The car count was in the thousands, once you added it all together. Ifyou took all the cars that competed at Daytona International Speedway,East Bay Raceway Park, New Smyrna Speedway, Orlando Speedworld, andVolusia Speedway Park, the total would have a comma in it.
The activity started in late January and proceeded into late February.For many tracks, it ended right before the Daytona 500 on February 20,but East Bay Raceway Park still have four of its scheduled 23 nights ofaction to go.
The weather was splendid. Unlike 2004, when rain washed out the criticalfinal Saturday, this year saw most of the tracks averting a problem.Daytona, New Smyrna, and Volusia ran their shows without weatherinterruptions. East Bay lost one night, January 28, in its first 20nights. That show was made up with a Saturday doubleheader the followingday.
For some, the Speedweeks excursion gave them a chance to post a winbefore their regular season began. For many, victory was something notunusual, but there was a career first time winner at New Smyrna whenKevin Goodale won the NASCAR Tour Modified race against top competition.
Plans are well underway for Speedweeks 2006. Anyone on hand this year ismaking their own plans to come back. Next year, they'll even bring theirfriends.
RACE WINNERS
Jeff Gordon took the top prize in racing at Daytona InternationalSpeedway by winning the Daytona 500.
Daytona International Speedway
Rolex 24 at Daytona--Wayne Taylor, Max Angelilli, and Emmanuel Collard
ARCA RE/MAX--Bobby Gerhart
NASCAR Craftsman Truck--Bobby Hamilton
NASCAR Busch--Tony Stewart
NASCAR Nextel Cup Gatorade Duels--Michael Waltrip, Tony Stewart
NASCAR Nextel Cup Daytona 500--Jeff Gordon
Danny Lasoski prevailed for back-to-back wins during the running of the410 Sprints at East Bay Raceway Park.
East Bay Raceway Park
360 Sprints--Danny Martin Jr., Greg Leonard, Gary Wright, Chad Kemenah
410 Sprints--Chad Wells, Kelly Kinser, Danny Lasoski (2)
Lucas Oil NARA Late Models--Tim McCreadie, Terry English, Steve Shaver,Steve Francis, Don O'Neal (2)
Modifieds--Kenny Gaddis, Jimmy Owens, Jason Hughes, Brad Waits, JoelCryderman
Louie Mechalides won two Super Late Model races at New Smyrna Speedwayand gained the overall point title.
New Smyrna Speedway
Super Late Models--Jeff Choquette (2), Louie Mechalides (2), MikeFritts, Ted Christopher, David Rogers, Travis Kittleson
Late Models--Jason Boyd (4), Jerry Artuso (3), Chuck Burkhalter (2)
Florida/IMCA Modifieds--Lee Collins (2), Jerry Symons (3), Jerry Artuso
NASCAR Tour Modifieds--Chuck Hossfeld (2), Donny Lia, Kevin Goodale, TedChristopher (4)
SK Modifieds--Steve Reed (2), Chris Jones (3), Eric Beers, Tim Arre,Dale Holdridge
Pro Trucks--Sean Bass, Jamie Skinner (2)
Mini Stocks--Sean Bass, Keith Roggen, Chris Thornton, Robbie Yoakam,Rick Sirmans
Super Stocks--Jack Lenzen, Pat Buckley
Strictly Stocks--Charlie Rosarbam
Sportsman--Patrick Thomas (2), Dale Clouser
Thunder Roadsters--Kyle Beattie (2)
TBARA Sprints--Doug Heveron, Dave Steele
Overall Champions--Louie Mechalides (Super Late Models), Jerry Artuso(FL/IMCA Modifieds and Late Models), Ted Christopher (NASCAR TourModifieds), Chris Jones (SK Modifieds), Jamie Skinner (Pro Trucks)
Tim McCreadie was the only Late Model driver to win at Volusia SpeedwayPark and East Bay Raceway Park during Speedweeks 2005. McCreadie wonthree times at Volusia to back up the single win at East Bay.
Volusia Speedway Park
410 Sprints--Terry McCarl, Fred Rahmer, Kraig Kinser, Jeff Shepard,Jason Meyers
Modifieds--Steve Arpin, Craig Thatcher (2), Joey Kramer (3)
Late Models--Rick Eckert, Billy Moyer (2), Tim McCreadie (3)
DIRT Modifieds-- Brett Hearn, Andy Bachetti, Billy Decker, Jamie Mills
Pure Stock--Steve Buker (2)
Hobby Stock--Travis Gamble