STEVE BARNETT CAPTURES 200TH CAREER VICTORY AND POINTS TITLE AT BROWNSTOWN

Brownstown, In: Steve Barnett of Franklin, IN took home the double whammy at the Brownstown Speedway, winning the feature and claiming the 2002 Track Championship by just 41 points over Mike Jewell. It was Barnett's second track championship, his first came in 1990.

The final feature of the year for the Late Models would see Barnett lead the field to the green flag. Behind him, a three way battle for second would erupt behind him coming down the backstretch between Brad Barrow, Frankie Coomer, and Jason Setser. Setser would ride the rim around the two to take the second position. Barnett would start to put some space between he and Setser by lap six. At the ten lap mark the top five were Barnett, Setser, Barrow, Coomer, and C.J. Rayburn. Looking through the field at the four men who had mathematical chances of winning the points, we seen Barnett in the lead, Jewell in sixth, Dan Sturgeon in eighth, and Mark Barber in ninth. Jewell would advance a spot shortly after lap 14 as he would get by Rayburn for the spot coming out of turn two. At this point up front, things were starting to get interesting, as Setser would begin to reel in Barnett. Setser obviously had found something on the rim, as he looked immaculate in moving around lap cars to get to Barnett. Behind the leaders, a battle for the sixth was taking shape with Sturgeon, Doug Ault, and Rayburn. Rayburn would come out the winner on that exchange, with Sturgeon falling to seventh, Ault eighth. Meanwhile, back up front, Setser had closed in on Barnett's back bumper with just nine to go. Setser would throw everything but the kitchen sink at Barnett, while trying to get by on the high side. Barnett's line around the middle of the turns was enough to keep Setser at bay while he was on the rim. Setser would see that, and try the bottom groove in the turns for the next few circuits, still trying to get around Barnett. Setser would not have it easy, however, as he and a lap car would make slight contact allowing Barnett to pull away just a bit. Setser would then go back on the prowl, climbing back up to the top groove. Within a couple of laps, he had caught back up with Barnett, who at this time would start throwing more lap cars at Setser. Setser would have some trouble getting around some of the lappers, as Barnett was cruising on. With just a few laps to go, Setser would get around the lap cars, and set sail for Barnett one more time. At the white flag, Barnett could hear Setser coming. But he wasn't coming hard enough, as Barnett would cross the line in first, for the 200th time in his career ahead of Setser, Barrow, Coomer, Jewell, Rayburn, Sturgeon, Ault, Steve Godsey, and Barber would round out the top ten. The "Franklin Flyer" is sponsored by Tony Stewart, JD Byrider, Spears Auto Parts, GRT RaceCars, AFCO Shocks, and K-Motion Engines.

The Super Stock feature would go to Mike Fields as he sat in victory lane for the third time this year, padding his points lead going into the final race on September 14th. Fields started on the pole and darted off to the early lead. Chris Deweese would move to the top side to see if he could get a run on Fields, but Fields had too much on the bottom side for anyone. Behind Deweese, a battle for third place between Keith Deppe and Mike Cawood would take place. Cawood ended up on top of that battle, sending Deppe to fourth. At the halfway point it was Fields, Deweese, Cawood, Deppe, and Jay Deckard rounding out the top five. Deckard would advance one more position before the checkers fell by getting around Deppe for fourth. But no one was catching Fields, as he would cross the line a full straight ahead of Deweese, Cawood, Deckard, and Deppe would finish the top five.

You can not say enough about the Bomber division. These warriors are guaranteed to put on a show for the fans. Numerous close finishes, three to four wide racing, and bumping & banging was the norm in this division in 2002. The final battle of the year went to Jason Combs who notched his first career Bomber feature victory. The race had a little bit of trouble getting started, as two cautions would fly before one lap would be complete. The first was for Ray Godsey, Sr., and the second was for Matt Cummings. When the green finally flew, Combs would shoot to the lead with a pack of cars three to four wide behind him. Jim Ruddick and Clifton Barron would fight it out for second. Ruddick would take the position, holding Barron to third. The man on the move at lap 8 was Godsey, Sr. as he was up to fifth from the 16th position. Barron would shoot back around Ruddick for the second spot with just five to go. You could throw a blanket over the top six cars as they were all over each other trying to advance positions. Barron would then move up and try to give Combs a challenge for the point. He and Combs would run door to door with a battle for third brewing behind them. Godsey would make the pass on Matt Cummings for third. But Cummings would come right back and take the spot from Godsey. The action was not over yet, as a three way battle for the fourth spot ensued with Godsey, Ruddick, and Robert Walters. Godsey would get away from that battle and once again move up and pick off Cummings for third. The racing was so close, that Godsey had threw himself up in the mix for the lead as well, moving in with Barron and Combs. Combs and Barron would pull away just a bit from Godsey, who would lose his third spot to Cummings. Combs would hold on to win the event, followed by Barron, Cummings, Ruddick, and Godsey would round out the top five. The bomber points chase was wrapped up as well with Matt Cummings taking home his first track championship.

