Brownstown Hoosier Dirt Classic Results and Notes...4/19/03

JOHN GILL wrestled the lead away from the Shark at the start and proceeded to ride off in a Moyer21 proclaimed schooling of the Hoosier Dirt Classic field at the Brownstown Speedway.

FINISH:
1 John Gill
2 Kevin Weaver
3 Scott James
4 Billy Drake
5 Mike Jewell
6 Greg Johnson
7 Shannon Babb
8 Darren Miller
9 Dave Eckrich
10 Dennis Erb, Jr.

SCOTT JAMES edged Gill into one on the initial start of the finale. The duo rolled down the back chute door to door as DON O'NEAL and heat winner SCOTT GRAHAM bumped off two. Gill inched ahead off four as the Shark lurked low only to see the action stopped and completely restarted when KEVIN CLAYCOMB went over turn 4.

On the next and only start James again edged ahead into one before Gill grabbed the point off two. KEVIN WEAVER then entered the picture down the back chute diving under the Silver Shark in three and showing the Cowboy a nose off four.

Behind them, O'Neal and GREG JOHNSON raced for 5th then brought the battle to 4th when the pair ran down Graham. A little further back, MIKE JEWELL and BILLY DRAKE began to make moves forward as Jewell stepped the Scottsburg Express to the outside to run down Drake.

As Johnson hounded Graham, Drake worked around O'Neal for 6th then brought the battle for 4th to the line 3 wide as Drake, Graham and Johnson danced off into one. With Graham and Johnson riding through the black ice, Drake (who's MasterSbilt is now touched by the wrench of Brian Daugherty) rolled through the moisture and by both Hoosiers to grab 4th in three. Jewell meanwhile stepped around O'Neal then Graham to move to 6th.

While Gill enjoyed a half straightaway lead, Jewell moved into the top five getting by Johnson down the front chute as SHANNON BABB ran 8th and Jackson 100 runner up BART HARTMAN rode 13th.

Gill entered lapped traffic just past lap 10 allowing Weaver to cut into his lead slightly while behind them, O'Neal and Johnson continued to battle for 6th. As the field raced toward the crossed sticks a slip by Gill into three allowed the Flatland Flash to creep closer. Gill then yanked the reigns of his imaginary horse and worked the back markers a bit harder while a strip of rubber began to shine.

With the leaders in traffic, Jewell and Drake continued to race for 4th while O'Neal's slip off the back chute allowed Johnson and Babb to get by. Donnie O's bid for another HDC trophy came to an end on lap 28 when the Real Deal slowed and pulled into the infield.

As Gill's lead stretched out to a full straightaway, James quietly crept to the rear of Weaver in the final ten laps. The Shark never could get close enough to poke a nose under Weaver as the pair worked the back markers. Back up front, it was all the Modern Day Cowboy who kept Terry Eaglin's spacecraft below the rubber and in the moisture. While the rest of the field worked raced all over the track, Gill slowly rocked 'em to sleep in the caution free main event.


OTHER ODDS AND ENDS...

-DOUG McCAMMON was on hand driving a Kevin Claycomb backup. McCammon nearly made the main event but came up short in the consi. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of him in 2003.

-BRADLEY STURGEON continues to impress as the nephew of fellow LRC Motorsports racer Dan Sturgeon put the team's second Rocket in the feature. Dan meanwhile was part of one of teh best races of the night when he and Claycomb went to war in the first consi.

-Those watching the feature included: Dusty Chapman, Steve Smith, Keith Debbie, Gary Hardin, Adam Sasser, Duane Chamberlain, Rick Sowders, Brad Barrow, Scott Heineman, Mike Bechelli, Chuck Proctor, Brian Wilhite, Joe Godsey, McCammon, Jason Setser, Tim Prince, Shannon Reed, Dave Ross, Brad Cummings, Mike Ruble, Derek Ramp, Wes Leigh, Matt Bex, Rick Burton, Greg Ault, Cody Mahoney, Ernie Barrow, and Willie Sallee.

-After thee weeks in a row at B'town, the third week was indeed the dandiest of all racing. Three wide action and passing allowed for an entire evening of action. The quick movement of the program was also a very nice touch.

A weekend of BoB action is on the docket for the PAL-U Crew next week with a Friday night at McCoy and Saturday appearance at the Bluegrass Speedway. Until then, we'll be negotiating a contract with the Braves for the Chase-man and his bat, and rollin' em around!