Points Leader Gough Showing No Signs Of Slowing Down

Forrest Gough started his racing career at the old state fairgrounds track in Thunder cars in 1985. Now 53, the veteran still has the passion for racing he felt at 31, when he was named rookie of the year and won the Thunder car points championship.

"I really think all that first-year success was the worst thing that could have happened to me right out of the box," the Tampa native said. "I didn't get another championship until 2001, and it looks like I'll have to fight for this year's points win if I'm going to get it."

Gough is in first place in the Limited Late Models points race, but Roger Crouse trails him by only 39 points.

When most drivers are thinking retirement and maybe handing the wheel to their children, Gough has no thoughts of leaving the driver's seat any time soon.

"My boys, Steven, 20 and Shaun, 18, are ball players." Gough said.

"Neither one is itching to go racing, except to watch me run, so I plan on racing for a long, long time."

Gough grew up with longtime friend and sponsor Brent Tanner, owner of the Tampa Marcite pool finishing company. They have made for an often unbeatable pairing, combining for 11 feature wins and the title in 2001.

"I owe it all to Brent Tanner," Gough said. "I could not have raced for as long or done as well as I have without his direct input, friendship and support.

"Or without my family's support."

Forrest holds one local legend in high esteem.

"Buzzie Reutimann was the one I always looked up to," Gough said. "He ran every lap as clean as he could and won in most everything he raced. And, I'm looking forward to racing many more years, maybe into my late 60s, just like him."

AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY: Winners last weekend included: Wayne Morris (Sportsman), Dustin Breeden (Street Stock), Jason Rendell (Mod-Minis), Chris Spring (Mini-Stocks), Wayne Calkins (Figure 8), Mike Wilson (Open Wheel Mods) and Chris Kelley (Scramblers).

CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAY: Its 52nd season closed with the following winners: Clint Foley (Mini-Stocks), Richie Smith (Street Stocks), Mike Veltman (Sportsman), Bill Ryan (Pure Stocks), Paul Grynewicz (Figure-8), Nikki Hage (Powder Puffs) and Richard Dinkins (V-8 Thunder Stocks).

DeSOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY: Winners were Robert Campbell (Outlaw Modifieds), Steve Gill (Limited Late Models), Tyler Lau (Pure Stocks), Travis Roland (DeSoto Trucks) and Jerome Watland (Bombers).

EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK: With five classes on the clay, victories went to Charlie Paris Jr. (Street Stocks), Tim Gay (Limited Late models), Dale Kelley (Open Wheeled Modifieds), Jackie Nosbisch, Jr. (Late Models) and Colonel Miller (4-Cylinder Bombers).

TAMPA BAY AREA RACING ASSOCIATION: Club members voted 73-49 to replace longtime club president Don Rehm with sprint car owner Lenny Puglio. Rehm leaves after 14 years as president.