Local Headlines

by BJ Cavin- VSP Media

BARBERVILLE, FL- This Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park marks the 6th Annual Scott Thompson Memorial as the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series and the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat Late Models will go 50 laps in search of a $3800 to win payout on The World's Fastest Half Mile. The 50 lap late model race will headline a night of action that includes The Daytona Machine Shop Sportsman Division, the Daytona Sportswear Street Stocks, the Volusia Speedway Thunder Stocks, the Sparkle and Shine Car Wash Challengers, and will also include the All Quality Products Mini Stock Division.

21 year old racer Scott Thompson lost his life tragically on May 12th of 2006. The year before he had charged to the top of Volusia Speedway's Late Model Division and was the defending champion at the time of his passing, and he was also competing for Rookie of the Year honors for 2006 with the National Late Model Series. The five previous Scott Thompson Memorial races at VSP have been dominated by Ocala's Ivedent Lloyd Jr, who has taken the trophy home with him four out of five times. The only previous installment of the race not won by Lloyd was in 2008 when Johnny Collins claimed victory.

This year's race will again be a United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series event, attracting racers who are shooting for points in the series as well as those wishing to honor Scott Thompson and his family by competing in this prestigious event. Koury Engines has put up a $380 bonus to the leader of lap 38, in honor of the number of Scott Thompson's famous late model, and VP Racing Fuels will award a 55 gallon drum of top quality racing fuel to the Fast Qualifier for the event. And depending on which racers are on hand to battle for the $3800 check that will be made out to the winner of the 50 lap race, and the very unique "hunting themed" trophy that will go to the victor, anything can happen on the track.

And while a lot will be happening on the racing surface, fans and racers will be thrilled with many additional contests and surprises that will happen outside of the racing action. Brian's Bar-B-Que will be judging the annual Bar-B-Que cooking contest, which will award prizes donated by some of Volusia Speedway's top sponsors. There will also be a Tailgate Contest sponsored by Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat, and focused on the Daytona Dodge fan section located in turn 2. The liveliest tailgate crowd will be awarded, as well as the best decorated tailgate party. Prizes will be provided by Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat, plus Daytona Sportswear and more to be announced later.

Blaise Hetznecker still holds onto the points lead over the Daytona Machine Shop Sportsman Division as the competitors get ready to challenge the big half mile this weekend, with Heinz Haas and Steve Shead not all that far behind him. But the car to watch has been the 11 machine piloted by either Scott Lagassee or defending points champion Aaron Barsness, and no matter which of the tag team duo is at the controls the car it usually finds its way to the Destination Daytona Victory Lane. Hetznecker is still battling his way back after major engine woes, and Corey Holley is suffering from his own engine issues as well that recently sent him home prematurely and had a drastic effect on the current points totals. Meanwhile Kyle Chappell and Paul Shead are among those who look poised to go after the 11 team, and they will make another go at a win this weekend.

Last Saturday's rainout stopped Grady Christian from having another go at Philip Brown when the Daytona Sportswear Street Stocks never got onto the race track. Christian had been all over Brown the week before, but Brown prevailed and got his third win in a row. That shot in the arm helped Brown build his season points lead over Mick Kulack, and sent notice to the rest of the competitors that the 13 car is the dominant force in the division at present. But after the battle seen two weeks ago it is obvious that "Shady" Grady is unimpressed, so look for quite the battle to again erupt as soon as the green flag waves this weekend.

The Thunder Stocks also had quite a battle between Tom Hughes and Alan Peacock before Peacock gained the advantage and won the race, and that win edged Peacock just a little closer to Hughes at the top of the season points standings. Donnie Birdwell might be a little further down the points rankings, but that hasn't stopped him from running with the lead pack, and Birdwell is threatening to jump up and steal some of the spotlight from Hughes and Peacock at the first opportunity. This weekend's race is yet another chance for Birdwell to step it up, while Hughes and Peacock will renew their rivalry.

RJ Glaser has climbed to the top of the Sparkle and Shine Car Wash Challenger points race despite mechanical issues, and he was poised to defend his new status last weekend when nature stepped in and put a stop to it. Meanwhile the female force in the Challenger Division have overcome their issues and are ready to return, as Denica Hetznecker has a new ride and Tiffany Shaw has her ride repaired and ready to race. While Glaser is currently the new points leader, he has not made his way to the Destination Daytona Victory Lane yet and the ladies are in no mood to let him. and neither is Ray Hunter, who is quickly establishing himself as the latest man to beat with another win the previous week.

The All Quality Products Mini Stocks have had only two opportunities to go racing on the big half mile this season, and at present DJ Nobles holds onto the season points lead by a mere four points going into this week's race. Both races so far have seen all but two completely different fields of racers competing, so depending on who decides to take the challenge this time almost anyone could be the points leader when all is said and done next Sunday morning. Being a local racer it would seem only logical that DJ Nobles would want to protect his status at the top, but David Lebeau is also from the area and is only 12 points shy of knocking Nobles out of the top spot.

The pit gate will open for the competitors this Saturday at 4PM with fans admitted to the grandstand at 5:30. Fans holding ticket stubs from the rained out event on June 11th can redeem those stubs for free admission this weekend for the Scott Thompson Memorial, and wrist bands from the rainout will be honored at the pit gate this week as well. Racing begins at 7PM, and for more information fans and racers can visit www.TheVolusiaSpeedway.com.