Trackside Now: Smyrna Speedweeks

Trackside Now: Smyrna Speedweeks - Saturday, Feb. 9th

It's Good To Be Jimmy Blewett

2008 Smyrna Speedweeks

Super Late Models

Tour-Type Mods

Much More

Feb. 8th-16th

New Smyrna Speedway

New Smyrna, Florida

Saturday 10:55pm ET - Chad Akins made it two in a row in a dramatic way on Saturday night, winning the Limited Late Model event after hitting Drew Brannon and moving him out of the way on the last lap to grab the win on Saturday night.

“The car was tight all night,” said Akins. “I figured it out if I let the car roll, it would be better. My restarts were slow all night. I don’t know what it was. I went up into turn one and he didn’t let the car roll as much. When I got in the gas, he was right there. I am sure he would have done it to me too. I think it was just hard racing. I’m sure he’ll get me back one day. I’ve realized if you want a friend at the racetrack, you bring your dog.”

“I didn’t have the best car,” said Brannon. “I was just doing all I could to keep him behind me. He ran in the back of me and I lost it. I saved it and I ran into a couple of people. I’m sorry for doing that, but I was just trying to save it. It was just old hard racing.”

One of the regular favorites, AJ Curelli, fell out of the even on lap 16 with a blown engine.

Late Model Results

Chad Akins

JR McMichael

Derrick Kelly

Drew Brannon

Greg Skyta

Kirk Hooker

Rick Penton

Car #2x

Jessica Murphy

Ben Bargnesi

Thomas Horner

Rob Knox

Allen Seymour

Richard Douglas

AJ Curreli

Daryyl Maher

Daniel Maddox

Kevin Ingram

Saturday 10:15pm ET - Tank Tucker is making it look easy when it comes to the Florida Modifieds here at Smryna Speedweeks. Tucker won again in the Florida Modified Division for the second-straight night, both nights winning by almost a full straightaway over everyone else.

Jerry Symons tried to match him, but fell back quickly.

"On that last restart, I about lost the race because my tires were cold," said Tucker. "I tried to keep enough heat in them, but it is hard to keep them warm. Having a good car and a good motor makes it look easy out there. We just do the best job we can every night.

Florida Modified Results

Tank Tucker

Jerry Symons

Robbie Cooper

AJ Winstead

Lee Collins

Kevin Terry

Shane Hill

John Gerstner

Kurt Jett

Don Keeply

Ryan Preece

Matt Wheeler

Jeff Coeburn

Gary Fountain, Sr

Gordon Moodie

James Yarborough

Bobby Jo Woodley

Car #91

Marty Hanbury

Alan Bruns

Woody Pitkat

Art Kunzeman

Robert Deal

Doc McKinney

Saturday 9:45pm ET - Last night, Jeff Choquette was kind of an afterthought in the Super Late Model event. He finished in the back-half of the top-10.

Today, Choquette came back with a different car. And, the decision paid off. Choquette started on the outside of the front row, jumped into the lead after an early restart and never looked back.

Choquette built a big lead, but found himself holding off last night’s winner Tim Russell late in the race.

“The other car had engine problems,” said Choquette. “It broke a lifter or something. It happened about 15 laps into the race last night. Instead of switching motors, we decided to get the whole car out. This is the one we won with at Lakeland. The car is three-for-three now. So maybe, the next six nights that the Super Late Models run, we can win them all.

“Lapped traffic and track conditions are the biggest issues here. There are so many cars out there racing. And, even though the groove is fine, if you get out of the groove, you get all over the place. There have been so many blown engines and when the lapped cars put you out there, you are just sliding everywhere."

It seems like the best battles this night are for second on back. One of the best battles on the track during the Super Late Model event was a three-way battle between Russell, Jack Landis and BJ McLeod. However, contact was made between Landis and McLeod and BJ hit the wall hard. Landis was penalized for the contact, but pulled off the track soon after.

Russell finished second, with Ryan Sieg in third.

Super Late Model Results

Jeff Choquette

Tim Russell

Ryan Sieg

Justin Drawdy

Ricky Carmichael

Trevor Sanborn

Shane Sawyer

Jerry Symons

David Rogers

Nevin Gainey

Kurt Jett

Chris Staggs

Darrell Midgley

John Gerster

Kevin Bayless

Bruce Gowland

Jeremy Gerster

Russ Shaw

Steve Weaver

Eddie Gainey

Gary Terry

BJ McLeod

Jack Landis

Scotty Crockett

Frank Alberson

John Coffman

Louis Mechalides

Travis Towell

Joe Winchell

Derrick Wood

Rusty Ebersole

David Myer

Saturday 9:05pm ET - Well, its now the World Series of Jimmy Blewett.

