Lakeland, FL (February 2, 2005) - Officials from the CRA Super Series, Sunbelt Super Series, O’Reilly Southern All-Star Racing Series and USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida partnered together for what they say was a successful Mark III Conversions Speedfest 2005 event last week. The event began with an open practice last Wednesday and concluded with a victory lane celebration Saturday night for Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Charlie Menard after winning the 200 lap finally for the late model racecars.

The event had sixty entries with representatives from fourteen states and Nova Scotia, Canada. Besides the main three series represented above, the newly formed USRA Series in Texas was represented along with New England’s PASS Series. All these drivers came together and formed what many said was the most talented group of late model drivers ever assembled for one event. The vast group of talented drivers included drivers just barely in their teens to older veterans nearing retirement age, but all came with the intention of being a part of something great for their sport.

Even with Thursday’s rough start in the 20 lap last chance race and the 100-lap feature and Friday’s rainout, the racing showed the great talent and the quality of the racecars brought to compete at USA International Speedway. Mike Fritts powered his way to a resounding victory in the 100-lap event on Thursday night. Fritts lead the group of Florida’s Sunbelt Super Series drivers that swept the first four positions including veterans Mario Gosselin in 2^nd and Wayne Anderson in 4^th and the newest Florida hot shoe 17-year-old Jeff Choquette in 3^rd. CRA Super Series driver Ryan Mathews 5^th place finish was the best of the drivers from north of Florida. 6^th went to PASS driver Mike Rowe, 7^th went to Sunbelt Super Series driver Brian Finney, 8^th went to CRA Super Series driver Jack Landis, 9^th went to Lakeland, Florida native Chris Fountaine while Menard finished in 10^th place.

Disappointment was felt by a large group of drivers who were unfortunate victims of Thursday’s crashes. Many would pack up and go home while others went to work Thursday night and Friday morning, repairing racecars to try and compete again. 2004 CRA Super Series Champion Chuck Barnes Jr.’s team was one of the victims on Thursday night and were first reported to be heading north to Kentucky with their wrecked racecar. Racecar Engineering’s Steve Dorer convinced Barnes Jr. to take his car to his nearby shop and see if they could fix it. The team worked almost 9 straight hours on Friday making repairs and made it back to the track on Friday evening ready to use their points provisional to start Friday’s feature until Mother Nature had other thoughts.

Competitive tension was in the air on Saturday morning as forty-six teams prepared for Saturday’s 200 lap main event. Practice was more intense than it had been all week. CRA Super Series driver Evan Jackson was done for the day after hard contact with the turn two wall, Jackson lost control trying to get a little more out of his car hoping to compete for the win Saturday night. Florida’s Justin Drawdy earned the pole for Saturday’s race after setting fast time on Friday prior to the rain showers.

Saturday’s 200-lap event saw some great racing through out the event. Most everyone thought that Fritts would be the man to beat, but that ended on lap 99 with a broken motor. Unlike Thursday’s event, Saturday’s event would require some thought with pit strategy, which is what helped Charlie Menard get his victory. Menard elected to pit early on lap 109 for right side tires. Menard made the decision to not pit again for left sides like many teams, that strategy paid off. Menard passed Bubba Pollard for the lead on lap 135 and never looked back.

CRA Super Series representative Menard would lead a sweep of the top four positions this time by Northern drivers. CRA Super Series drivers Eddie Hoffman would get 2^nd followed by Pat Kelly in 3^rd. PASS Series driver Mike Rowe finished in 4^th, backing up his good finish on Thursday night. Jay Middleton was the highest finishing Florida driver in 5^th place, followed by fast qualifier Drawdy in 6^th. Legendary Northeast Modified driver Ted Christopher finished in 7^th in legendary Florida Late Model driver Dick Anderson’s car. Florida driver Travis Kittleson got 8^th after battling food poisoning on Thursday and Friday. Chuck Barnes Jr.’s hard work paid off with a 9^th place finish. Florida’s Wayne Anderson rounded out the top ten finishers after a tough battle with Barnes through the back of the field over the last quarter of the race.

Naples, Florida driver Billy Bigley Jr. overcame adversity on two occasions to get a very respectable 12^th place finish. Bigley’s car suffered damage in Saturday’s 20 lap Last Chance event which kept him out of the top six automatic transfer positions. Bigley was added to Saturday night’s 200-lap 36 car field after the organizers decided to add two additional starters, which went to 7^th place finisher in the Last Chance race Bill Rodgers from Maine and 8^th place finisher Bigley. Bigley then had to make several pit stops early to repair front right damage to his car from an early incident in the 200 lapper. Bigley gained 26 positions in earning the Five Star Racecar Bodies Hardcharger Award. Bigley will receive a complete Package A ABC-approved Body from Five Star Racecar Bodies. Hard Luck Awards went to Fain Skinner and Dave Jackson, they will each receive a 50% Off Certificate on a Package A ABC-approved Body from Five Star Racecar Bodies.

Shortly after Charlie Menard’s victory celebration had ended, all parties involved agreed that successful groundwork had been laid for future Speedfest events at USA International Speedway. Everyone involved with the Mark III Conversions Speedfest 2005 would like to thank 51 Sports.com for its great coverage of the entire event and for getting Speed Channel to show highlights of Saturday's 200 lapper on Sunday nights Speed News.