2002 archives

scroll down for the articles....they are in the same order as you see them here
*10-21-02- SHANNON BABB WINS 2002 WDTC
*10-13-02- 2002 UMP NATIONALS AT ELDORA
*Sept. 02 -AS THE WORLD 100 TURNS 32
                   Day 1-Shannon Babb quickest of 202 entries
                   Day 2- Brian Birkhofer Best of the Best in 2002
*June 02 --ELDORA DREAM REPORT
*05-06-02- STEVE HILLARD-"WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING"
*05-03-02- SCORE ANOTHER WIN FOR DICK POTTS
*03-28-02- STARS AND BATTLE OF THE BLUEGRASS SERIES REACH AGREEMENT
 *03-07-02- YES, UMP DRIVERS, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
*February- TERRY YOUNG'S 2002 FLORIDA REPORT
*February- Inaugural season for BoB

THE BIG EVENT

There's a new DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPION in Illinois!!!!!!
By Smash

(10/21/02)The 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship produced a first time winner
and the globed trophy will be residing in Mowequa , Illinois at the shop of
Shannon Babb, The Mowequa Missile formerly known as The Decatur Invader! Babb
was clearly the class of the field all weekend completing the clean sweep by
recording fast time of the 124 cars on hand, winning his heat race and
leading the entire 100 laps in the A-Main to claim the $50,000 first place
prize in the biggest win of his career.

Babb took the checkers ahead of teammate and fellow Petroff Posse member
Billy Moyer as he drove his Rayburn chassis, Petroff Towing, B Auto Parts,
Watters Autoland, Car City, Platinum Motors, AFCO Racing Products, Pro Power
Engines, HOOSIER by Smash, Ringers Gloves #18 to the win in front of a
standing room only audience despite the cold weather and long day of racing
after the preliminary day was cancelled due to rain.

Babb started the day off by touring the track in 16.271 seconds to record the
fastest qualifying lap of the 124 cars in hand.

The first heat was all Babb as he went to the checkered ahead of fellow
Petroff Posse teammate Don O'Neal, Ray Cook, Johnny Wheeler and Jeep Van
Wormer.

The second heat was topped by Dale McDowell over Rick Corbin, Shawn
Negangard,  Derrick Rainey and Johnny Johnson.

The third heat was won by Dan Schlieper over Mark Barber, Ed Behn, Timmy
Yeager and Robert Hensley.

The fourth heat was captured by Steve Barnett over Whitney McQueary, Jerry
Rice, Billy Drake and Jesse Ley.

The fifth heat went to Billy Moyer over Scott Bloomquist, Randall Chupp,
Duane Chamberlain and Rodney Combs.

The sixth heat was won by Freddy Smith over Bob Pierce, Jim Curry, John Gill
and Scott James.

The seventh heat fell to Steve Landrum over Justin Fegers, #34j, Kevin Weaver
and David Smith.

The eighth heat was claimed by Mike Jewll over Steve Smith, #77, Clayton
Christenberry and #77??.

The ninth and final heat was won by Darrel Lanigan over Wendell Wallace,
Terry English, Jimmy Owens and C.J. Rayburn.

The first of three 20 lap consis was claimed by Ray Cook over Shawn Negangard.

The second consi was won by Randall Chupp over Jerry Rice.

The third consi was won by Kevin Weaver over Terry English.

Feature Results after 100 laps..(starting position in parenthesis)

1. (1) Shannon Babb
2. (5) Billy Moyer
3. (2) Dale McDowell
4. (6) Freddy Smith
5. (14) Scott Bloomquist
6. (10) Don O'Neal
7. (9) Darrel Lanigan
8. (19) Ray Cook
9. (11) Rick Corbin
10. (18) Wendell Wallace

AND MORE FROM KENTUCKY

TO:  All Press and Media Outlets (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

RE:  22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship Race Story and Results

FROM:  Michael Despain-Bluegrass Speedway Media Contact

The “Babbster” Takes 22nd Annual DTWC Back to the Land of Lincoln from Bluegrass Speedway

BARDSTOWN, KY-October 20- Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL would lead all 100 laps to take the biggest win of his career by scoring the $50,000 to win 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship feature race victory at Bluegrass Speedway in front of the largest crowd in the history of the eight year facility.  It also marked the first time in the 22 year history of the DTWC that the feature event has been held at night under the lights and the race was also one of the richest one day events that has ever been contested on dirt.

          Babb and Dale McDowell would bring the stellar 26 car starting field to chief starter Brian Axsom’s green flag and Babb would immediately jump to the lead with McDowell, Dan Schlieper, Billy Moyer, and Freddy Smith.  Babb would motor away early on from the field as McDowell and Schlieper would wage war for second, while Moyer would watch this battle from fourth, with Smith hanging on to fifth.  Schlieper would drive by McDowell around lap 15 for second, while Scott Bloomquist was charging from his 14th starting spot and was up to seventh by lap 20 as he, Smith, Steve Barnett, Darrell Lanigan, and Don O’Neal sported the best battle on the track for several laps, until Bloomquist would win the battle for the sixth spot by lap 35.  Babb was entering heavy slower traffic at this point and Schlieper would close up on Babb, with Moyer now riding third right on the back bumper of Schlieper.  Babb would see Schlieper look beneath on three occasion between laps 35 and 41 until the only caution of the race waved as the field worked the 42nd circuit when Kevin Weaver rolled off the racing surface on the backchute and fire erupted under the hood of his mount, with track officials and crew members quick to extinguish the flames.  It would be around this point that the racing surface really started to rubber-up and it made for some interesting work in slower traffic for the race leaders.  Babb looked very poised as he guided his entry cleanly and smoothly around the ½ mile high-banked clay oval, while Schlieper was attempting to hold off the charges of Moyer for the runner-up slot.  As Babb held a steady pace out front, his “Petroff Posse” teammate Moyer would really turn the wick up on Schlieper around lap 80 and would drive around the outside of Schlieper with a powerful pass exiting turn four.  Moyer would then set his sights on Babb and with 2 laps had the race leader right in check.  Moyer would throw his entire bag of tricks at the youngster over the next 10 rounds, making the last 5 miles of the event very exciting.  Moyer would look under Babb exiting turn four on laps 93, 94, and 95, with Moyer getting alongside of Babb on lap 95, with the pair side by side at the start-finish line.  The lead duo would then close on Steve Smith and Babb would basically use Smith as a pick to put between himself and Moyer over the last four laps and would cruise into victory lane for his first DTWC victory and biggest win of his career in the Petroff Towing/Watters AutoLand/Car City Cars/B Auto Parts #18 C.J. Rayburn Race Car, Pro Power Race Engines/Hoosier Race Tires entry.  Moyer would take runner-up honors in the event, with McDowell grabbing third after Schlieper broke on the final lap.  Freddy Smith would take fourth, while Bloomquist would go home fifth after starting 14th.  Don O’Neal would head up the second five at the finish with a sixth, Darrell Lanigan would score a solid seventh, while eighth place finisher Ray Cook would be the big mover after winning a B-main and starting 19th.  Rick Corbin and 18th starter Wendell Wallace would complete the top ten.

          A total of 124 Late Models representing 18 states were on hand for the event with Babb fast qualifier among the 121 drivers who took times.  Nine heat race events were staged with Babb, McDowell, Schlieper, Steve Barnett, Moyer, Freddy Smith, Steve Landrum, Mike Jewell, and Lanigan all winning heats.  Cook, Randle Chupp, and Kevin Weaver were B-main winners, with Brad Neat being the track provisional and Eddie Carrier, Jr. getting the STARS BoB provisional.

          The Modified division would also be in action with 68 entries vying for the $2,000 to win top prize in their 30 laps portion of the DTWC weekend and when all was said and done, the driver better known as “The Rocketman”, Joey Kramer of Hanover, IN, had checked into victory lane once again this season as he was extremely impressive behind the wheel of the Dee Kramer owned Midwest Tube Mills Inc./KMI Competition Race Engines/AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants/G.B. Graphics #77 Lightning Chassis entry.  Earl Plessinger and Bluegrass Speedway Modified track champion Benji Lee would battle much of the event for second, with Plessinger winning the battle and relegating Lee to third.  Illinois visitor Don Kiker would wind up fourth after starting 22nd, with Robert Pyles completed the top five.  Rounding out the top ten were Denny Schwartz, 14th starting Jay Mobley, 18th starting Josh Lucas, 16th starter David Spille, and Kelly Warren.  The six heat race winners were Josh Ferguson, Pyles, Kramer, Joe Gray, Schwartz, and Warren, while Leonard Pierce and David Copley were B-main winners.

 

SUMMARY-Bluegrass Speedway-Bardstown, KY-October 20, 2002

Late Models (124 entries)

Top Qualifier- Shannon Babb

1st Heat- Shannon Babb, Don O’Neal, Ray Cook, Johnny Wheeler

2nd Heat- Dale McDowell, Rick Corbin, Shawn Negangard, David Powers

3rd Heat- Dan Schlieper, Mark Barber, Ed Behn, Timmy Yeager

4th Heat- Steve Barnett, Whitney McQueary, Jerry Rice, Billy Drake

5th Heat- Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Randle Chupp, Duane Chamberlain

6th Heat- Freddy Smith, Bob Pierce, Jim Curry, John Gill

7th Heat- Steve Landrum, Justin Fegers, John Whitney, Kevin Weaver

8th Heat- Mike Jewell, Steve Smith, Paul Benton, Clayton Christenberry

9th Heat- Darrell Lanigan, Wendell Wallace, Terry English, Jimmy Owens

1st B Main- Cook, Negangard, Wheeler, Behn, Yeager

2nd B Main- Chupp, Rice, Gill, Scott James, Jimmy Mars

3rd B Main- Weaver, English, Christenberry, Owens, C.J. Rayburn

STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Series Provisionals- Eddie Carrier, Jr.

Bluegrass Speedway Track Provisional (Track Champion)- Brad Neat

22nd Annual DTWC Feature- Babb, Moyer, McDowell, Freddy Smith, Bloomquist, O’Neal, Lanigan, Cook, Corbin, Wallace, Barnett, Pierce, McQueary, English, Steve Smith, Schlieper, Jewell, Rice, Neat, Fegers, Negangard, Carrier, Jr., Weaver, Barber, Landrum, Chupp

Modifieds (68 entries)

Top Qualifier- Randle Sweeney

1st Heat- Josh Ferguson, Earl Plessinger, Sweeney, David Adams

2nd Heat- Robert Pyles, Benji Lee, Jay Mobley, Leonard Pierce

3rd Heat- Joey Kramer, Eddie Carrier, Sr., Richard Harlow, Dan Hamstra

4th Heat- Joe Gray, Joe Mattingly, David Spille, Robbie Gullion

5th Heat- Denny Schwartz, Brandon Green, Danny Dean, Jason Underwood

6th Heat- Kelly Warren, Chuck Griffis, Josh Lucas, Don Kiker

1st B Main- Leonard Pierce, Dion Benningfield, David Adams, Clint Shutts, Jason Perry

2nd B Main- Copley, Kiker, Webb Howard, Steven Luracy, Terry Edwards

Feature- Kramer, Plessinger, Lee, Kiker, Pyles, Schwartz, Mobley, Lucas, Spille, Warren, Harlow, Ferguson, Griffis, Copley, Pierce, Green, Gray, Carrier, Sr., Adams, Mattingly, Benningfield, Sweeney, Dean, Howard

LEADING UP TO THE BIG DAY
 


Bluegrass Speedway To Host 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship
From: Michael Despain-Bluegrass Speedway Media Contact

Bardstown, KY-June 26, 2002- One of America’s most tradition-rich Dirt Late Model events is coming to Bluegrass Speedway as Carl Short and Bluegrass Speedway track promoters David and Anita Ferrell will present the 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20 at the ½ mile high-banked dirt oval located just minutes outside of beautiful and historic Bardstown, KY.

“We are extremely honored to have Carl Short come to us and want our track to host one of the most tradition-ladened Dirt Late Model events in the United States”, commented Bluegrass Speedway track promoters David and Anita Ferrell. “We feel with our location and facilities, the drivers and fans will enjoy a very memorable and pleasant weekend of racing. We intend on working very closely with Mr. Short to try and make this edition of the DTWC the best ever, along with showcasing the wonderful community where our track is located”. The Dirt World Championship has been held for many years at the legendary Pennsboro Speedway in Pennsboro, West Virginia, with guest appearances for the event in the past also at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia and at the Thunder Ridge Entertainment Complex in Prestonsburg, KY. “We are extremely proud to get to be part of this event and want to build on the already great tradition of this event that has already been established by the fine citizens and race fans of the state of West Virginia”, stated track Media Contact Michael Despain.

The event will be the traditional 100 laps, with the winner taking home $50,000 for their efforts. The list of winners of the previous Dirt Track World Championship events reads as a list of who’s who in the Dirt Late Model racing industry, going back to the late Jim Dunn’s miraculous victory in the first event in 1981, to the late Jack Boggs three wins, multiple wins by Billy Moyer, Jr. and Ronnie Johnson, and, of course, Freddy Smith, who owns the most DTWC wins with five. Other DTWC winners include Charlie Swartz, John Mason, Donnie Moran, Marshall Green, Steve Francis, and Wendell Wallace. Second-generation racer Bart Hartman of Zanesville, OH is the defending Dirt Track World Championship event winner.

Activities for the weekend will see time trials and heats on Saturday, October 19 for the Late Models, with last chance and the 100 lap, $50,000 to win DTWC on Sunday, October 20. The Open-Wheel Modifieds will provide support division action for this event, with purse structure for the Modifieds to be announced. Also, more details concerning this great race in general will be released shortly.

The DTWC is the second highest paying to win Dirt Late Model race in the country, second only to the The Dream 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH. Former NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Cale Yarborough, Rodney Combs, Jeff Purvis, and the late Neil Bonnett have all competed in past editions of this race.

(History credit to 220.com)
Dirt Track World Championship

Track(s): Pennsboro (WV) Speedway, 1981-1997; Thunder Ridge (KY) Raceway, 1998; West Virginia Motor Speedway, 1999-2000; Pennsboro Speedway, 2001; Bluegrass Speedway (KY), 2002.

Fast Facts: Another October classic. Promoted originally and currently by Carl Short, STARS sanctioned and promoted from 1986 to 1997.

Yearly Results:

Year Winner Second Third
2001 Bart Hartman Scott Bloomquist Chub Frank
2000 Wendell Wallace Brian Birkhofer Davey Johnson
1999 Steve Francis Wendell Wallace Donnie Moran
1998 Freddy Smith Dan Schlieper Billy Moyer
1997 Marshall Green Freddy Smith Todd Andrews
1996 Billy Moyer Rick Eckert Davey Johnson
1995 Jack Boggs Donnie Moran Larry Moore
1994 Ronnie Johnson Davey Johnson Freddy Smith
1993 Freddy Smith Chub Frank Jack Boggs
1992 Ronnie Johnson Freddy Smith Donnie Moran
1991 Freddy Smith Billy Moyer Rex Richey
1990 Jack Boggs Buck Simmons Freddy Smith
1989 John Mason Charlie Swartz Donnie Moran
1988 Donnie Moran Gary Stuhler Davey Johnson
1987 Larry Moore Freddy Smith Charlie Swartz
1986 Billy Moyer Willie Kraft Jeff Purvis
1985 Freddy Smith Dick Potts Rodney Combs
1984 Jack Boggs Larry Moore Rodney Franklin
1983 Freddy Smith Pat Patrick Rodney Combs
1982 Charlie Swartz Jerry Inmon John Mason
1981 Jim Dunn Rodney Combs Doug Kenimer

Complete Information About 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY
EVENT:  22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship
WHEN:  Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2002
WHERE:  Bluegrass Speedway-Bardstown, Kentucky
TOTAL PURSE:  $160,000
LATE MODELS:  $50,000 to win (100 laps)
MODIFIEDS: $2,000 to win
WEB:  www.bluegrass-speedway.com

  DTWC LATE MODEL FEATURE PAYOFF:

1st-$50,000; 2nd-$10,000; 3rd-6,000; 4th- 4,000; 5th-3,000; 6th-2,500; 7th-2,400; 8th-2,350; 9th-2,300; 10th- 2,250; 11th-2,200; 12th-2,150; 13th-2,100; 14th-2,050; 15th-2,000; 16th-1,950; 17th-1,900; 18th-1,850; 19th-1,800; 20th-1,750; 21st-1,700; 22nd- 1,650; 23rd- 1,600; 24th-1,550; 25th-1,500; 26th-1,500

  DTWC LATE MODEL CONSY PAYOFFS:

1st-$100(transfer); 2nd-$100(transfer); 3rd-$1,000; 4th-800; 5th-600; 6th-500; 7th-400; 8th-300; 9th-275; 10th-250; 11th- 225; 12th-24th-$200

  MODIFIED FEATURE PAYOFF:

1st-$2,000; 2nd-$1,000; 3rd-700; 4th-500; 5th-450; 6th-350; 7th-300; 8th-275; 9th-250; 10th-225; 11th-215; 12th-200; 13th-190; 14th-180; 15th-170; 16th-160; 17th-150; 18th-140; 19th-130; 20th-120; 21st-110; 22nd-24th-$100

  *Reach Deep in your pocket and find a quarter.  Chances are you’ll be looking at the new Kentucky version released late last fall.

