Hopper Tops as Outlaw Modifieds Host Canadians in Money Dash
The Outlaws were joined by cars from the Southern Ontario Pro-4 Modified Series at Auburndale Speedway with Doug Hopper taking the top qualifying time at 14:64 and then the 35 lap, caution free, feature win.
The Outlaw Modifieds were invited to participate in the Winter Extravaganza at Auburndale Speedway along with Open Wheel Modifieds, Sportsman and Legends. There would be no heat races, all feature event starting positions were determined by qualifying and the Outlaw feature was 35 laps with $500 going to the winner.
Joining the Outlaws for the extravaganza were friends from the Southern Ontario Pro-4 Modified Series. Brian (9) and Dan (37) Nanticoke made the 1400 mile drive to join the Florida Outlaws. The brothers made the trip last year to race with the Outlaws at Citrus County and Desoto Speedways and are always welcomed. Cliff Hodgkinson drove the #16 car fresh out of the New England Pro-4 Modified Series.
The Outlaws were also treated to a couple of unexpected, yet honored, guests: “Canada” Dave and Dan Meservey. Both have been involved in 4 cylinder modified racing for decades. Dan has a winter home in Polk County and is considered as one of the founders of the Outlaw Modified Series as it was his rules for the New England Pro-4 Modifieds that the Outlaw Modified rules are based. Dan’s sons Dan Jr. and Doug both race the Pro-4 Modifieds and a third generation of Meservey’s are following in Dan Sr. footsteps.
Mark Johnson brought Austin Kirkpatrick with him to drive the #08 car. Robert and Kevin Campbell, both part time Outlaw drivers with feature wins in 2011, also made the show. Paul Richards was back out for his second turn in the #61.
Several Outlaw teams were focused on the how the Focus 2.0L Zetec engines powering the Canadian cars performed. It would not be a surprise if at least one Outlaw Modified car could be running the Zetec in 2012.
Race practice was not kind to the #3 of Garrett Green as he had a timing belt skip a tooth. After a lot of cam follower tweeking, it looked like Garrett’s engine would be OK. Robert Campbell wasn’t satisfied with his corner exit and changed to a taller gear.
Between the late afternoon drizzle and cool temperatures, the Auburndale racing surface was more unforgiving than usual for drivers lucky enough to have new tires. Drivers on old tires really had their hands full with cars that wouldn’t turn. Despite the cold tires for qualifying, Doug Hopper (15) managed to trip the clock at 14:64 with Austin Kirkpatrick (08) just behind at 14:68 and Garrett Green at 14:74. Three other drivers turned in lap times of less than 15:00.
The inversion for the feature was three cars, putting Garrett Green (3) on the pole and Austin Kirkpatrick (08) on the outside front row. After the green flag fell, it was clear to see which cars in the field were running on fresh tires as they approached turn 1. Kirkpatrick (08) took the early lead pulling ahead of Green (3) followed by Hopper 15). The rest of the field bunched up and slid through the turn, all coming out OK and (eventually) headed in the same direction. Hopper (15) soon made his way past Green (3) and started a battle for the lead with Kirkpatrick (08).
The outside groove was particularly troublesome. Cars on the outside found themselves washing up and falling back. First it was Kevin Campbell (19) and later Robert Campbell (10). “We were in a line on the bottom going into turn 1; Garrett (3), Robert (10) and me. Next thing I saw was Robert (10) sliding straight for the wall”, Meyer (04) said afterward. He added, “by the time my tires got enough heat to start gripping the track, the crossed flags were out for halfway”.
All of the cars started getting better grip, but it was too late. Hopper (15) and Kirkpatrick (08) had checked out on the field, with Hopper leading (15). Kevin (19) and Robert Campbell (10) recovered and started passing the cars they had fallen behind. The two lined up nose to tail and started picking off cars and working their way into the third and fourth spots.
Garrett Green (3) found himself in quite a battle with the Canadians Brian Nanticoke (9) and Cliff Hodgkinson (16). It took quite a number of laps for Green (3) to get by Nanticoke (9). It seemed that whoever got into the turn first ended up pushing up and out of the way for the other to overtake on the bottom. Green (3) finally got by Nanticoke (9) but had the same trouble with Hodgkinson (16), eventually getting by him as well. Meyer (04) was a little luckier, by keeping his car on the bottom, he was able to pass Nanticoke (9) and Hodgkinson (16) with a lot less effort, but he could not catch Green (3).
Up front, Hopper (15) had his hands filled with Kirkpatrick (08). Austin tried to upset the car of Hopper, nudging him several times. Hopper opened a lane for Kirkpatrick to pull alongside, even taking the lead on Lap 34. Racing for the checkers, Hopper (15) out motored the #08 of Kirkpatrick for the win. Kevin Campbell (19) finished third with Robert Campbell (10) fourth and Garrett Green (3) rounding out the top five.
Thanks for reading and don't miss our Final race of the 2011 season. Octoberfest at Flamboro Speedway Oct 1/11
Craig Shaver.
