LOCAL ALL-AMERICAN DERBY
The City of Sanford Recreation Services Department and Central Florida Soap Box Derby 2024-2025 Rally/Derby Season will come to an end on Saturday, May 17, with the running of the 36th All-American Soap Box Derby Local Race, that will decide the three individuals that will represent Sanford and the CFSBD at the 87th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.
There is still have room for racers ages 7-19. No experience or car necessary. A great chance to come see what derby is all about and compete for the chance to represent Central Florida in Akron.
Check in will be at 7 a.m., with racing beginning at 8 a.m. and the event will consist of a Double Elimination race for each class.
Once again, the three division winners in Stock, Super Stock and Masters will earn a spot in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron the week of July 13-through-July 19.
Following the races, the group will move to Downtown Sanford and the Sanford Civic Center for a banquet and Awards Ceremony.
Everyone, especially interested non-racers, is invited to attend any of the family friendly events, free of charge, at the beautiful Mike Kirby Park facility located on the west side of Sanford on Oregon Avenue, north off of CR-46A (25th Street/H. E. Thomas Parkway) or east off of Rinehart Road, just south of the GreeneWay entry. The track is East of Bentley Elementary School.
For more information or to download a registration form, please check out the websites at www.AASBD.com or www.centralfloridasoapboxderby.com; Eric Griffin, [email protected], 407-353-6228, or call the City of Sanford Recreation Services Department at 407-688-5120. More information is also available at _ https://www.facebook.com/CentralFloridaSoapboxDerby/ _ especially photos and flyers.
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Coming up at Orlando Speed World Dragway:
* Today: Wheels Up Wednesday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race.
* Full Throttle Friday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing”, plus a Quick-8 Shootout with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race. Kids 10-and-Under free. The Dragway Information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
* Saturday and Sunday_ JW Performance NHRA ET Track Points Race #6 and #7. Events include Novice Jr. Dragster (8-9 year olds), Intermediate Jr. Dragster (10-12 year olds), Pro Sportsman Jr. Dragster (13-18 year olds), Jr. Street (13-18 yer olds), Super Pro, Quick 32, Pro (No Box), Pro Motorcycle and Sportsman. Gates open at Saturday: 8 a.m. and Time Trials at 10 a.m. to be followed by Eliminations; Sunday _ 7:30 a.m. and Time Trials at 9 a.m. to be followed by Eliminations. Admission is $20 (kids 10-and-Under free) each day.
The Dragway information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
SpeedWorld is located 17 miles east of Orlando in Bithlo at 19164 East Colonial Drive, between Orlando and Titusville on Highway 50 at the 520 Cocoa Cutoff.
SANFORD ADULT SOFTBALL
Here is the upcoming schedule in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Softball Spring Season.
The Semi-Co-Ed/Fun League tonight (Wednesday) has The West End Trading Company facing Fusion at 6:30 p.m. and Pat’s Liquor playing the doubleheader against Throwbacks at 7:30 p.m. and Wet Spot at 8:30 p.m.
The Men’s League on Tuesday (May 20) has the Bokey Batters facing the Titans at 6:30 p.m. and The West End Trading Company challenging Venezolanos en Sanford at 7:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free at Pinehurst Park on West 24th Street.
For more information contact Dominic Pascuzzo, City of Sanford Recreation Supervisor, at the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department at 407-688-5120, extension 5004; Fax _ 407-688-5121; facebook.com/SanfordFLCityGovt; instagram.com/cityofsanfordfl; visit the city website _ www.sanfordfl.gov _ or email: [email protected].
SPRING FOOTBALL
Spring football practice is underway and here is the schedule for the games.
2025 spring football game schedule:
Thursday, May 15
* Orangewood Christian, Windermere Prep, Bronson at Trinity Prep jamboree, 6 p.m.
* Oviedo at Ocoee, 6:30 p.m.
* TFA Orlando at Lake Mary, 7 p.m.
* Hagerty at Melbourne, 7, p.m.
* The Masters Academy at Out of Door Academy, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 16
* Tavares, Timber Creek at Lake Howell jamboree, 7 p.m.
* Bartram Trail at Seminole, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21
* Winter Springs at East River, 6:30 p.m.
* Lyman at Wekiva, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 23
* DeLand at Lake Brantley, 7 p.m.