          If you find this version, you’ll be looking at an engraving of Kentucky’s best known historic icon, “My Old Kentucky Home” located in Bardtown, KY.  It inspired American songwriter Stephen Foster to write his most enduring romantic ballad “My Old Kentucky Home”.

          The Home…also known as Federal Hill Mansion, the composer and the quarter, are closely intertwined in this historically significant community.

          There are several other attractions in the area that may hold some interest to race fans…attractions like the Jim Beam Distillery, which is the number one bourbon producer in the world.  Also the Heaven Hill Distillery, where 17% of world’s supply of bourbon is stored.

DTWC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Saturday, October 19- Gates open at 9:00 a.m.; Time Trials for Late Models begins at NOON; Heat races for Late Models will follow Late Model Time Trials; Heat races for Modifieds after the Late Model Heats

  Sunday, October 20- Gates open at 9:00; Racing starts at 1:00 with Last Chance consy races for the Late Models; Modified Last Chance consy races will then be next; Dirt Track World Championship for Late Models-100 laps/$50,000 to win; Modified Feature-$2,000 to win

TICKET INFORMATION:  SAVE $10 PER TICKET ON ADVANCE TICKET ORDERS!

General Ticket Ordering Information (All tickets will sold on a first come/first serve basis):

-Advance Adult 2-Day General Admission: $35 (add $10 day of race-$45)
-Advance 2-Day Pit Pass: $45 (add $10 day of race-$55)
-Advance Children Age 6-12: $10 (in advance or day of race)
-Children Under Age 6: FREE with a paid adult
Advance Tickets Sales Deadline:  October 10

ADDRESS TO SEND FOR YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS (Please include a self addressed stamped envelope) and mail to the following (please include how many you want of each kind of ticket):

DTWC (Dirt Track World Championship)
266 East Grubbs Lane
Danville, KY 40422-9503

-No Personal Checks:  Money Order of Cashiers Check ONLY.  Make payable to DTWC.  Allow ample time for mailing

 

OFFICIAL RACE ENTRY INFORMATION FOR DTWC-October 19-20, 2002

Pre-Entry Fees (Deadline to Pre-Enter is October 10):

-Late Models: $100 per car

-Modifieds: $25 per car

Entry Fees at the Gates:

-Late Models: $200 per car

-Modfieds: $50 per car

Advance 2-Day Pit Pass-$45; Pit Pass at the Gate-$55

-Mail your pre-entry to the following address:

DTWC (Dirt Track World Championship)
266 East Grubbs Lane
Danville, KY 40422-9503

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:

-David and/or Anita Ferrell (Bluegrass Speedway Promoters): (859) 854-6922 or (859) 516 3754

-Carl Short (DTWC): (865) 945-3423

-Michael Despain (Bluegrass Speedway Media Contact): (270) 465-3380 or e-mail to the following:  [email protected]

-Bluegrass Speedway (Racedays): (502) 349-1241

-Website:  www.bluegrass-speedway.com

 

  CARL SHORT’S DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
The one that started it all-The Dirt Track World Championship!  In 1981, the Dirt Track World Championship paid $30,000 to win from a total purse of over $80,000.  At that time, this was double what had been paid on dirt before.  In 2002, the 22nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship will pay $50,000 to win from a purse that will exceed $160,000 and will be hosted for the first time ever by Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY-Central Kentucky’s Raceplace!

 

UMP Nationals Results from Eldora!

10/13/02: UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) National Championships


A SALUTE FROM SMASH

 MIKE MARLAR is a CLASS ACT! Congrats Jimmy Owens!

I just wanted to say what a class act Mike Marlar is and he showed that today by his actions at ELDORA SPEEDWAY, going into the event leading the chase for the $100,000 at the end of the rainbow and coming up just short of the elusive prize!

Many times actions speak louder than words, and if people were paying attention today Mike Marlar will reap the dividends by his actions at the world famous speedplant!

After coming up just short of the crown Mike walked what will probably be the longest walk of his career to the frontstretch and hugged Jimmy Owens and congratulated him and his crew!
A real act of sportsmanship.

I can't describe how impressed I was when Mike said that he wished Jimmy the best and that Jimmy drove hard all season long and worked hard to win the prize and that he deserved it because he did what he had to do and won not only the race but in the process also won the championship!

Mike, keep your head high pal, you will have many championships before you decide to call it quits! You have a bright future ahead of you!

And to Jimmy and his entire crew Congratulations, you guys never gave up and showed that quitters never win and winners never quit! 

Saturday Preliminary Results from ELDORA U.M.P. Nationals....

By Smash the Loud Pedal

62 late models and 124 modifieds rolled through the gates today at Earl and Berniece's ELDORA Speedway for the culmination of the 2002 U.M.P. points season and the crowning of the 2 year end point champions who will earn $100,000.00 for their years efforts.

The late models ran 6 heats with the top 3 from each transferring to the A-Main tomorrow. The final starting positions will be garnered by the top 2 in each consi along with the 2 fastest qualifiers who did not transfer through preliminary events.

The first heat was won by Jeep Van Wormer followed by Chuckie May and 2002 U.M.P. National Champion Terry English.

The second heat was won by Doug McCammon, retiring after tomorrows event, what a way to end the career Doug! Following Doug at the stripe were Brandon Kinzer and Darrel Lanigan who made a last lap pass on Ed Dixon to earn the final transfer spot and relegate Dixon to the consi's tomorrow.

The third heat was won by Bob Pierce over Kris Patterson and Duane Chamberlain.


The fourth heat was topped by Greg Johnson over Audie McWilliams and Ron Perrine, Jr. Don O'Neal who had ben running in second tagged the wall in turn 1 relegating Kevin Weaver from fourth to third in a transfer spot. Several laps later Weaver made contact in the same exact spot in Turn 1 and dropped back to 7th in the final tally.

The fifth heat seen Brian Ruhlman catch the checkers ahead of Jerry Rice and Rick DeLong.

The sixth and final heat was won by Steve Hillard over Hillard Miller and Aaron Scott to earn Hillard the pole starting position for tomorrows main event extravaganza!

Congratulations to all the heat winners, Terry English the 2002 National Champion and Good Luck to all in tomorrows final event of the season!!

SUMMARY
Late Models - 62 cars

Fast Time: Jeep VanWormer 16.089

Heat 1: Jeep VanWormer, Chuckie May, Terry English, Troy Cruse, Kevin Claycomb, Scott Knepley, Brett Sievert, Steve Maisel, Eddie Shickel, Matt Miller

Heat 2: Doug McCammon, Brandon Kinzer, Darrel Lanigan, Ed Dixon, Shane Yoder, Jayme Zidar, John Lawhorn, Dennis Roberson, Tony Albright, Vince Grondzki, Fred Wahl

Heat 3: Bob Pierce, Kris Patterson, Duane Chamberlain, Randy Woodling, John Rhoades, Scott Fisk, Mark Faust, Brent Kreke, Roger Brickler, Chad Oxley

Heat 4: Greg Johnson, Audie McWilliams, Ronnie Perrine, Jr., Ken Hahn, Gary Krug, Tracy Ellison, Kevin Weaver, Joe Wohlgamuth, Don O’Neal, Shawn Toczek

Heat 5: Brian Ruhlman, Jerry Rice, Rick DeLong, Tom Beam, Bill Hahn, Mike Ruble, Richie Hedrick, Joe Montaque, Butch Wildermuth, Marvin Schilling

Heat 6: Steve Hillard, Hillard Miller, Aaron Scott, Eddie Leviner, Wayne Maffett, Mark Voight, Dean Anderson, Jerry Bowersock

Chassis Challenge Race: Terry English, Mark Faust, Steve Hillard, Brett Sievert, Eddie Leviner, Richie Hedrick

Race of State Champions

Terry English (KY), Greg Johnson (MI), Don O’Neal (FL), Tony Albright (TN), Shane Yoder (OH), Mark Faust (IL), Brett Sievert (WI), Brian Shirley (Rookie)

B-Main 1: Don O’Neal, Shane Yoder, Ken Hahn, Jayme Zidar, Troy Cruse, Wayne Maffett, John Lawhorn, Gary Krug, Dennis Roberson, Tracy Ellison, Roger Brickler, Dean Anderson, Joe Wohlgamuth, Chad Oxley, Butch Wildermuth, Mark Voight

B-Main 2: Randy Woodling, Bill Hahn, Brent Kreke, Scott Knepley, Mark Faust, Brett Sievert, Mike Ruble, Joe Montaque, Marvin Schilling, Steve Maisel, John Rhoades, Scott Fisk

50-lap Main:

1)Brian Ruhlman 2)Bob Pierce 3)Greg Johnson 4)Jerry Rice 5)Darrel Lanigan 6)Steve Hillard 7)Doug McCammon 8)Don O’Neal 9)Brandon Kinzer 10)Terry English 11)Jeep VanWormer 12)Audie McWilliams 13)Ed Dixon 14)Aaron Scott 15)Kevin Weaver 16)Chuckie May 17)Hillard Miller 18)Ronnie Perrine, Jr. 19)Randy Woodling 20)Duane Chamberlain 21)Tom Beam 22)Kris Patterson 23)Rick DeLong 24)Tony Albright


Modifieds - 127 cars
Fast Time: Mike Marlar 18.111

Heat 1: Mike Marlar, Jimmy Westerfield, Randle Sweeney, Kyle Lough, Jeff Leka, Ed Roley, Matt Boknecht, Warren Shingleton, Jesse Bitterling, Steve Grotz, Patrick Krug, Ryan Thomas, John Gurley, Elvin Hershberger, Paul Bumgardner

Heat 2: Jimmy Owens, Chad Ogle, Shane Cottle, Matt Mevert, Brent Gladstetter, Dennis Wilson, Ron Dennis, Josh Scott, Mike Sweeney, Danny Schwartz, Rusty Griffaw, Mike Harrison, Shawn O’Connor, Carter Jones, Josh Belcher

Heat 3: Gary Richard, Brandon Maxwell, Jim Farris, Mike Steele, Dave Wheatley, Robbie Perkins, Ed Hounshell, Kelly Bowlby, Mark Voight, Scott Clippinger, Chris Ricket, Jerry Butler, David McWilliams, J.R. Ruefer, Casey Luedeke

Heat 4: Don O’Neal, Brett Mullins, Chad Kinder, Jeremy Luther, Mark Kowarsch, Chris Ullery, Trent Young, Jack Waldfogel, Matt Corliss, Russell Childress, Gabe Menser, Tom Bixler, Jr., Kenny Littrell, Rick Arms, Jimmy Crabtree`

Heat 5: Brian Ruhlman, George Aimone, Andy Holderman, Jerry Bowersock, Jim Shereck, Billy Palmer, Wayne Chinn, Rob Trent, Shane O’Connor, Rick DeLong, John Sheets, Kyle Cooper, David Flowers, Dave Pries, Brad McCloud, Troy Taylor

Heat 6: John Burdett, Rodney Kiker, Ray Walsh, Lance Dehm, Barney Craig, R.J. Gall, Cory Partin, Travis Shoulders, Kent Shoeck, Jim Dale, Lance Kobusch, Mike Neighbors, Tim Dalman, Brent Hole, Billy Collett

Heat 7: Davey Gantt, Mark Anderson, Tim O’Donnell, Rob Williams, Denny Schwartz, Aaron Jenkins, Mark Moore, Jim Warner, Jr., Kevin Cole, Chris Simon, Bub Patrick, Larry Dunn, Larry Kugel, John Eppers, Clint Shutis

Heat 8: Dustin Moore, Ron Perrine, Jr., Phil Johns, Dave Porth, Mike Brecht, Nick Rosselit, Bill Roy, Andy Smith, Brian Diveley, Stan Smith, Shawn Smith, Ronnie Rowland, Jerry Rutheford, David Booker

Chassis Challenge Race: Danny Schwartz, Mike Marlar, Chad Kinder, Jimmy Westerfield, Mike Hollifield, Rusty Griffaw, Chris Rickett, Matt Boknecht, Billy Palmer, Lance Dehm, Mike Sweeney, Jim Dale, Michael Steele, Jim Warner, Russell Childress, Troy Taylor

Race of State Champions: Jimmy Westerfield (KY), Jim Sherek (FL), Chad Kinder (IL), Brandon Maxwell (GA), John Sheets (MO), Matt Boknecht (IN), Dustin Moore (OH), Jim Dale (CAN) Brett Wyatt (TN), Billy Collett (MS)

B-Main 1: Randall Sweeney, Ray Walsh, Lance Dehm, Dave Porth, Mike Brecht, Chris Ullery, Jeremy Luther, Jim Dale, Jr., Trent Young, Dennis Wilson, Stan Smith, Matt Corliss, Bill Roy, Andy Smith, Cory Partin

B-Main 2: Tim O’Donnell, Shane Cottle, Dave Wheatley, Rob Williams, Jim Warner, Gabe Menser, Chris Rickett, Chris Simon, Scott Clippinger, Kelly Bowlby, Mark Moore, Robbie Perkins, Aaron Jenkins, Ed Hounshell

B-Main 3: Brent Gladstetter, Matt Mevert, Phil Johns, Nick Rosselit, Jim Farris, Josh Scott, Travis Shoulders, R. J. Gall, Brian Diveley, Danny Schwartz, Kent Schoeck, Mark Kowarsch, Jack Waldfogel, Barney Craig

B-Main 4: Kyle Lough, Jeff Leka, Jerry Bowersock, Wayne Chinn, John Sheets, Andy Holderman, Matt Boknecht, Shane O’Connor, Jesse Bitterling, Rick DeLong, Steve Grotz, Warren Shingleton, Ed Roley, Rob Trent, Bill Palmer

25-lap A Main

1)Jimmy Owens 2)Brian Ruhlman 3)Don O’Neal 4)Mike Marlar 5)John Burdett 6)Dustin Moore 7)Brandon Maxwell 8)Mark Anderson 9)Gary Richard 10)Ronnie Perrine, Jr. 11)Brett Mullins 12)Denny Schwartz 13)Chad Kinder 14)Rodney Kiker 15)Kyle Lough 16)Michael Steel 17)Tim O’Donnell 18)Brent Gladstetter 19)Jimmy Westerfield 20)Jim Shereck 21)George Aimone 22)Randall Sweeney 23)Trent Young
 

As the World 100 turns 32
Day 1-Shannon Babb quickest of 202 entries
Day 2- Brian Birkhofer Best of the Best in 2002
It's Birky, Bloomer, Babb, Pierce, and Schlieper

 

CLICK ON THE WEBSITE AND EXPLORE THE "BIG E"
IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE, YOU  HAVE MISSED AN EXPERIENCE.
www.eldoraspeedway.com


 

DIRT AMERICA WORLD 100 PREVIEW---www.dirtamerica.com/articles/sept1ar2.htm

REPORTS DIRECTLY FROM THE SPEEDWAY---www.eldoraspeedway.com/world100.html

TECH INSPECTION AT THE SPEEDWAY--www.eldoraspeedway.com/photos/techinworld100.html

THERE WILL BE REPORTS FROM  WRITERS AND PICS FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS
FOLLOWING  THE ACTION.

