DAARA SPRING NATIONALS AT CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAY - DAY ONE REPORT
The Daytona Antique Automobile Racing Association (DAARA) hosted race day number one of
their annual Spring Nationals on a cool, windy day at Citrus County Speedway
in Inverness. Over 50 cars participated in several classes with more expected
to be racing on Friday, the final day of the event.
A total of 27 races were run between 10 am and 4:30 pm with few incidents
taking place. The driver having the worst day was Gordy Wood who won the
first Modified Stock Car race held during the morning but blew an engine in
his #96 coating the track with oil just before the final race before lunch.
Classes included Sprint Cars, Midgets, Modifieds (V-8, 6-cylinder and Flathead
engines), Full-bodied Stock Cars and Speedsters. Along with Wood, other
Modified winners were Duane LeCornau, Frank Lenhardt, Charlie Padgett, Tom
McDonald, Shirley Morden and former Golden Gate Speedway/Sunshine Speedway
racer Steve Campbell who scored a pair of victories.
Rick Venema and Chad Freeman shared a Sprint Car ride and each posted a win as
did Jack Sapp and Charlie Dean. The large field of Midgets saw several
winners including Freeman who took a win driving Phil Pete’s car after Pete
had won himself earlier. Other Midget checkered flags went to Dale Miller,
Bill Rynd, Alan Palmer, Fred Strickland, David Johnston and Paul Waters.
V-8 Stock Car wins went to Pat McNear (twice), Cory Lane and Mack Tatum while
Ed Johnson dominated the Speedster action winning all three races.
Action continues on Friday morning starting at 10 am and continuing through 5
pm with an hour break for lunch. Spectators are welcome and can enter through
the pit gate, get an up close and personal look at the cars and meet the
drivers. Admission is just $10.
Photo: Steve Campbell
