2006brownstown.htm
July 8
John Gill won the late model feature
Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, IL made it two for two at
Brownstown Speedway this year, winning the Topless UMP Modified feature at
Brownstown Speedway. Schwartz won the Modified portion of the Indiana Icebreaker
back on April 1st.
The 25 lap feature started off with a yellow, as Ryan Thomas found himself
looped on the backstretch. When the field went green, Schwartz jumped out to the
lead over Adam Sasser as they headed into turn number one. At the same time, Dan
Hamstra moved up from his fifth starting spot up to the third spot by lap two.
The yellow would fly again on lap three, this time for a multi car accident in
turn one. When racing resumed, Schwartz sped off with the lead, with a battle
for fourth raging behind him. Todd Gilpin and Shelby Miles were side by side for
the spot, with Miles taking the position. Back up front, Hamstra moved to second
around Sasser, bringing Gilpin and Miles with him. With Miles and Gilpin now
going at it for third, this allowed the front two cars to pull away. As the lead
duo of Schwartz and Hamstra started catching lapped traffic, Hamstra flexed his
muscle and began reeling in Schwartz. Hamstra got up on the back bumper of
Schwartz as they began lapping cars. Schwartz managed to put a lapped car in
between he and Hamstra, but Hamstra was not to be detered. As they cleared the
lapped traffic, Hamstra was right on Schwartz's tail until the very end as
Schwartz held him off for the win. Following them were Miles, Matt Boknecht, and
Earl Plessinger rounded out the top five.
SUMMARY:
TOPLESS UMP MODIFIEDS (46 ENTRIES)
HEAT ONE: Adam Sasser, Dan Hamstra, Ryan Thomas, Matt Bex, Jason Mann, Larry
Schornick, Bobby Davis, Seth Voorhies, Scott Benham, John Passmore, Brian
Yeatman, John Davis
HEAT TWO: Denny Schwartz, Shelby Miles, Matt Boknecht, Jeremy Hines, Jason
Thomas, Travis Fleetwood, Rick Hudson, Jerry Davis, Dave Hill, Donnie Parson,
Glen Thompson, Allan Adams
HEAT THREE: Chris Streeval, Todd Gilpin, John Demoss, Brent Londeree, Steve
Trabue, Derek Groomer, Jesse Cramer, AJ Bowlen, Josh Eads, Sam Lee, Scott Smith
HEAT FOUR: Brandon Short, Joey Kramer, Earl Plessinger, Greg Lee, JD Roberts,
Clint Demoss, Kent Robinson, Devin Gilpin, Butch Issacs, Webb Lee, Ralph Groomer
CONSI ONE: Bobby Davis, Larry Schornick, Jerry Davis, Rick Hudson, Scott Benham,
Donnie Parson, Brian Yeatman, Jason Thomas, Allan Adams, Jason Mann, Seth
Voorhies, Dave Hill, John Passmore, Travis Fleetwood
CONSI TWO: Steve Trabue, JD Roberts, Devin Gilpin, Ralph Groomer, Jesse Cramer,
Clint Demoss, Josh Eads, Sam Lee, Webb Lee, Derek Groomer, Butch Issacs, Kent
Robinson
FEATURE: Denny Schwartz, Dan Hamstra, Shelby Miles, Matt Boknecht, Earl
Plessinger, Todd Gilpin, Matt Bex, Brent Londeree, John Demoss, Joey Kramer,
Bobby Davis, Adam Sasser, Ryan Thomas, Steve Trabue, Jeremy Hines, Brandon
Short, Larry Schornick, Greg Lee, JD Roberts, Chris Streeval
BOMBERS (36 ENTRIES)
HEAT ONE: Paul Owens, Steve Godsey, Bobby Johnson, Chad Stapleton, Edgar Godsey,
JJ Pfeiffer, Scott Barker, Nathan Baker, Brad Blevins
HEAT TWO: Josh Hayes, Bubba Woods, Paul Childers, Jim Pfeiffer, Jason Combs, Ben
Burton, Rick Vance, Ray Weston, Mike Klyn
HEAT THREE: Brandon Norman, Jamey Wilson, Dan Londeree, Wes Tipton, Dewayne
Gross, KC Littleton, Greg Baker, Terry Prince, Ryan Hirtzel
HEAT FOUR: Jacoby Hines, Doug Klyn, Josh Turner, Bub Cummings, Tory Routier,
David Robinson, Randy Lawyer, Pam Johnson, Mike Bennett
CONSI: Edgar Godsey, David Robinson, JJ Pfeiffer, Tory Routier, Scott Barker,
Rick Vance, Pam Johnson, Randy Lawyer, KC Littleton, Greg Baker, Mike Klyn, Ben
Burton, Ray Weston, Jason Combs, Brad Blevins, Nathan Baker, Dewayne Gross
FEATURE: Steve Godsey, Paul Owens, Josh Turner, Jacoby Hines, Josh Hayes,
Brandon Norman, Jamey Wilson, Bub Cummings, Dan Londeree, Edgar Godsey, Bobby
Johnson, Jim Pfeiffer, Doug Klyn, Wes Tipton, Tory Routier, Chad Stapleton, Paul
Childers, JJ Pfeiffer, Bubba Woods, David Robinson
John Gill of Mitchell, Indiana rolled into Brownstown Speedway on
Saturday night, and found victory lane twice. Gill started off winning the
make up feature from June 17th, and then winning the regular feature later on
in the evening. Jeremy Hines and Clifton Barron visited victory lane in the
Super Stock division. Hines took the make up feature win, with Barron claiming
the regular show portion of the night. In the Bomber division, Steve Godsey
took home both the make up feature and the regular show feature.
The regular 25 lap Late Model main event saw Gill lead the field to the green
flag, with Mark Barber bolting past Steve Godsey for the second spot. Barber
pulled alongside of Gill as they completed the first lap. Gill held off Barber
by a quarter of a car length. Behind them, Rickey Riggle got around Godsey for
the third position as the field began to spread out. Godsey then had to
contend with Steve Barnett for the fourth position. Barnett got around him
just before the caution flew for the spun car of Devin Sebree in turn one on
lap ten. When the green flew for the restart, Gill pulled tight on the reigns
and pulled away from Barber and Riggle. Back to the fourth place battle,
Godsey got back around Barnett for the position on lap 12. The caution would
slow the field down once again on lap 13, allowing the field to close back in
on Gill. The restart would be nullified as Riggle, who was running third,
stalled his car coming out of turn four. Gill bolted out to a decent sized
advantage on the restart, leading Barber, Barnett, and Godsey to the line. The
car on the move was Marty O'Neal, who started 10th and was moving into the top
five. O'Neal managed to get around Rohn Moon, and then Godsey for fourth as
the field took the five to go signal. Up front, however, it was all Cowboy up
front as Gill took the checkers ahead of Barber, Barnett, O'Neal, and Godsey
rounded out the top five.