Blewett won his second-straight SK Modified race on Saturday night. He also won the Tour Modified race as well. And, he’s won three of the four poles between the Tour Modifieds and SK Modifieds so far this Speedweeks.

Needless to say, its been a good weekend thus far for Blewett.

Once again, Blewett was rather untouched in the race, holding off a early charge from Josh Sylvester to pull away for the win.

“At the beginning of the race, Josh Sylvester was right there,” said Blewett. “For being a rookie, not having as much experience as he has in these cars and coming down here and to be running as good as he is running is pretty impressive. At one point in the beginning of the race, I think he had the car to beat. He was putting the pressure on me. I was just trying to maintain my line and get a good run from the center out.

“We had that long caution and they put a lot of speedy-dry down and I think my experience on that helped me out. I think he did have the car to beat, but at the end of the race, my car started to come around and I was able to pull away and get the win.”

SK Mod Finish

1 Jimmy Blewett

2 Glen Griswold

3 Josh Sylvester

4 Billy Anderson

5 Eric Goodale

6 Russ Savoy

7 Shelly Perry

8 Phil Wehrkiem

9 Butch Perry

10 Mike Fiebelkoran, Jr

11 Don King, Jr.

12 Jimmy Zacharrias

13 Kevin Shea

14 Kenny Horton

15 David Cramner

16 David Brown

17 Jason Migonia

18 Chris Jensen

Saturday 8:40pm ET - For the second-straight night, the Crate Late Models started the race a big caution that took out a few cars.

Once things got sorted out though, it was young Logan Ruffin, the 13-year-old former Pro Challenge Series driver, who took the win in dominating fashion. The kid who looks like he needs a phone book just to see over the steering wheel was able had it going on Saturday night after starting on the outside of row one.

"This is our second win in a big car,” said Ruffin, who also won at Lanier National Speedway earlier this year. “We are realy excited about it being Speedweeks. “It’s pretty exciting. I’m one of the youngest kids to get to do this. I know the age limit here is 14, so I’m not really sure how I am getting to race. I am in the shadows on this. I just show up and race.

“Some people will say that I earned this win. Some people will say that I just got lucky. There are plenty of different ways to look at it really. We’ll just have to see how the rest of the week goes.

Ruffin was able to hold off the field after a caution with six laps to go to take the win. He was never seriously challenged all night long.

The best battle was for second, between Will Thomas, David Wagner and Earl Beckner.

Crate Late Model Results

Logan Ruffin

Will Thomas

Earl Beckner

David Wagner

AJ Fulgenzi

Steven Brooks

Eric Chase

Kyle Maynard

Dustin Skinner

Casey Caudill

Jimmy Lang

Jimmy Weller

Joey Pole

Robert Petrus

Thor Anderson

Gene Kirila III

Blake Koch

Joseph Gase

Patrick Mennaga

Brett Moffitt

Nick Glaze

Car #21

Kyle Eastham

Chuck Tuck

Car #6

David Rigan

Griffin McGrath

Jerick Johnson

Saturday 8:10pm ET - The Crate Late Models are on the track now. They didn't qualify tonight. They drew for starting spots. Steven Brooks and Login Ruffin are starting on the front row.

Saturday 8:00pm ET - Jimmy Blewett made it two-for-two… in a different way on Saturday night. Friday night, Blewett won the SK Modified feature. On Saturday night, he won the Tour-Type Modified event.

Blewett jumped out to the lead quick and pulled away into his own zip code in the early portion of the event.

The big battle was for second between Charlie Pasteryak and Ted Christopher. TC eventually got around Pasteryak for second, and Chuck Hossfeld followed suit. Both drivers made their passes on the outside.

Then, a spin on lap 19 by Billy Pauch Jr tightened up the field and made it a whole new race. TC and Hossfeld found themselves right on Blewett’s bumper.

The final few laps were nothing bumper three-way bumper cars. TC took a look on Blewett a couple of times during the final two laps, but wasn’t able to make the pass. Hossfeld finished third.

