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Top Late Models Highlight Ocala's Opening Night
Written by BJ Cavin
As many racers and fans are discovering, many things have changed since 2009, and opening
night at Florida's oldest speedway will introduce many such changes for 2010. And when the
Sunoco United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series hits the clay at Ocala Speedway this Friday
night, March 5th, fans will discover that change is a very good thing, as the name of the series
that traditionally opens the season at Ocala will be mostly the same, and yet the series will be
different in many other ways.
The first thing that fans will notice is the addition of Sunoco to the name of the top late model
series in the region. Series director Ken Kinney says the addition of a new title sponsor opens a
new beginning for the Sonoco United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series, and creates options for
new ideas that will make the series even stronger and more exciting to follow. Manufactured
home builder Jacobsen Homes of Safety Harbor has also come on board as a major sponsor for
2010.
Another big change that should be evident on Friday night will be a higher car count in the pits,
plus new names coming on board for 2010 to race with the UDLMCS. This was done by breaking
the series into two distinct regions, which give racers the option of not having to travel huge
distances in order to maintain their position in the points race. Saving time and money means
racers who in past seasons did not opt to tour with the series have now come on board, and that
means fresh faces and added excitement along with a higher car count. And being centrally
located, plus being the first race in the Sunoco United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series season,
will bring the best of the best to Ocala Speedway for opening night.
Johnny Collins will certainly be back as he attempts a record "three-peat" as champion of the
Sunoco United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series, but others who did not race full time with the
series will be there to make it a tougher road to the top. Mark Whitener, Shane Williams, and
others have announced plans to tour full time in 2010, and even some former National Late
Model Series regulars have come on board, such as Bo Allen and Chuck Chitty. And while usual
suspects grapple with some newcomers for the top honors, younger phenoms like Christian
Augsperger and Ryan Mitchell will be battling for Rookie of the Year honors.
Fans should note that the most exciting late model series in the region is not the only show in
town for opening night, as Ocala Speedway's most challenging and exciting regular division will
also be in action. The Amsoil V8 Thunder Stocks spent all of 2009 thrilling the fans with intense
fender on fender racing, and produced more different winners than any other division at Ocala.
They will battle for the first time in 2010 as will the Mini Stock Division.
In addition to the racing action, fans will get a chance to help the Sunoco United Dirt Late Model
Challenge Series and the staff at Ocala Speedway help out an old friend. Jack Smith, the
founder and operator of Karnac.com and Real Racin' USA, has been hospitalized with serious
health issues and his family is in need of help and support. Racers will be passing their helmets
through the crowd on Friday night to allow our fans to help repay Jack for all of the great work he
has done for Florida racing, the Sunoco United Dirt Late Models, and for Ocala Speedway.
Ocala Speedway will officially open the grandstand gates for 2010 at 5PM on Friday afternoon,
with qualifying to follow and heats set to begin at 8PM. For a complete listing of prices for this
special event, please visit the official website of America's Dirt Track at www.OcalaSpeedway.com,
or call the track at 352-622-9400.
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