Hendry County Motorsports Park
Lloyd earns $5,000 at Ponce De Leon Classic
By Rick Anges
United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series
Ivedent Lloyd Jr. races to his $5,000 victory. (ricksdarkroom.com)
CLEWISTON, Fla. (March 8) — Leading the final 19 laps after Ryan Mitchell spun out of the top spot, Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., captured the second annual Ponce De Leon Classic at Hendry County Speedway. Lloyd earned $5,000 for the 50-lapper sanctioned by the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series.
Polesitter Josh Peacock, who battled with Mitchell for the lead midway through the race, settled for second with Shan Smith third. Jeff Conyers and Roger Crouse rounded out the top five as the fledgling tour drew more than 40 cars to its second event.
Johnny Collins started outside the front row of the caution-plagued event, but he spun in turn two on the fourth lap and collected fourth-starting Wallace Peacock. That moved Mitchell into the lead as the Mitchell-Josh Peacock battle developed. Lloyd eventually took second from Peacock, but Mitchell built a full straightaway lead. That lead was erased by one of the many cautions, and the lead evaporated altogether when Mitchell spun in turn four on the 31st lap.
Notes: Consolation race winner Marshall Austin had a flat tire in the feature. ... All the heat winners turned down an opportunity at an extra $1,500 if they'd give up their starting spot and win from the tail. ... Jeff Choquette, who spent Florida Speedweeks dominating asphalt action, made a rare dirt start but lasted just nine laps after getting into the frontstretch wall early. ... The next series event is April 5 at East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa.
Finish: (1) Ivedent Lloyd Jr., (2) Josh Peacock, (3) Shan Smith, (4) Jeff Conyers, (5) Roger Crouse, (6) Bill Howard, (7) Jack Nosbisch Jr., (8) Johnny Allen, (9) Bryan Bernhardt, (10) Kent Corbin, (11) Justin Choquette, (12) Shane Williams, (13) Mark Whitener, (14) Billy Costello, (15) Evan Becton, (16) Ryan Mitchell, (17) Jeff Mathews, (18) Bobby Alexander Jr., (19) Marshall Austin Jr., (20) Michael Cherry, (21) Tommy Evenosky Jr., (22) Adam Bedenbaugh, (23) Keith Nosbisch, (24) Kevin Mills, (25) Wallace Peacock, (26) Jeff Choquette, (27) Johnny Collins, (28) Ted Erskine.
