2003bob results
Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN is the 2003 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts Points Champion as the series wrapped up its second season on October 4th at Florence Speedway. The 25 year old Volunteer State driver also captured the 2003 R&P Industrial Chimney sponsored Rookie of the Year Award for the series as he completed his first full season behind the wheel of a Dirt Late Model. Marlar came into the 2003 season off of a second place finish in the UMP National Open Wheel Modified Championship as he recorded 39 open wheel wins in 2002. Not only did Marlar win five STARS Battle of the Bluegrass races this year he also qualified for his first ever World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH in September where he finished the race in 19th position running the entire 100 lap race. With five event wins in 2003 Marlar has tied 2002 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass champion, Eddie Carrier Jr. and 2003 Dream $100,000 winner and Dirt Track World Championship victor, Darrell Lanigan as the only five time winners in the two years that Kentucky's Premier Dirt Late Model Sanctioning Body has sanctioned events. There have been 45 events contested over the last two years the series had existed.
Marlar completed an impressive resume' on his way to the 2003 title for the Lexington, KY based series. He was the only driver who made all 25 events in 2003. Along with his five series wins Marlar finished in the top five 12 times and the top 10 a total of three times meaning he failed to finish in the top ten of 25 races only five times. His now familiar camouflaged #157 dirt car was sponsored this year by several contributors including: C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Estes Automotive and Machine Shop, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, WFO Graphics, Todd Truss Company, Hoosier Racing Tires, Wilson's Service Center, Bilstein Shocks, CarCosmetics.net, Winfield Video, Roger Ogle Home Builders, Oneida Paint and Body, H&M West Enterprises, Marlar and Sons Auto Dismantling, Kenny's Rowboat, 45 Race Shop, Real Wheels, Performance Battery, PBM Performance Products and Renegade Race Fuels. Marlar's pit crew included his wife, Carla Marlar, his father, David Marlar, his younger brother, Skylar Marlar and other members who helped the team to the championship this year were Jordy Coffey, Doug Aytes, David Anderson, Chris Phillips and Robbie Duncan
For the second year in a row, the ever-consistent Timmy Yeager of Harrodsburg, KY finished second in the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Series standings. Yeager competed in 23 events this year recording 12 top five finishes and six top ten finishes driving primarily for the Dale and Anita Clark owned race team out of Columbia, KY and ended the season with the Stephen Estes Team from Nicholasville, KY. Third in points this year was 21 year old Aaron Hatton of Mt. Sterling, KY who won three times in series events this year taking four top five finishes and six top 10's along the way. Hatton made 24 of the 25 races this year. In the final rundown Jesse James Lay of Walton, KY was fourth in points with one event victory to go along with seven top five finishes and seven top ten finishes. Lay competed in 24 of the 25 races and as had made more STARS Battle of the Bluegrass races than anyone in the two year history of the organization as he has made 44 of the 45 events held. Rounding out the top five in this years points standings was Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN who took one main event win. James had six top five and six top ten finishes in the 2003 campaign.
The rest of the top ten in the final point’s standings were Michael Chilton, Tyrel Todd, Johnny Wheeler, Steven Ashby and Mike Jewell.
A total of 246 drivers raced with series in 2003 with 12 different event winners at the 25 races scheduled on 14 different dirt tracks. Mike Marlar led the way with five wins followed by three event wins each for Aaron Hatton, Mike Jewell, Darrell Lanigan and Johnny Wheeler. Other drivers who scored single event wins included Eddie Carrier Jr., Clint Smith, John Gill, Jesse James Lay, Don O'Neal, Scott James and Jackie Boggs.
Marlar also was the winner of the R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Year for the series in 2003. 17 year old Michael Chilton of Harrodsburg, KY proved to be Marlar's stiffest competition this year giving Marlar all he wanted in the rookie points chase for most of the season. Steven Ashby of Cunningham, TN finished third in the rookie points followed by Carnell Parker III of Clarksville, TN and Joey Kramer of Hanover, IN.
