Osborne Shuts Down Cannon Two Straight

by Steve Gruenwald
3/9/04

ocal hotshot Phil Osborne of nearby Naples, FL., defeated Scotty Cannon last Saturday night at Immokalee Regional Raceway with his Thunder Struck '63 Corvette powered by a Jim Oddy built blown 526ci Olds. motor. Osborne, who holds the track mph record at 184, showed he was ready to play when he unloaded a great warm-up pass of 4.10 at 176 mph. Cannon followed in the same lane with a slower 4.24 run.

Osborne's Thunder Struck '63 Corvette

Osborne and crew thrashed to replace a leaking intake gasket before the first round, as Cannon did the usual between round "stuff," consisting of checking out the computer and signing fans' shirts.

Osborne straps a slight holeshot of Cannon

First round came up and Cannon did a long, smoky burnout in the right lane and Osborne in the left. The cars staged, the tree went green and Osborne strapped a 0.476 RT on Cannon, who was behind at a 0.508. Osborne held on for the win as the Corvette slid through the lights with an oil leak for the win at 4.27 slowing at 150.35.

Osborne and his ride.

Osborne and crew fixing a leaking intake gasket prior to the first round.