SSC SOFTBALL
The Seminole State College of Florida softball team (43-18) saw its season come to an end in the semifinals of the 2025 FCSAA Division One Softball Tournament at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater last Friday afternoon.
The No. 4 seeded Raiders edged No. 5 Santa Fe, 2-1, in the First Round on Wednesday before falling to No. 1 Florida SouthWestern, 3-1, in Thursday’s quarterfinals. SSC then dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to No. 2 Northwest Florida State in Friday’s Final 4.
For more about Raider Athletics, visit SeminoleStateRaiders.com, on Twitter: @buildingRaiders and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/buildingRaiders/. Fans can also follow the Raider Softball team on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/seminolestatesoftball).
VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY PARK
Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs/Barberville is set to continue its 57th season with the “Top Gun Classic” on Saturday.
The Top Gun Sprint Car Series will be joined by DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Factory Stocks and 3/4 Modifieds.
Grandstand gates and ticket sales open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6 p.m., followed by Opening Ceremonies and Racing.
The Ticket Phone is (844) 347-8849. General admission tickets are $15 and kids aged 12 or under are free. The racing will also be broadcasted LIVE on DIRTVision!
Please check our Facebook and website _ VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com _ for updates or changes. The office phone is 386-985-4402.
The track is located at 1500 East State Road 40 in DeLeon Springs. Take either FL-11 North or Highway-17 out of DeLand and go to SR-40 and turn left (West) if using 11 or right (East) if using 17.
NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
New Smyrna Speedway will be hosting Twin 50’s for the Hoosier Pro Late Model Challenge this Saturday.
The evening’s racing action will feature E-Mod, Sportsman and Black Jack Seal Coating Bomber A.
Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with Division Practice from 3 p.m.-to-5 p.m. Ticket booths and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Come early and get $5 off General Admission until 6 p.m. Qualifying/Heat Races are at 6 p.m., followed by Feature Racing at 7:30 p.m.
Adult admission is $20 (reserved seating is $25, the top six (6) rows of the Main Grandstand) with all seniors (65+) and military (with valid ID for proof of age or Military affiliation) admitted for $18. Kids 12-17 are $5 (No Early Bird Discount). Kids 11 years of age and under are free of charge (MUST be accompanied by paying Adult to qualify for Free Admission). Pits - Members ($30), Non-Members ($40).
The track is located at the corner of SR. 44 and CR 415, between New Smyrna, DeLand and Daytona.
For information on New Smyrna Speedway, visit _ www.newsmyrnaspeedway.org _ or call the track office at 386-427-4129.
SANFORD’S DAVIS RELEASED
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced last Wednesday that they released wide receiver Gabe Davis.
The Sanford native and former Seminole High and UCF star appeared in 10 games in 2024, but his season was cut short in mid-November due to a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Davis signed a three-year, $39 million deal that included $24 million guaranteed with the Jaguars last offseason. He was a big play threat during his time in Buffalo, but he couldn't find that success in Jacksonville.
Davis would finish the 2024 season catching 20-of-42 passes for 239 yards at 12.0 yards per catch with two touchdowns.
CHET LEMON PASSES
Chet Lemon, a three-time All-Star outfielder who helped the Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series, has died after a lengthy battle with blood cancer. He was 70.
Lemon batted .273 with 215 homers and 884 RBI over 16 seasons with Chicago and Detroit from 1975 to 1990. A first-round draft pick by Oakland in 1972, he played his first seven years with the White Sox and made All-Star teams in 1978 and 1979.
Lemon was traded to Detroit following the 1981 season, where he made his third All-Star team and helped Detroit bring home its first championship since 1968.
After his playing career, he spent time instructing at the Wes Rinker Baseball Academy in Sanford before establishing the Chet Lemon Baseball School in Lake Mary and coached baseball at the AAU level (Chet Lemon’s Juice) and Eustis High School from 2001 to 2008. At Eustis, he led the Panthers to a Class 3A state championship in 2003.
Lemon also served as the baseball chairman for the Florida AAU and the National AAU organizations.
Lemon had battled health issues for the past three decades. He was diagnosed with polycythemia vera — a type of blood cancer that can lead to blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic — and suffered a series of strokes that left him unable to walk or talk in recent years.