“After leading last night and having troubles with the fuel pump and dropping back to eighth, I was just ready to go,” said Blewett. “I burnt the car up way too early though. I just wanted to go and wanted to go and wanted to go. All I wanted to do was win. At the end of the race, TC was getting some good runs on me because my car wasn’t handling as well. He pressure me. I gave him a little bit on the outside and he didn’t want to take it. So I guess a win is a win.”

Bobby Grigas III was the only other of a caution flag, when he spun during bumper car episode in turn two.

JR Bertuccio’s girlfriend, Marisa Neidermeyer, started JR’s family-owned car.

Tour-Modified Results

1 Jimmy Blewett

2 Ted Christopher

3 Chuck Hossfeld

4 Eric Beers

5 Kevin Goodale

6 Ryan Preece

7 Jon McKennedy

8 JR Bertuccio

9 Bobby Grigas III

10 Billy Pauch, Jr

11 Kenny Horton

12 Andy Suess

13 Justin Bonsignore

14 Charlie Pasteryak

15 Butch Perry

16 Marisa Neidermeyer

17 Billy Anderson

18 George Bierce

Saturday 7:30pm ET - The Tour Modifieds are pulling out on the track and will be begining their 25-lap event soon. Jimmy Blewett will start on the front row, along with Charlie Pasteryak. Chuck Hossfeld and Ted Christopher are on the second row.

Saturday 6:40pm ET - There are been some down time here, while the teams prepare their cars for tonight's features. The driver's meeting has come and gone for tonight.

The Tour Mods will run first at 7:30. They will run 25 laps. The Crate Late Models will be next (25 laps), followed by SK Mods (25 laps), Super Late Models (30 laps), Florida Mods (25 laps) and Limited Late Models (25 laps).

Saturday 5:40pm ET - Jimmy Blewett drew the pole for tonight's Tour Modified race, while Eric Goodale drew the pole for the SK Modifieds.

Saturday 5:35pm ET - For the second-straight night, Tim Russell has turned in the quick time for the Super Late Models. The question remains, can he win for the second-straight night.

Super Late Model Qualifying

Tim Russell

17.312

Ryan Sieg

17.443

Justin Drawdy

17.473

Ricky Carmichael

17.476

Jack Landis

17.523

BJ McLeod

17.528

Shane Sawyer

17.536

Trevor Sanborn

17.537

Jeff Choquette

17.604

Louis Mechalides

17.819

Jerry Symons

17.823

Kurt Jett

17.948

Joe Winchell

17.949

Eddie Gainey

18.143

Travis Towell

18.175

John Gerster

18.202

Darrell Midgley

18.318

Rusty Ebersole

18.355

David Rogers

18.367

Martin Maresca

18.443

Kevin Bayless

18.456

Scotty Crockett

18.465

Steve Weaver

18.677

John Coffman

18.715

Jeremy Gerster

18.816

Nevin Gainey

18.819

Gary Terry

18.843

Derrick Wood

18.924

Chris Staggs

18.999

Bruce Gowland

19.037

Frank Alberson

19.223

Russ Shaw

19.528

David Myer

25.191

Saturday 4:50pm ET - Chuck Hossfeld kept his strengh from last night going, as he grabbed the pole for tonight's 25-lap Tour Modified feature. He was the only driver to run a sub-17-second lap.

Tour Mod Qualifying

Chuck Hossfeld

16.890

Bobby Grigas III

17.019

Ted Christopher

17.032

Ryan Preece

17.053

Jimmy Blewett

17.101

Charlie Pasteryak

17.125

Eric Beers

17.134

Kevin Goodale

17.186

Kenny Horton

17.223

JR Bertuccio

17.248

Jon McKennedy

17.252

Andy Seuss

17.280

Billy Pauch Jr

17.365

Justin Bonsignone

17.495

Saturday 4:20pm ET - Qualifying is over for the SK Modifieds and Jimmy Blewett is two-for-two. Blewett beat out Kenny Horton once again for the top spot. The two drivers finished one-two last night.

SK Qualifying

Jimmy Blewett

17.470

Kenny Horton

17.591

Glen Griswold

17.756

Eric Goodale

17.948

Josh Sylvester

18.057

Billy Anderson

18.164

Jimmy Zacharrias

18.402

Russ Savoy

18.403

Phil Wehrkiem

18.645

Mike Fiebelicorn Jr

19.258

Don King Jr.

