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White Turns Dial, Tunes in to Battle in Sportsman Class

By Chuck Corder

Radio and Marty White.

The two would give peas and carrots, PB&J, and cookies and milk a run for their money.

With White’s 18-plus years as co-host of 102.7 FM’s morning show, the pair is just a natural fit.

Or so one would think?

It turns out that necessarily is not the case when it comes to White driving his West Florida Coatings Sportsman class car with its trademark “102.7� logo at Five Flags Speedway.

The popular radio personality and hometown boy has driven much of this season without any communication help with team members Greg James and Shanna Ard.

“They say I drive better without the radio,� White, 56, said. “They told me, ‘It’s on you; go out and race the car.’ OK.�

No radio, no problem.

White enters the 35-lap Sportsman Special on Friday third in points, 26 points out of second where Jim Pokrant sits and trailing division leader Brannon Fowler by 85 points.

Not too bad for the former four-time Celebrity Race winner.

“I’m the luckiest man, knowing I get do this,� White said. “Everybody sits in the stands saying they wish they could do this. I did it. Now look at me. I’m having a ball.�

The Super Stocks and Bombers also hope to have a ball Friday before the night closes when the track hosts its first Demolition Derby in several decades. Also on slate is the annual Celebrities Race that will raise funds for United Cerebral Palsy Northwest Florida.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday with admission as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 3 p.m. with passes costing $25.

White sat atop the West Florida Coatings Sportsman standings earlier this season until a vicious crash knocked him out.

It was the first of only two DNFs White has had this season. That’s quite the 180-degree turnaround for the third-year driver who admits he was in over his head in his rookie season.

“I was like a clown out there,� White joked. “Now they respect me. They’re gonna rub you, bump you and beat you every way they can. I just don’t wanna make a fool outta myself.�

White’s white car has sure seen its share of swapping paint this year. That’s where his 18 sponsors, highlighted by 102.7 FM and Sonny’s BBQ, play key roles.

“All I see when I get into a wreck is, ‘My god, that’s gonna be $3,000,’ � White said. “I’ve learned to drive on the outside more this year thanks to that dang dice roll. I feel comfortable. I ain’t worried about (his competition). I can’t catch ’em, but I can run with ’em.

“I always tell everybody I’m having too much fun. Finishing is even better.�

Radios not always included.

 

West Florida Coatings Sportsman Points Standings—1. Brannon Fowler, 479.00, Leader; 2. Jim Pokrant, 420.00, -59; 3. Marty White, 394.00, -85; 4. Randy Thompson, 384.00, -95; 5. Chris Nielsen, 372.00, -107; 6. Steve Buttrick, 353.00, -126; 7. Tina Davidson, 327.00, -152; 8. Jimmy Goodwin, 323.00, -156; 9. Michael Couture, 313.00, -166; 10. Wayne Burkett, 268.00, -211; 11. Stevie Mercer, 245.00, -234; 12. Bubba Winslow, 189.00, -290; 13. Justin Babb, 186.00, -293; 14. Daniel Fleming, 142.00, -337; 15. Gary Robinson, 132.00, -347; 16. Mike Goraum, 124.00, -355; 17. Mark Montgomery, 116.00, -363; 18. John Ward, 109.00, -370; 19. Thomas Faddis, 104.00; -375; 20. Scott Barbaric, 95.00, -384; 21. Charles English, 60.00, -419; 22. Eddie Craig Jr., 55.00, -424; 23. Bo Resmondo, 52.00, -427; 24. Lee Reynolds, 44.00, -435; 25. Johnny Greene Jr., 43.00, -436; 26. Jared Courtney, 33.00, -446; 27. Clayton Jernigan, 29.00, -450; T28. Todd Jones, 23.00, -456; T28. Paul Mathis, 23.00, -456

 

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