BILLY DRAKE LAYS “SMACKDOWN” ON JACKSON 100 FIELD

By: Chris Nunn

Billy Drake of Bloomington, Ill became the first driver from the state of Illinois to find victory lane in the Jackson 100. Drake moved up from his fifth starting position to take the lead on lap 26 from Scott James, and then marched on to victory in his Wells Family, Creative Kitchens and Baths, Ultimate Detail Shop, Mullvain Powered, #9 Mastersbilt Entry.

The 100 lap main event started with Bart Hartman on the pole, via the pill draw, leading the field to Rusty Nunn’s green flag. Hartman would find himself battling for the lead with Scott James coming down the backstretch. James would overtake Hartman and lead lap number one. Hartman would begin to fall backwards as R.J. Conley would go around him for the second position, bringing Drake and Rick Aukland with him dropping Hartman back to 5th. Conley would hold on to the second position for a few laps until Drake would motor on by moving Conley to third. Back a little ways, Hartman would lose his fifth position to Don O’Neal on lap 8. At lap 10 the top five were James, Drake, Aukland, Conley, and O’Neal. One lap later on the 11th circuit, Shawn Negangard would spin in turn four, collecting Bob Pierce in the process. Negangard would continue for a couple of laps, while Pierce would be taken off on the hook. On the restart, a three way battle would emerge for the fourth position. The big winner in that battle was Hartman, moving up from sixth to fourth. Conley would move to fifth, with O’Neal sixth. O’Neal would not stay in sixth very long, however, as he would move past Conley to take fifth. Conley would start to have troubles, as Kevin Claycomb and John Gill would both pass him moving him back to eighth. Back towards the front, Hartman would start his journey forward, catching Aukland. The two would race side by side at the same time as Drake would start to catch up to James for the point. On lap 20, Drake would pull up to James and start the war for the lead. On lap 26, Drake would make the pass on James for the point. Back a little ways, Claycomb would jump into the top five with a move on O’Neal. Claycomb would only hold the spot for a moment, as O’Neal would get him back. Claycomb would drop out unexpectedly a few laps later. Drake would start to hit lap traffic on lap 36, putting some room between him and James. James however would now be entangled in a battle with Hartman for second. Hartman would move on by to take the spot. James was not done, however, as he would return the favor for the second position. The “Bartman & Shark” war would continue as Hartman would pull up door to door with James, with James winning that battle. Behind that battle, another was taking place, with Aukland and O’Neal for the fourth spot. O’Neal would take the spot on the low side a lap later. Aukland would then lose the fifth position to John Gill. Back up front, Drake was maintaining a ¾ straightaway lead on Hartman, who had just gotten past James for second on lap 48. At the halfway point it was Drake leading Hartman, James, O’Neal, and Gill. Hartman and James were in the midst of one of the best shows on the track, as they would run side by side once again for the second spot on lap 54. Gill and Aukland would wage their own war for the fifth position, with Aukland taking the spot. Meanwhile, back at the second spot, Hartman would move back around James. The two man battle between Hartman and James would become a three way dance, as O’Neal would join the fray. Hartman and James would pull away from O’Neal and run, you guessed it, side by side for second. On lap 67 James would take the second spot from Hartman. On lap 70, Drake would be running a full straightaway ahead of second position, maneuvering his way through lap traffic. On lap 74, Hartman would move up once again to battle James for the second position. Hartman would make the final pass on James on the 78th circuit. With 20 laps to go the top five were Drake, Hartman, James, O’Neal, and Aukland. James would have to fight for his third position with O’Neal on lap 82, with O’Neal making the pass on lap 84. Another driver making his way through the field was Union, Ky. native Darrell Lanigan. Lanigan started 18th and by lap 91 passed Gill for the fifth spot, giving him the Lou Ahlbrand Award for passing the most cars. Lanigan received an extra $1,000 for his efforts. Back up front, Drake would not have to worry about the extra $1,000 for passing cars, as he would take the checkered flag in the 23rd Annual Jackson 100 ahead of Hartman, O’Neal, James, Lanigan, Gill, Aukland, Kevin Weaver, Matt Miller, and Steve Casebolt rounded out the top ten

