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Veteran shows why he's a champBy LOGAN NEILL© St. Petersburg Times published September 4, 2002 INVERNESS -- Citrus County Speedway veteran Herb Neumann Jr. hasn't spent much time at his home track this season, opting to try his luck at other circuits throughout central Florida. But the reigning Late Model champion showed his tenacious spirit Saturday night. Neumann held off a charging Jim Smith to capture his second victory of the year. Neumann, who started outside on the front row of the 20-car field, made quick work of pole-sitter Randy Lovelady, getting by in the second turn. From that point, Neumann had to rely only on the might and muscle of his orange No. 98 car to maintain the lead the rest of the way. It was hardly an easy task, though. Smith, who has shown steady improvement in the second half of the season, rode Neumann's bumper to the end. Smith simply was unable to muster the power to get by. Meanwhile, farther back, Lovelady and 12th place-starter Rex Struble battled heatedly in the final laps to the checkered flag. Lovelady finished just ahead of his rival. NO. 4 FOR WHEATLEY: It took some work, but Rob Wheatley threaded his way through the middle of a tightly packed 16-car field to capture his fourth Mini Stock victory of the season. He ended up just ahead of points front-runner and nine-time winner Robbie Yoakam. Yoakam, however, leads Wheatley in the standings by 492 points. SMITHS EVEN IT UP: Hobby Stock driver Tommy Smith posted his ninth win of the campaign. He regained the top spot in the division's standings from his younger brother, Richie, who was absent from the lineup. Both drivers are tied for feature victory totals. POWDER PUFF: Mary Shelton outran Patty Fults to collect the victory in the Women's Racing Club 20-lap Powder Puff feature.
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Citrus Times Letters |
