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Fans, drivers got too much bang for their bucks

 
Published July 4, 1995|Updated Oct. 4, 2005

Figure 8 racing and fireworks on July 4 have something in common. In both cases, spectators expect a lot of big bangs. The number of bangs from crashes in the Q Auto Accident Attorney Figure 8 Championship at Sunshine Speedway on Saturday easily rivaled the big fireworks displays.

That wasn't necessarily good. The crashes and resulting restarts were so frequent the 50-lap feature dragged on for more than an hour, which took a toll on the interest of fans, the patience of officials and the stamina of the drivers. Cars didn't fare very well either.

"Too many laps," second-place finisher Ron Davis of Pinellas Park groaned as he climbed out of the No. 89 car, sweat soaking through his firesuit. "I need a drink."

"Hot," was all winner Chet Senokossoff, No. 6 of Clearwater, could manage to gasp.

It was a tough race for all, but the worst of it befell everyone behind Senokossoff and Davis, who put distance and the pack for most of the race. Only two other drivers _ No. 13 Mike Leacock of Tampa and No. 18 Shannon Lengell of Pinellas Park _ finished on the lead lap, and Leacock was found illegal after the race.

The heartbreak trophy went to No. 0 Jimmy Thompson of Pinellas Park. After starting fourth, he moved up to challenge Senokossoff for the lead on Lap 6, but only a lap later, the race was stopped and he was sent to the pits for leaking fuel on the track. Before the green flag fell again, he rejoined the field at the rear. He fought hard to move up through the dangerous and crowded field, but late in the race he was slammed from the rear and sent to the wall and out of the race.

Although their long lead cushioned Senokossoff and Davis from the problems of the pack, it meant they had to take the most chances dodging traffic at the intersection. Time after time they won chicken matches, threading themselves between oncoming cars.

"There was a lot of traffic at the intersection. It was very hairy," Senokossoff said. "Ninety percent of the time in the championship races, the leader gets hit by someone at the intersection. I kept my eyes open."

So what does it take to drive between crossing cars at high speed?

"A lot of guts," Senokossoff answered. "If you don't have guts and patience, you can't make it."

"I don't want to say crazy," Davis hedged as he pondered the question, "but you have to have that daredevil instinct. When there's a close call at the intersection, the crowd goes wild. I can hear them and I go nuts. I love it."

Notes: Pinellas Park's Wayne Jefferson, No. 21, won the Street Stock feature, his seventh of the season. That's an exceptional achievement in that crowded and highly competitive class, especially considering there have been only 17 features. Jefferson plans to climb out of the class next season and into Late Model competition. Other winners for the night included No. 74 David L. Pletcher of St. Petersburg in Late Models, No. 80 Roy Hosmer of St. Petersburg in Open Wheel Modified, No. 58 Ronnie Larson of Clearwater in Mini Stocks, No. 4 Frank Hill in Oval Drags, and John Davis in Fan Participation.