The make up feature from June 17th saw John Gill capitalize on a Brad Barrow
mistake en route to the win. Barrow was leading the event when he went under
the cone during a yellow, relegating him to the tail of the field. This handed
the lead over to Gill, who cruised to victory over Steve Barnett, Tim Prince,
Steve Godsey, and Marty O'Neal rounded out the top five.
For Immediate Release:
Dustin Jarrett -- O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series PR (djarrett@battleofthebluegrass.com)
Jack Sullivan Scores O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar
Series Win in 8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial
BROWNSTOWN, IN -- Jack Sullivan made his first ever visit to the Brownstown
Speedway a memorable one as the Greenbrier, AR native passed Justin Rattliff
with five laps to go en route to a hard-earned win in the caution-free 8th
Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial. The win was Sullivan's first ever with the
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport
Shirts.
Justin Rattliff and Mark Barber brought the field down to the green with
third-starting Greg Johnson diving to the bottom making it three-wide for the
point in one and two. After several laps of side-by-side racing, Rattliff
inched ahead and Johnson settled into second with Jack Sullivan, Mark Barber,
and Steve Barnett in hot pursuit. As Rattliff held a narrow advantage over the
field, Johnson and Sullivan were duking it out for second. After several laps
of swapping the bridesmaid honors, Sullivan assumed sole possession of the spot
on lap 14 just as the race leader began working his way through the back of the
field.
Meanwhile, behind the leaders, the action was heating up for the fifth spot as
Brad Barrow, Scott James, Tim Tungate, Brad Neat, and Steve Barnett could have
been covered with a blanket. Chris Combs would slip by Barnett at the midway
point to crack the top ten as Neat applied heavy pressure to Tungate.
With no cautions to aide him, Sullivan used the backmarkers to his advantage as
the Greenbrier, AR driver slowly closed the gap between himself and race-long
leader Rattliff. By lap 26, Sullivan had pulled the nose of his entry up the
rear decklid of the youngster Rattliff's and, on lap 29, Sullivan made his
move. As Rattliff drifted high in turns one and two, Sullivan shot underneath
and grabbed the point as Rattliff tucked in behind. Nearly simultaneously, Mark
Barber completed a pass on Greg Johnson to nab third.
At the 32 lap mark, with just eight laps remaining, Rattliff reeled in Sullivan
and continuously looked for a pass. With just six laps to go, Rattliff was able
to pull alongside Sullivan in a bid for the lead and nosed ahead of Sullivan to
lead lap 35. Sullivan motored back ahead of Rattliff with just four laps to go
and pulled away from the Current Series Rookie of the Year leader.
Sullivan lead the final four laps in the Bryant Motorsports/Hawkeye Truck
Sales/Integra Shocks/New Vision Graphics sponsored, Vic Hill powered, GRT
Pontiac GTO getting the win in the 8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial. "I just
have to thank my crew for giving me this car to race. They did a great job in
setting this car up, all I had to do was drive it," Sullivan said in victory
lane.
The win was Sullivan's first ever with the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass
DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts. Also, Sullivan became the
first driver since Jeff Purvis in 1984 to win at the Brownstown Speedway in his
very first appearance.
Campbellsville, KY's Justin Rattliff captured second place honors in his Pro
Power/Rayburn Monte Carlo sponsored by Rattliff Motors and Dr. Ewing. Third
spot went to North Vernon, IN's Mark Barber in the Jeff Mounce
Motorsports/Huddleston Trucking sponsored Travis Kern/MasterSbilt Grand Prix.
Finishing fourth was Bedford, IN native Greg Johnson in a Pro Power/Intimidator
Grand Prix sponsored by J&H Construction and Hall's Angus Farms. Rounding out
the top five was Bloomington, IN's Brad Barrow in the Living Room Center/LRC
Carpet Sales sponsored Reliable/Rayburn Grand Prix. Finishing sixth through
tenth would be Brad Neat, Scott James, Tim Tungate, Chris Combs, and Steve
Barnett.
Dan Sturgeon was the Racing Optics Fast Qualifier in Time Trials with a lap of
16.135. Mason Racin' Heats went to Rattliff and Johnson while Arizona Sport
Shirt Heats went to Sullivan and Barber. The winners of the Design 500 B-Mains
were Bryan Barber and Aaron Hatton.
At intermission, the Late Model drivers passed their helmets through the
grandstands, taking up a collection for the family of the late Harlan Baker.
Over $1400 was raised thanks to the generous donations by the Brownstown
Speedway fans. After the race, Late Model feature winner Jack Sullivan donated
another $200 to the Baker Family and his sponsor Travis Meeks of Hawkeye Truck
Sales added an addition $400 to make the total collection for the night and even
$2000 for the Baker Family.
The next scheduled event for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar
Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts will be this Saturday, July 1st, at the
201 Speedway paying $3000 to win. Earlier this season, Mike Jewell fended off
the challenges Jackie Boggs, Tim Tungate, and Aaron Hatton to notch the win in a
highly-entertaining finish.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
presented by Arizona Sport Shirts please log on to www.battleofthebluegrass.com
or call the series office at (859)433-5707.
