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Butler Scores 4th place at Citrus County Speedway |
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Date: August 16, 2008 Series: Checkered Flag Sprint Series Location: Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, FL Start/ Finish: 5th/4th (Running, completed 35 of 35 laps) Winner: Mark Gimmler Event: Gulf American Construction and Development Night This weekend the KJ Motorsports Team competed in a Checkered Flag Sprint Series sanctioned race at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, FL. A total of 16 cars showed up for the Checkered Flag Sprint Series event. The 16 cars were broken up into 2 heat races. Keith was in the first heat and started 4th. Keith was able to make some smart passes in the first few laps to avoid the front 2 starters. These 2 cars collected each other into turn one and both suffered broken front axles. Keith then put on a challenge to pass Gary Gimmler who was leading after the accident. With the laps winding down Keith was not able to get around Gary and had to settle for second in the heat race. During practice before the heat races, Keith and KJ Motorsports team made a few changes to the car to get it handling more constantly. The car ran so well in the heat there were only a few more changes to make before the feature. The team made a Stagger change and some changes to the right front tire to get it up to temperature quicker. All 16 cars were able to make it out for the start of the 35 lap Gulf American Construction and Development feature race. As the cars lined, Keith was 5th position. The green flag flew and Keith and Mark Gimmler (who started in the 4th position) got going quickly toward the front runners. By lap 3, Keith was already in 3rd battling with Scott Adema who had started on the outside pole. Mark Gimmler had passed the front runners and was leading after lap 3. In the most heart-stopping event of the night, one of cars in the middle of pack swerved to avoid hitting the (no pass) cone and as a result made contact with Wendy Mathis in the 80 car, sending her hard into and very nearly over the wall going into turn 1. The race was red flagged to repair the damage to the wall and to clear the track. Wendy was able to walk out of the car unharmed. The 80 and the 75 of Curtis Sutton retired from the race due to damage from the accident. In some post race comments from Wendy, she thanked the safety crew at the track and especially the manufacturers of safety equipment that she has added for her protection in the last 3 years. She thanked Butlerbuilt Seats, the Hans Device and Bell Helmets. After the race restarted it was green till the finish. In the closing laps Keith slipped up the track in turn 3 and allowed Brian Gingras to get by for the 3rd position. As the checkered flag flew Keith was in 4th with Dakotah Stephens finishing 5th. After the seventh points race of the Checkered Flag Sprint Series Season, Keith is 2nd in points with 6 top 10's, 5 top 5's finishes and 1 victory. Next Race: KJ Motorsports will next compete on September 20th back with the Checkered Flag Sprint Series at Charlotte County Motorsports Park in Punta Gorda, FL. |