WHO KNOWS?? THERE MAY BE A RACENUT SIGHTING

World 100-Courtesy of 220 Racing News
Birkhofer on top at the 32nd World 100
ROSSBURG, Ohio (Sept. 7, 2002) -- Brian Birkhofer led only one lap of the 32nd annual World 100 and it was the lap that counted the most on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway.

Birkhofer, the up-and-coming driver from Muscatine, Iowa, won his first-career World 100 in exhilarating fashion, taking the lead from Scott Bloomquist on the final lap to win the sport’s biggest spectacle at the half-mile oval near Rossburg, Ohio.

Birkhofer, 30, drove the Daufeldt Transport/Seubert Calf Ranches MasterSbilt to victory lane for $35,000. Last Sunday, he picked up a win in the Sunoco American Late Model Series event at Eldora, which was used by many drivers as a tune-up for the World 100. The extra track time obviously paid off.

Shannon Babb, who set the fastest qualifying time among 202 cars on Friday night, took the lead from Bob Pierce early in the race.

Babb led until nearly halfway when Bloomquist got around for the lead after a restart. Birkhofer, who had moved up after starting in the middle of the field, also made the pass on Babb for second.

Bloomquist's lead evaporated in the closing laps and he finally lost the chance to repeat as World 100 champion when Birkhofer beat him down low in the fourth turn with the checkered flag waving.

Bloomquist finished second, followed by Babb, Pierce and Dan Schlieper.

Heat races earlier Saturday night were won by Babb, Dennis Erb Jr., John Gill, Randle Chupp, Schlieper and Pierce. Only the fastest 120 cars from Friday night’s two rounds of qualifying started a heat race.

Billy Moyer was a surprising onlooker for this year’s main event. The five-time race winner did not qualify for the main event Saturday. He had previously qualified for every World 100 event dating back to the 1986 race.

Also left out of the feature action were former World 100 champions Donnie Moran, Mike Duvall and Randy Boggs. Moran, along with Moyer, had combined to win nine of the previous 13 World 100 events held. Moran last missed the feature in 1999. Other notables who failed to make the field were Chub Frank, Mike Balzano, Rick Eckert, Terry Phillips, Jimmy Mars and Rick Aukland.

32nd World 100
Order of finish showing finishing position, (starting position), car no., driver and hometown:
1. (15) 15B, Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, Iowa
2. (8) 0, Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, Tenn.
3. (6) 18, Shannon Babb Decatur, Ill.
4. (1) 32, Bob Pierce Oakwood, Ill.
5. (5) S9, Dan Schlieper Pewaukee, Wis.
6. (22) 29, Darrell Lanigan Union, Ky.
7. (7) 23J, Greg Johnson Edinburgh, Ind.
8. (3) 75, John Gill Mitchell, Ind.
9. (12) 71, Don O'Neal Martinsville, Ind.
10. (17) B12, Kevin Weaver Gibson City, Ill.
11. (23) 18, Brandon Kinzer Allen, Ky.
12. (24) 166, Joe Izzo Chicago, Ill.
13. (14) 1, Steve Francis Ashland, Ky.
14. (2) 28, Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville, Ill.
15. (10) 11, Brian Ruhlman Maumee, Ohio
16. (19) 8, Shane Yoder Maumee, Ohio
17. (21) 71C, R.J. Conley Wheelersburg, Ohio
18. (13) 6M, Wendell Wallace Batesville, Ark.
19. (4) 114, Randle Chupp Charlotte, N.C.
20. (16) 68, Tim Hitt Weston, W.Va.
21. (18) 17M, Dale McDowell Rossville, Ga.
22. (11) 31, Skip Arp Georgetown, Tenn.
23. (9) 83, Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
24. (20) 0, Kris Patterson St. Johns, Mich.

DAY ONE-QUALIFYING
By Mike Sullivan (Pal U)
 

World 100 Friday Night Notes...

Coming to you live from the official host motel of the PAL-U crew, here’s a quick recap of night 1 of the World 100.


Davey Johnson was the first car on the track to lead out round one of hot laps. Before the end of the first group, Earl’s house blew dust. Juice was the fastest of the first group.

Freddy Smith was the best of group two as young Wes Steidenger scraped the wall.

O’Neal, Gill, Barnett (in a Rayburn), Scott Sexton (in the MasterSbilt house ride) and Jesse James Lay headlined group three. Gill scared the back stretch wall as Sexton looked quick with O’Neal.

Hartman, Jewell, Eckert, Cook, Francis and Wallace were the names in group four. The Rocket boys ran in a draft with Beevo the fastest of the group.

Lanigan and Miller were the best of group five. Casebolt rolled out a Rayburn for the World as well.

Chub, Chupp and Allgaier rolled out in group six. Allgaier rode sideways when Chub went under. Randy Boggs slowed with smoke.

Moyer, Babb, Erb and McDowell were in the next pack. Moyer’s tight Rayburn allowed Babb under with ease. McDowell wasn’t too impressive.

Birky, Hillard, Drake, Mason, Moran (in a Rayburn) and Greg Johnson came out in group eight. Moran ran the hub while Hillard (with new crew chief Del “Delbo” Bohle) went to the rim.

Hitt, James and Balzano were in the 9th session. James was fast on the bottom while the Hitt-man looked the fastest.

Session 10 was full of excitement as Bloomquist, Phillips, Arp and Mars joined in. Yang was quite fast passing cars at will. When an attempted slider on Tim Throop in four didn’t take, Bloomquist went spinning and to the pits with body damage. When Rowe was pulled by the front chute on the hook, he was met with an ovation.

The final session saw Pierce, Izzo, Darren Miller, Jeep, Korte and McCammon. All looked pretty quick as Pierce went to the hub.

Rick Aukland missed hot laps all together by not being in line.

Larry Piclkeheimer was the first of the 202 to take time on a very slow and dusty track that only saw a 20 second lap.

Mike Duvall was quick early with a 18.8.

Kevin Claycomb then lowered the mark with a 18.6

Dan Schlieper then pulled out a 18.5.

Following a break (as you’ll notice) John Gill rolled around with a 18.2 in crowd pleasing fashion.

Scott Sexton bumped the turn 3 wall for a 18.7

O’Neal’s straight line rolled him in 7th thus far.

Wendell Wallace heated his tires right out of the chute for a 5th quick time.

Following a break after Francis’ 18.8, Aaron Scott clicked off a 18.4 for 4th quick.

Darrell Lanigan skimmed the wall in three and turned in a 18.3 for 2nd quick.

Two cars later, Matt Miller reeled off a 18.2 that was .002 faster than Gill to take over fast time honors.

Justin Allgaier’s flashy 19 second lap was followed by Babb’s 4th quick 18.333.

After another break, Dennis Erb clicked off an 18.3 good for 6th quick.

Billy Moyer timed in 110th in line with a 18.3.

Dale McDowell drove his unit hard and swatted the wall but still came up with a 18.8.

Duayne Hommell came out next with a 18.4.

Donnie Moran ran low in three and high in four to time it with a 18.4

Two cars later Timmy Hitt’s 18.330 was good for 4th.

A little further down the line Brian Birkhofer bumped all but two back one notch with a 3rd quick 18.2.

As Bloomquist and crew make their way to the line, the Dust Buster, Dustin Neat, clicks off a 18.7 to put one of my home boys safely in the heats.

Bloomquist comes out #159 to pull off a 3rd quick 18.251.

After the final break to let cars cross the track, things really got interesting…

The first car after the break, Randy Korte lowers Miller’s mark by 2 tenths for fast time.

3 cars later, Bob Pierce rocked the house with a 17.7 for fast time.

Joey Izzo comes out the very nextcar to take third making the end of round 1 an Illinois sweep of the top 3 spots.

In round two, Dennis Potridge was the first qualifier.

Times begin to pick up with Moyer’s 18.2.

Moran then goes 18.3.

After a break, Jeep Van Wormer spins the clocks for a 18.059, good for 2nd quick.

Two cars later, young Wes Steidenger clicks off a 17.8 making everyone take one step back.

Matt Miller then lowers his time to 18.1 for 5th quick.

O’Neal comes out 31st in line and pulls off a 17.9 to be 3rd quick thus far.

Scott James’ 18.04 was good for 4th quick but later dropped off.

Shannon Babb pulled out and clicked off a lap that looked identical to O’Neal’s. When the checkered fell on his attempt, Babb was sitting atop the field with a 17.537.

After Babb, Korte again produced with a 17.8.

One car later, Brian Birkhofer reminded everyone he was here to play with a 17.6 good for 2nd fast.

Two cars later, Bloomquist became 2nd fast with a 17.6 that was .002 faster than Birky.

Times continued to fall as the field began to dip lower on the track.

When all was said and done, the Babbster stood on the stage to draw for the inversion. When the pill was pulled a number four will put the fastest six on the outside of row two for Saturday’s action.


So far things have been pretty quiet this year. With the drop in cars from the normal 230-240, there is less of a rush. There also hasn’t been a lot of controversy. Bloomquist’s hot lap mishap turned heads but was all contained.

One day down and one to go for this World 100. Tomorrow hopefully Ma Bell will be cooperative and we’ll have play by play for everyone to enjoy. Until then, we’ll be enjoying the pinch and avoiding the toilet water… and rollin’ em around!

DAY TWO-WORLD 100

Heat One
1. Greg Johnson
2. Wendell Wallace
3. Kris Patterson
4. Shannon Babb
5. Mike Balzano
6. Rick Aukland
7. Duane Chamberlain
8. Steve Lance, Jr.
9. Chuckie May
10. Donnie Moran
11. James Huff
12. Chub Frank
13. Jeff Kohn
14. Troy Cruse
15. John Mason
16. Audie McWilliams
17. Barry Bragdon
18. AJ Johnson
19. Justin Algaier
20. Jr. Shickel
Heat Two
1. Brandon Kinzer
2. Dan Schlieper
3. Randy Korte
4. Scott Bloomquist
5. Steve Francis
6. Shawn Negengard
7. Steve Hillard
8. George Lindsey
9. Justin Paxton
10. Mark Barber
11. Billy Ogle, Jr.
12. Delmas Conley
13. Kevin Claycomb
14. Terry English
15. Jerry Rice
16. Jay Johnson
17. Rusty Schlink
18. Chris Carlson
19. Joe Montague
20. Joe Ross, Jr.
Heat Three
1. Scott James
2. Randle Chupp
3. Darrell Lanigan
4. Brian Birkhofer
5. Rod Conley
6. Terry Philips
7. Joe Izzo
8. Earl Pearson, Jr.
9. Chad Lyle
10. Mike Duvall
11. Steve Shaver
12. Dwayne Hommel
13. Dustin Neat
14. Curt Spalding
15. Kelly Boen
16. Steve Smith
17. Doug Ault
18. Brandon Green
19. Nick Marolf
20. Brad Neat
Heat Four
1. Brian Ruhlman
2. John Gill
3. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr.
4. Shane Yoder
5. Jason Feger
6. Tim Hitt
7. Ray Cook
8. Darren Miller
9. Bobby Lanter
10. Keith Berner
11. Mike Jewell
12. Davey Johnson
13. Aaron Bapst
14. Freddy Smith
15. Jason Montgomery
16. Earl Smith
17. Mike Walker
18. Craig Scott
19. Jerry Bowersock
20. Randle Sweeney
Heat Five
1. Jeep VanWormer
2. Dennis Erb
3. Wes Steidenger, Jr.
4. Skip Arp
5. Booper Bare
6. R.J. Conley
7. Jesse James Lay
8. Billy Moyer
9. Billy Drake
10. Kevin Weaver
11. Aaron Scott
12. Jimmy Mars
13. C.J. Rayburn
14. Barry Doss
15. Mike Collins
16. Hillard Miller
17. Randy Boggs
18. Eddie Carrier, Jr.
19. Mike Hawley
20. Matt Furman
Heat Six
1. Dale McDowell
2. Bob Pohlman
3. Don O'Neal
4. Bob Pierce
5. Bart Hartman
6. Matt Miller
7. Steve Barnett
8. Rick Eckert
9. Gary Stuhler
10. Shawn Toczek
11. Ryan Dauber
12. Tom Beam
13. Steve Casebolt, Jr.
14. Scott Sexton
15. Paul Harris
16. Richie Hedrick
17. Reese O'Conner
18. John Rhoades
19. Zac Davis
20. Mark Faust

SATURDAY NIGHT

The top 3 finishers in each heat race go straight to the WORLD 100 feature event. Drivers finishing in positions 4th - 7th go to the last chance race. The top 4 finishers in the last chance race go to the tail of the WORLD 100. The top two qualifiers who fail to make feature field in preliminary action automatically receive a starting spot in the WORLD 100.

[live updates]: Heat race finishes are as follows:

Heat 1: Shannon Babb, Greg Johnson, Wendell Wallace, Kris Patterson, Mike Balzano, Duane Chamberlain, Chub Frank, Donnie Moran, Chuckie May, John Mason, Troy Cruse, James Huff, Jeff Kohn, A. Joe Johnson, Justin Allgaier, Barry Bragdon, Jr. Shickel, Audie McWilliams, Steve Lance Jr., Rick Aukland

Heat 2: Dan Schlieper, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, Brandon Kinzer, Shawn Negangard, Randy Korte, Steve Hillard, Kevin Claycomb, Terry English, Delmas Conley, Justin Paxton, George Lindsey, Joe Ross Jr., Chris Carlson, Billy Ogle Jr., Jay Johnson, Rusty Schlenk, Joe Montague, Jerry Rice, Mark Barber

Heat 3: Randle Chupp, Scott James, Brian Birkhofer, Darrell Lanigan, Joe Izzo, Chad Lyle, Dustin Neat, Dwayne Hommel, Mike Duvall, Earl Pearson, Jr., Curt Spalding, Steve Shaver, Brad Neat, Doug Ault, Nick Marolf, Rod Conley, Brandon Green, Terry Phillips, Kelly Boen, Steve Smith

Heat 4: John Gill, Brian Ruhlman, Tim Hitt, Ray Cook, Darren Miller Shane Yoder, Bobby Lanter, Jason Feger, Freddy Smith, Davey Johnson, Keith Berner, Aaron Bapst, Jerry Bowersock, Jason Montgomery, Mike Walker, Earl Smith, Craig Scott, Ivedent Lloyd, Jr., Randle Sweeney, Jackie Boggs

Heat 5: Dennis Erb, Skip Arp, Kevin Weaver, R.J. Conley, Billy Moyer, Booper Bare, Aaron Scott, Wes Steidinger, Jr., Jeep VanWormer, C.J. Rayburn, Billy Drake, Jimmy Mars, Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Hawley, Matt Furman, Hillard Miller, Mike Collins, Barry Doss, Randy Boggs, Jesse James Lay

Heat 6: Bob Pierce, Don O'Neal, Dale McDowell, Matt Miller, Bart Hartman, Steve Barnett, Rick Eckert, Scott Sexton, Bob Pohlman, Ryan Dauber, Steve Casebolt, Jr., Mark Faust, Tom Beam, Paul Harris, Reece O'Connor, John Rhoades, Zac Davis, Richie Hedrick, Gary Shuhler, Shawn Toczek

Last Chance Race: R.J. Conley, Darrell Lanigan, Brandon Kinzer, and Joey Izzo have transfered through the last chance race and will go to the WORLD 100

THE BIG E
HOME OF THE DREAM
Well, Racenut was at the Dream, but it looks like he has little to do in the way of posting results....thank you Jack Taylor

For the 'play by play'  by PAL-U  --  be sure to go to the bottom of the page
Final results from 
Eldora Dream 2002

A Main results 

1. Scott Bloomquist
2. Billy Moyer
3. Don O'Neal
4. Wendell Wallace
5. Steve Francis
6. Darrell Lanigan
7. Rick Aukland
8. John Mason
9. Steve Shaver
10 Randle Chupp
11. Dennis Erb
12. Mike Balzano
13. Brian Ruhlman
14. Jeep VanWormer
15. Jackie Boggs
16. Chub Frank
17. Shannon Babb
18. Jack Hewitt
19. Ted Loomis
20. Dale McDowell
21. Skip Arp
22.. Davey Johnson
23. Brandon Kinzer
24. Earl Pearson, Jr
 

133 cars present

New Track Record....Billy Moyer....15.478....drew a #4....top 4 inverted in each heat

heat 1....Davey Johnson,Matt Miller,Jeep VanWormer,Billy Moyer,John Gill, Delmas Conley

heat 2....Jack Hewitt, Randle Chupp, Bob Pierce, Steve Francis, Kevin Weaver, Rod Conley

heat 3....Don O'Neal,Brandon Kinzer, Ted Loomis, Earl Pearson,Greg Johnson, Mike Balzano

heat 4....Mike Duvall, Bill Frye, Jackie Boggs,Scott Bloomquist, Randy Korte,Scott James

heat 5....Ray Cook, Steve Shaver, Darrell Lanigan, Chub Frank, Bob Pohlman, Shannon Babb

heat 6....John Mason,Rick Aukland,Reece O'Connor, Brian Ruhlman, Skip Arp, Paul Harris

misc...midwest

heat 2 -- 7thDoug McCammon,8th Jimmy Mars,9thDennis Erb,Jr,

heat 4 -- 9thRonnie Johnson,14th Freddy Smith,

heat 5 -- 9thDonnie Moran,10th Dan Schllieper,12th Steve Hillard,13th Birky,14th Terry Phillips,15th Justin Allgaier

heat 6 -- 10 Shawn Negangard,11Joe Izzo,13Wes Steidinger

-----------------------------

Your heat line-ups for Saturday night look like this....

