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2005 Mark Gardiner and JR Gentry lead a top quality field of cars across the green flag and into turn one during Wayne County Speedways Summer Sizzler held back in June of '05 |
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By the time they exit turn two any one of five cars could come out on top with the remainder of the field in close pusuit. "Summer Sizzler" earned its name with this shot. |
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The following lap JR still fights Gardiner for the lead as John Sizemore joins the battle driving his 5 STAR into the mix three wide |
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At the completion of this lap JR commands the lead followed by Mark Gardiner, Bart Hartman, and John Sizemore. |
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Toward the end of the race it appears to be smooth sailing for Gentry as some competiton falls off with the exception of a very persistent Hartman. Even though Gentry was the one to make this one sizzler of a race, not every race has a happy ending. |
The above photos were taken and presented in sequence during Wayne County Speedways "Summer Sizzler" held on June 26, 2005. Final results for this heat are as follows: 1. Bart Hartman 2. Mark Gardiner 3. John Sizemore 4. Charlie Duncan 5. Ryan Markham 6. Chet Alexander 7. DJ Miller 8. George Lee 9. JR Gentry 10. Jeff Wright |
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The action at Lakeville multiplied when the Big 4 Late Models came to town and as usual JR Gentry could be found racing for the lead and always in good company. Charlie Duncan and Rick Bond mix it up with JR. |
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Flat out and nose to nose with Ryan Markham, the # 14 Hites Racing Stables / California Tanning Rocket driven by Gentry easily keeps up with the best |
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Dad can still keep up |
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Under the checkers ! |
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JR scores big at Lakeville |
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Fans, friends, and family celebrate |
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Diggin' in the Wayne County dirt |
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The chase is on ! |
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Wingin it at Lakeville |
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Good competitors and good friends |
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Chalk up another win |
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Lakeville evens up the competition |
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"Wet Willie" joins in the fun |
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Infield on a gorgeous early fall evening |
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Kickin up some Lakeville dirt in '99 |
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Go For It ! |
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Just try and catch me |
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Truck racing in 1998, gotta start somewhere! |
KGood Company
This photo almost puts you in the drivers seat with two of the best racers in the business.
J.R. Gentry makes this black Rocket Chassis / Malcuit Racing Engines # 14 stick to the lower corner at Lakeville
with Charlie Duncan running flat out and high during one of this seasons Big 4 Series Events.
The duo exhibited great talent racing door to door - lap after lap thrilling fans and providing maximum excitement. Because of competition like this race fans are always assured to see a great dirt track race
when they visit Northern Ohio speedways like Wayne County and Lakeville.
Seasons Past :
JR won "Rookie of the year titles at both Wayne County and Lakeville Speedways
in 1999, his first year wheeling a full blown Late Model. Coached and supported by his father, Jim Gentry,
2005 Season Review:
It was definately a different kind of year for team 14 as JR found himself behind the wheel of a Drown Racing owned Rocket Chassis / Malcuit Powered dirt Late Model with sponsorship coming from Hites Racing Stables and California Tanning. With a promising machine and great sponsors onboard the season looked bright even though cloudy skies and 4 rainouts in 6 attempts is no way to begin any effort and slowed the progress of shaking down a new race car. It took until June before skies began to clear and JR's first top ten appeared in the books, after that the team moved forward in high gear with a string of top finishes and lots of exciting races against the extremely tough competition at Wayne County to complete the year fifth in points. Highlights at Wayne County include a top ten "Freedom Fighters" run against invaders Mark Banal, Keith Berner, Shane McLoughlin, Scott Peltz, BA Malcuit, and the full legion of WCS regulars. For most, a couple heat wins and top fives would be considered a very successful season but I have a feeling JR has his sights set a lot higher at Wayne County as his talent and experience are championship caliber.
Lakeville Speedway hosted the Super Late Models 4 times over the season, a track JR has mastered and adds a lot of excitement to. The "Big 4" opener saw the 14 car claim 3rd in the heat and 10th in the feature against a top field of cars on an all new racing surface and configuration. In the next two events JR stepped up with two top five main event finishes followed by an 11th at a drawn out Dirt Blowout weekend. That tied JR with DJ Cline for second place in the series point standings won by Charlie Duncan