Ocala Speedway
Lloyd, Whitener fast in Powell Memorial prelims
Mark Whitener (58) was fast qualifier and a heat winner during Powell Memorial prelims. (rewingphotos.com)
OCALA, Fla. (June 3) – Forty-Two Late Models competed in preliminary action for the $10,000-to-win Powell Memorial at Bubba Raceway Park Friday night, with Christian Augspurger, Cale Simons, Mark Whitener, Brandon Cameron and Ivednet Lloyd Jr. claiming heat race victories at the 3/8-mile D-shaped racetrack. | Slideshow
Augspurger, the teenage driver from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., dominated the first heat race, while Jeff Matthews finished second. Hunter Peacock and John Kellum finished third and fourth to also transfer to Saturday night’s main event.
The second heat saw another dominating performance as Simons cruised to the victory over Bobby Giles, R. Van Sickle and Bo Allen.
Middleburg, Fla., driver Whitener, who was the fastest qualifier with a lap of a 16.468 seconds, topped Dillon Wood in the third heat race with David Clegg and Shan Smith also transferring. Tyler Ivey, the Tallahassee, Fla., driver who won a $5,000-to-win event at Bubba Raceway Park in May, finished fifth in the third heat and will have to run one of two consolation races Saturday night. He is eligible for a points provisional if he should fail to transfer though a consy.
Brandon Cameron of Jacksonville, Fla., won the fourth heat race ahead of Jay Johnson, Mike Nasworthy and Roger Crouse earned transfer finishes. Hometown driver Lloyd ran away with the fifth heat race with Matt Hartley, Bobby Richardson and 2008 race winner Johnny Collins finishing in the top four positions. Lloyd wrapped up the evening by earning $250 for winning the dash.
Two consolation races will each transfer two more drivers into the feature lineup while provisional starters will make up the final row of Saturday night’s main event.