Heat #1

Heat #2

Heat #3

19

Davey Johnson

11

Jack Hewitt

71

Don O'Neal

7

Matt Miller

114

Randle Chupp

18

Brandon Kinzer

55

Jeep VanWormer

32

Bob Pierce

23L

Ted Loomis

21

Billy Moyer

1

Steve Francis

1

Earl Pearson

75

John Gill

B12

Kevin Weaver

23j

Greg Johnson

71

Delmas Conley

71r

Rod Conley

E1

Mike Balzano

5

Jay Johnson

92

Doug McCammon

71c

R.J. Conley

111

Randy Boggs

28

Jimmy Mars

33

Jesse Lay

201

Billy Ogle Jr.

17

Duane Chamberlain

1

Steve Casebolt Jr.

5

Jeff Taylor

28

Jimmy Mars

77

Barry Bragdon

21L

Ivedent Lloyd Jr.

28m

Mike McWilliams

13

Barry Doss

28

Steve Lucas

75

Bart Hartman

28

Kevin Claycomb

21

David Hilliker

3

Steve Smith

1B

Jerry Bowesock

25

Jeff Kohn

T22

Mike Tinker

24

Rick Eckert

99

Johnny Johnson

1cj

C.J.Rayburn

3

David Scott

5

James Huff

96f

Keithe Berner

27

Bill Hahn

68

Eddie Rickman

RAT1

John Lawhorn

1

Phillip Kilpatrick

96

Eric Chant

07

Todd Nuding

68

Tim Hitt

911

Tracy Grimes

26

Dan Sturgeon

99b

Butch Hobling

B4U

Brad Eitniear

72

Shawn Deforest

63

Rod Patterson

 

Heat #4

Heat #5

Heat #6

F1

Mike Duvall

53

Ray Cook

72

John Mason

66

Bill Frye

30

Steve Shaver

12

Rick Aukland

4B

Jackie Boggs

29

Darrell Lanigan

8

Reese O'Conner

0

Scott Bloomquist

1*

Chub Frank

11

Brian Ruhlman

00

Randy Korte

27

Bob Pohlman

31

Skip Arp

83

Scott James

18

Shannon Babb

10

Paul Harris

6m

Wendell Wallace

19

Timmy Yeager

28

Chuckie May

2

Josh Williams

90

Gary Stuhler

59

John Rhoades

5

Ronnie Johnson

99

Donnie Moran

17m

Dale McDowell

53

Hillard Miller

S9

Dan Schlieper

16

Shawn Negangard

8

Shane Yoder

32

Greg Lucas

166

Joe Izzo

32d

Darren Miller

47

Steve Hillard

00P

Dick Phillips

15

Tpdd Schroyer

15b

Brian Birkhofer

S9

Wes Steindinger

00

Freddy Smith

75

Terry Phillips

10a

Audie McWilliams

9z

Jayme Zidar

1a

Justin Allgaier

22

Dennis Potridge

ten

Scott Bowersock

69

Curt Spalding

F1

Jeff Floyd

98

Tim Sabo

1

Wayne Maffet Jr.

40

Brian Tyler

78

Chad Zobrist

30k

Scott Knepley

69

Adrian Cenni

79

Jim Cushing

84

Steve Harrison

9b

Nick Berry

1

Mike Mataragas

99

Jeff Clapp

21h

Robert Hensley

Eldora Dream recap...Friday, then Saturday

by:  PAL-U

After a long night of fighting the internet and the laptop here's the notes from Friday night's action at the Dream...Coming to you surprisingly early and live from the host motel of the PAL-U Crew. Here’s the odds and ends from night one of the Dream.

133 cars signed in for this edition of the Dream making for a very relaxed atmosphere (as well as much easier to cover) for the teams in the pits. Gone was the normal tension of having to out qualify 120 cars just to race as pretty much everyone had it on the brain that they were going to race. Also new was the question of making the top 36. Add to that the new dirt, loads of water and a mostly overcast afternoon and the talks of just how fast could someone go as the track record of 16.679 looked to be in danger.

FIRST SESSION: At an even 6:30 ROBERT HENSLEY was the first car on the track leading out group one that included Jimmy Mars, Brian Ruhlman, Steve Casebolt who is driving the Rocket normally piloted by Jerry Bowersock, Randy Korte, Freddy Smith, Dale McDowell, Chuckie May, Barry Bragdon, Rod Conley, Tommy Boggs, Darren Miller, Bob Pierce who is driving his own creation from the ground up, Bill Frye, and Hayward, California’s Shawn Deforest. After ten minutes of ironing the track along the bottom the field was turned loose. Oddly, when the cars were going on one end they were slow at the other. For the most part everyone was fighting a push what little time they were on the gas. As the checkered fell and the field exited, Bloomquist rolled to staging for hot laps.

SECOND SESSION: Greg Johnson, Matt Miller, Davey Johnson, Darrell Lanigan, Tim Hitt, Brandon Kinzer, Brian Birkhofer, Justin Allgaier, Earl Pearson, Jr., Wes Steidenger, Billy Ogle, Jr., Kevin Weaver, Jeff Floyd, Dan Stugeon and Shawn Negangard. Steidenger slowed things before the entire field picked up the gas when he spun in two. Once the field went green Earl Pearson was very impressive as the cushion began to take shape. Lanigan and Johnson both searched the middle and bottom to track down Steidinger. Hitt went to the hub while Floyd and Birky drafted.

THIRD SESSION: Steve Smith, Bart Hartman, Jay Johnson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Bob Pohlman, Jack Hewitt, Weasel Rhodes, Greg Lucas, Donnie Moran, Rick Eckert, John Gill, Ted Loomis, Brian Tyler and the last car in the group to pull out… Scott Bloomquist. The pairs of Moran and Gill and Smith and Hartman ran together before the caution flew for debris. Under the yellow, Hartman pulled in with a broken cam and headed to the truck for an engine change. Back underway, the cushion was alive and well as Moran’s new Rayburn pushed against it. Eckert took off nicely and mowed down some cars on the rim leaving Gill hung in traffic. Bloomquist was fast as predicted. Also impressive in the third pack was Erb who looked quite stout.

FOURTH SESSION: Billy Moyer, Steve Hillard, Delmas Conley, Terry Phillips, Bobby Cordier, Shannon Babb, R.J. Conley, Jeff Taylor, Jackie Boggs, and Steve Shaver headlined the group. Ed Petroff’s boys stole the show in the session when Babb rolled cars on the rim. After one set of corners on the bottom, Moyer stepped to the rim and proceeded to pass cars at will. Others who ran down traffic then rode were Boggs and Shaver.

FIFTH SESSION: Jeep Van Wormer, Mike Duvall, Keith Bernier, Steven Harrison, Eddie Rickman, Ernie Cordier, Jesse James Lay, Wendell Wallace, Kevin Claycomb, Rick Aukland, John Lawhorn in the Rat 1, Ray Cook, David Scott, Shane Yoder and Don O’Neal took the green. O’Neal rode low for a lap then stepped outside. Duvall and the Jeepster went to the hub while Rickman, Aukland and Cook cruised the high seas.

SIXTH SESSION: Randle Chupp, Dan Schlieper, Joey Izzo, Curt Spalding in Terry Eaglin’s Rocket, Jerry Bowesock subbing for an injured Jerry Rice, John Mason, Ronnie Johnson, C.J. Rayburn, Randy Boggs, Josh Williams, Dck Phillips and Skip Arp. Johnson was quick through three and four as was Arp in one and two. Chupp rode the high side. Huff, Phillips and Mason rode in line while Schlieper looked very quick running occasionally on three wheels.

SEVENTH SESSION: Steve Lucas, Steve Francis, Timmy Yeager, Paul Harris, Gary Stuhler, Scott James, Johnny Johnson, Chub Frank, Mike Balzano and Mike McWilliams were in the final group to hot lap. Yeager was fast in his new Rayburn but showed signs of smoke. Stuhler and James worked traffic as Yeager’s left rear finally went flat while Francis rode behind Lucas.

And with that, 30 minutes after the first session took the green, hot laps were over.

Steve Casebolt was the first qualifier for this year’s Dream running the cushion.

Rod Conley was the first to set the mark pretty low with a 16.3.

Freddy Smith’s best lap of a 16.574 came after bouncing his Indian through the rough in three forcing him off the gas.

Brian Ruhlman came out 9th in line and lowered the mark to 15.812.

Next qualifying Bill Frye then clicked off a 16.0 lap himself.

Dale McDowell’s first lap of 17.891 came after a near spin off two. In round 2, McDowell picked up 1.5 seconds with a 16.3 lap.

Bob Pierce proved that his own design would stand a lap without lifting as the Tall Cool One ran hammer down for a 15.8 lap.

Brandon Kinzer ran a full lap on the wood and on the hub to clock in a 16.004.

Darrell Lanigan slammed the cushion for a 15.9.

Justin Allgaier’s 16.6 buried him deep in the 5th heat.

Davey Johnson drove his new design Rocket in one lifting longer than planned to click off a 16.0 lap.

Earl Pearson, Jr. pulled out 33rd in line and lowered the time to 15.725 putting him on the point.

Donnie Moran bounced off the cushion and fought a push for a 16.315.

Rick Eckert was stout on his pace lap then pushed his way to a 16.5 lap burying deep in the third heat.

Scott Bloomquist came out of the chute sideways and rolled around three and four on the wood then one and two after taking the green. With a quick lift in three Bloomquist’s 15.757 was good enough for second at the time.

John Gill was the 50th qualifier 16.1. In round two, the Modern Day Cowboy rode his imaginary horse around Earl’s house a tenth quicker and will start the first heat 5th.

Ted Loomis raised several eyebrows when he clicked off a 15.901 to qualify 9th overall.

Billy Moyer quietly rolled out 63rd in line and slowly rolled into the gas down the back chute. Without lifting the three and four, Moyer sailed through cliffs one and two with ease. When the former Dream winner rolled off four the golden voice of Bret Emrick wailed, “And a new track record!” to the crowd when Moyer shattered the old mark and set the bar at 15.478.

Shannon Babb qualified two cars later and did produce the way his hot laps lead to believe with a 16.3. In round two, the Babbster shaved a couple of tenths off his time.

Don O’Neal rolled out 85th timing in at a 16.3 after wrestling his way around. In round two, the Real Deal knocked off 3 tenths to put himself on the pole of the 3rd heat.

Jeep Van Wormer proved his impressive lap at last year’s world was no fluke when he spun the clocks as 15.8.

Racin John Mason took the 100th green in round 1 to a 16.0.

Ronnie Johnson ended what looked to be a good lap with a jump of the cushion in four folding the nose of his Warrior under.

Steve Francis was the 117th qualifier slinging his car in one and three. When the checkered flew on his custom built spacecraft, a 15.631 made him the second driver to break the track record.

Timmy Yeager’s 17.2 lap came when the oddest of things slowed him in turn one. After taking the green, Yeager looked to simply slow without power momentarily. What actually happened was a huge clod of mud rolled under the car and ripped the floorboard up and in front of the pedals as the mud actually broke the clutch. Yeager’s crew fixed the damage in time to qualify a 16.2 in round two.

Bart Hartman and Audie McWilliams not only parked next to each other but also skipped qualifying due to engine problems. McWilliams’ carburetor problems were fixed and then tuned by Mike Dargie. Hartman’s powerplantbroke a cam in hot laps forcing an engine change prior to round two.

Following qualifying, Rick Eckert and crew took a saw to the bars and welder to the back of his Rocket and converted his car to a swing arm setup. Next door neighbor McDowell was still unsure of his decision.

After setting fast time, Moyer pulled the number 4 pill to invert only 24 cars.

After qualifying a mere 13 cars were called to run the non qualifiers race. Although several thought Earl should’ve run everyone in the heats (after all it’s only 2 extra cars in every heat and 3 extra in another). Nonetheless, the non qualifier was run as Dean Anderson took the lead from Chevy Scott who slowed after inheriting the lead from Tommy Boggs who slapped the cement in three while leading.

And all this finished by a sweet 10:30. The first round alone was finished before the sun was completely down. This definitely made for a more fan friendly evening complete with a same day departure.

Back for day two of the Dream Saturday. Hopefully things will run this smoothly and this will be remembered as the Dream that was very relaxed and smooth. Until then we’ll be enjoying being the trouble checkee of a trouble check and rollin’ em around!
Here we go for a recap of the heats, consis and the Dream 100. It was a solid night of racing with minimal cautions and zero controversy making for an enjoyable experience. So without further ado… here we go:

Mike Duvall got the evening off to a good start by giving a great invocation as the big E came to life for the Dream.

HEAT 1: Davey Johnson grabbed the lead in turn one as Van Wormer and Moyer battled for third. Moyer took to the bottom early while the Jeepster took second when Miller pushed off two. Tracy Grimes brought out the first caution of the night when he slapped the wall with his 9-11 car. On the restart Van Wormer took a look under Davey J. Moyer took third from Miller as the Iron Butterfly began to fade with what would be found as a blown motor. With Juice a half chute ahead of the field, Moyer ran down Jeep and began poking under to look for second. Moyer could look and occasionally pull alongside the youngster but when the checkered fell on the battle the Jeepster rose to the challenge. Johnson would be the first of the Rocket R&D cars to show strength with an impressive win ahead of Van Wormer and Moyer.

HEAT 2: Randle Chupp rode the cushion to the lead in one bringing Francis along as Hewitt settled into third. Bob Pierce tested a couple of different lines to challenge Hewitt then brought his night to an end when he swatted the cement then slowed. Deep in the field Hartman, Mike McWilliams and Steve Smith battled. Hartman looked like Francis as both hiked the left front. Francis moved in on Chupp in traffic. When Randle slipped off two, Beevo grabbed the lead before Kevin Weaver’s night ended against the turn three wall. Rod Conley also retired with a flat left rear. On the restart Francis drove away while Erb challenged Hewitt. Erb moved into third in turn one while 12th starting Hartman moved to 5th. Francis made the special space crafts two for two with a half straightaway win ahead of Chupp and Erb.

HEAT 3: The Real Deal marched to the lead at the start in front of Kinzer. Pearson and Loomis’s battle for third included a little friendly contact. Eckert’s new setup with hopes of more speed ended when he spun off turn two. On the restart O’Neal then drove away early. Kinzer rolled in turn one deep to look under O’Neal before the Real Deal drove away off two. Kevin Claycomb began to make some noise rolling up to sixth from 12th. Balzano drove by Pearson for fourth in turn one with a nice slider. Ted Loomis was safe in third as Kinzer cranked his ride up on 3 wheels to follow O’Neal. Kinzer actually took a look to the bottom of Donnie O in traffic before O’Neal stood on the gas off four and made a power move by the back markers. Balzano rolled up on Loomis but ran out of laps as O’Neal, Kinzer and Loomis went to the pits to prepare for the Dream.

