The final checkered flag ever waved over Hialeah Speedway Saturday night and it was veteran Joe Winchell who sped to a popular victory in the 75 lap Jeff Dufresne Memorial for limited late models.

A late afternoon thunderstorm drenched the speedway but failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the closing night festivities as 28 late models answered the call for action. Winchell blasted from the outside of the front row and paced all 75 laps but had a mirror full of Mike Franklin, Jr for the final dozen circuits that both drivers know so well. Brent O'Neill turned in a steady drive for third money ahead of Richie Henry and Bobby Beauchemin.

Winchell was greeted in victory lane by honored guest Herb Tillman who won the opening day feature at the track 51 years ago.

"This is a very special win for me," explained Winchell. "I began coming here as a kid in 1962 and began racing in 1973 and I just love the history of this place. I hate to see it go."

Second generation speedster Tommy King paced the visiting Fastruck 75 lap feature event in wire to wire fashion hustling his Ford F-150 to a dominant score over local driver Mike Powers. George Gorham, Jr., Gary Foxworth and George Morales were next to the stripe in the 25 truck field.  

The local street stock 30 lap finale fell to Cory Crisafulli as took the point on lap three then held off the advances of new division champion Buddy Ryan to the checkers. T.C. McElyea and Frank Kelliher rounded out the top five runners. 

The largest field of mini stocks in several years took the green flag in the small car 30 lapper and when the checkers flew it was many time track champion S.C. Klinger with an apparent victory. Post-race inspection didn't go well and point leader and new champion Ricky Thorpe and his faithful Pinto were awarded the laurels ahead of Ken Chaiser, Bill Calder, Fred Williams and early leader Bill Miner.

The 25 lap Fast Kids truck run for the youngsters was copped by go kart grad Patrick Staropoli with a nice drive over a pressing Spencer Taylor and Brian Blum.

The cyclone main saw 37 cars answer the call and despite some fabulous racing no one could unseat veteran Victor Leo in the accident marred 30 lap run. John Pettit collected runner-up honors over Zane Reid, Timmy Ryan and Tony Crowder.

Special event victories went to Steve Godlewski in the 10 lap school bus figure eight and Drew Ogden topped the huge demolition derby in a Cadillac.

With the closing of Hialeah, south Florida racers and fans are now left without a short track for the first time since the late 1940s.

 Complete finish of Jeff Dufresne Memorial 75 at Hialeah Speedway 8-13-05 showing finishing position, driver and laps completed:

 1. Joe Winchell,  2. Mike Franklin, Jr., 3. Brent O'Neill,  4. Richie Henry,  5. Bobby Beauchemin, 6. Bobby Coyle, 7. Tommy Styer, 8. David Weaver, 9. Bob Regula, 10. Ray Derry, 11. Greg Kaouk, 12. Richard Baer, 13. Craig Seewald, 14.Jim Vary, 15. John Garrett, 16. J.R. McMickle, 17. Ali Zaragarian, 18. Frank Parrish, 19. David Myer, 20. Jimmy Crowe, Jr., 21. Charlie Coyle, 22. Travis McCoy, 23. Danny Maddox, 24. Craig Brown, 25. Dale Horne, 26. Kenny Kuhn, 27. Ed Leeke, 28. Steve Weaver, Jr.  DNS - Chris Turner.                                                          

 Marty Little

1. Joe Winchell
2. Mike Franklin Jr
3. Brent O'Neill
4. Richie Henry
5. Bobby Beauchemin

Street Stock

1. Corey Crisafulli
2. Buddy Ryan
3. TC McElyea
4. Frank Kelliher
5.  

Mini Stock

1. Ricky Thorpe
2. Ken Chaiser
3. Bill Calder
4. Fred Williams
5. Bill Miner

1. Victor Leo
2. John Pettit
3. Zane Reid
4. Timmy Ryan
5. Tony Crowder

1. Tommy King
2. Mike Powers
3. George Gorham Jr
4. Gary Foxworth
5. George Morales
    

1. Partick Staropoli
2. Spencer Taylor
3. Brian Blum
4.  
5.  

1. Craig Seewald 981(3)
2. Bob Regula 817(1)
3. David Weaver 663(1)
4. Richie Henry 638(1)
5. Danny Maddox 582
6. David Myer 515
7. Tommy Styer 426(2)
8. Dale Horne 423
9. Steve Weaver 255(1)
10. Pat Flack 232

1. Buddy Ryan 1610(6)
2. TC McElyea 1503(3)
3. Joe Franssen 1276(1)
4. Frank Kelliher 729(2)
5. Corey Crisafulli 556(2)
6. Ed Leeke 501
7. David Myer 497
8. Stephen Khaleel 439
9. John Garguilo 434(2)
10. Greg Gorniak 421

1. Ricky Thorpe 1454(2)
2. Steve Lotts 1247(1)
3. Bill Calder 974(2)
4. Greg Kaouk 896(6)
5. Ken Chaiser 679
6. Jamie Chambers 440
7. Mike Sosby 430(1)
8. Peter Lloyd 308(2)
9. Bill Miner 280
10. David Russell 271(2)

1. Tony Crowder 1491(4)
2. Eddie Lawler 1399(4)
3. John Pettit 942
4. Ken Housh 932(1)
5. Timmy Ryan 732(1)
6. Bob Regula 716
7. Phil Peterson 671
8. Drew Ogden 628
9. Zane Reid 609(1)
10. Sean Ryan 481(1)