The STARS Battle of the
Bluegrass DirtCar Series would like to thank those that helped sponsor the
series in 2003 including: Arizona Sport Shirts, R&P Industrial Chimney, PBM
Performance Products, American Race Tires, AFCO Racing Products, Racing Optics,
Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, WFO Graphics, Trailer Parts and Sales, Bert
Transmissions, Design 500 Racewear, Outlaw Race Cars, Ringers Gloves, PPM Racing
Products, Smith Automotive Machine, Goodyear, James Art Design, DJ Designs
Jeremey's Photos and Bullzilla Graphics.
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Results by Jody Shannon
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Florence Speedway-Union, KY
First Annual Fall 50
Saturday Night, October 4, 2003
$5000 to win/50 Lap feature
Entries: 56
Feature Finish:
1. Mike Jewell
2. Timmy Yeager
3. Jerry Rice
4. Darrell Lanigan
5. Jesse James Lay
6. Scott James-Hard Charger of the Race started 23rd
7. Greg Lucas
8. Steve Casebolt Jr
9. Joey Kramer
10. Johnny Wheeler
11. Jim Curry
12. Steve Landrum
13. Brad Neat
14. Victor Lee
15. Josh Williams
16. Brian Ruhlman
17. Roger Williams
18. Dick Phillips
19. Michael Chilton
20. Michael Bradley
21. Michael Wooldridge
22. Mike Marlar
23. Aaron Hatton
24. Jerry Bowersock
25. Stanley Haddix
Congratulations to Mike Marlar 2003 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Points
Champion
Other drivers in attendance at Florence: John Gill, Bill Blair Jr., Bucky
Jackson, Rick Corbin, Tony Traficant, Ted Nobbe, Justin Blackwell, Rick Combs,
Jeff Alsip Jerry Rutherford, Marty Stepp, Mike Harger, Tim Prince, Larry
Moreland, Robert Hensley, David Powers, Barry Doss, Audie McWilliams, Mike
McWilliams, Tyrel Todd, Steven Ashby, John Holt, Gary Engle, Casey Noonan,
Weasel Rhoades, T.J. Wooldridge, Larry Pickelheimer Jr., Kevin Blair, Devin
Sebree, Kenny Kenneda, Chad Smith
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and now the story by James Essex
Florence Speedway-Union, KY
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN closed out the 2003 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series season and the 50th racing season for the Florence (KY) Speedway on Saturday Night by winning the First Annual "Fall 50". The win for the 45 year old racer was his third this year on the series tour and he earned $5000 for the victory. Jewell drove to victory lane the Southern Indiana Rock Drilling, Morgan Foods, MPC Motorsports, Hoosier Tires, LaFountain's Auto Body, Jewell TV Service, KP Radio, Shelton Angus Farms, Scott County Tire, GKN Sinter Metals, Pruett's Auto Repair, Cornett Thunder Race Engines; MasterSbilt Grand Prix sponsored #9. Jewell took the lead on the 31st lap from Timmy Yeager of Harrodsburg, KY who finished second in the Stephen Estes/Estes Automotive and Machine Shop/C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo. Third place went to Jerry Rice of Verona, KY in the Brooks Racing/Brooks Electric/Rocket Monte Carlo with fourth place going to Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY in the Lanigan Autosports/Gotta Race Wear/Rocket Ford Taurus. Rounding out the top five was Jesse James Lay of Walton, KY in the Outlaw Racing/Cox Outdoor Advertising/Rocket Monte Carlo. A total of 56 cars were on hand for the event which put the curtain down on the 2003 racing season for Kentucky's Premier Dirt Late Model Sanctioning Body. Mike Marlar is the 2003 series champion and the R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the year for the Lexington, KY based series.