Results Summary
June 24, 2006
Brownstown Speedway
Brownstown, IN
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Dan Sturgeon/16.135
Mason Racin' Heat #1: Justin Rattliff, Steve Barnett, Brad Erwin, Dusty
Chapman, Rohn Moon, Dan Sturgeon, Dan Deaton, Justin Blackwell
Mason Racin' Heat #2: Greg Johnson, Scott James, Chris Combs, Tim Tungate,
Bryan Barber, Marty O'Neal, Greg Ault, Gary Hardin, David Ross
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Jack Sullivan, Brad Barrow, Rickey Riggle, Mike
Jewell, Aaron Hatton, John Gill, Randey Riggle, Christian Rayburn, Anthony
Ferguson
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #4: Mark Barber, Brad Neat, Tim Prince, Steve Godsey,
Frankie Coomer, Doug Ault, Travis Meers, Scotty Jones
Design 500 B-Main #1: Bryan Barber, Rohn Moon, Marty O'Neal, Dan Deaton, Justin
Blackwell, Gary Hardin, Bobby Wolter Jr., Greg Ault, David Ross, Dan Sturgeon
Design 500 B-Main #2: Aaron Hatton, John Gill, Travis Meers, Doug Ault, Randey
Riggle, Scotty Jones, Anthony Ferguson, Frankie Coomer, Christian Rayburn
8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial: Jack Sullivan, Justin Rattliff, Mark Barber,
Greg Johnson, Brad Barrow, Brad Neat, Scott James, Tim Tungate, Chris Combs,
Steve Barnett, Bryan Barber, Mike Jewell, Rohn Moon, Bobby Wolter Jr., Aaron
Hatton, Steve Godsey, Dan Deaton, Dusty Chapman, Tim Prince, Rickey Riggle, John
Gill, Brad Erwin
Race Statistics
Lap Leaders: Justin Rattliff 1-28, Jack Sullivan 29-34, Justin Rattliff 35, Jack
Sullivan 36-40
Cautions: 0
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger: Bobby Wolter Jr. (started 21st, finished
14th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: Bobby Wolter Jr., Dan Deaton
Entries: 35
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
1. 9 Mike Jewell - 2320
2. 47 Chris Combs - 2240
3. 16 Justin Rattliff - 2155
4. 18 Tim Tungate - 2110
5. 10 Bryan Barber - 2100
6. 33 Aaron Hatton - 2035
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. - 1755
8. 41 Brad Neat - 1610
9. D2 Dan Deaton - 1560
10. 4 Greg Johnson - 1410
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Retailer of the
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir Manufacturer &
Vendor of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels – “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Supporters Include:
O’Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery,
Drive Smart Kentucky, Lucas Oil Products, Hoosier Race Tires, American Race
Tires, PPM Performance Products, Bazell Fuels, Cruise With the Champions, Wayne
Bowen Racing Supply, Racing Optics, Mason Racin', Design 500, Trailer Parts &
Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert
Transmissions, Rick Schwallie Photography, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
www.battleofthebluegrass.com
info@battleofthebluegrass.com
For Immediate Release:
Dustin Jarrett -- O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series PR (djarrett@battleofthebluegrass.com)
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Heads to Brownstown
Speedway for the 8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial
LEXINGTON, KY -- For the second time this season, the O'Reilly NARA Battle of
the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts will travel to
the Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, IN. Saturday night, June 24th is the 8th
Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial paying $3000 to win. Hoosier State driver Mike
Jewell currently leads the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Points Standings.
Lee Fleetwood was a regular Late Model competitor at Brownstown Speedway for
many years. He won seven Late Model features during his career at Brownstown and
won the Sportsmanship Award at the track in 1992. Lee began his racing career in
the mid 70's racing a Ford Mustang in the Hobby Stock Division at tracks such as
Brownstown, Paragon and Bloomington. He moved to Late Models in the early 80's
competing a couple of years in the Late Model Division before going to Limited
Late Models in 1983. In 1984 he made the switch back to Super Late Models where
he raced until his untimely death on May 3, 1995.
He was inducted into the Brownstown Speedway "Hall of Fame” in 1995. Lee was in
the prime of his life and racing career at age 44 when on Sunday, April 30 he
suffered a dehabilitating stroke which he passed away from three days later. In
his final race on Saturday Night, April 29, 1995 at Brownstown Speedway he was
scheduled to start on the outside front row of the Late Model Feature when it
was rained out. There was to have been double features the next week. Brownstown
Speedway has honored the memory of Lee Fleetwood with the "Lee Fleetwood
Memorial Race" each year since 1999. Lee was not only a very good race car
driver but an even better person off of the race track.
In the previous seven Lee Fleetwood Memorials, there have been four different
winners with all being former Brownstown Speedway Late Model Track Champions.
Steve Barnett of Franklin, IN has won the race three times and is the defending
champion of the event. Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN has won this race twice
with Dan Sturgeon of Bedford, IN and Mark Barber of North Vernon, IN taking one
win each. In their last visit to Brownstown on April 22nd, it was Bedford, IN's
Greg Johnson getting the win in the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass-sanctioned Hoosier Dirt Classic.
The 8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial will feature a complete racing program for
the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series with Racing Optics Time
Trials, Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Races, Design 500 B-Mains and the
40-lap $3,000 to win 8th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial. Also on the race card
will be Modifieds and Bombers. General Admission for this event will be just
$15 with Pit Admission being an extra $10.
After 11 events this season, the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar
Series has seen 7 different winners. Mike Jewell currently leads the Series
Points standings followed by Chris Combs, Justin Rattliff, Bryan Barber, and Tim
Tungate. The rest of the top finds Aaron Hatton 6th, Bobby Wolter Jr. 7th, Dan
Deaton 8th, Brad Neat 9th, and Greg Johnson 10th.
Brownstown Speedway is located one mile south of Brownstown, IN on State Road
250 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Gates are slated to open for this event
at 2 p.m. For more information on Brownstown Speedway you can log onto their
website at www.brownstownspeedway.com or call the track at (812) 358-5332.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
presented by Arizona Sport Shirts, visit us on the web at
www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859)433-5707.
Current O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
Standings after 6/17/06
1. 9 Mike Jewell - 2150
2. 47 Chris Combs - 2055
3. 16 Justin Rattliff - 1925
3. 10 Bryan Barber - 1925
5. 18 Tim Tungate - 1920
6. 33 Aaron Hatton - 1880
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. - 1595
8. D2 Dan Deaton - 1415
9. 41 Brad Neat - 1410
10. 2CJ Greg Johnson - 1200
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Schedule
Saturday, June 24th -- Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, IN)/$3000 to win - 8th
Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial
Saturday, July 1st -- 201 Speedway (Sitka, KY)/$3000 to win
Saturday, July 8th -- Bluegrass Speedway (Bardstown, KY)/$5000 to win - 7th
Annual Kentuckiana Klash
Saturday, July 15th -- Richmond Raceway (Richmond, KY)/$5000 to win -
"Butterball" Wooldridge Memorial
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Retailer of the
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir Manufacturer &
Vendor of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels – “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Supporters Include:
O’Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery,
Drive Smart Kentucky, Lucas Oil Products, Hoosier Race Tires, American Race
Tires, PPM Performance Products, Bazell Fuels, Cruise With the Champions, Wayne
Bowen Racing Supply, Racing Optics, Mason Racin', Design 500, Trailer Parts &
Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert
Transmissions, Rick Schwallie Photography, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
May 12....rain
April 29....rain
Dustin Jarrett -- O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass PR
www.battleofthebluegrass.com
info@battleofthebluegrass.com
April 22, 2006
The 20 lap Super Stock main event saw Brad Cummings take the field to the green flag with Tim Clark in tow. When Cummings came around to complete the first lap, the gearing went out on the car, causing him to pull into the infield. With Cummings out, Tim Clark inherited the lead and had to contend with Dave Barnett. Barnett tried numerous times to get around Clark on the highside, but to no avail. Barnett would fade back, allowing Clark to pull away to a good lead at the seven-lap mark. Behind Clark, Jay Deckard would get around Barnett for the second position. Barnett then had to contend with Mike Cawood, who would get around him for the third spot. Randy Moore made his move on Deckard as well, going around him for the fourth position. Back up front, Cawood and Deckard waged a battle for the second position. Cawood emerged as the winner, moving to the second position. Cawood turned up the wick a little and started to reel in the leader Clark. Clark, however, had too much for Cawood and held on at the finish. Following Clark and Cawood were Deckard, Matt Boknecht, and Greg Amick rounded out the top five.
