SUPRS Florida Speedweeks Opening Night Win Smooth Sailing for Dave Ohh
February 4, 2019 – New Smyrna Beach, FL…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), kicked off the 2019 Florida Speedweeks Monday night at New Smyrna Speedway and it was smooth sailing all the way to the checkered flag for Dave “SpeedyMan” Ohh. Ohh won by nearly five seconds over former New Smyrna winner Steve Callahan who was second. After a ferocious last five laps, Bob Gangwer passed Brad Keysor for third on the last lap.
Tough First Five
It was tough, especially the first five when you’re on cold tires. The car is certainly a handful,” explained Ohh. “Nelson and I both got loose there on those opening few laps.”
Things smoothed out as the tires came up to temperature and the driver of the TMS Wolfpack #11 found his groove. After the tires warmed up for me, It was pretty good to set sail. I could finally wind it up a little bit at the end and let some laps loose,” he said.
Tradition Kept Alive
The win by the much heralded sim racer, keeps the tradition of never having a repeat winner at New Smyrna alive.
Ohh is the sixth different driver to sit in Victory Lane in six SUPRS contests here. He is also the twenty-fifth different driver to claim at least one career SUPRS Speedweeks victory.
Rodrigues a Threat Early
After setting a new track record, then starting on the outside of row one because of handicapping, Ohh got a great start on pole-sitter Carl Becker and took off at the beginning of the 50 lap feature. But Nelson Rodrigues was a threat early in the race. Staying close to the Union, CT racer, Rodrigues looked to be the only driver that could mount a challenge.
Unfortunately, disaster struck when Rodrigues lost control of his Star Speedway sponsored ride as he exited turn four then crashed on the front-stretch. Rodrigues returned after repairs to the Star Speedway sponsored car, but eventually retired from the race.
Veterans, Rookie Have Good Race
After both SUPRS Gold Crest Wing Championship contenders Rob Warren and Keith Powell had issues that dropped them deep into the pack, veteran SUPRS racers Steve Callahan and Bob Gangwer battled each other in the second half of the race. As the two veterans went at it, the Icings on Top Rookie of the Year point leader, Brad Keysor made his way to the party, and fans were treated to a three car battle over the last five laps of the race.
Callahan’s smooth line helped keep him in front of Gangwer, who tried high and low to get around Callahan. At one point, the Wing Side Up Enterprises sponsored machine of Gangwer nearly spun out and Keysor was able to get by. Gangwer then game back after Keysor and the two bumped on the front stretch, nearly crashing, but somehow able to keep going.
Keysor had a legitimate shot at second after passing Gangwer for third and set his sights on nabbing Callahan as well. Try as he might, experience won out, and Gangwer was able to get back by for third on the last lap when Keysor’s “Lil’ Red Wagon” lost traction out of turn two.
Headed Up to Black Creek
The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series moves to Black Creek Raceway for the second night of the 2019 SUPRS Florida Speedweeks for a 25 lap feature at the big 3/4 mile. Rob Warren is the defending winner of this race.
Black Creek Raceway is one of only two tracks that have held a SUPRS Florida Speedweeks race every year that there has been a Speedweeks. This year’s show at the NASCAR Heat sim racing track is part of the SUPRS/HeatFinder.net Supermodified Challenge and open to anyone that has the track, the SUPRS modification, and has registered to race at SUPRS.net.
Join the Fun in Florida
Fans can join in the Florida Speedweeks fun by watching SUPRS LIVE! All week long you can keep up with your favorite SUPRS racer instantly with live streaming video, stats, and track telemetry by visiting www.SUPRS.net/site/live.
Get Social with SUPRS
Fans can learn more about the original supermodified sim sanction, the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, by visiting www.SUPRS.net. Join SUPRS active and vibrant Social Media channels by “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube. See us live and join our chat on Twitch.
SUPRS RACE RESULTS:
- SUPRS Florida Speedweeks Night 1
- Race 25 of 46
- Monday, February 4, 2019
- SUPRS rFactor W v7.3 mod
- New Smyrna Speedway
- 50 laps
Time Trials (showing car number, driver name, hometown, sponsors, lap 1, lap 2, best lap bold)
- 11-Dave Ohh; Union, CT; TMS Wolfpack: 13.835, 13.621
- 41-Keith Powell; Carrollton, OH; Icings on Top, CPR Motorsports: 13.745, 13.715
- 35-Rob Warren; Pulaski, NY; 1st to Finish Race Servers, Designs of Elegance: 13.880, 13.736
- 55-Steve Callahan; Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Exide Battery, CPR Motorsports: 14.024, 13.823
- 7-Nelson Rodgrigues: Stoneham, MA; Star Speedway: 13.858, 13.985
- 3-Brad Keysor; Liverpool, NY; Southern Hills Storm Football, Justice League: 13.930, 14.118
- 25-Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN; B&G Racing Photos, RW Woodworking 13.957, 14.249
- 42-Carl Becker; Lansing, MI; Wholesale Diamond Exchange, Michigan Hill Gang: 15.020, 14.749
Feature 50 Laps (showing car number, driver name, sponsors, bonus, starting position, fastest lap, distance behind winner)
- 11-Dave Ohh: * | ** | P2 | 13.594
- 55-Steve Callahan: P6 | 13.855 | +4.909
- 25-Bob Gangwer: ! | P3 | 13.584 | +5.701
- 3-Brad Keysor: P5 | 13.633 | +6.312
- 41-Keith Powell: P7 | 13.703 | +1 Lap
- 35-Rob Warren: P8 | 13.796 | +1 Lap
- 42-Carl Becker: P1 | 14.887 | +5 Laps
- 7-Nelson Rodrigues: P4 | 13.916 |DNF (accident)
Time of Race: 13:23.339
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race
****2019 SUPRS Florida Speedweeks Schedule****
Tuesday 02/05/2019
SUPRS Florida Speedweeks Race 2
- Black Creek Raceway-25 laps-3/4 Mile
- 8:00pm Practice
- 8:15pm Drivers Meeting
- 8:30pm Time Trials
- 9:00pm Racing
- Current Track Record: Ray Sand, Jr.; 17.016 sec. Set: 02/10/2009(NH)-Defending Race Winner: Rob Warren
- NASCAR Heat platform SUPRS W v6 mod
