New Smyrna Beach, FL – February 26, 2014… After an incredible battle with three other drivers, Steve Callahan brought his CPR Motorsports supermodified home for the win Wednesday night at New Smyrna Speedway for night three of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Florida Speedweeks.
In the first visit ever to New Smyrna for the SUPRS competitors, Ray Sand, Jr. finished just 0.085 seconds behind Callahan for second while early leader Carl Becker held on for third at the line. Sand, Jr. also set a New Track Record, (his second of Speedweeks), with a time of 14.082.
It may have taken him a while to win his first of the season, but Steve Callahan wasted no time geting back to Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series victory lane and became the third different winner in as many nights of racing during the 2014 SUPRS Florida Speedweeks.
“I’m shaking and a little winded like Carl was the other night at Orlando,” said Callahan. This is an awesome track, it’s just so fast.”
Steve Callahan won a barnburner of a feature at New Smyrna Speedway.
Callahan started outide of row two and was able to follow Kevin Timmins and Carl Becker past outside front row start Dave Brigandi at the start. “I got a good start and followed Carl and Kevin, then Carl made a hole and we were able to both get by Kevin,” the winner explained. “Then for about 20 laps I was racing Carl so hard and trying everything to get around him.”
As luck would have it, Callahan his job of passing Becker for the lead got a little bit easier when Becker scrubbed the turn two wall. “Carl bumped the wall in two then he slid a little high in three so I stuck my nose in there. He came down at the last second and there was some contact so I hope he’s not too upset with me.”
Ray Sand, Jr. followed Callahan past Becker and stayed glued to the rear nerf bar of the leader, putting pressure on for the second half of the race. Said Callahan, “Ray was on me the whole way after he got by Carl and I could hear him every turn and wondered how long it would be before he got by me and let me tell you it was a long 20 laps holding him off.”
Kevin Timmins led from the start to lap eight and arguably had his best showing thus far during Speedweeks. While unable to maintain a podium finish, the driver of the BreezeGraphics.com machine was pleased nonetheless saying, “It felt good tonight leading laps, with the way I’ve been running, this is almost like a win for me and this New Smyrna track is a blast to race on.”
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike are encouraged to learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
SUPRS Florida Speedweeks Race 3
New Smyrna Speedway
Winged Supermodified Time Trials
(showing car number, driver name, hometown, sponsors, best lap)
- 18-Ray Sand, Jr.; Rochester, NY; SandmanRacing.com: 14.082 NTR
- 55-Steve Callahan; Cayuhoga Falls, OH; CPR Motorsports, Ice Oil: 14.138
- 25-Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN; Wing Side Up Enterprises, Ricky’s Sideline Shots: 14.146
- 42-Carl Becker; Lansing, MI; Michigan Hill Gang, Wholesale Diamond Exchange: 14.160
- 77-Kevin Timmins; Baldwinsville, NY; BreezeGraphics.com: 14.182
- 02-Kyle Perry; Fulton, NY; Bellinger’s Auto Sales, T and S Raceway: 14.210
- 35-Rob Warren; Pulaski, NY; 1st to Finish Docks & Hoists, Phillips Family Farm: 14.253
- 52-Dave Brigandi; Syracuse, NY: Pizza Hut, Terry: 14.417
Feature-50 Laps
- 55-Steve Callahan*
- 18-Ray Sand, Jr. !
- 42-Carl Becker* **
- 25-Bob Gangwer
- 77-Kevin Timmin*
- 35-Rob Warren
- 02-Kyle Perry
- 52-Dave Brigandi
Time of Race: 13:04.786
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race
