Alex Payne Quickest In Tuesday’s Short Track Super Series Test At All-Tech; “Sunshine Swing” Opener Wednesday

Story By: CHRIS MOORE / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – LAKE CITY, FL – No more rust.  Practice night is complete at All-Tech Raceway for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.

The fifth annual ‘Sunshine Swing’ presented by Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches is officially underway after three hours of practice rounds to kick off the next four days of racing.

Alex Payne laid down the fastest lap of the night for the STSS Modifieds in the final set of practice.

The Canandaigua, N.Y., native posted a time of 18.732, which was .079 seconds faster than Bobby Hackel IV in the final session.

The only other driver in the 18 second bracket for the night was Fonda, N.Y.’s Danny Varin in the opening set.

Varin’s lap of 18.901 was the fastest time of the night until Payne rolled out for the final set.

Phoenix, N.Y.’s Larry Wight paced the second set with a 19.822 while Guilderland, N.Y.’s Marc Johnson topped session three’s chart with a 19.999.

Alex Payne posted laps of 19.693 and 18.732, respectively, in the final two sets to pace each of the final two full sessions of the night.

Johnstown, N.Y.’s Brian Calabrese topped the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman speed charts with a 19.539-second circuit in the final session as well.

Other drivers to top sessions were Paulie Hartwig III (sessions No. one & five), Cedric Gauvreau (sessions No. two & three) and Joe Toth (session No. three).

More than 60 cars hit the track at the Wendell Durrance-promoted facility.

Racing begins Wednesday night with a 30-lap, $5,000-to-win STSS Modified event and 25-lap, $1,500-to-win STSS Crate 602 Sportsman program.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m. with grandstand gates to follow at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. and racing will follow at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25. Kids 12 and under get in FREE.

Pit admission is $45 for Adults, $15 (Kids ages 6-12), and Children 5 and under are $5.