Dustin
Jarrett – O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass PR
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Travels to
Ponderosa and Brownstown This Weekend
LEXINGTON, KY -- The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
presented by Arizona Sport Shirts opened their 2006 season last weekend with Don
O'Neal capturing both events at Florence Speedway. O'Neal became the first
driver in two years to win back-to-back events in the series. This weekend, the
nation's most competitive regional racing series visits the Ponderosa Speedway
on Friday night and the Brownstown Speedway on Saturday night.
Friday night, April 21st, the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar
Series will visit the Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY for the
rescheduled 3rd Annual Spring 40. A complete night of racing is scheduled with
Racing Optics Time Trials, Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Races, Design
500 B-Mains, and the 3rd Annual Spring 40 paying $3000 to win. Past winners of
this event include Johnny Wheeler and Greg Johnson. On Friday, the pit gates
are slated to open at 4PM with the general admission gates swinging open at
5PM. Hot Laps will hit the track at 7PM with Racing Optics Time Trials to
follow. General Admission for Adults is just $15, while Pit Admission is just
$30. General Admission for kids age 6-12 is just $10 while children 5 and under
are free with a paying adult.
Saturday night, April 22nd, Brownstown Speedway plays host to the O'Reilly NARA
Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series with the 23rd Annual Hoosier Dirt Classic
on tap. Another complete night of racing is planned with Racing Optics Time
Trials, Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Races, Design 500 B-Mains, and
the 23rd Annual Hoosier Dirt Classic paying $3000 to win. Gates are slated to
open at 2PM with Hot Laps hitting the track around 5:30PM. General Admission
for this race is $20 with Pit Admission being an extra $10 (total of $30).
Previous Hoosier Dirt Classic Winners:
1984-Jeff Purvis
1985-Billy Moyer
1986-Larry Moore
1987-Jack Boggs
1988-Larry Phillips
1989-John Gill
1990-Bob Pierce
1991-Scott Bloomquist
1992-John Gill
1993-Billy Moyer
1994-Davey Johnson
1995-Don O'Neal
1996-John Gill
1997-C.J. Rayburn
1998-Shannon Babb
1999-Don O'Neal
2000-Don O'Neal
2001-Don O'Neal
2002-Don O'Neal
2003-John Gill
2004-Mike Jewell
2005-Terry English
Ponderosa Speedway is a 3/8-mile D-shaped oval located on Phillips Lane, just
outside of Junction City, KY. Larry Yantz, the 2005 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass DirtCar Series Promoter of the Year, is at the helm of "The Pond" once
again in 2006. For more information on Ponderosa Speedway, visit them on the
web at www.ponderosaspeedway.net or call the track at (859) 854-6808.
Brownstown Speedway is a 1/4-mile oval located on State Road 250, a half-mile
southeast of Brownstown, IN at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Tim Keithley is
the new promoter at the historic and famed track in 2006. For more information
on Brownstown Speedway, visit them on the web at www.brownstownspeedway.com.
For more information on race day, call the track at (812) 358-5332.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
presented by Arizona Sport Shirts, visit us on the web at
www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859)433-5707.
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Points
1. 500 Don O'Neal
2. 450 Dan Schlieper
3. 415 Brian Birkhofer
4. 390 Brad Neat
5. 380 Steve Casebolt
6. 365 Scott James
7. 350 Jesse Lay
8. 345 Roger Williams
9. 340 Mike Marlar
9. 340 Wayne Chinn
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Upcoming
Schedule
April 21 - Ponderosa Speedway, Junction City, KY - $3,000 to Win (3rd Annual
Spring 40)
April 22 - Brownstown Speedway, Brownstown, IN - $3,000 to Win (23rd Annual
Hoosier Dirt Classic)
April 28 - Richmond Raceway, Richmond, KY - $3,000 to Win (Spring Shootout)
April 29 - Bluegrass Speedway, Bardstown, KY - $3,000 to Win (9th Annual Spring
Sizzler)
May 6 - 201 Speedway, Sitka, KY - $3000 to Win
May 20 - Lake Cumberland Speedway, Burnside, KY - $3000 to win (Coco-Cola 40)
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Retailer of the
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir Manufacturer &
Vendor of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels – “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Supporters Include:
O’Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery,
Lucas Oil Products, Hoosier Race Tires, American Race Tires, PPM Performance
Products, Bazell Fuels, Cruise With the Champions, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply,
Racing Optics, Mason Racing, Trailer Parts & Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg,
Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert Transmissions, Rick Schwallie
Photography, and Real Wheels
www.battleofthebluegrass.com
info@battleofthebluegrass.com
Blackwell, Bland, and Cummings Capture Thrillers at Brownstown
Justin Blackwell, Jeff Bland, Jr., and Bub Cummings found their way to
Brownstown Speedways victory lane on a Saturday night where three to four wide
racing was the norm.
The 25 lap Late Model feature seemed as if it would never begin, as
three yellows on the original start would keep the field lined up in their
original rows of two. When racing finally began, things would heat up with a
three wide battle for the lead between polesitter Steve Godsey, Rohn Moon, and
Justin Blackwell. While the trio ran three wide, a slight bit of contact was
made, sending Blackwell to the point. Moon would file into second, with Godsey
third. Moon and Godsey moved up to the front to once again make it a three way
dance for the lead. The front three cars ran three wide for five straight laps
before Ryan Eads brought out the yellow on lap six. On the restart the top five
would file out single file with Blackwell leading the cavalry. The single file
racing would end when another three wide battle between Moon, Godsey, and Marty
O’Neal fought for second. The end result of that battle kept Moon in second,
O’Neal would go to third, with Godsey back to fourth. O’Neal then moved up to
challenge Moon for the runner up spot. O’Neal got around Moon on lap 13 to nab
second. The field again spread out throughout the top five with O’Neal reeling
in Blackwell for the lead. O’Neal, with just under ten to go, poked his nose in
on Blackwell to no avail. As the leaders moved into lapped traffic, Blackwell
survived a scary moment when Mark Bechelli shot across the track in front of
him. With five laps to go contact was made between Brent Londeree and Rick
Sowders. Sowders would spin, bringing out the yellow. One helmet toss later,
racing resumed with O’Neal trying to get underneath Blackwell in every turn.