Fast Qualifier: John Gill

FIRST HEAT: Frankie Coomer, John Gill, Mike Jewell, Tim Tungate, Dusty Chapman, Cale Kern, Rick Sowders, Vernon Soeder, Tim Prince

SECOND HEAT: Mark Barber, James Huff, Greg Ault, Scotty Earl, John Sizemore, Gary Barrow, Cody Mahoney, Tom Allman, Gary Trammell

THIRD HEAT: Brad Barrow, Dan Sturgeon, Adam Sasser, Dennis Boknecht, Shannon Reed, Steve Godsey, Matt Gillardi, Mike Bechelli

FOURTH HEAT: Darren Miller, C.J. Rayburn, Ernie Barrow, A.J. Bowlen, John Finn, Gary Hardin, John Dome, Ray Weston

CONSY 1: Dusty Chapman, Gary Barrow, Cody Mahoney, John Sizemore, Tim Prince, Cale Kern, Gary Trammell, Rick Sowders, Vernon Soeder, Tom Allman

CONSY 2: Steve Godsey, Shannon Reed, Matt Gillardi, Mike Bechelli, John Finn, Bill Lewis, Gary Hardin, John Dome, Ray Weston

FEATURE RESULTS:
1. John Gill
2. Dan Sturgeon
3. Frankie Coomer
4. Mike Jewell
5. Darren Miller
6. Brad Barrow
7. C.J. Rayburn
8. Adam Sasser
9. Mark Barber
10. Scotty Earl
11. Greg Ault
12. Dusty Chapman
13. Tim Tungate
14. Steve Godsey
15. Ernie Barrow
16. A.J. Bowlen
17. Shannon Reed
18. Dennis Boknecht
19. Gary Barrow
20. James Huff

RESULTS PROVIDED BY CHRIS NUNN

1. Jason Setser
2. Dan Sturgeon
3. Mark Barber
4. Adam Sasser
5. C.J. Rayburn
6. Dennis Boknecht
7. Cale Kern
8. Greg Ault
9. Tim Prince
10. Dusty Chapman
11. Jim Curry
12. Steve Godsey
13. Josh Allison
14. Rick Sowders
15. Gary Hardin
16. Brian Wilhite
17. John Dome
18. Tom Allman
19. Cody Mahoney
20. Ernie Barrow

Fast Time went to Setser who clocked in at a fast 14.896...nice to see the Late Models back under 15 seconds

Fast Qualifier: Steve Barnett 14.1

HEAT 1: Steve Barnett, Greg Johnson, Shannon Reed, Mike Bechelli, Frankie Coomer, Scott Graham, Dennis Boknecht, Cale Kern, Brad Sturgeon, Christian Rayburn

HEAT 2: Steve Casebolt Jr, Mark Barber, Doug Ault, Tim Prince, Brad Barrow, Jason Setser, Josh Allison, Robert Earl, Gary Hardin, Anthony Hiner

HEAT 3: Dan Sturgeon, John Gill, Mike Jewell, Steve Godsey, Ernie Barrow, Denny Bailey, Greg Ault, Todd McKinney, Brian Wilhite, Rick Sowders

CONSI TOP FIVE: Jason Setser, Dennis Boknecht, Scott Graham, Brad Sturgeon, Greg Ault

4TH ANNUAL LEE FLEETWOOD MEMORIAL: Steve Barnett, Greg Johnson, Steve Casebolt, John Gill, Dan Sturgeon, Doug Ault, Steve Godsey, Mike Bechelli, Brad Barrow, Jason Setser, Frankie Coomer, Shannon Reed, Ernie Barrow, Dennis Boknecht, Greg Ault, Tim Prince, Brad Sturgeon, Mike Jewell, Scott Graham, Mark Barber