Round 7 of 8 rounds was held in Ocala. After a 5 hour delay due to computer/transponder problems, round 1 finally started. Xray driver Gene 'the Machine' Hickerson took the early TQ in heat 1. TTR driver JR Mitch set the new TQ later in the round as the track kept getting faster as it grooved up even more. Travis Scrambling made his return to racing by taking 3rd.
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Round # 2 was run under the lights and the track became slick. Lap times were 1-2 seconds per lap slower then round 1, so due to the rocket round qualifying system, round 2 was more of just a practice heat for the mains. Non-sponsored driver Bobby Phillips took TQ with his Mugen for the round, but did not improve on his 4th place qualifying time in the 1st round.
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The A-main started at 12:30am, so it was cut short to 20 minutes. Because of that, the goal was to pit 2 times at 7 and 14 minutes. At the start, Hickerson followed closely behind Mitch. On lap 2, Mitch crashed in the S section giving Hickerson the lead. With each lap, Hickerson started to stretch out his lead. At the 7 minute mark, Hickerson made his way towards pit lane but did not make it.
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Due to the extreme temperature changes from qualifying to the main, his engine was adjusted slightly too rich and ran out seconds to soon. Mitch also had trouble and dropped down to 10th. That handed the lead to local driver Rusty Mihelich. Mihelich held on for the win, followed by AJ Johnson in 2nd. Hickerson managed to work his way back into 3rd after losing 1.5 laps.
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The 3rd place finish clinched the Series Championships for Gene Hickerson and his XRAY XB8. The huge lead over 2nd place can not be over taken in round #8 next month in Daytona.
1. Rusty Mihelich
2. Aj Johnson 3. Gene Hickerson XRAY XB8
4. Travis Scrambling
5. Bobby Phillips
6. Gary Mazur
7. Tony Pattishall
8. Anton Watson
9. Jeff Keeton
10.Jr Mitch
Photos by Tater
More info:
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