The Outlaw Modifieds finished their Speedweeks at Bronson Speedway on 19 Feb.  Bronson is a delightful track located just North of Williston, near Gainseville.  The track has had a rough go of it in the past couple years.  While many of the problems persist, the track promoter and staff can work through them.  The track had no fuel to sell to the Outlaws who had raced just the night before at Citrus.  Were it not for the gracious help from Gary Southland, retrieving 50 gallons of race fuel from his shop, the Outlaws would not have raced on Sunday.  All of the track personnel were friendly, helpful and shared a common desire to make a success of the track operation.  The Outlaws wish them the best in their efforts because this little known venue has the potential for some great racing. 

As a travelling series, the Outlaws visit short tracks all across Florida.  All these tracks can be categorized as either a “horsepower track” (Desoto) or a “handling track” (Auburndale).  What makes Bronson unique is that it demands both, horsepower and handling.  A car with a lot of power will do well here; likewise, a car that handles will do well here.  A car having both, however, rewards its driver with a g-force forcing him down into his seat through the banked turns (as opposed to a pull to the right).  No other Outlaw venue offers such an experience of true speed and driver skill.  This is why Bronson needs to prosper and why there is no explicable reason for empty grandstands.

Seven Outlaws made the trip to this non-points race with Paul Richards (61) travelling the furthest.  Tom Meyer (04) was recovering from ignition problems from the Citrus race but, otherwise, the pre-race setup and practices were calm aside from wondering when fuel would arrive.  Meyer never made it on track for practice, just like the night before at Citrus.  When Meyer finally hit the track for the heat race, though, he ran away from the field for the win.

The feature event had Ric Mills (22) on the pole flanked by Citrus winner Doug Hopper (15).  Endee (26) and Scherar (56) made up the second row with Braden (7) and Richards (61) in the rear.  Noticeably absent was Meyer (04) with a broken distributor.

When Mills (22) and Hopper (15) took the green flag, the two fought side by side with Hopper taking a slight advantage.  Unable to complete the pass, Hopper edged Mills at the line to lead the first lap.  Hopper (15) was able to clear Mills (22) on lap two, but Mills was able to keep pace.  Endee (26) pulled ahead of Scherar (56) and the two lined up behind Mills.  Richards (61) was battling with Braden (7) in the rear and looking to get down to the low side.  

In the ensuing laps, Hopper (15) stretched his lead over Mills (22).  Braden (7) was fine through turns one and two, but seemed to have a little difficulty with turn three.  On lap 7, Braden (7) slid up the track going into turn 3 just enough for Richards (61) to poke his nose under her.  Braden (7) attempted to close the door and the two touched.  Both maintained control and continued their battle down the front stretch.  Richards (61) was able to get by through turns one and two, but Braden (7) wasn’t ready to give up the fight.  With a good run out of turn two, she challenged Richards (61) by going low into turn three.  As Richards (61) transitioned through the turn, he took to the low side in front of Braden (7), carrying a lot of speed into the turn.  Braden tried to avoid hitting Richards (61) but couldn’t check up in time.  Braden bumped Richards squarely in the rear and ended up spinning to bring out a caution. 

The lap 8 double file restart had Hopper (15) leading with Mills (22) on the outside and Endee (26) lurking behind Hopper.  Hopper (15) pulled away and brought Endee (26) with him.  Mills (22) dropped to third.  The top three opened a lead over Scherar (56), Richards (61) and Braden (7).  By lap 12, Scherar (56) started to show a little tire wear as he had difficulty hanging onto his car coming out of turn four.  Twice in the next few laps he got the car sideways but was able to save it by diverting through the infield.  On lap 18, Scherar couldn’t save his car coming out of four and spun to bring out a second caution. 

Hopper (15), who had developed a substantial lead over Endee (26), found himself restarting side by side with him.  Worse for Hopper, his car sounded rough, as if he was developing an engine or drive train problem.  On the restart, Hopper (15) was noticeable slower and Endee (26) easily passed Hopper (15) around the outside.  Hopper (26) struggled but was able to keep Endee in check and maintain second spot over Mills (22).  Scherar (56) was able to manhandle his car past Braden (7) and Richards (61).

Endee (26) had an easy time of it staying ahead of Hopper (15) to take the win.  Mills (22) finished comfortably in third and Scherar (56) was able to claim fourth after his lap 18 spin.  Richards (61) finished ahead of Braden (7).  Hopper’s problem turned out to be transmission and had to be towed from the track.

The Outlaw Modifieds are back at Bronson Speedway on 3 March.  Hopper, who lost out to mechanical problems, will certainly feel that the track owes him one.  Meyer should have his ignition system back together after his impressive heat win and Endee won’t be left behind so it should be a great show.  Hopefully, the grandstands will be filled to share in the excitement.