HEAT 4: Mike Duvall lead the field into one before Jackie Boggs dove low in two to battle with Frye. Bloomquist Boggs and Frye going into three, then fired a slider to Duvall off four to lead by the end of lap one. Following a spin for Scott Bowersock, Frye’s low road on the restart forced Boggs to jab Duvall off two. The battle was all for not as the caution flew and Bloomquist was pointed at for starting too quickly. On the Korte rolled up on Boggs and got into Frye. Wendell Wallace began his march from seventh as a slider on Frye for fifth was null and voided for another false start. On the next go Boggs rolled by Duvall as did Korte when Duvall began to fade. Boggs looked to possibly be good enough to run down Bloomquist but a jump of a cushion and swat of the wall left Jackie with right rear body damage. Behind him Wallace challenged Korte for third as Black Sunshine rode a half straightaway ahead of the field. Duvall brought out the caution again with a flat left front. After a successful switch of rubber groovy Duvie was back out. Following a restart with the green flag and yellow lights, the field went green again Wallace and Korte slugged it out for third. After swapping third 3 times, Wallace took the spot for good with a slider in one. At the finish Bloomquist cruised to the win ahead of Boggs and Wallace.

HEAT 5: The fifth head lived up to all the hoopla talked up earlier in the day. The action began with an opening lap crash then sent Greg Lucas on his lid. On the restart Lanigan made the front row 3 wide when he drove low beside Cook but no dice. When the green flew again Chub rolled around Shaver to lead with Lanigan in third. Donnie Moran banked off of Timmy Yeager forcing the Chosen One’s new Rayburn into the back stretch wall. Moran nearly took out himself and Schlieper on the restart as Lanigan moved by Shaver for second. For the remainder of the race Lanigan and Chub ran either side by side or within a few feet. Finally Lanigan eased by to grab the outside pole of the Dream in front of Frank and Shaver.

HEAT 6: Rick Aukland turned the final heat into a laugher by running off and hiding. Mason rode safely in second as Arp began picking up spots as did McDowell. Ruhlman and Paul Harris had a great battle for third before Arp mowed both down. Harris tried to retaliate on Arp with an attempted slider in one but to no avail. Aukland’s win put yet another Rocket redesign in the field ahead of Arp who nipped Mason at the line.

C MAIN: Bill Frye outraced Randy Boggs early before Boggs faded. Steve Hillard found the top and was mowing cars down before a slip in one sent him into the wall and out for the night. When the checkered fell on Frye, Moran, Greg Johnson, Keith Berner, Darren Miller and Steve Lucas moved to the B.

B MAIN: Mike Balzano grabbed the lead from Hewitt en route to a flag to flag performance. Hartman showed signs of strength moving forward. Meanwhile Babb and McDowell moved in on Scott James for the final transfer spot. McDowell snuck by as did Babb before a caution in the final few laps. On the restart Hartman got a run on James and challenged Babb for the final spot. James found the rim but got the pinch down the back chute. Hartman ran down McDowell but wasn’t able to go by coming up one spot short. To the main were Blaze-O, Babb who passed Hewitt on the final lap and McDowell.

Provisional Starters for the feature were Pearson, who had Ronnie Stuckey as a guest crew chief for the weekend and Brian Ruhlman.

And now for the Dream…

10:14 was the time the field rolled off the pad. Billy Moyer’s crew scrambled a bit to get the piece of plastic from in front of the radiator delaying the back part of the field. When the field did pull out Moyer, Davey Johnson, Lanigan and Dennis Erb headed the field in the four abreast salute to the fans. Off the track, Jackie Boggs pulled in as an ailing hand from the BoB race a couple of weeks ago sent him in thinking something was binding the steering.

On the start Lanigan edged ahead in turn one, O’Neal rolled off the high side past Aukland off two then looked under Lanigan in three. When the duo came off four the Real Deal fired a slider at Lanigan to take the lead off four and lead lap one.

O’Neal drives away off two on the second lap as Bloomquist rides low beside Aukland. Aukland eased ahead down the back side before the Voodoo Child of Mooresburg dealt the artist formerly known as the Fargo Flash a slider himself to take third.

O’Neal’s lead is growing by 3 car lengths a lap as the choppy terrain in one and two slow Bloomquist.

Francis pulls to the back of Aukland a lap before Beevo moved to fourth on the rim off two.

O’Neal’s lead is now a full straightaway as Moyer is riding in 14th.

Bloomquist begins to pressure Lanigan for second. Further back Juice goes by Aukland for 5th.

Bloomquist looks low under Lanigan but can’t pull off the pass. Johnson rolls to the back of Francis and Jeep Van Wormer battles with Randle Chupp for 7th.

Bloomquist pulls alongside of Lanigan down the front side but Lanigan goes ahead in two when Bloomquist hits the ruts.

O’Neal is cruising out front with a very comfortable advantage. Bloomquist hits the ruts again as does Francis.

O’Neal is on the hub as the Lanigan/Bloomquist battle gains on the leader.

Billy Moyer slows.

Jeep Van Wormer moves to seventh before the caution flies for Moyer who stops as an oil pump belt has come off.

The caution flies for Moyer on lap 13.

On the restart Bloomquist and Lanigan hook up again but it’s a no-go.

On the next restart Bloomquist slides Lanigan in one but it’s a no-go.

Moyer comes back as the field takes the green he’s a half straightaway behind everyone.

On yet another restart Van Wormer hooks a rut in one and two getting sideways. Earl Pearson, takes the hardest hit along with Kinzer who came in on the hook. Shaver, McDowell, Arp and Loomis are all in.

On the restart Lanigan goes alongside O’Neal down the back side and takes the lead on the top of three.

Bloomquist goes to second in turn three and takes it for good down the front side.

Lanigan’s lead is 3 car lengths on lap 16.

Lap 17 Bloomquist takes the lead at the line.

Wendell Wallace goes by Aukland for 5th and 20th starting Shannon Babb rolls to 7th passing Chupp.

Chub Frank then catches Chupp when Arp slowed on the front stretch.

Billy Moyer has mowed down a big part of the field and is now 8th.

Moyer moved to 7th in turn one on the bottom passing Chupp.

Wallace moves in on Francis.

Bloomquist is a half straightaway ahead of the field.

O’Neal moves to the high side to search for speed.

Bloomquist runs in on traffic.

Moyer rolls through the corners in vintage form taking 6th from Babb then puts Aukland behind him a lap later.

Lanigan moves in on Bloomquist a bit when Bloomer gets into traffic.

O’Neal runs down Lanigan and challenges for second.

Bloomquist runs the same line around the bottom he did at the World 100.

O’Neal goes to the bottom to challenge Lanigan.

Moyer has come off the bottom. Lanigan and Bloomquist are each in traffic.

Bloomquist is a full straightaway ahead of the field.

O’Neal gives Lanigan a lot of pressure when Lanigan has trouble lapping Jackie Boggs.

Lanigan gets by the Boggs and the rest of the traffic along with O’Neal.

Wallace works on Francis for 4th as Moyer approaches on the hub.

Bloomquist is in heavy traffic while Lanigan and O’Neal run alone.

Bloomquist moves around on the race track to find a way around Chub and Chupp who are door to door.

Chub finally clears Chupp opening the bottom for Bloomquist to go by.

O’Neal pulls alongside Lanigan and retakes second in turn 1.

Francis then runs down Lanigan for third.

Moyer takes 5th from Wallace.

Francis pressures Lanigan as Moyer lurks along the hub.

Half way and Bloomquist, O’Neal, Lanigan, Francis, Moyer, Wallace, Babb, Mason and Aukland are the only cars on the lead lap.

Moyer goes by Francis down the front stretch then Lanigan down the backstretch of the same lap.

Moyer then runs down O’Neal and takes second off turn 4 in the traffic of Dennis Erb.

Bloomquist is a half track in front of Moyer.

O’Neal pulls up beside Moyer but Moyer denies him.

Wallace goes to the bottom and takes Francis down the front side.

Babb challenges Wallace and Francis before suffering a flat left rear in one and two then slows to pull in. The Moyer fans pray for a yellow but are denied.

O’Neal tries to follow Moyer’s line but loses more ground in one and two when the ruts bite him.

Wallace attempts a low move on Francis but the ruts slow his momentum.

Lap 67 Chub Frank slows in turn 2 with a broken panhard bar mount. When the stops in turn 3 the caution waves erasing Yang’s quarter mile lead.

Under the yellow Moyer pulls under the lapped cars of Brian Ruhlman and Jeep Van Wormer to let the know he’s going by.

On the restart Bloomquist drives off. Moyer goes by Van Wormer in two and Ruhlman in four.

Moyer rides low while Bloomquist cruises a half straightaway along the rim.

Wallace takes fourth from Lanigan. A lap later Francis moves to fifth by Lanigan. Moyer moves to the middle of the track searching for speed.

A lap later Moyer goes to the top again while Bloomquist rolls out of the gas before entering the turns.

Bloomquist cautiously follows the traffic of Jackie Boggs.

Jeep slows down the front stretch and pulls in the turn 1 opening.

Aukland moves past Mason for sixth.

Bloomquist goes by Boggs. A lap later Jackie pulls out with an ailing hand.

Bloomquist runs up on Balzano. When he has trouble lapping Blaze O Moyer picks up a few car lengths and visibly starts driving harder.

Bloomquist gets by Balzano in turn four and starts racing harder. Moyer still closes.

Bloomquist runs down Erb for lapping. When Erb unknowingly drifts high off two Black Sunshine gets off the gas allowing Moyer to creep closer bringing the crowd to their feet.

Bloomquist goes by Erb down the front chute and goes back to the bottom.

Moyer puts Erb on the shelf as Bloomquist catches Mason. Bloomer goes by in turn one then catches Chupp again.

Moyer mows down the lapped traffic and looks to be moving in on Bloomquist. The crowd again comes to their feet in the final five laps.

Moyer’s slip in turn one after getting into a bump brings cheers from the Mooresburg faithful. Moyer gathers the reigns and cuts Bloomquist’s advantage to 3 car lengths.

Steve Shave becomes a player of lapped traffic but graciously allows Bloomquist by in two and Moyer under in three.

Moyer draws closer again as no one is in their seat.

Moyer slips again in turn 1 allowing Bloomquist to make the lead 5 car lengths.

White flag in the air, Bloomquist runs the final lap hard to keep the advantage. Moyer nips away a little but Bloomquist comes off four as engine builder Larry Clark and his wife leave their seats behind us and head to the stage when Bloomquist wins.

Immediately somewhat of a hush falls over the place as memories of Florence a week ago send everyone to the mud. When Memmer pointed his thumb to the heavens, Bloomquist’s crew jumped and the crowd erupted as the Voodoo Child goes to the stage for his second Dream trophy.


Over all it was a fantastic night of racing. No controversy and few crashes kept everything moving. The worst wreck of the night and entire weekend for that matter was Greg Lucas’ flip in the 5th heat. Several drivers turned heads including Jeep Van Wormer who was strong before his incident as was Kinzer. Justin Allgaier showed promise too.

Drivers who will write the weekend off as a loss will include John Gill who backed up before pulling out of his heat and Rick Eckert who spun. Matt Miller scratched from the pole of the consi with a blown motor while Mike McWillams cooked his in the heats too.

Hopefully the weather and atmosphere for the World 100 will be a copy of this weekends action.

Back to the local forefront next week as BoB series owner Spencer Wilson made this weekend even better letting us in on the news of Ponderosa’s cancellation Friday being replaced with a two night gig at the Bluegrass Speedway. A top choice decision indeed. So until then, we’ll be working hard on the shaw in hopes of a debut this weekend and rollin’ em around!
 

Steve Hillard - "Winning Isn't Everything"

by Paul D. Bayne

National Dirt Digest Correspondent

 (5/6/02) Recently, prior to the running of the UMP Hoosier Series event, at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, IL, I had the chance to catch up with late model driver Steve Hillard and talk with him about the events of a year ago, and what lies ahead in 2002. I found the 35-year-old Northern Allstars runner-up of a season ago, and a former UMP National Champion (1997), to be one of the most approachable and down-to-earth folks you could ever hope to meet at the track. Steve grew up in Champaign, IL, but shortly after graduation, he and his family moved to Sadorus, IL, where they now call home.

Steve is the kind of person who I think best reflects the motto, "winning isn't everything, but it's how you play the game that counts." Steve understands the importance of professionalism, and goes about his business in exactly that same manner. He understands his actions not only reflect on him and his family, but also his crew, and most of all his sponsors, for whom without, racing simply wouldn't as possible. Steve has had fans in the stands get up and take notice over the past several years, and this year is no exception. He hopes to gain more exposure this year by competing in more national type events with the best of the best.

Name: Steve Hillard

Age: 35

Born: September 21, 1966 in Champaign, IL

Status: Wife - Tina, 2 children - Stephanie, age 11 & Shelby, age 9

Car Owner: Steve Hillard & Bill Nelson

Chassis: 2002 MasterSbilt Race Cars - Crothersville, IN

Engine: Gaerte Race Engines - Rochester, IN

Body Style: Grand Prix

 226 CAREER FEATURE WINS

1997 NATIONAL UMP MODIFIED CHAMPION

1998 UMP RUNNER-UP FOR LATE MODEL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1998 VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY LATE MODEL POINTS CHAMPION

1997 MODIFIED TRACK CHAMPION AT VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY, FARMER CITY RACEWAY, AND FAIRBURY SPEEDWAY

2001 NORTHERN ALLSTARS LATE MODEL SERIES POINTS RUNNER-UP

  

How did you first get started in racing?

"My dad had street stocks, sportsmens... they kind of had a combined class back then. My dad was a multi-track champion. We were fortunate enough at that age... my dad had two cars, and he let me drive one while he drove the other", Hillard said. "I won a teen race when I was 13, and I started driving in regular competition when I was 14 the following year. We won the track championship at Farmer City that year".

How long have you been driving late models?

"This is my fifth year. 1997 was our last year in the (open-wheel) modifieds. We won the UMP National Championship deal in it. That year we had... well it'd be tough to top that year. We won the track championships at Farmer City, Fairbury, and Vermilion County. Then we won the Illinois State Championship and the National title as well. So it was a phenomenal year"

What was it like to run the Northern All Stars last year?

"It was a good year. I mean we had a lot of fun and we did okay on the money deal, and we just got out on the road and enjoyed ourselves. We never won a feature, but we were competitive every night. (Steve) Barnett never won either until right there towards the end. We about pulled one off a couple of times, but I didn't feel bad running second to Steve (Barnett) because he has so much experience over me. It was a big disappointment by losing it because of the tire battle. We had a big tire battle going on between Hoosier and American Racing Tire. Ultimately we lost the championship because a tire went flat, but it had a whole in it so it was no fault of the tire, we just picked up something on the racetrack. The other crusher was that it happened here at home (Danville's Vermilion Co. Speedway)".

You entered the NALMS season finale with a 35 point lead over Steve Barnett. How disappointing was it to have that slip away on that final night?

"That's probably the toughest thing in racing I've ever had to deal with. I had to do the gentlemanly thing and walk across the infield and congratulate Steve. I felt that was the only thing to do, so I did. It wasn't hard to congratulate him because Steve's a good guy, it was hard dealing with the defeat. Because along the way I just started thinking of things I could have done differently. Hindsight is 20-20, and I sure had a head full of it that night. I mean... I thought I should have done this or I should have done that, but we lost and we still had a good time".

You're off to a pretty good start here in 2002. What's been the biggest difference thus far?

"We won opening night at Farmer City, and that's our only win so far, but we've been real competitive every night out. Right now the major difference is the engine program. We've switched from Hixson Engines to Gaerte Race Engines out of Rochester, IN, and Joe (Gaerte) and all the people up there are just fantastic to deal with. The engines are, I hesitate to say better, because we never had any engine trouble with Butch's (Hixson) engines, and I like Butch, he's a good guy, but Gaerte's engines have just got so much more horsepower and they're so much more driver friendly. They're easy to drive".

