Sunday, February 24, 2008 Frank Firestine Late Model 101 by Richard Conners - KARNAC.com writer Kevin Macy was the beneficiary of the late race cut tire of Wayne Morris en route to win the 101 lap Memorial race for Frank Firestine at Charlotte County Motorsports Park Saturday night. The late Firestine's son Jeff Firestine threw the green flag to get things started for the 20 late model drivers and the 1600 0r so race fans. Randy Fox and Wayne Morris started scrapping early on for the third position while #96 George Morales and #99 Sean McLaughlin set the pace. Eventually Fox went to the rear after a spin, Morales suffered a cut tire and Morris made it clear he had the fastest car on the track. After taking the lead from McLaughlin, Morris lead over 50 laps and seemed a sure winner until the tire he had damaged in earlier contact finally gave out. One photographer observer from the infield said Morris drove 30 laps with the flat tire before it completely gave out. While Morris was off on a Saturday night cruise, #19 Kevin Macy, #8 Bobby Shelton and #59 Dustin Dunn fought hard for second, keeping the race interesting for the fans. After Morris went to rear after fixing his car he came storming back and with Fox now back up front running in fourth it was deja-vu all over again, as Morris began to try the bottom, then ran the outside and lap after lap fans saw two of the most experienced Florida late model drivers put on a show to remember. Eventually the two had enough contact to cause a caution. Morris got the worst of it and was done for the night. Kevin Macy drove a smart race, kept away from the wrecks and came away with a very popular win at CCMP After a series of nasty wrecks, it was down to ten cars and Macy won handily with Shelton second and Fox third. Randy Fox (left) and Wayne Morris discuss current events after the 101st lap In the winners circle Fox and Morris continued the show as Morris came out to join Fox for some post-race conversation, to the delight of the race fans hugging the front straight fence. Two hard nosed racers battling to end, Fox said "he hit me so hard it knocked the wheel out of my hands," demonstrating with an imaginary steering wheel. Morris pleaded his case, I tried to race him clean". Somehow we think Frank would have enjoyed this one. Fittingly, Jeff Firestine won the Road Warrior feature race.