 30 Laps)

• Winner: Jason Garver (#27) from Starke, FL (started 8th, gained 7 positions)
• 2nd: Seth Geary (#7G) from Gibsonton, FL (started 10th, gained 8 positions)
• 3rd: Eric Moon (#07M) from Zephyrhills, FL (started 11th, gained 8 positions)

Others of note:

• Ronnie Soltis 4th (+1)
• Gator Hise 5th (+4)
• Cam Canova 6th (lost 4)
• DNF: Billy Howard, Cory Hupp

Thunderstock / Factory Stock (A-Feature, 25 Laps)

• Winner: Arthur Conquest (#78) from Bronson, FL (started 2nd, gained 1 position)
• 2nd: Jason Garver (#01) from Starke, FL (started on pole, -1)
• 3rd: Ryan Baker (#54) from Lakeland, FL (started 6th, +3)
• DNF: Josh Wise, Mayson Mossow

Street Stocks (A-Feature, 25 Laps)

• Winner: Devin Walker (#55JR) from Mayo, FL (started 3rd, +2)
• 2nd: Rich Pratt (#0) from Anthony, FL (pole, -1)
• 3rd: Jeff Conyers (#47) from Dover, FL (+1)
• Notables: Mike Stalnaker 4th (+12), multiple DNFs

Hot Laps Highlights (20 Laps): Fastest time by Devin Walker at 18.548 seconds; Rich Pratt 2nd, Richard Livernois 3rd

Outlaw 4’s (A-Feature, 20 Laps)

• Winner: Mark Moniz (#41E) from Zephyrhills, FL (+5)
• 2nd: Justin Thibodeau (#2) +7
• 3rd: Douglas Johnson (#09) –1
• Several DNFs and one DNS

3/4 Modifieds (A-Feature, 20 Laps)

• Winner: Chase Cooke (#5C) from Orlando, FL (+1)
• 2nd: Jonathan Layerd (#7L) from Ocala, FL (+1)
• DNF: Dalton Hopke, Ethyn Hwan

Gladiators (A-Feature, 20 Laps)

• Winner: Dustin Childers (#18) from Pierson, FL (+7)
• 2nd: Tracey Maynard (#62)
• 3rd: Robert Kissam (#911)
• Several DNFs including Jeff Smith, Gary Holliman, Wayne Kissam, Justin Maher

IMCA Mod Lite (A-Feature)

• Winner: Robbie Throop (#55) from West Palm Beach, FL (+6)
• 2nd: Larry Hubbard Jr (#56H) from Cape Coral, FL (+3)
• 3rd: Robbie Smith (#96) from Ocala, FL (+1)
• 4th: Bill Leonard (#24) from Naples (+4)
• Additional placements: Ron Nelson 5th, Richard Houston 6th, Shawn Gallagher 7th

Overview and Highlights

• Big Movers: Jason Garver and Seth Geary both surged from mid-pack to podium in the Open-Wheel Modifieds. In Gladiators, Dustin Childers also made a strong move forward.
• Track Performance: The Street Stocks featured the fastest hot lap by Devin Walker (18.548 s), signaling a strong pace that matched his race win.
• Class Dynamics: Each class had standout performances and competitive fields. IMCA Mod Lite and 3/4 Modifieds were particularly tight at the front, while Gladiators saw several DNFs shaking the field.