Blackwell would hold off O’Neal in the remaining four laps to notch his first
victory of the season ahead of O’Neal, Moon, Godsey, and Shannon Reed. Brad
Barrow, Mark Barber, Tim Prince, Londeree, and Dusty Chapman rounded out the top
ten. The winning sponsors on Blackwell’s car are: Blackwell Trucking and
Conveying Inc., BTI Crushed Stone Sales, Blackwell Farms, Blackwell Limestone
Co., Starbound Entertainment, White River CoOp, Delph Communications, and Jay
Fox Farm Bureau Insurance. The winning chassis was a C.J. Rayburn Race Car.
The UMP Modified feature turned out to be an equally exciting affair
with Jeff Bland, Jr. of Bloomington, IN making a last lap pass for the win. Adam
Sasser would lead the first circuit, with Matt Boknecht putting pressure on him
for the point. Boknecht and Sasser would run door to door for the lead until the
yellow came out on lap three. Robbie Gullion, Chris Streeval, and Reid Sparks
all spun out in turn three. On the restart, Sasser would jump ahead of Boknecht,
who was ahead of Bland in third. The second yellow of the event would fly on lap
five, when Gullion spun off the turn one banking, ending his night. When racing
resumed, 14th starting Lee Hobbs and Jesse Cramer would battle for the fourth
spot, with Cramer keeping the spot. Hobbs would now have to battle with Tim
Eddelman for the fifth position. Back up front on lap eleven, Boknecht finally
took the lead away from Sasser. At the same time, Eddelman got around Hobbs for
fifth. Unfortunately for Boknecht, his lead lasted one lap due to a blown
engine. With oil sprayed on the track, Sasser spun in the oil, but kept going to
keep his lead. When the green flew for the restart it was now Sasser and Bland
running first and second on the bottom of the racetrack. Bland kept on the back
bumper of Sasser for the last remaining 12 laps. As the leaders took the white
flag, Sasser slipped up the track just a little bit, allowing Bland to throw a
bonzai move in one. Contact was made, with Bland moving to the lead. Sasser’s
bad luck would continue in the final corner, as Cramer shot under him for
second. The top five at the finish was Bland, Cramer, Sasser, Eddelman, and Ryan
Thomas. Bland’s sponsors include: Auto Credit, B&B Auto Brokers, Servpro, Dr.
Luke Eads Family Dentistry, Tate Racing Engines, Wolfes Auto Auctions, and
VanHorn Tint and Accessories. Bland was piloting a Loose Gruff Chassis.
Bub Cummings of Bedford, IN made it known that he is the man to beat in
the Bomber division in 2006. Cummings is now two for two on the year in Bomber
feature action. The 15 lap main event saw Steve Godsey move to the point off the
start, with Jacoby Hines and Cummings in tow. Cummings would make a great move
coming out of turn two on the second lap, getting around both Hines and Godsey
for the lead. Cummings then checked out on the field, as Godsey and Hines
battled for the second position most of the race. Godsey pulled away from Hines
during the latter portion of the feature, leaving him in third. Following
Cummings to the line was Godsey, Hines, Edgar Godsey, and Jim Pfeiffer rounded
out the top five. Cummings thanks Cummings Machine Shop, Terry Cummings Race
Engines, Prince Excavating, PBM Performance, ISU The May Agency, and Flying O
Bodies.
SUMMARY:
LATE MODELS (28 Entries)
FAST QUALIFIER: Shannon Reed
HEAT ONE: Steve Godsey, Rohn Moon, Shannon Reed, Daniel Bohall, Cale Kern,
Jeremy Masters, Ryan Eads, Greg Ault, Brad Barrow, Charles Ross
HEAT TWO: Justin Blackwell, Marty O’Neal, Scott Graham, Jeff Simonton, Mark
Bechelli, Mike Bechelli, Glenn Bradley, Randy Riggle, Gary Hardin
HEAT THREE: Brent Londeree, Tim Prince, Mark Barber, Rick Sowders, Dusty
Chapman, Brian Wilhite, Doug Ault, Duane Brown, Devin Sebree
CONSI: Brad Barrow, Mike Bechelli, Greg Ault, Gary Hardin, Ryan Eads, Brian
Wilhite, Randy Riggle, Charles Ross, Doug Ault, Jeremy Masters, Glenn Bradley
FEATURE: Justin Blackwell, Marty O’Neal, Rohn Moon, Steve Godsey, Shannon Reed,
Brad Barrow, Mark Barber, Tim Prince, Brent Londeree, Dusty Chapman, Greg Ault,
Mark Bechelli, Cale Kern, Gary Hardin, Mike Bechelli, Daniel Bohall, Ryan Eads,
Scott Graham, Jeff Simonton, Rick Sowders
UMP MODIFIEDS (37 Entries)
HEAT ONE: Adam Sasser, Todd Gilpin, Chris Streeval, Brandon Reed, Larry
Schornick, Ron Fedor, Jeremy Ingram, Rocky Kugel, Greg Lee, Don Fleetwood
HEAT TWO: Matt Boknecht, Robbie Gullion, Jared Bailey, Lee Hobbs, Dave Benham,
JD Roberts, Denny Boknecht, Gene Tyree, Webb Lee
HEAT THREE: Jeff Bland Jr, Rob Manley, Reid Sparks, Sam Lee, Kyle Decker, Jason
Mann, Rick Hines, Jason Thomas, Kent Robinson
HEAT FOUR: Jesse Cramer, Tim Eddelman, Ryan Thomas, Brandon Short, JP Hume, Greg
Deckard, Devin Gilpin, Steve Trabue, Al Flick
CONSI ONE: J.D. Roberts, Rocky Kugel, Don Fleetwood, Webb Lee, Dennis Boknecht,
Greg Lee, Ron Fedor, Jeremy Ingram, Gene Tyree, Larry Schornick, Dave Benham
CONSI TWO: Rick Hines, Greg Deckard, Kent Robinson, Kyle Decker, Devin Gilpin,
Jason Thomas, Jason Mann, Steve Trabue, JP Hume
FEATURE: Jeff Bland Jr, Jesse Cramer, Adam Sasser, Tim Eddelman, Ryan Thomas,
Jared Bailey, Brandon Reed, Brandon Short, Rob Manley, Rick Hines, Greg Deckard,
Reid Sparks, JD Roberts, Sam Lee, Rocky Kugel, Lee Hobbs, Matt Boknecht, Robbie
Gullion, Chris Streeval, Todd Gilpin
BOMBERS (35 Entries)
HEAT ONE: Jacoby Hines, Bobby Johnson, Doug Klyn, Wes Tipton, Josh Hayes, Randy
Lawyer, Chad Stapleton, Tory Routier, Greg Baker
HEAT TWO: Steve Godsey, Edgar Godsey, John Mayer Jr, Scott Jones, Scott Barker,
Steve Woodcock, Pam Johnson, Brian Smiley, Tim Meade
HEAT THREE: Bub Cummings, Nick Mitchell, Greg Hicks, Josh Turner, Paul Owens,
Ronnie Pardue, Jason Combs, Derick Levesque, Calvin Gibson
HEAT FOUR: Jim Pfeiffer, Dewayne Gross, Brandon Routier, Travis Prince, Aaron
Fields, Kenny Baker, Jamie Wilson, Ryan Hirtzel
CONSI: Paul Owens, Chad Stapleton, Josh Hayes, Tim Meade, Scott Barker, Kenny
Baker, Greg Baker, Jason Combs, Brisn Smiley, Steve Woodcock, Pam Johnson, Randy
Lawyer, Calvin Gibson, Aaron Fields, Ronnie Pardue, Tory Routier
FEATURE: Bub Cummings, Steve Godsey, Jacoby Hines, Edgar Godsey, Jim Pfeiffer,
Doug Klyn, Paul Owens, Josh Turner, Josh Hayes, Tim Meade, Wes Tipton, John
Mayer, Scott Jones, Greg Hicks, Nick Mitchell, Chad Stapleton, Brandon Routier,
Bobby Johnson, Dewayne Gross
For Immediate Release
James Essex-Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Public Relations
04-01-06