What was the reason for the change in the engine program?

"Well the people who actually owned the engines last year, decided that they wanted to get out. Doug's not in the best of health, so he decided he wanted to get out and just go and watch and not have the worries of having to pay the bills if something broke. So we went looking for a deal, and Roger Friedman, who owns Dyer Rod's, knew I was looking for a deal, so he told me I should go talk with Joe Gaerte and that they had a program going, so that's what I did. It worked out that ourselves and Wendall Wallace are doing the Gaerte deal, and at this point I couldn't be any happier. Their just fantastic people who really know what they're doing".

Tell us about the chassis and some of your sponsors?

"Well we got 2 brand new Mastersbilt chassis'. Keith and Tader(Masters) and all the people there, they just do whatever we ask. I can't tell you how much I've learned from those guys in the last two or three years. They're phenomenal people but they're also very intelligent about race cars. I go to their chassis seminar every year and I learn something everytime I go. I talk to Keith on the phone frequently, and he's taught me a lot about race cars".

"Our other sponsors, we got several who have been with us for quite a while now. We got The Deadhorse Lounge - Nelson Video - F/S Fuel 24 - Dyer Rod's - BRT Racks - Sunoco Fuels - Petit's BP Fuel Stores - PFM Race Fuels & Race Metals - R.A. Benson Motorsports - UB Machine - Tatman's Towing. The Tatman's Towing deal, that's more 'cause I have no choice but to put Bill (Nelson) on the car because he's the co-owner (along with Hillard). He's my best friend, and he said wherever you go, I go. So that's the way our friendship is, and that's the way our arrangement is with the race car. He does what he can to help us, and quite honestly, a lot of the sponsors on the car he's went out and gotten. I'm not real good at talking about a lot of stuff, and Bill's got the gift of gab, so he goes out and hustles and gets us the sponsors. He just a great guy. There's only one other sponsor I need to mention, we got Bert transmissions and Larry Redinus, his nickname is "Budda", everyone knows him by "Budda". He supplies us with all our transmissions and bell housings. He's done a lot of other things for me other than just transmissions and bell housings, and he's just one we can always count on".

What about this battle you mentioned between Hoosier and American Race Tires?

"Well, that's my biggest beef with the Northern Allstars. It's not anything to do with the product. I mean the tire companies, they both have good products... don't get me wrong. I think American Race Tire has got a better product in some events. It's kind of like once you get so big you get complacent, and I think that's what Hoosier has done, and quite honestly, they know that guys have to run them. Whereas, American Race Tires, they're out hustling and busting their butts trying to get things rolling, and they've came up with a better product, and that's some of the things we worked on last year".

"With Northern Allstars, Tony Rose, Dayton Enterprises, American Race Tires, however you want to word it. They sponsored NALMS from the very first year of existence, and then last year they just dropped American Race Tires from their program without any warning, without consulting with them, without offering them a choice. It's just the way it went down, it's just the way it happened. That's what really bothers me".

You felt that American Race Tire and yourself were dealt a low blow?

"Exactly. It was kind of like kicking them in the crotch. It was a REAL low blow, because originally they wanted to do it at the banquet. It was Terry Young from Hoosier that recommended they not do it, because he knew that it would just start a ruckus. I think we're all professional enough to know that wouldn't have happened, but it sure would have made for an uncomfortable evening I know that. I just have a bad taste in my mouth with Mr. Linville himself, and that's the only person because he the sole decision maker".

What are your plans for the rest of the 2002 season?

"Well we're really not going to commit to any one series, we're going to try and just hit and miss, try to make some money, get some more exposure, get out and see what we can do. We'll definitely go to both events at Eldora - The Dream & The World 100 - we may be at the Show-Me 100, and then we may show up at a few of the UDTRA races. I'd kind of like to get my feet wet running with those guys. We'll be running a couple Renegade DirtCar events. We'll most likely be at Kankakee next Monday (May 13th) when UDTRA comes to Kankakee. There's a lot of races we can go to and hopefully make the show. I don't know, we'll just try and see what we can do".

Is there any type of track you prefer to race on?

"I kind of like this place (Vermilion Co. Speedway). Danville is 3/8th's, I kind of like the 3/8th's stuff the best, and the slicker it gets the better off. I don't really like the slick, but it's easier on equipment and you really have to finesse. The guys with the biggest engine and the best tires, basically I mean if you got a whole lot of horsepower and new tires on your car, and you can even get it close to hooked up, you can be fast in the mud. Because all you really have to do is kind of point it and hammer down. But in the dry slick you really got to finesse the car. I mean the best there is, Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Bob Pierce, you name it, you could go on down the list, but those guys shine when the track gets slick. So if I'm ever going to be someone in this sport that's where I need to be good, and that's what we work on".

You tagged the wall pretty good Friday night. What was the damage and is the car ready to go tonight?

"Yeah, we got everything fixed. It ended up we just bent a spindle and tore up a wheel. The reason it happened is just the driver ran out of talent. I just charged the corner too hard and hit the wall".

Who has been perhaps the biggest influence in your racing career?

"I would have to say the biggest influence is my father, Alex. He gave me my start, and he's always there to tell me what I've done wrong... when I've done good".

Is there any one driver you look to for advice?

"I used to, but right now I don't know that I've got anyone I go to. If I've got a question I need to know about the race car, I go to MasterSbilt. If I've got one about the engines, I go to Gaerte. If I've got a question about the car I'll ask my dad (Alex), or Aaron Jones. Aaron's been with me for the last 8 years. Then we've got John Olson and Richard Fitzgerald, and usually if I'm running the wrong line I can come in and ask one of those guys and they'll tell me. My wife keeps lap times. Every lap we run, she's got on a stopwatch, if she's able to go, because our girls are at the age now where they can go and do some sporting events. They're into soccer and softball, so it makes it tough on me when she's not there because I can go ask her, was the top faster? Was the bottom faster? How'd I look in the middle? And she can tell me because she's right on the money with the stop watch".

If you would like to contact Paul Bayne about this interview or offer comments, please reply to Paul at [email protected]

 

Potts Scores Win #521 in Crown Point Opener

by Paul D. Bayne

CROWN POINT, IN (May 3) - Crown Point Speedway held it's 2002 season opening racing program Saturday night with optimism running wild now that local businessman and UMP open-wheel ace Tony Roland has assumed the reigns of promoting the 1/3-mile semi-banked facility in Northwest Indiana. With many changes already made and many more still to come, a total of 79 cars filed into the pits for some high-flyin dirt track action.

Headlining the racing program were the mighty UMP late models, and when all was said and done at evening's end, it was the ageless Dick Potts of Morocco, IN scoring his 521st career feature win. Potts, who started outside pole, assumed the early lead from the drop of the green flag as polesitter Eddie Leviner of Merrillvile, IN went spinning into the infield on the opening lap. However, Bensonville's (IL) Frank Reaber, the 2001 Northern All Stars Rookie of the Year, would claim that top spot by the completion of lap one, and seemingly look to have things well in hand.

On lap four, Dave Lilja collected the turn three wall, prompting officials to display the yellow flag. As action resumed, Reaber had his hands full of Potts, with Scott Martin of Valparaiso, IN in tow. One lap later, the yellow flag was waved again for Bart Schwartz, who had looped it in turn two. When green flag racing resumed and the field began to sort themselves out, Reaber had now opened up his lead to about ten car lengths over Potts, Martin, Al Atkinson, and Phil Gerlach. At the half-way mark of the 20-lap event, the lineup remained the same, but on lap 11 Atkinson moved around Martin and into the third spot, dropping Martin to fourth.

Reaber began to close in on the backmarkers on lap 12, and one lap later was collected by Scott Duvall and Bill Luse, who had tangled coming off of turn two. A disappointed Reaber had seen a great run cut short by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. With Potts now inheriting the lead, and Atkinson on his heels, the field was set for a sprint to the finish. Atkinson, the 2001 late model track champion at Crown Point, worked to the high side, while Potts protected the bottom, and the two went nose-to-nose until Atkinson was able to get a run on Potts coming off of turn two on lap 17 and vault into the lead. However, Atkinson would see his chance for victory fall by the wayside when he slowed and pulled his car to the infield with a flat left rear tire with two to go.

Shawn Toczek had worked his way around Gerlach and into the third position just prior to Atkinson's setback, and looked to be closing in some on the second-place car of Martin. Toczek, driving a new Warrior chassis, had come from the twelfth-place starting spot, while Gerlach started 11th. But both would run out of time to reel in the leaders.

As the checkered flag fell, Potts scored the win with Martin well back in second, Toczek third, with Gerlach and Leviner, fourth and fifth, respectively. Rounding out the top ten were Mike Metz, Mike Kingma, Guy Volk, Luse, and Bill Reiniche.

Taking heat race honors were Metz, Atkinson, and Leviner, while Brad Schwartz claimed the consi win. Potts also scored a trophy dash triumph in addition to his feature win. Scott Martin twinkled the timing lights in qualifying with a blistering lap of 12.261

Complete Race Results

23 late models on hand

Feature (20-laps, $800-to-win)
1. Dick Potts 2. Scott Martin 3. Shawn Toczek 4. Phil Gerlach 5. Eddie Leviner 6. Mike Metz 7. Mike Kingma 8. Guy Volk 9. Bill Luse 10. Bill Reiniche 11. Scott Duvall 12. Al Atkinson 13. Frank Reaber 14. Bart Schwartz 15. Brad Schwartz 16. Dave Lilja 17. Mike Widdes 18. Ted Loomis 19. Jason Beier

Heat 1 - 1. Mike Metz 2. Phil Gerlach 3. Mike Widdes 4. Jason Beier

Heat 2 - 1. Al Atkinson 2. Shawn Toczek 3. Bart Schwartz 4. Scott Duvall

Heat 3 - 1. Eddie Leviner 2. D!ck Potts 3. Frank Reaber 4. Ted Loomis

Consi(Top 2 transfer) - 1. Brad Schwartz 2. Bill Reiniche 3. Ed Woodard 4. Roy Mitchell 5. Todd McGarr(DNS)

Trophy Dash - 1. D!ck Potts 2. Frank Reaber 3. Dave Lilja 4. Mike Kingma 5. Eddie Leviner 6. Scott Martin

Fast Qualifier - Scott Martin 12.621

STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport
Shirts
March 28th, 2002

For Immediate Release:

It appeared that for the first time since 1984  that the name "STARS" would
be missing from the Late Model racing scene. But, Carl Short, the founder and
owner of the rights to the organization "STARS" which has sanctioned dirt
Late Model races across the country for 17 years has reached an agreement
with the newly formed "Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by
Arizona Sport Shirts" to use the STARS name for the upcoming 2002 season
which will be the first for the series based in Kentucky. Short along with
race directors Spencer Wilson and James Essex have announced an agreement to
call the series the "STARS Battle of the Bluegrass presented by Arizona Sport
Shirts"

"I see a tremendous need for a series of this type for the hundreds of
regional drivers that can race for a good payoff and points fund, yet not
have to travel across the country to race" said Short. Short also
stated he himself may be promoting some races with just the "STARS" sanction
in 2002, but nothing has been set yet. Short the creator of the "Dirt Track
World Championship," one of the country's most prestigious Late Model events
held each October will also use the "STARS" name as he prepares for the 2002
version of one of America's biggest Late Model events.
"I did not want a season to go by where the name "STARS" was not a part of
the Late Model scene," said Short. "I feel that Spencer and James will do a
good job in keeping the "STARS" name in good standing with fans and drivers
in 2002."

As for the future of "STARS", Short, Wilson and Essex are formulating a
regional and national series for 2003. "Work has begun now to lay the
groundwork for something that is desperately needed in the Midwest for Late
Models and Modifieds," commented Wilson. "This will be a lengthy process, but
several things have already been accomplished that could unite Late Model and
Modified racing in the Midwest for years to come and put everybody under one
roof." said Essex. "We will take the spring and summer to fine tune what we
are trying to get done."

The "STARS Battle of the Bluegrass by Arizona Sport Shirts" tentative
schedule is posted on their website and more information regarding the series
can be seen via their website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or e-mail at
[email protected]. Persons can receive more info by writing to the
organization at 1100A Centurian Road, Lexington, KY 40517 or by phoning (859)
271-4501.

 

YES, UMP DRIVERS, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS

By Jack Taylor and Dan Stewart

(3/7/02) Covington, In. Within a few short months, an old curmudgeon type
man, who's name and profile is easily identified with dirt short tracks
throughout the Midwest, will again climb aboard his motor van which serves
as his June and July home for a hectic span of multi-day racing at what
local race fans feel is- quality racing at a UMP track near you.

Long-time United Midwest Promoters (UMP) President, Bob Memmer, will begin
his rounds of local tracks in a 29-day swing, which will start in Oneida,
Tenn. June 14 and end at Wauseon, Ohio July 13. Included in this tour will
be stops at 26 different tracks located in 10 states. This includes three
new tracks. It is almost tradition that the series visits at least 2 new
tracks each year, and frequently leave behind some old favorites. Through
time, the tiny Macon Speedway, along with Kankakee and Owatonna tracks have
been the cornerstones of the Summernationals, with all three appearing on
the schedules every year, although some rainouts have occured.

This dirt racing tour has grown to become known as the UMP Summernationals
and the success of the traveling show can only be credited to the diligence
of Bob Memmer.  An ongoing yearly summer attraction, the series has
entertained more Midwest dirt fans than any other rival tour with-in the
mid-America area. A few dubious records have been set since 1999, with Billy
Moyer collecting a $100,000 bonus for winning half of the races in the
series that year. The year 2000 saw the unimaginable happen, with 23 races
on the schedule, snaking its way back and forth through 9 states, the whole
series ran without a single rainout. And the last three years, the points
came down to the very last night of the series for the champion to be
decided.

Nightly, drivers in the Midwest, along with fans, flock to these dirt ovals
where local heroes have the opportunity to pit themselves against the very
best drivers who might hail from a different racing sanction or have joined
the UMP tour for the duration. This type of competition can fuel a race fans
appetite more than anything in racing. And the attendance will normally
support any local promoters dream of a big night at the gates. In fact, most
of these tracks have the biggest night of the year during the
Summernationals.

Over the years, the tour has seen the 80's and 90's era produce some of the
best short-track racing ever, with the likes of drivers such as Jack Boggs,
Billy Moyer, Bob Pierce, Scott Bloomquist, Dick Taylor, Terry English, Randy
Korte, Jim Leka, Roger Long, John Gill, Kevin Weaver, Ed Dixon, Bill Frye,
Rick Aukland, Steve Barnett, and Jimmy Mars. Mix in the occasional drivers
from outside the area such as Ray Cook , Kenny Schrader, Freddy Smith,
Ronnie Johnson and Tony Stewart. And countless thousands of other top
quality racers throughout the eleven states that UMP calls the midwest. By
the end of this summer's  marathon of races, the Summernationals will have
competed at over 60 different tracks since 1988, when records started being
kept.

In recent years, the tour has witnessed many rising stars that have etched
their names in the Summernationals record book. Young drivers such as
Shannon Babb, Billy Drake, Matt Taylor, Brian Birkhofer, Tony Izzo, Jr, and
Jay Johnson have drawn their names alongside the grizzled veterans like Rick
Standridge, Jim Curry, Ed Bauman, Bob Hill, Willy Kraft, Pete Parker, Doug
McCammon, Tom Rients, Tom Helfrich and Steve Kosiski.

The nightly purses have reached the $5,000 to win mark in the past few years
and have been known to pay as much as $10,000 to the winner at tracks such
as Fairbury, Davenport, Knoxville, and Oakshade, with Owatonna, MN eclipsing
the $20,000 to win mark. Several other tracks, including Danville, have
boosted their winners share to $10,000 for 2002 also. The lure of the "Dolly
Parton" payoff, as it has come to be known, strangely attracts a lot of
drivers to compete in these shows, knowing that not finishing in the top ten
might not get you gas money to the next track.  There are, however, periods
of the series, where a team can stay in one motel room for three or four
nights in a row, within  two hours drive of several tracks. These are some
of the shows that will typically draw 40-50 teams vying for the coveted 24
or so starting positions. Following through with this series is also a
learning experience like none other for the drivers, and teams alike. If a
driver normally races one night a week, this one month alone, so tightly
compressed in time, will be like running an entire season. And the learning
curve jumps radically, stuffing a whole season of learning into one month.
Also, jumping radically, is the tension involved in maintaining a one, or a
two car operation. Running the bulk of this series requires a lot of help
from those left back home in the form of support, shipping parts to the next
track, making sure engines are available, etc. More than one wife has been
heard to say "never again" to the husband/driver in the family.