19.668

Chris Jenson

20.394

David Brown

26.330

Saturday 4:00pm ET - Qualifying is getting ready to go here. The SK Modifieds are first, followed by Tour Mods and Super Late Models

Saturday 3:55pm ET - A couple of quick news bites, not from here at the track, but from the short track world...

NASCAR has issued a press release that has named Chad Little the new Director of the Whelen Modified Tour.

Also, the Pro Challenge feature at Orlando SpeedWorld is over. Jason Burchard took the win, followed by Dean McIntyre and Terry Mathis were the top-three finishers.

Saturday 3:40pm ET - Qualifying is set to begin here at 4pm.

Saturday 3:15pm ET - Here are a few other notes from around the pit area...

Jessica Murphy got into the wall in her Limited Late Model.

Several of the Crate Late Models that were damaged last night have been repaired. Dustin Skinner and his team got the entire from of their car repaired, as did Darrell Midgley and last night's quick qualifier, Brett Moffitt.

Bear Motorsports has their #14 Tour Modified repaired and JR Bertuccio has been practicing it. JR's personal car, that he drove in the feature last night, is back under covers.

Jeff Choquette has another different car that he is practicing today. He was not overly happy with his sixth-place finish on Friday evening.

Jason Hogan is not racing the #21 tonight after getting into the wall headon in last night's Super Late Model event.

David Cranmer, who finished third in the SK Modified event last night, wrecked his car in practice. The team is currently trying to repair the damage.

Ryan Preece has unloaded his Tour Modified and will run it tonight.

Saturday 2:30pm ET - Well, its been an interesting practice here at New Smyrna Speedway. Things haven't been as calm as they were on Friday.

All of the divisions have been slowed by numerous caution flags. Sometimes, it is for simple spins, sometime it is for more.

It seems that blowing engines has been the theme today. Neil Smith oiled down the track in the Florida Modifieds. That has caused quite the delay in practice.

Michael Fiebelkorn did the same in the SK Mods. Fiebelkorn's issues had lingering circumstances as well. In the mist of his blown engine, Eric Goodale slid up and banged into the wall.

The guy that might have had the toughest weekend thus far is Tyler Brown. Brown blew a engine in his Crate Late Model in practice. It was just the first of many issues for the driver from Ontario, Canada this weekend. The team already destroyed a vehicle this weekend when they were invovled in a traffic accident on the way to New Smyrna. Their brand-new pickup was destroyed in the accident, while their trailer and racecar were heavily damaged. They were able to fix the car and get the trailer fixed enough to tow it on down to Speedweeks, where he finished 12th on Friday night. They are currently looking into replacing their engine.

Saturday 12:30pm ET - Practice is underway here at New Smyrna Speedway for night two of action at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

The first night of action went off well... albeit a little bit late... without too many problems. There are a lot of Crate Late Models getting patched up here today, after their 25-lap event took over and hour to complete after three red flag situations.

Things today will be a little bit less rushed. There will only be three classes that qualify (SK Mods, Tour-Mods, Super Late Models), which begins at 4pm.

The tentative race order for tonight will be the Tour Mods first, followed by Crate Late Models, SK Mods, Super Late Models, Florida Mods and Limited Late Models.

Speed51.com is going to take some time and head to the pits to see what is going on after last night's action. We'll be back soon, so keep your internet browsers locked in right here.

CHECK OUT PAST TRACKSIDE NOWS FROM SMYRNA

FRIDAY (2/8) - CLICK HERE

THURSDAY (2/7) PRACTICE DAY - CLICK HERE

Make sure to check back later for full results and quotes.

JR Bertuccio has Bear's #14 back out on the track today.

David Cramner hit the wall in practice.

Darrell Midgley fixed his Crate Late Model after getting "run over" last night.

The Super Late Models and the other six classes are out practicing right now.

Eric Goodale bounced his car off the wall after another blew a engine. You can see the wall dust on his right-front tire.

Does this pose look familiar? Well, get used to it, because Jimmy Blewett is winning plenty of races this Speedweeks already.

Chuck Hossfeld grabbed the pole for tonight's race.

Tim Russell is the quick qualifier again for Super Late Models.

Jimmy Blewett won the Tour Modified race on Saturday night.

Logan Ruffin, who is all of 13-years-old and looks like he is about 8, won the Crate Late Model event on Saturday night, putting him in good position in the early point standings.