Earl Pearson Jr. Prevails in "Indiana Icebreaker" at Brownstown Speedway
for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
BROWNSTOWN, IN--Earl Pearson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL passed race leader Darrell
Lanigan on lap 61 of the 75 lap Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series main event on
Saturday Night at the Brownstown Speedway and then went on to score his first
series win of 2006 as the defending series champion captured the Ninth Annual
"Indiana Icebreaker" sponsored by Jones Core. The win was Pearson's third
career on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and earned the 34 year old driver
$10,000 as he came from the 10th starting spot to take the win aboard the
Carlton and Kemp Lamm owned, Lucas Oil Products, Dunn-Benson Ford, K&N
Engineering, Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, All-Star Performance, Larry Wallace Racing
Engines, MasterSbilt Ford Taurus. Lanigan of Union, KY would finish second
after starting 14th in the Lanigan Autosports/GottaRace.com/Rocket Ford Taurus
with Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN placing third in the Randall
Eller/Independence Lumber/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Completing the top five were
Greg Johnson of Bedford, IN in the John Hall/J&H Construction/Intimidator Grand
Prix and Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA in the J&J Steel/Pro Power Engines/MasterSbilt
Monte Carlo. A standing room only crowd was on hand as 68 cars were entered in
the night's events.
Front row starters Greg Johnson and Rick Eckert would lead the field to the
green flag with Eckert taking the lead heading into turn number one with Johnson
right on his heels. Tim Dohm was third with Don O'Neal and Darren Miller
running in the top five after one completed lap. Dohm would make a charge from
third to second around Johnson by the fourth circuit, but a lap later Johnson
made his back by Dohm to regain the spot. Eckert was building up to a five car
length lead over the field when the first caution came out on lap six for Matt
Miller and Shannon Reed. The restart was costly for Eckert as going into turn
two he would slip up the track allowing several cars to get by falling all the
way back to tenth place. Johnson would pick up the lead and the race would go
green for a complete lap until Scott James brought out the second caution on lap
seven. On the restart Johnson would show the way with O'Neal now running in
second followed by Dohm, Jimmy Mars and Darren Miller.
Mars would then be the man on the move climbing to third in the race to
challenge O'Neal for second. On lap 14 Mars' race would suddenly end as
something happened to his race car heading into number one as he ended up over
embankment and came to a halt. Mars' nice run was done as he was towed back to
the pit area after coming from the 12th starting spot to third. Johnson again
would be on the point for the restart with O'Neal still in second with Pearson
now in the hunt from tenth to run third at this point in the race. O'Neal and
Pearson would then run side by side for at least three laps with O'Neal hanging
on for second place. Birkhofer was now showing some strength using the top
groove of the track as he was fourth in the race with pressure from Lanigan.
The race would stay green until lap 22 when Brad Neat stopped on the front
stretch and an ensuing restart would see Steve Barnett, Eckert and Brad Barrow
involved in a caution in turn number two. Those would be the last cautions of
the race and that would set up a showdown in the 53 laps of racing between four
drivers. Johnson would lead lap 23 on the restart, but on lap 24 O'Neal would
take his turn leading the race grabbing the point with Lanigan following him to
second. O'Neal and Lanigan would then dice it out for the lead until Lanigan
would finally clear O'Neal taking his first lead of the race on lap 27. Pearson
then got in the act going side by side with O'Neal for a few laps in the race
for second. While O'Neal and Pearson were slugging it out Lanigan had pulled
out to a six car length lead over the pair. With 30 laps scored by was Lanigan
showing the way followed by O'Neal, Pearson, Johnson and Doug Horton.
Heavy traffic started to play a role in the race for the first time as Lanigan
would catch up to the tail of the pack by lap 33. At this time Pearson was
finally able to wrestle second from O'Neal and set his sights on Lanigan.
Pearson would eventually catch up to Lanigan by lap 38 with O'Neal still running
in third with Horton now fourth as he had gotten by Johnson. With 30 laps to go
it was still Lanigan and Pearson showing the way. Lanigan was about two to
three car lengths ahead of Pearson as the two were still battling through some
heavy traffic in front of them. Johnson then went by Horton to regain the
fourth spot and he was catching up to O'Neal trying to make a race of it for the
third position. Now with 20 laps remaining the crowd was on their feet as
Pearson saw an opening on the inside of Lanigan and he made the pass on the 61st
lap to take over the lead. Pearson was the fifth different driver to lead this
race, but Lanigan was not through yet as he was not about to settle for second
place.
With ten laps to go Lanigan was all over Pearson for the lead as Pearson was
encountering some traffic in front of him. With the roles reversed Pearson now
had to fight to maintain the lead knowing one mistake and Lanigan would be by
him. With five laps to go Lanigan was on the rear of Pearson's racer, but
Pearson was able to withstand Lanigan's challenges and cross the finish in first
to claim his first ever win at Brownstown Speedway. Lanigan came home a close
second followed by O'Neal, Johnson and Birkhofer.
In victory lane Pearson thanked a multitude of people who have helped him get
off to an excellent start in 2006. "My new crew chief Jason Fitzgerald, my car
owners Carlton and Kemp Lamm and all the crew they've done a great job this
year, we are really running well and it feels good to win here at Brownstown,
probably one of the toughest tracks to ever win a race at." "I caught Lanigan
there in traffic and I knew if I could get a run on him and get to the inside I
might have a shot at passing him and it worked out real well and we were able to
get by him, I don't know if I could have beat him without the lapped traffic, he
had a real good car tonight."