The year 2002 will see an influx of drivers vying for the nightly winning
purses as Memmer made good on his previous statement in early January. The
driver who captures the 2002 UMP Summernational championship will be awarded
a $100,000 check based on Summernational points. This announcement came at
the UMP banquet in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on March 2. Memmer also committed to
awarding a $100,000 check to the 2002 UMP Late Model Champion and the 2002
UMP Modified Champion.

Early January rumors were that a sponsor would soon be on board for some big
buck backing for the UMP organization. It seems that this has become a
reality for UMP and a needed shot in the arm for modified and late model
veterans who have devoted years to chasing UMP titles as they represented
their local UMP affiliate tracks. Most fans are not aware that the UMP
member drivers are driving for point accumulation each night they compete at
their local tracks. This announcement will not only increase competition
among UMP modified and late model drivers, but will put increasing pressure
on Mr.Memmer to keep the points updated.

As the summer arrives and racing gets into top gear, many drivers will be
making a decision if they will be competing for points in UMP this year.
And, as for the Summernationals, look for quite a few new faces at the
Midwest tracks as the chase for a $100,000 payout looms on the horizon at
Oakshade Raceway in Ohio on the final night of the series.

For many UMP sanctioned drivers in the Midwest who have worked hard each
season to win a championship, Christmas could arrive early this year.
 

 

 

VOLUSIA(2/14/02)
U.M.P. Super Late Model Feature (30 laps):
FIN. CAR# DRIVER, HOMETOWN
1. 166 Joey Izzo, Chicago, IL
2. 21 Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR
3. 24 Rick Eckert, York PA
4. 71o Don O'Neal, Martinsville, IN
5. 66f Bill Frye, Greenbrier, AR
6. 17m Dale McDowell, Ringgold, GA
7. 6m Wendall Wallace, Batesville, AR
8. 1* Chub Frank, Bear Lake, PA
9. 1f Steve Francis, Shinnston, WV
10. 99 Donnie Moran, Dresden, OH
11. 96 Terry English, Whiteland, IN
12. 00 Freddie Smith Knoxville, TN
13. w11 Robby Blair, Titusville, PA
14. 38 Kenny Pettyjohn, Millsboro, DE
15. 18k Brandon Kinzer, Allen KY
16. 75 Carnell Parker, Clarksville, TN
17. 29 Darryl Lanigan, Union, KY
18. 21d Dan Stone, Thompson, PA
19. 1p Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, FL
20. 21l Ivedent Lloyd, Ocala, FL
21. 28m Jimmy Mars, Elk Mound, WI
22. 11g Kevin Gundaker, St. Charles, MO
23. 15 Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, IA
24. 28 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL

FAST TIME: 1. Mars, 17.398 sec.
HEAT WINNERS: Izzo, Blair, Stone, Erb, Eckert, Moyer,
CONSI WINNERS: Pettyjohn, Lloyd, Birkhofer.
 

VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY-ROUND TWO
By Terry Young
 

(2/12/02/)74 Late Models rolled into the Volusia County Speedway tonight and Don O'Neal once again administered what has become an all too familiar spankin on them all!

It has been rumored that Florida Governor Jeb Bush is considering calling in the FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD to try to put a stop to the beatings and abuse being handed out by Don O'Neal!!

All in all there were only about 3 or 4 passes made tonight as the track was once again severely rubbered up, but; O'Neal made the passes that counted. After starting third, on lap 18 O'Neal motored past Pettyjohn to take the lead and caught the checkered by a sizeable margin.

O'Neal was in what has become an all too familiar O'Neal Wood Products, Petroff Towing, Afco Race Products, Hoosier by Smash, B Auto Parts, Weld Wheel, Pro Power C.J. Rayburn chassis #71.

Heat races were won by Pettyjohn over Vic Coffey (who was light at the scale and was disqualified) and Darrel Lanigan. The DQ of Coffey would se Dennis Erb transfer into the A-main from the heat.

Chub Frank claimed the second heat ahead of Jimmy Mars and Wendell Wallace.

Third heat honors were claimed by O'Neal over Brian Birkhoffer and Jim Bernheisel.

The fourth heat was Billy Moyer over Rick Eckert and Donnie Barnhart.

The fifth heat went to Dan Schlieper over Kevin Gundaker and Joe Izzo.

The sixth and final heat went to Chargin Charlie Swartz over Bill Frye and Randall Chupp.

Consi action was claimed by Steve Francis over Jeff Kohn, Greg Johnson over Timmy Yeager and Freddy Smith over Rob Blair.

Following O'Neal to the checkers iin the 30 lap A-Main event were Pettyjohn, Chub Frank, Moyer, Birkhoffer, Darrel Lanigan, Bernheisel, Eckert, Schlieper, Gundaker, Erb and Izzo.

HEAT RACES-Top 3 Transfer to A-Main

Heat 1: 1. Pettyjohn, 2. Vic Coffey (DQ'd at scale) 3. Darrell Lanigan, 4. Dennis ZErb, 5. Jeff Kohn

Heat 2: 1. Chub Frank, 2. Jimmy Mars, 3. Wendell Wallace, 4. Greg Johnson, 5. Dan Sturgeon

Heat 3: 1. Don O'Neal, 2. Brian Birkhoffer, 3. Jim Bernheisel, 4. Freddy Smith, 5. Brandon Kinzer

Heat 4: 1. Billy Moyer, 2. Rick Eckert, 3. Donnie Barnhart, 4. Steve Francis, 5.Steve Barnett

Heat 5: 1. Dan Schlieper, 2. Kevin Gundaker, 3. Joe Izzo, 4. Tim Yeager, 5. Dan Stone

Heat 6: 1. Charlie Swartz, 2. Bill Frye, 3. Randall Chupp, 4. Rob Blair, 5. Jep Van Wormer

CONSI'S-Top 2 Transfer to A-Main

Consi 1: 1. Steve Francis, 2. Jeff Kohn

Consi 2: 1. Greg Johnson, 2. Tim Yeager

Consi 3: 1. Freddy Smith, 2. Rob Blair

FEATURE-30 LAPS-$5,000.00 to WIN

1. O'Neal
2. Pettyjohn
3. Frank
4. Moyer
5. Birkhoffer
6. Lanigan
7. Swartz
8. Eckert
9. Bernheisel
10. Gundaker
11. Erb
12. Izzo

 

VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY-ROUND ONE
By Terry Young

(2/11/02)In what is becoming a familiar scene the Petroff Posse rolled into Volusia County Speedway and picked up right where they left off at EAST BAY, bagging yet another A-Main for The Real Deal and depositing another $5,000.00 into his war chest!

O'Neal jumped out front on a severely rubbered up race track and made the best of it as he led from wire to wire in the 30 lap U.M.P. main event, to make his first visit to the sacred grounds victory lane during the 2k2 VCS Speedweeks events.

O'Neal drove his familiar #71 O'Neal Wood Products, Petroff Towing, Hoosier by Smash, B-Auto Parts, AFCO Race Products, Weld Wheels
RAYBURN Monte Carlo powered by PRO POWER to the victory over Rick Eckert, Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace and Dan Leatherman.

The U.M.P. late models will again visit the VCS tomorrow night for another $5,000.00 to win A-Main event.

Fast Time: Bill Frye

Heat Races-Top 3 Transfer to A-Main

Heat 1: 1. Jimmy Mars, 2. Bill Frye, 3. Donnie Moran 4. Dennis Erb, 5. Mike Duvall

Heat 2: 1. Don O'Neal, 2. Wendell Wallace, 3. Randall Chupp, 4. Jeep Van Wormer, 5.Duke Whiseant

Heat 3: 1. Dan Leatherman, 2. Brandon Kinzer, 3.Terry Englidh, 4. Ivedent Lloyd, Jr., 5. Richie Hedrick

Heat 4: 1. Chub Frank, 2. Brian Birkhofer, 3. Russ Shefler, 4. Jim Burnheisel

Heat 5: 1. Rick Eckert, 2. Carnell Parker, Jr. 3. Steve Smith, 4. Dan Stone, 5. Dan Sturgeon

Heat 6: 1. Shannon Babb, 2. Billy Moyer, 3. Kevin Gundaker, 4. Steve Francis, 5. Greg Johnson

Consi's-Top 2 Transfer to A-Main

Consi 1: 1. Bernheisel, 2. 64B ??

Consi 2: 1. Van Wormer, 2. Jeff Kohn

Consi 3: 1. Francis 2. Rick Aukland (Did not cross scale after consi and was DQ'd) 2. Lloyd, Jr. moved from 3rd to 2nd position.

Feature- 30 Laps, $5,000.00 to Win

1. Don O'Neal
2. Rick Eckert
3. Billy Moyer
4. Wendell Wallace
5. Dan Leatherman
6. Brian Birkhofer
7. Chub Frank
8. Jim Bernheisel
9. Randall Chupp
10. Kevin Gundaker

FINAL NIGHT AT EAST BAY IS REPEAT
By Terry Young

(2/10/02)The LATE SHOW brought to you by PETROFF Towing aired for the final episode this evening at EAST BAY Speedway in the final running of the 2002 Speedweeks races. Tonights special guests were "The REAL DEAL" Don O'Neal and the "Batesville Bullet" Billy Moyer both from the driving stables of the famous purebreds known as the Petroff Posse!

Don O'Neal capped the 2002 Sunshine State Speedweeks with yet another notch in his belt and added another $26,000.00 to his bankroll in doing so.

Moyer who started outside the front row dogged O'Neal for the better part of the event and was even capable of pulling alongside O'Neal on the low side several times in the closing stages of the event, but just couldn't find what he was lacking to overpower O'Neal for the win.

TOTAL DOMINATION of the speedweeks series in both Renegade STARS action and U.D.T.R.A. Pro Dirt Car Series action was displayed by O'Neal as he performed a domination like never before witnessed by fans attending the speedweeks events.

O'Neal utilized a C.J. Rayburn Race Cars chassis powered by PRO POWER and hooked up with HOOSIER Tires by Smash. O'Neal is sponsored by PETROFF Towing, B Auto Parts, O'Neal Wood Products, Weld Wheel and AFCO Racing.

Fast Time: Steve Shaver 14.441

HEATS-Top 3 Transfer to A-Main

Heat 1: 1. Steve Shaver, 2. Wendell Wallace, 3. Steve Francis

Heat 2: 1. Billy Moyer, 2. Jimmy Mars, 3. Freddy Smith

Heat 3: 1. Don O'Neal, 2. Donnie Moran, 3. Scott Bloomquist

Heat 4: 1. Dale McDowell, 2. Rick Eckert, 3. John Mason

Heat 5: 1. Jackie Boggs, 2. Chuck Harper, 3. R.J. Conley

Heat 6: 1. Randall Chupp, 2. Terry English, 3. Shannon Babb

CONSI'S-Top 2 Transfer to A-Main

Consi 1: 1. Matt Miller, 2. Dan Schlieper

Consi 2: 1. Jeep Van Wormer 2. Marshall Green

Consi 3: 1. Brian Birkhofer, 2. Tim Dohm

Feature - 100 Laps $26,000 to WIN
Starting position in parentesis

1. (3) Don O'Neal
2. (2) Billy Moyer
3. (4) Dale McDowell
4. (27) Davey Johnson
5. (8) Jimmy Mars
6. (13) Steve Francis
7. (21) Brian Birkhofer
8. (1) Steve Shaver

JIMMY MARS CLAIMS EAST BAY
By TerryYoung

(2/9/02)Fast Time: Tim Dohm 14.560

HEATS-Top 3 Transfer to A-Main

Heat 1: 1. Steve Francis, 2. Terry English, 3. Tim Dohm

Heat 2: 1. Shannon Babb, 2. Randall Chupp, 3. Rob Blair

Heat 3: 1. Rick Eckert, 2. Jimmy Mars, 3. Bobby Alexander

Heat 4. 1. Davey Johnson, 2. Donnie Moran, 3. Rick Aukland

Heat 5. 1. Billy Moyer, 2. R.J. Conley, 3. Jackie Boggs

Heat 6: 1. Don O'Neal, 2. Earl Pearson, 3. Matt Miller

CONSI'S-Top 2 Transfer to A-Main

Consi 1: 1. Delmas Conley, 2. Scott Bloomquist

Consi 2: 1. Wendell Wallace, 2.Keith Nosbisch

Consi 3: 1. Rod Conley, 2. Ray Cook

Feature - 50 Laps $7,000.00 to Win
Starting Position in Parenthesis

1. (9) Jimmy Mars
2. (3) Rick Eckert
3. (5) Billy Moyer
4. (7) Terry English
5. (11) R. J. Conley
6. (16) Rick Aukland
7. (19) Delmas Conley
8. (23) Keith Nosbisch

O'NEAL AND RAYBURNS RULE EAST BAY
By Terry Young

(2/8/02)The Don O'Neal Show continued its new season syndication this evening and spectators saw a rerun of what has been the new 2002 season of the show! LOL

Don O'Neal continued his domination of this seasons FLORIDA EAST BAY Speedweeks, continuing his winning and adding yet another $30,000 to his fold while driving the PETROFF Towing, O'Neal Wood Products, Pro Power, B Auto Parts, HOOSIER by Smash, AFCO Race Products C.J. Rayburn #71 Monte Carlo.

The evening began with Rob Blair winning the first heat over Scott Bloomquist and Billy Drake.

The second heat was captured by Terry English over Delmas Conley and Jimmy Mars.

Third heat honors went to Steve Shaver over Keith Nosbich and Rick Eckert.

The fourth heat was all O'Neal, powering to the win ahead of fellow Petroff stable mate Shannon Babb and Dan Schlieper.

The fifth heat was yet another Petroff mount in the form of Billy Moyer over Wendell Wallace and Brian Birkhofer.

The sixth and final heat went to Donnie Moran over Dale McDowell and Steve Francis.

Consi action was claimed by Chub Frank over Anthony Rushing in the first consi, Davey Johnson over Randy Korte in the second consi and R.J. Conley over Rick Aukland in the final consi.

The dash was topped by Kentucky's Terry English over Steve Shaver, Billy Drake, Babb, Bloomquist and Eckert.

When feature time arrived the topic on everyone's mind was if Donnie O'Neal qould be able to pull off the big win from his 7th place starting spot! Well, 7's were lucky enough to hit the jackpot for O'Neal as he took the lead on lap 18 from car number 18 of Shannon Babb after Babb had led from lap 7 after overtaking Terry English who led the first 6 markers.

O'Neal was never seriously challenged until lap 66 when in turns 3 and 4 O'Neal and Moyer were side by side and could have been split only by a hair!!

Following O'Neal at the checkers were Moyer,
Steve Francis, Eckert, Davey Johnson, English, Moran, Steve Shaver, Dan Schlieper and Rick Aukland.

