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Watts Takes 3rd in Goodyear Goodyear
Late model Challenge Series
Burkhalter Blasts Goodyear
Field at Bronson!
by Bronson Media
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4/12/05
Photos
Current
Stats
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It was another picture perfect night
for racing at ASA Sanctioned Bronson Motor Speedway.
The turn of the calendar saw the Goodyear Late model
Challenge Series in town for 100 laps of ground pounding
action. The man to beat in qualifying was rookie contender,
Sam Watts. Watts
laid down a hot lap of 13.304 seconds around the high
banks of the racetrack. A straight up draw would allow
Watts to start
on the pole.
Also on the front row would be up
and coming fourth generation star, Travis Cope. Cope
qualified with the second fast lap in time trials. These
two youngsters would lead an extremely talented field
to the start of the race. Unfortunately, this is where
the similarities for the two young men would end. Cope
scrubbed the outside wall on the first lap. Although
with some excellent driving he was able to fall in line
behind leader, Watts.
The duo would race away from the field
for the first 36 laps. On lap 37 though, Cope would
make contact with the leader and Watts
spun. After the penalty was accessed, Cope would find
his way to the rear. This would move Bill Ostriker and
Chuck Burkhalter into contention. Watts
showed the way until lap 91 when he got shook up by
Burkhalter. The lead group would race two and three
wide in a furious battle for the point. Jerry Artuso
would race from eight spot into the lead momentarily.
Artuso spun in turn one, with Burkhalter involved. After
a very sportsmanlike gesture, Artuso admitted he had
a flat tire and Burkhalter was not at fault. With Burkhalter
reestablished at the front, he would charge away to
the win.
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SamWatts.com
Notes: Sam felt at home just the first
few laps of running the Bronson track. They tested
on friday evening and Sam was happy with the car
and how it handled At the end of Qualifying, Sam
had set the fastest lap timeand then pulled a
0, putting him on pole for the start of the race.
After a few laps, #26 driven by Travis Cope hit
Sam, causing him to spin and then T boning him
in the side door. Not too much damage was done
to the 73 car but # 26 got put to the rear. For
the next 85 laps Sam led the race and it looked
like it was going to be the first win in the Goodyear
series for Sam, but Burkhalter had different ideas.
After the restart on lap 91, the 1x of Burkhalter
got Sam loose by hitting him in the rear and then
hit him again in the side door causing Sam to
drop back to third place, Sam battled but his
car had a few problems at that point, and he ended
the race in 3rd. The VCR race team did a fantastic
job with the car and all in all it was a great
weekend for Sam. He got his first Pole of his
career at this track and he can't wait to return.
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Goodyear Late Model Challenge
1. Chuck Burkhalter, Christmas, FL
2. Bill Ostriker, Ridge Manor, FL
3. Sam Watts, Winter Springs,
FL
4. Joe Wenchell, Davie, FL
5. A.J. Curreli, Daytona, FL
6. Greg Kaouk, Miami, FL
7. Charles Kopacch, Orlando, FL
8. Frank Welch, Miami, FL
9. Travis Cope, Weeki Wachee, FL
10. Jerry Artuso, Canada
FAST QUALIFIER: #73 Sam
Watts
Top Rookie: #73 Sam Watts
Other news...
New points standings are posted. Click
here to view.
New photos added. Click
here to view.
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