MANATEE COUNTY -- On a night where he said his car wasn't even close to being perfect, T.J. Duke held off a series of challenges and led the final 62 laps of Saturday night's 100-lap Brighthouse Challenge Series feature event at Desoto Speedway.
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Polesitter Anthony Sergi led the first 16 laps before being passed on a restart by George Gorham. Gorham would face a challenge from both Jesse Dutilly and Chris Fontaine, even getting tagged in the rear bumper several times by both drivers
Fontaine passed Gorham on the outside for the lead coming out of turn four and quickly stretched his lead before a debris caution on lap 31. Dutilly got to second on the restart, but a flat tire would send him to the rear of the field
Duke worked his way up to second and passed Fontaine for the lead lap 38. He would pace the field for the next several laps with Fontaine directly on his tail. Duke started inching away from Fontaine until the caution flew for third-place running Billy Bigley stopping in turn four.
Jeff Scofield, winner of a super late model event at Desoto last month, moved up to third on a lap 63 restart. Over the next 20 laps, Duke fought off several challenges from Fontaine and started stretching his lead before the caution came out again for Bigley's spin off turn four.
On another restart with nine laps to go, Duke and Fontaine ran side-by-side for a couple of laps before Duke finally got the edge. Duke would go unchallenged the rest of the way.
"I wouldn't say we were on a rail because we were actually a little bit off," Duke said in victory lane. "We expected to be a little bit better and I don't like winning races this way. I'd rather drive away from the field. This was a good experience and next time we come back we'll be better."
Fontaine, who said he was running about three-quarter throttle in an effort to save his tires for one last run at Duke, held off a late challenge from Scofield for second. Dutilly rallied to finish fourth, nipping Joe Boyd at the finish line.
In other action Saturday night, Joe Sumansky won the 25-lap Pure Stock feature; Jessica Ostrovskis won the Mini Stock feature; John Sarppraicone Jr. took the 30-lap Street Stock feature; Randy Johnson won the Pro 4 feature; Bradenton's Jordan Miller won the Rookie 4 feature and Palmetto's Billy Carlbert won the Mini Stock Figure 8.
Desoto Speedway is closed next weekend and will return to action on May 24
DESOTO SPEEDWAY RACE RESULTS
5-10-2014
Super Late Model ...
1. 28D T.J. Duke Ranchetts
2. 47 Chris Fontaine Lakeland
3. 6 Jeff Scofield Plant City
4. 30 Jessee Dutilly Bradenton
5. 5 Joe Boyd Riverview
6. 9c Rich Clouser Orlando
7. 64 Daryl Shellnut Lake City
8. 20 Anthony Sergi Orlando
9. 128 Dylan Bigley Naples
10. 10g George Gorham Jr. Lake Wales
11.89 Matt Tift Hinkley Ohio
12. 09 Scott GrossenBacher San Antonio
13. 17 Ryan Lisak Lakeland
14 59 Jake Perkins Ocala
15. 51x Michael Atwell Naples
16. 33 Daniel Webster Brooksville
17. 5k Daniel Keene Jr. Brooksville
18. 28 Billy Bigley Jr. Naples
19. 5g Steve Gill Sarasota
20. 00 Anthony Cataldi Umatilla
21’ 13 Scott Walters Naples
22. 151 Nick Neri Palmetto
23. 70 James Glover
24. 5a Jerry Artuso Sault Ste Marie Ont
Street Stock
1. 5 John Sappricone Bradenton
2. 91 Ander Jackson Punta gorda
3. 42 Dennis Wilson Bradenton
4. 7 Blaine Baer Port Charlotte
5. 18. Shane Leonard Cape Coral
6. 57 Jim Brenner Sarasota
7. 97 Chris Scott Nokomis
8. 16 Johnny Allen Lehigh
9. 64 Dave Bowman Sarasota
10. 38 L.B. Skaggs N. Ft. Myers
11. 50 David Blanchard Bradenton D.N.S.
Pure Stock
1. 16 Joe Sumansky Lehigh
2. 80x Chad Cummings Pqlmetto
3. 97 Chris Scott Nokomis
4. 11 Billy Carlbert Palmetto
5. 81 James Dellea 3rd. Port Charlotte
6. 1 Cody Carlbert Zepherhills
7. 3 Duane Best Parrish
8. 67 Jimmie Best Sarasota
9. 75 Allan Burton Sarasota
10. 18 Troy Thiem Sarasota
11. 63 Kyle Best Parrish
12. 44 Rick Hess Englewood
Mini Stock
1. 91 Jessica Ostrovshis St. Pete
2. 05 Ronnie Robinson Bradenton
3. 131 George Ingram Clearwater
4. 11 Cody Carlbert Zrpherhills
5. 99 Johnny Marra Punta Gorda
6. 196 Ryan Walters St. Pete
7. 1 Justine Caralbert Palmetto
8. 31 James Prochaska St. Pete
9. X66 Cody Riley St. Pete
10. 21 Alexa Anderson Lakeland
11. 98 Chris Larson Zepherhills
Mini Stock Figure 8
1. 1 Billy Carlbert Palmetto
2. 11 Cody Carlbert Zepherhills
3. 131 George Ingram Clearwater
4. 19b Ryan Walters St. Pete
5. 31 James Prochaska St. Pete
6. 98 Chris Larsons Zepherhills D.N.S.
7. X66 Cody Riley
Pro 4
1. 73 Randy Johnson Bradenton
2. 91 Jessica Ostrovskis St. Pete
3. 99 Johnny Marra Punta Gorda
4. 05 Ronnie Robinson Bradenton
5. 131 George Ingram Clearwater
6. 1 Justin Carlbert Palmetto
7. 196 Ryan Walters St. Pete
8. 21 Alexa Anderson Lakeland
9. 3 Sherry Best Sarasota
10. 11 Cody Carllbert Zepherhills
Rookie 4
1. 11 Jordan Miller Bradenton
2. 42 Dustin Wilson Bradenton
3. 1 Dodge Calbert Palmetto
4. 41 Marina Petty Venice
6. 67 Jimmy Best Sarasota D.N.S.