July 23
Florence Speedway,
Union, KY
Sanction: Unsanctioned Supers - $5,000
Information provided by: Track reports (last updated July 24, 8:54 am)
Josh Rice goes last-to-first for $5,000 at Florence
- Josh Rice
- James Rice
- Devin Gilpin
- Robby Hensley
- Jared Bailey
- Kent Robinson
- Jason Jameson
- Tristan Chamberlain
- Trevor Landrum
- Dustin Nobbe
- Skyller Lewis
- Austyn Mills
- Jesse Lay
- Michael Chilton
- Austin Lay
- Kyle Fogt
- Curt Addison
- Chad Stapleton
- Vern LeFevers
- Bill Sheets
- Duane Chamberlain
- Quentin White
- Scott James
What won the race: After dropping a valve spring in the engine in his primary "Betty Lou" entry during heat race action, Josh Rice of Verona, Ky., forfeited his fourth place starting position and relied on his proven "Betty Crocker" car, starting last in Saturday's feature at Florence Speedway. Rice advanced through the field steadily, taking the lead on lap 22 and paced the final 14 circuits to collect $5,000.
Quotable: "I have two of the baddest race cars in the country right now, I hate that happened to the other car, I was just bragging about how good that motor has been doing and I guess it dropped a valve, I'm not real sure. I had to get the secret weapon out, I honestly hated getting this thing out, it's won the Spring 50, it was running 11th in the Dream, it just won the Rowland and now it just won from the tail," Rice said. "I guess Michael caught me there on the top and I thought ‘I better get going again’ but I got comfortable riding around the middle, the cushion was just so good tonight. I guess we’re still gonna try to make Fairbury next weekend.”
Key notes: After leading the first 21 laps from the pole, Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., gave way to Josh Rice when he jumped the cushion in turn four and made slight contact with the wall. Chilton kept pace and nearly drew even with Rice on lap 31, but suffered mechanical problems on lap 33 and finished 14th. ... James Rice of Verona, Ky., inherited the second position on lap 33 and finished 7.710 seconds behind his brother. ... Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind., traded sliders for the lead with Chilton on lap nine before fading in the middle of the race and finishing third. ... Fourteenth-starting Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., advanced eight positions and finished sixth. ... Tristan Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind., advanced five positions and finished eighth. ... Florence Super Late Model point leader Scott James of Bright, Ind., suffered a "runaway motor" while running third in the first heat race. His engine continued to run on oil, but was not getting fuel and continued to idle, even when the ignition was shut-off. Track officials were able to safely stop the engine, but James was unable to compete for the remainder of the night. ... Saturday's feature, the final Super Late Model race at Florence before next month's Sunoco North-South 100 weekend, was slowed by three cautions and lasted 22 minutes, with six competitors completing all 35 laps.
On the move: After spinning to draw the first caution on lap three, 19th-starting Jason Jameson of Lawrenceburg, Ind., recovered to finish seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Rice’s Rick Jones-owned Rocket Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Sunesis Construction, Blox Spiked Ice, Extreme Sportswear, ATC Bolts & Fasteners, Maxwell Trucking, AirMax Heating and Cooling, Integra Shocks, Accu-Force Dynos & Testers, Schaeffer’s Oil and Slicker Graphics.
Points chase: Track points before Saturday: 1. Scott James (226); 2. James Rice (224); 3. Josh Rice (223); 4. Robby Hensley (220); 5. Kody Evans (219).
Current weather: Broken Clouds, 82°F
Car count: 23
Polesitter: Michael Chilton
Heat race winners: Michael Chilton, Robby Hensley, Jared Bailey
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.