Late Model driver savors Super finish

All Dave Pletcher needed was to take the green flag, then the Super Late Model points crown would be his -- again.

Pletcher, driver of the No. 75 car, did that and more, winning a Nov. 2 race at Sunshine Speedway from his start on the inside, second row.

He took the lead within three laps of the green flag. Then he left the competition behind in typical Pletcher fashion, closing out the 50-lap event with a hefty one-eighth-mile cushion over the nearest competitor.

Pletcher received $1,500, plus secured a substantially larger prize for topping the standings in the winner-take-all Late Model division.

Jeff Scofield, driver of No. 07 and the only person with a shot at separating Pletcher from his lead, didn't even show. "I talked to him last night on the phone, and he said he'd be here," Pletcher said. "I thought we were going to have a little tie-breaker, but it didn't happen."

Scofield wasn't the only driver to miss the final race of the season.

Neighboring Citrus County Speedway attracted several Sunshine regulars to an event on the same night by offering a bigger prize purse. Only nine cars participated in the Pinellas Park speedway's Late Model race. It was the latest in a string of dismal showings that has prompted promoters Frank and Bonnie Hill to consider dropping part or all of the Super Late Models schedule from next year's lineup. "The only question," Frank Hill said, "is whether or not we'll keep the Musgrave" -- the track's biggest annual 100-lap championship event for the class.

Though it was bad for the fans, at least one driver profited from the low turnout.

Mike Hinegardner, who jockeyed for second place with Scofield for much of the season, was able to move into the position behind Pletcher as a result of Scofield's absence.

A newcomer to the speedway's gutsiest regular division, Hinegardner parlayed his solid season-long performance in his No. 15 machine into a rookie of the year award. He also was the Late Model Rookie of the Year. But to Late Model racers, almost means little.

In a class with an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to paying for points at the end of the schedule, runner-up might as well be last place.

Nevertheless, there always is next season.

"You win some, you lose some," Hinegardner said.

"You regroup and you make another run for it, but you take your bumps and bruises," he said.

Wayne Bowman, No. 2, claimed second in the race. Den Neighbor Jr., driver of No. 82, finished third.

Scofield was third overall in points, behind Hinegardner and Pletcher.

NOTES: Clearwater driver Robert Crisp, No. 2, took the win over No. 78 Wendell Overstreet in Outlaw Late Models to further cement his points lead on No. 6 Ed Kidd. Jim Kelly placed third in his No. 56.

James Ellershaw, No. 50, claimed victory in the Street Stock division.

Second-place point-holder Bryan Rogers (No. 77) followed Ellershaw across the line to narrow the space between himself and numbers leader Roger Welch (No. 98).

Ellershaw can overtake Welch in Saturday's season closer, which is a double-point night.

The driver of No. 27, Harold "The Duck" Ashley, took third. Ron Davis, who topped the 2001 standings and is the pilot of the No. 89 Figure 8 machine, captured the victory in his class.

The win reduced the gap between Davis and leader Cliff Rousseau (No. 3) to under 30 points.

Donnie Thomas, No. 40, and Bob Hage, No. 78, finished second and third, respectively.

Darren Jackson, No. 7, won the shortened Open Wheel Modified race.

Long since falling from contention in the standings due to competition abroad, Jackson continues to make consistently strong showings at Sunshine.

Chet Senokossoff, No. 6, owns roughly a 150-point division lead.

Tommy Schnader, No. 96, finished second in the event. Senokossoff followed.

Pete Miley captured the title in the 15-lap Enduro race in his No. 91 machine.

He was trailed by No. 7 Jody Butler and No. 51 Tony Johnson.

Brian Hayn posted the victory in the School Bus Figure 8 event, driving his No. 00.

The Mini Stock class had the week off to make room for the bus race.

Mike Birk Jr. owns a commanding lead in the points standings.

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