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By LOGAN NEILL
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2001
With Citrus County Speedway's season a third of the way complete, it isn't surprising to find many drivers' thoughts turning to divisional points races.
Among the track's seven regular classes, fans are seeing what could become some of the tightest championship battles in recent memory. But in the Mini Stock division, in which the difference between leader Kevin Harrod and sixth-place driver John Coleman is a mere 46 points, things are a little different.
Since he sold his car about four weeks ago, Harrod has yet to set a wheel on the speedway. He has, however, managed to maintain his points lead thanks to a new rule that enables drivers to earn points while another driver races for them.
Harrod, who reportedly is returning Saturday in a new car, has earned 136 points courtesy of designated driver Richie Powers. And while the deal met track rules, some of Harrod's rivals are less than thrilled about it.
"I think it's unfair to guys who bust their butts to be out there every week," said Mini Stock veteran Don Faunce.
Faunce who has driven his No. 2 car to third in the division's standings, says that if it hadn't been for the designated driver rule, he would be just four points behind Frank Coleman in the chase for the championship.
"I haven't missed a race in three years," Faunce said. "That's because I've burned a lot of midnight oil trying to get my car ready every week. I run sometimes even when I know it's not right."
Drivers earn a maximum of 40 points for each feature win and six points for every heat victory. However, when a car is sidelined for a week due to repairs, or a driver is forced to miss an event for personal reasons, a title run quickly can fall out of reach.
That's why the speedway passed the designated driver rule last season. Through it, drivers could collect points for up to two weeks as long as they arranged in advance for someone to compete for them. However, with the limit upped to four weeks, many drivers think the rule is ripe for abuse.
"It was supposed to be for things like family vacations or for emergencies," said defending Mini Stock champion George Neumann. "I think if you're going to use it, some sort of handicap should go with it. What kind of championship do you win when someone else is getting your points for you?"
Faunce and Neumann think the rule should be amended to allow a driver only two weeks use of a designated driver and that all points be earned in the beneficiary's own car.
According track spokesman Larry MacMillan, several drivers have registered concerns about the rule and how it's being implemented. But MacMillan couldn't say if there were any immediate plans to amend it.
WHAT: Short-track stock car races in the Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Street-Legal Junker and Figure 8 classes.
WHEN: Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. The first heat race is scheduled to start at 6:30.
WHERE: Two miles south of Inverness on U.S. 41.
ADMISSION: Adult general, $10; seniors and students to age 17, $8; children under 10, $2; under-12 child with paid adult, free; pits, $20.
INFORMATION: (352) 726-9339.
LATE MODEL: 1. Herb Neumann, Jr. (326), 2. Dale Sanders (302), 3. John Chance (282), 4. Tim Sharrone (276), 5. Perry Lovelady (272).
SPORTSMAN: 1. Mike Veltman (423), 2. Rex Struble (393), 3. Chris Hooker (356), 4. Sport Wilson (339), 5. Johnny Sanders (322).
STREET STOCK: 1. Travis Nichols (408), 2. Mike Bell (399), 3. Victor Stanley (388), 4. Ernie Reed Jr. (380), 5. Dean Lawyer (365).
MINI STOCK: 1. Kevin Harrod (377), 2. Frank Coleman (349), 3. Don Faunce (345), 4. Mike Moore (334), 5. Mark Sowell (331).
HOBBY STOCK: 1. Richie Smith (462), 2. Roy Perkins (384), 3. J.D. Goff (375), 4. Art Brueningsen (357), 5. Brandon Johnson (356).
FIGURE 8: 1. Bob Hage (204), 2. (tie) Robbie Hage, Charlie Meyer (180), 4. (tie) Peanut Higgenbotham, Robert Aaron (164).
STREET-LEGAL JUNKER: 1. Stuart Madison (424), 2. Jerry Hoover (354), 3. (tie) Allen Turner, Rick Bedessa (322), 5. Gary Johnson (314).