Completing the top ten were Doug Horton, Rick Eckert, 24th starting Scott James,
Donnie Moran and Shannon Babb.
In preliminary action Steve Francis set a new Brownstown Speedway track record
with a fast lap of 13.546 seconds to earn the Comp Cams fast time award among
the 68 cars on hand. The PBM Performance Products heat races were won by Brian
Birkhofer, Tim Dohm, Greg Johnson, Darren Miller, Rick Eckert and Don O'Neal.
The Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno first B-Main went to Shannon Babb with the
Penske Shocks second B-Main belonging to Corey Conley.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series returns to action this Saturday and Sunday,
April 8 and 9 with a visit to the Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA on Saturday
Night for the "Jimmy Mosteller Classic" and a first ever trip to the Cherokee
Super Speedway in Gaffney, SC on Sunday Night awaits the series participants.
Both events will pay $10,000 to win.
Race Summary
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Event #7
Brownstown Speedway-Brownstown, Indiana
Saturday Night, April 1, 2006
Comp Cams Fast Time: Steve Francis 13.546 seconds (New Track Record)
PBM Performance Products First Heat: (Top 3 advance): Brian Birkhofer, Steve
Francis, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Mike Watson, Brady Smith, Brad Barrow, Bret
Sievert, Damon Eller, C.J. Rayburn, Ryan Eads, Bryan Barber, Doug Ault
PBM Performance Products Second Heat: (Top 3 advance): Tim Dohm, Michael
England, Darrell Lanigan, Shannon Babb, Dan Schlieper, Kevin Weaver, Billy
Drake, Matt Miller, Tim Prince, Brian Wilhite, Justin Rattliff, Mike Marlar
PBM Performance Products Third Heat: (Top 3 advance): Greg Johnson, Doug
Horton, Dennis Erb, Jr., Steve Casebolt, Rick Aukland, Jeep VanWormer, Scotty
Earl, Steve Hillard, Jayme Zidar, Justin Robinson, Scott Wenell
PBM Performance Products Fourth Heat: (Top 3 advance): Darren Miller, Earl
Pearson, Jr., Patrick Sheltra, Chad Kinder, Marty O'Neal, Brent Londeree, Rickey
Riggle, Jeremy Masters, Shannon Reed, Scott James, John Mason
PBM Performance Products Fifth Heat: (Top 3 advance): Rick Eckert, Steve
Barnett, Donnie Moran, Corey Conley, Johnny Wheeler, Mike Jewell, Duane
Chamberlain, Frank Heckenast Jr., Jordan Bland, Gary Harden, Brad Erwin
PBM Performance Products Sixth Heat: (Top 3 advance): Don O'Neal, Jimmy Mars,
Brad Neat, Freddy Smith, Tim Tungate, Justin Blackwell, Steve Godsey, Randy
Riggle, Aaron Hatton, Kerry Hansen, Daniel Bohall
Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno First B-Main: (Top 2 advance): Shannon Babb, Dan
Schlieper, Rick Aukland, Billy Drake, Steve Casebolt, Steve Hillard, Bret
Sievert, Jayme Zidar, C.J. Rayburn, Justin Robinson, Tim Prince, Damon Eller,
Brian Wilhite, Scott Wenell, Jeep VanWormer, Mike Watson, Brady Smith, Roy
Mitchell, Justin Rattliff, Scotty Earl, Ryan Eads, Kevin Weaver, Brad Barrow,
Bryan Barber, Matt Miller
Penske Shocks Second B-Main: (Top 2 advance): Corey Conley, Tim Tungate, Freddy
Smith, Johnny Wheeler, Justin Blackwell, John Mason, Marty O'Neal, Duane
Chamberlain, Kerry Hansen, Frank Heckenast Jr., Steve Godsey, Gary Harden,
Rickey Riggle, Jeremy Masters, Jordan Bland, Randy Riggle, Chad Kinder, Brent
Londeree, Mike Jewell, Scott James, Shannon Reed, Daniel Bohall, Brad Erwin
Ninth Annual "Indiana Icebreaker" Feature: (75 Laps): Earl Pearson Jr.,
Darrell Lanigan, Don O'Neal, Greg Johnson, Brian Birkhofer, Doug Horton, Rick
Eckert, Scott James, Donnie Moran, Shannon Babb, Corey Conley, Tim Dohm, Steve
Francis, Darren Miller, Patrick Sheltra, Michael England, Eddie Carrier Jr, Tim
Tungate, Steve Barnett, Dan Schlieper, Dennis Erb Jr., Shannon Reed, Brad
Barrow, Brad Neat, Jimmy Mars, Matt Miller
Race Statistics
Entries: 68
Yellow Flags: 5
Red Flags: 0
Lap Leaders: Rick Eckert 1-6 Greg Johnson 7-23 Don O'Neal 24-26 Darrell
Lanigan 27-60 Earl Pearson Jr. 61-75
All-Star Performance Performer of the Race: Scott James (Started 24th and
finished 8th) advanced 16 positions
K&N Engineering Clean Pass of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr. for taking the lead
from Darrell Lanigan
Hawk Brake Tough Break Award: Brady Smith
Quarter Master Move of the Race: Don O'Neal
Weld Racing Wheels Award: Tim Tungate
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Race: Doug Horton
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Matt Miller and Scott James
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Points Standings (After April 1)
1. Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL)-805
1. Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH)-805
3. Steve Francis (Ashland, KY)-790
4. Dennis Erb Jr. (Carpentersville, IL)-780
5. Don O'Neal (Martinsville, IN)-760
6. Doug Horton (Bruceton Mills, WV)-715
6. Rick Eckert (York, PA)-715
8. Matt Miller (Waterville, OH)-710
9. Scott James (Lawrenceburg, IN)-690
10.Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV)-685
11.Shannon Babb (Moweaqua, IL)-645
12.Darren Miller (Chadwick, IL)-590
13.Brian Birkhofer (Muscatine, IA)-580
13.Eddie Carrier Jr. (Salt Rock, WV)-580
15.Jimmy Mars (Menomonie, WI)-545
15.Brady Smith (Solon Springs, WI)-545
17.Corey Conley (Wellsburg, WV)-530
18.Michael England (Glasgow, KY)-515
19.Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN)-510
20.Billy Moyer (Batesville, AR)-505
2006 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors
Lucas Oil- Title Sponsor and “Official Oil Products of the Lucas Oil Late Model
Dirt Series”
K & N Filters - “Official Filters” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels- “Official Race Fuel of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series”
Hoosier Race Tires – “Official Race Tire of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – “Official Souvenir Manufacturer & Vendor of the Lucas Oil
Late Model Dirt Series”
2006 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: Lucas Oil Products, K
& N Filters, Sunoco Race Fuels, Arizona Sports Shirts, DART Machinery, COMP
Cams, PBM Performance Products, Hawk Performance Brakes, Edelbrock, PPM, AFCO,
Quarter Master, Design 500, Penske Racing Shocks, Weld Racing Wheels, Banshee
Graphics, Jesel, C J Rayburn Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, Real Wheels, MasterSbilt
Race Cars, Lazer Race Cars, Mason Racin, Cruise With The Champions, Petroff
Towing and All-Star Performance www.lucasdirt.com
swilson@lucasdirt.com
Pearson Breaks The Ice at Brownstown
Jeffrey A. Bayless
Brownstown, IN (April 1, 2006) The arrival of April means several things to Midwesterners, but to the dirt late model fans among us the biggest thing it means is the beginning of a new season for racers and fans alike. The ¼ mile clay track known as Brownstown Speedway played host to 68 of the nations finest late model drivers as the 9th Annual running of the Indiana Ice Breaker sponsored by Jones Core and featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series was paying the winner a nice cool ten grand. When it was all said and done Jacksonville, FL native “The Hurricane”, Earl Pearson Jr., guided his Larry Wallace Engines’ powered, Lucas Oil Products and Dunn Benson Ford sponsored Ford Taurus MasterSbilt chassis to victory lane.
