By TJ Buffenbarger:
Essexville, MI — (04/13/2001) — The Gumout Series got a bit of bad news and a bit of good news on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway concerning who would be chasing the 2001 title. Saturday the Guy Forbrook team with Jeff Shepard secured funding to stay on the road with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws. No word on who the sponsor will be.
It does appear though as if Daryn Pittman and Gary Brazier will be joining the 2001 Gumout trail. Pittman’s team has already used two provisionals this season with the Pennzoil series, and still in seeking a major sponsor. Brazier is said to have three cars and a team ready to go here in the States to chase the Gumout Series.
Lots of rear end problems were the news of the day at Eldora on Saturday. Kenny Jacobs broke a rear end in time trials, and later broke a motor in his heat race that put him out for the night. Steve Kinser also broke a rear end, but his team was able to change it before time trials. Jeff Shepard also had a rear wheel leave his car going into turn three. Shepard’s team did not time trial, but made a great charge in his heat race at the start to pass five cars in one lap and held on to take a transfer spot.
Gas City also had a good turnout for their test and tune on Saturday afternoon, which included Bill Rose was in a ride he has all year. Rose is supposed to run the GLOSS series in that car when not conflicting with the Hoffman sprinter in the dirt portion of the USAC/Stoops Frightliner sprint car series. Scott Benic and Tom Bayless own the car. Apparently Rose looked good in his new winged ride during the practice session.
We would like to thank everyone at the Eldora Speedway, the Pennzoil World of Outlaws, and the NRA Sprint invaders for the great weekend.