Columbia Motorsports Park Results – 05.15.10.

Here are the feature results from the TBARA race at Columbia Motorsports Park for May 15, 2010.

1. Shane Butler

2. Larry Brazil Jr.

3. Dude Teate

4. Bo Hartley

5. Joey Aguilar

6. Tommy Nichols

7. Bobby Rose

8. Sonny Hartley

9. Johnny Gilbertson

10. Steve Heisler

11. Ben Fritz

12. DJ Hoezle

13. Larry Brazil Sr.

- Heat 1 saw the 81 of Steve Heisler and the 27 of Sonny Hartley on the front row. Hartley jumped out to the early lead and would hold the point until lap 5 when the 78 of Joey Aguilar powered his way to the front from his 5th starting spot. Hartley pulled alongside Aguilar in the closing lap, but “the Ace” was able to hold on to collect the win.

- the finish – Aguilar, S Hartley, Heisler, Fritz, Nichols, B Hartley, Brazil, Sr.

- Heat 2 lined up with Dakotah Stephens and Johnny Gilbertson on the front row. The 19 of Stephens led the first 3 laps before pulling to the infield. DJ Hoetzle inherited the lead but was over taken by Larry J Brazil, Jr. on lap 5 and would hold off a last minute challenge from Ford powered Dude Teate.
- the finish – Brazil, Jr. , Teate, Butler, Gilbertson, Rose, Hoetzle, Stephens

- 14 cars checked in for the nights event, but the 19 of Stephens was unable to start the feature

- Steve Heisler in the 81 and the 2 of Johnny Gilbertson made up the front row for the feature with a stacked field of heavy hitters behind them.

- On lap 12, the 28 of Larry J Brazil, Sr. stopped on the front stretch to bring out the first caution of the night. Ben Fritz was enjoying a very comfortable lead.

- On lap 17, the 15 of Hoetzle lost fluid and spun in turn 2. The leader, Fritz, found the slick spot, bringing his night to a disappointing end.

- On lap 18, Gilbertson spun in turn 2 to bring out the 3rd and final caution. Setting up a 12 lap shootout to the double checkered flags.

- Brazil Jr. and Butler would rage a battle for the ages over the last few laps.  As Brazil Jr. slid up the track ever so slightly on lap 30, it opened the door for Butler coming off turn 4. Butler seized the moment, taking the checkers for his first time in 2010.

About

The premier pavement sprint car series in the South, and some would say in the country, the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) has been racing from 1973 through 2009 and is preparing for its 40th season. Known as "the ground pounders," these purpose-built pavement sprint cars are powered by fire-breathing 360 motors and piloted by some of the best drivers in the country.

Current drivers include two-time USAC Silver Crown champ Dave Steele, two-time TBARA champ Troy DeCaire, and past race winners Bo Hartley, Dude Teate, Larry Brazil Jr. and the first female to win a sprint car feature with a major touring series in the southeast, Wendy Mathis.