The preliminaries began with
several cars going under the previous track record in qualifying topped by Steve
Francis and his blistering lap of 13.546 and the track continued to be fast and
multi-grooved throughout the heats and concies leaving everyone in anticipation
of a thrilling 75 lap main event. The front row of Greg Johnson and Rick
Eckert charged into turn 1 side by side with Eckert able to secure the lead as
the duo came out of four to complete the first lap. Eckert then began to
separate from the field as Johnson, Tim Dohm, and Don O’Neal battled for the
second spot. All good things must come to an end, and that was the case with
Eckert’s early lead as the caution came out on lap 6 as Matt Miller and Shannon
Reed got tangled in turns 3 and 4. On the restart Eckert’s machine faltered
allowing several cars to charge by in turns 1 and 2 and Eckert was never a
serious threat again during the event. Johnson and O’Neal began a heated
battle for the lead as Dohm, Darren Miller, and Jimmy Mars began to dance for
position behind them. By the eleventh lap Mars had secured the third spot and
was reeling in the lead duo when trouble struck sending Mars off of the track in
turn 1 as something broke on his car on the 14th circuit. O’Neal
would make a serious challenge for the lead on the restart but Johnson was able
to fend him off and retain the lead as Earl Pearson Jr. raced solidly in third
ahead of Brian Birkhofer, Darrell Lanigan, and Doug Horton. Johnson was able
to take command once again as O’Neal found himself entertained with a determined
Pearson as that duo began to dice it up for the second spot. Then a lap 22
caution for Brad Neat’s spin out of turn 4 began a chain of events that would
see several positions change hands over the next few laps. On the restart
Johnson once again fought off a challenge from O’Neal as Lanigan darted past
Pearson to take third. On the next circuit, Johnson slipped up coming out of
two allowing O’Neal, Lanigan, and Pearson by. When the 25th lap was
scored it was O’Neal with Lanigan in close pursuit with Pearson and Johnson
battling for 4th and Birkhofer and Horton tangling for the 5th
spot. Lanigan would take the lead on the 27th circuit diving under
O’Neal coming out of 2 and would quickly begin to separate from the field. On
the 32nd circuit Pearson would claim the second spot from O’Neal and
would set his sights on the leader who was a half straight-away in front by this
point. Pearson would track down Lanigan and be glued to his bumper by the 40th
circuit as the lead duo was negotiating traffic and quickly leaving the rest of
the field in their dust. Lanigan would slip just a bit on the 62nd
circuit opening the door for Pearson who flew through reversing the rolls with
Pearson now in front of Lanigan as the duo continued to negotiate traffic. With
the top side of the track beginning to go away, Pearson made the decision when
he caught the car of Shannon Babb 10 laps from the checkers that he would stay
on the bottom and follow Babb forcing Lanigan to make a move to the outside, a
move Lanigan was never able to make as the duo crossed the line with Pearson a
couple of car lengths in front of Lanigan. Half a lap back O’Neal would come
across in third with Johnson, Birkhofer, Horton, Eckert, Scott James, Donnie
Moran, and Babb rounding out the top 10.
for top 5 icebreaker pictures by Darin Stewart, click here
RESULTS
LUCAS OIL DIRT SERIES LATE MODELS
68 entries
Fast Time: 15 Steve Francis: 13.546 (NTR)
Heat 1 Transfers: Birkhofer, Francis, Carrier
Heat 2 Transfers: Dohm, England, Lanigan
Heat 3 Transfers: Johnson, Horton, Erb
Heat 4 Transfers: Miller, Pearson, Sheltra
Heat 5 Transfers: Eckert, Barnett, Moran
Heat 6 Transfers: O’Neal, Mars, Neat
Conci 1 Transfers: Babb, Schlieper
Conci 2 Transfers: Conley, Tungate
Series Provisionals: James, Miller
Track Provisionals: Reed, Barrow
Feature
(75 laps)
1. 1 Earl Pearson Jr. (10)
2. 29 Darrell Lanigan (14)
3. 71 Don O'Neal (4)
4. 4 Greg Johnson (1)
5. 15B Brian Birkhofer (6)
6. 45 Doug Horton (9)
7. 24 Rick Eckert (2)
8. 83 Scott James (23)
9. 99 Donnie Moran (17)
10. 18 Shannon Babb (19)
11. 14 Corey Conley (20)
12. 6T Tim Dohm (3)
13. 15 Steve Francis (7)
14. 32D Darren Miller (5)
15. 23 Patrick Sheltra (16)
16. 5E Michael England (8)
17. 28 Eddie Carrier Jr. (13)
18. 18 Tim Tungate (22)
19. 89 Steve Barnett (11)
20. 9 Dan Schlieper (21)
21. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (15)
22. 21R Shannon Reed (25)
23. 57 Brad Barrow (26)
24. 41 Brad Neat (18)
25. 28 Jimmy Mars (12)
26. 7 Matt Miller (24)
Lap Leaders:
1-6 Eckert
7-23 Johnson
24-26 O’Neal
27-61 Lanigan
62-75 Pearson
Cautions: 4
www.lucasdirt.com
swilson@lucasdirt.com
www.lucasdirt.com
swilson@lucasdirt.com