Heat Races-Top 3 transfer to A-main;

Heat 1. Rob Blair, 2. Scott Bloomquist, 3. Billy Drake, 4. Chub Frank, 5. Anthony White

Heat 2: 1. Terry English, 2. Delmas Conley, 3. Jimmy Mars, 4. Anthony Rushing, 5. Dan Bernheisel

Heat 3: 1. Steve Shaver, 2. Keith Nosbich, 3. Rick Eckert, 4. Dennis Erb, 5. Randall Chupp

Heat 4: Don O'Neal, 2. Shannon Babb, 3. Dan Schlieper, 4. Davey Johnson, 5. Jeep Van Wormer

Heat 5: 1. Billy Moyer, 2. Wendell Wallace, 3.Brian Birkhofer, 4. John Mason, 5. #32 Lucas

Heat 6: 1. Donnie Moran, 2. Dale McDowell, 3. Steve Francis, 4. Matt Miller, 5. Jackie Boggs

Consi's-Top 2 Transfer;

Consi 1. 1.Chub Frank, 2. Anthony Rushing

Consi 2: 1. Davey Johnson, 2. Randy Korte

Consi 3: 1. R.J. Conley, 2. Rick Aukland

Feature-100 Laps-Starting Position in Parenthesis

1. (7) Don O'Neal
2. (8) Billy Moyer
3. (17) Steve Francis
4. (24) Rick Eckert
5. (19) Davey Johnson
6. (1) Terry English
7. (9) Donnie Moran
8. (2) Steve Shaver
9. (15) Dan Schlieper
10. (23) Rick Aukland
11-28 Chub Frank, Brian Birkhofer, R.J. Conley, Rod Conley, Billy Drake, Rob Blair, Jackie Boggs, Dale McDowell, Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson, Wendell Wallace, Shannon Babb, Keith Nosbich, Delmas Conley, Anthony Rushing, Mike Balzano and Randy Korte

RAIN HALTS FOURTH NIGHT AT EAST BAY
by Terry Young
 

(2/7/02)Rains have covered the Tampa area most of the day today, the races AT THIS TIME are scheduled to go on as planned, the rain has stopped and they are working on trying to get the mud and slop in a suitable condition for tonights show.

I will post the results as soon as possible as I have the past few nights!

PETROFF POSSE Continues Speedweeks Streak!
By Terry Young

(2/6/02)The Petroff Posse continued their domination of the FLORIDA 2002 Speedweeks tonight but with a change in the lead character!

80 cars started the evening touring the track for qualifying with Donnie "The Real Deal" O'Neal, continuing his winning ways and recording the fastest lap with a time of 14.603.

The heat races saw the first heat being claimed by O'Neal from the pole over Rick Eckert and Steve Shaver.

The second heat was the Dale McDowell show as he caught the checkers ahead of Steve Francis and Shannon Babb.

The third heat was won by Tim Dohm in an impressive run topping Rob Blair and Jackie Boggs.

The fourth heat was won by Billy Moyer over Mike Balzano and Billy Drake. Earl Pearson had an A-main starting berth coming to him when on the last lap of the heat he lost a motor and was relegated to a back-up car for the consi.

The fifth heat was the Speedweeks debut of The YANG, Scott Bloomquist and on lap 5 Scott suffered engine casualty while running 2nd. The heat was captured by Davey Johnson over Chub Frank and Jimmy Mars.

The sixth and final heat was Terry English ahead of Dennis Erb and Donnie Moran.

The consis rolled on to the track to produce the final 6 starting positions for the 50 lap A-Main and saw R.J. Conley winning the first consi ahead of Randy Korte.

The second consi was probably the best Speedweeks race yet as Earl Pearson made a charge from the 14th starting position in the consi to take the checkered flag and an A-Main starting berth by beating Matt Miller to the checkers.

The third consi was won by Brian Birkhoffer in yet another stellar performance, coming from a 12th place starting position to annex the win over Darrell Lanigan.

The feature apeared at the start that it would again be the Donnie O show as O'Neal was going for the hat-trick in his effort to win 3 in a row! On lap 6 Scott Bloomquist rolled to a stop in turn 3 and retired for the evening.

Lap 7 saw Randy Korte flip his #00 Rocket in turn 1 and also collected R.J. Conley and Earl Pearson collected in the melee.

On lap 10 the running order was O'Neal, Moyer, McDowell, English, Francis, Moran and Boggs.

The caution was displayed again on Lap 12 when Lanigan, Delmas Conley, Earl Pearson and Scott Cross all spin in turn 1 and 2.

Lap 20 seen O'Neal followed by Moyer, McDowell, English, Francis and Moran.

The O'Neal domination continued until lap 36 when Billy Moyer passed Donnie on the low side in Turns 1 and 2.

Moyer would never be headed again in his quest for the checkered despite several valiant efforts by O'Neal as the duo raced through traffic.

Moyer in his Petroff Towing, Car City, Karl Chevrolet, Watters Autoland, B Auto Parts, J&J Steel, AFCO Racing Products, HOOSIER by Pup C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo collected $5,000.00 for his efforts tonight and continued the PETROFF Domination of this years running of the 2002 Speedweeks!

Fast Time: Don O'Neal 14.603

HEATS-Top 3 Transfer

Heat 1: 1. Don O'Neal, 2.Rick Eckert, 3.Steve Shaver, 4. R.J. Conley, 5.Randy Korte

Heat 2: 1. Dale McDowell, 2. Steve Francis, 3. Shannon Babb, 4. Roy Deese, Jr., 5. Dan Schlieper

Heat 3: 1. Tim Dohm, 2. Rob Blair, 3. Jackie Boggs, 4. Rod Conley, 5. Russ Sheffler

Heat 4: 1. Billy Moyer, 2. Mike Balzano, 3. Billy Drake, 4. Matt Miiller, 5. Jeff Wildung

Heat 5: 1. Davey Johnson, 2. Chub Frank, 3. Jimmy Mararrel Lanigan, 5. John Anderson

Heat 6: 1.Terry English, 2.Dennis Erb, 3.Donnie Moran, 4.Delmas Conley, 5. D.J. Myers

CONSI'S-Top 2 Transfer

Consi 1: 1.R.J. Conley, 2. Randy Korte, 3. Dan Schlieper

Consi 2: 1. Earl Pearson, 2. Matt Miller, 3. Russ Sheffler

Consi 3: 1. Brian Birkhofer, 2. Darrel Lanigan, 3. D.J. Myers

Feature: 50 Laps
Starting position in parenthesis

1. (4) Billy Moyer
2. (8) Steve Francis
3. (1) Don o'Neal
4. (6) Terry English
5. (2) Dale McDowell
6. (12)Dennis Erb
7. (13)Steve Shaver
8. (7) Rick Eckert
9. (21)Brian Birkhofer
10. (24)Darrell Lanigan

O"NEAL AGAIN AT EAST BAY
By Terry Young

(2/5/02)There is indeed a new sheriff in town for the Florida Speedweeks and he is a member of the Petroff Posse.

Don O'Neal once again turned in a stellar performance in the #71 Petroff Towing, O"Neal Wood Products, Hoosier by Smash, C.J Rayburn Race Cars, Pro Powered Monte Carlo and added another $7,000 to his growing bankroll.

86 cars took to the track this evening turning in qualifying efforts and Rick Eckert recorded the fsates qualifying lap touring the ultra fast facility with a time of 14.376.

The heat races got under way with some exciting moments which would prepare the crowd on hand for what was sure to be an action packed 75 lap A-main event on this, night #2 of the 2002 Florida Speedweeks.

The first heat was won by Marshall Green over Roy Deese, Jr. and Rick Eckert.

The second heat went to Joe Izzo over Bobby Alexander and Terry English.

The third heat was topped by Steve Francis over Dennis Erb and Mike Balzano.

The fourth heat was captured by Rick Aukland over Don O'Neal and Darrell Lanigan. The fifth heat honors were taken by Davey Johnson over Shannon Babb and Jackie Boggs.

The sixth and final heat went to Jimmy Mars over Billy Moyer and Earl Pearson, Jr.

The consis were action packed as well and saw Steve Shaver claim the first consi over local hotshoe Keith Nosbich.

Brian Birkhoffer claimed the second consi ahead of Dan Schlieper.

The final consi was captured by Delmas Conley over Donnie Moran.

The dash to determine the top 6 starting positions was won by O'Neal over ERick Eckert, Marshall Green, Billy Moyer, Terry English and Mike Balzano.

When the green flag fell to mark the start of the 75 lap $7,000 to win main event it was The Real Deal jumping out to the point with Terry English, Eckert, Francis and Balzano in tow.

I honestly missed the first caution around lap 2 or 3, but the second caution came out on lap 7 as Dennis Erb spun in turn 3. Greg Johnson and R.J. Conley were unable to miss the stalled Erb and quickly became a part of the carnage. On the caution Lanigan was penalized for hitting the cone on the previous re-start and was moved from his 9th place position to 11th on the restart.

The next caution was displayed on lap 11 when Jackie Boggs came to a stop in 1 and 2.

Ditto on Lap 12 as Lanigan spun in 1 and 2.

Ditto on Lap 13 as Moran hit the wall in 1 and 2.

Ditto on Lap 14 as Earl Pearson spun off of turn 2.

It appeared that this was quickly going to turn into a marathon session that would make the Million March look organized!

When the green was displayed on the Lap 15 restart it was O'Neal out front followed by Eckert, Francis, Moyer, Babb, Balzano and English.

On lap 21 Moyer moved into 2nd.

Lap 24 seen Babb move to 3rd.

The top 5 remained O'Neal, Moyer, Francis, Babb and Eckert with 3-5 positions swapping back and forth.

The green remained intact until lap 58 when Bobby Alexander spun in 1 and 2. The restart would find Birkhoffer having worked his way into the top 5 after Babb scraped the front stretch wall on Lap 52, knocking his front end out of alignment. There were 7 cars on the lead lap at this point.

The final caution was displayed on Lap 63 when Balzano rolled to a stop in 3.

Despite several late race charges from both Francis and Moyer, O'Neal showed once again why he is called the "REAL DEAL" and led the remaining laps to lead flag to flag in the 75 lap main levanter

Following O'Neal at the stripe on the lead lap were Francis, Moyer, Eckert, Birkhoffer, Babb and Johnson. The Babb/Johnson duo was actually too close to call at the stripe and may have been officially flip-flopped when the final payout was made.

All in all a GREAT NIGHT of racing was witnessed by all as the track remained good throughout the evening and boasted of 2 and 3 wide racing most all night!

Some notables missing the A-Main event tonight were: Wendell Wallace, Rod Conley, John Mason, Timmy Yeager, Dale McDowell, Randy Korte, Freddy Smith and Ray Cook.

Heat Races: Top 3 Transfer to A-Main
Heat 1: 1.Marshall Green, 2.Roy Deese, Jr., 3.Rick Eckert

Heat 2: 1.Joe Izzo, 2.Bobby Alexander, 3.Terry English

Heat 3: 1.Steve Francis, 2.Dennis Erb, 3.Mike Balzano

Heat 4: 1.Rick Aukland, 2.Don O'Neal, 3.Darrell Lanigan

Heat 5: 1.Davey Johnson, 2.Shannon Babb, 3.Jackie Boggs

Heat 6: 1.Jimmy Mars, 2.Billy Moyer, 3.Earl Pearson, Jr.

Consi's: Top 2 from each Transfer to A-Main

Consi 1: 1.Steve Shaver, 2.Keith Nosbich

Consi 2: 1.Brian Birkhoffer, 2.Dan Schlieper

Consi 3: 1. Delmas Conley, 2.Donnie Moran

Dash: Determines Top 6 starting positions
1.O'Neal, 2.Eckert, 3.Green, 4.Moyer, 5.English, 6.Balzano

A-Main 75 Laps
Staring position in parenthesis;

1. (1) Don O'Neal
2. (8) Steve Francis
3. (4) Billy Moyer
4. (2) Rick Eckert
5. (20) Brian Birkhoffer
6. (15) Shannon Babb
7. (10) Davey Johnson

Down at least 1 lap and unofficial
8. (23) Dan Schlieper
9. (25) Chub Frank
10. (19) Steve Shaver


DON O'NEAL WINS EAST BAY OPENER
By Terry Young

(2/4/02)82 cars invaded the beautifully renovated EAST BAY Raceway tonight for Round 1 of the 2002 Florida Winter Speedweeks. Rick Aukland started the evening off by turning the track with the fastest time of 14.806.

The first heat was topped by Billy Moyer as he caught the checkered flag ahead of Rick Aukland and Mike Balzano.

The second heat was topped by Darrel Lanigan over Davey Johnson and Billy Drake.

The third heat was nabbed by Jimmy Mars over Shannon Babb and Dennis Erb.

The fourth heat saw Don O'Neal claim the win over Earl Pearson, Jr. and Wendell Wallace.

The fifth heat was won by Steve Shaver over Rod Conley and Ray Cook.

The sixth and final heat was topped by Brian Birkhofer over R.J. Conley and Terry English.

The first consi was won by Chub Frank over Steve Francis.

The second consi was won by Dale McDowell over Donnie Moran, but was halted early in the event when Ritchie Hedrick tried to relocate the turn 1 and 2 wall. Hedrick was OK but his car was all the worse for wear. Thankfully Ritchie was uninjured.

The final consi was won by Dan Schlieper over Marshall Green.

The dash, which would determine the top 6 starting positions was topped by Balzano over O'Neal, Birkhofer, Davey J. and Babb.

When the green flag fell over the field for the 50 lap main event it was Mike Balzano jumping out to the point over O'Neal, Aukland, Birkhofer and Babb and that running order would go unchanged for the bigger part of the first 20 laps until The Real Deal made his move and moved to the point overpowering Balzano for the lead.

The first caution of the evnt was displayed on lap 24 when Schlieper retired his new GRT mount to the pit area, and called it a night.

By lap 33 Chub Frank had shoestringed his way from the 19th starting position to the 8th place and it was becoming evident he was going to be a contender for the win as he utilized a high line and passed one car after another as most stuck to their preferred line around the hub in the rubber.

By lap 40 The Chubster had worked his way into the 4th place position.

The next caution of the event would fly on lap 45 and would set the stage for a late race shootout.

When the green resumed Don O'Neal showed his muscle as he pulled out to a commanding lead and would lead the remaining 5 laps to catch the checkered flag ahead of Aukland, Frank, Balzano and Moyer.

O'Neal was sporting his regular colors and back to his familiar #71 but debuted a new support package for the 2002 season as he drove his PETROFF Towing, Pro Power Engines, HOOSIER by Smash, O'Neal Wood Products, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars #71 to victory and claimed the winners gelt!

Heats-Top 3 Transfer to A-Main
Heat 1: 1. Billy Moyer, 2. Rick Aukland, 3. Mike Balzano, 4. Steve Francis 5. Nosbich

Heat 2: 1. Darrel Lanigan, 2. Davey Johnson, 3. Billy Drake 4. Rick Eckert, 5. Chuck Harper

Heat 3: 1. Jimmy Mars, 2. Shannon Babb, 3. Dennis Erb, 4. Dale McDowell, 5. Delmas Conley

Heat 4: 1. Don O'Neal, 2. Earl Pearson, Jr., 3. Wendel Wallace, 4. Banal, 5. Rob Blair

Heat 5: 1. Steve Shaver, 2.Rod Conley, 3. Ray Cook, 4. Marshall Green, 5. Dan Schlieper

Heat 6: 1. Brian Birkhofer, 2. R.J. Conley, 3. Terry English

CONSI's - Top 2 Transfer to A-main
Consi 1: 1. Chub Frank, 2.Steve Francis

Consi 2: 1. Dale McDowell 2. Donnie Moran

Consi 3: 1. Dan Schlieper, 2.Marshall Green

DASH: Determines Top 6 starting positions:
1. Mike Balzano, 2. Don O'Neal, 3. Brian Birkhofer, 4. Davey Johnson, 5. Rick Aukland, 6. Shannon Babb

A-Main (50 Laps)
Starting Position in Parenthisis

1. (2) Don O'Neal
2. (5) Rick Aukland
3. (19)Chub Frank
4. (1) Mike Balzano
5. (7) Billy Moyer
6. (3) Brian Birkhofer
7. (6) Shannon Babb
8. (16) Wendell Wallace
9. (9) Jimmy Mars
10.(11) Earl Pearson, Jr.

2002 will be the inaugural season for the Battle of the Bluegrass Late Model Tour, The BoB Tour as its being called will feature 10-14 Late Model races throughout the state of Kentucky. All races will be 3k to win, 250 to start.
A schedule will be released in coming weeks, several races have already been confirmed and looks to be something that Late Model Drivers & Fans alike can be proud of.
A Series points fund has been set up and based on 10 races will pay the Series Champion $4000 at the end of the season.
The top ten racers of the series will receive points money at the end of the season.
More information will come in the following days as Race Directors' Spencer Wilson & James Essex work out the final details.
A Drivers' Meeting is being planned in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on 4m for time and date.
In the next few days a formal press release that will cover scheduled races, tire rule and more will be released. Any questions can be directed to [email protected]