Timmy Yeager would be the man to beat early in the race as he would grab the point right from the drop of the green flag to start the 50 lap main event. Jewell would be running in second with Victor Lee in third followed by Hall of Famer, Jim Curry. The race was going along smoothly until a red flag on lap six for a flip by Stanley Haddix stopped the action. Haddix emerged from his car unscathed but he was done for the night. The race went green for three more circuits when Jerry Bowersock the 2003 Johnny Appleseed race winner at Eldora Speedway would come to a halt on the front straightaway necessitating a caution flag. Another caution for Aaron Hatton on the backstretch a lap scored later would see him go out of the race as well. With ten laps scored in the event Yeager was still in front with Jewell now pressuring him for the point. Jewell had actually passed Yeager coming off of turn number two but the caution for Hatton wiped that lead exchange out. At this point a car headed to the front was Jesse James Lay, who had started sixth and worked his way past three cars and was now running in third behind Yeager and Jewell. Another yellow on the 15th lap for Series Points Champion Mike Marlar, would see his night end on the hook after an incident in turn four. This would be the first time Marlar failed to finish in the top four positions of a series event in the last eight tries. Marlar had already secured the series championship before the race began. With 15 laps in the books and 25 remaining it was still Yeager on the point looking for his first ever win at Florence. Yeager, Jewell and Lay would distance themselves from the rest of the racers when the race reached the midway point as the crossed flags were indicated from starter, Noel Hargis.
With the top three firmly in control of the race, the race for fourth was getting going between first time BoB participant, Greg Lucas and veteran, Jerry Rice. Those two would go door to door for several laps as they now started to close down on the top three. On the 31st lap Jewell had caught back up to Yeager and made the pass on Yeager for the lead. Just as Jewell grabbed the lead lapped traffic in front of Jewell, Yeager and Lay would make it very interesting now as the winner of the race would still be in doubt. A break for Jewell came on the 39th lap when Michael Bradley stopped in turn two to bring out the final caution of the race. That cleared Jewell's path in front of him. On the final double file restart of the race Jewell would maintain his lead over Yeager with Rice on the move finally passing Lucas for fourth and then on lap 41 he took Lay's position in third. Rice looked like the car that may just have something for Jewell and Yeager in the final laps. Another car making his way into the top five was Darrell Lanigan, as the 2003 Dream $100,000 winner and Lay would go at it for fourth in the last few laps of the race. Lanigan would clear Lay for fourth on the 47th circuit. Up front Jewell would build his lead up enough that Yeager would not be able to mount a last lap effort to get him as Jewell would cross the line in first for his fourth career STARS Battle of the Bluegrass event win. Yeager would take second with Rice finishing in third followed by Lanigan and Lay.
Afterwards Jewell commented that it was a phone call from car builder, Keith Masters which helped him win the race. "Keith said let's try this set up and see what works and it sure did," said the excited winner afterwards. "This is the first win with this car this year and I want to thank God, my crew, sponsors and my family and all the great race fans out there for their support." Jewell had been choosing between two MasterSbilt cars this year and had other wins in his other car before this one broke through on Saturday night in style. "I have raced with Timmy (Yeager) alot this year and he always races me clean and he did tonight and I'd say we put on a real good show for the fans."
Scott James would start the rest of the top ten after having to take a provisional starting spot to make the race he came from the 23rd starting position on the grid and finished in sixth earning the Hard Charger of the race. Completing the top ten were Greg Lucas, Steve Casebolt Jr., Joey Kramer and Johnny Wheeler.
In preliminary events John Gill was the Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time for the 56 cars on hand with a lap of 15.888 seconds. Heat race winners were Timmy Yeager, Victor Lee, Jerry Rice, Mike Jewell, Jesse James Lay and Jim Curry. Brian Ruhlman and Michael Wooldridge won the AFCO Racing Products B-Mains.
Race Summary
Event #25
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Florence Speedway-Union, KY
Saturday Night, October 4, 2003
Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time: John Gill 15.888
First Heat: Timmy Yeager, Greg Lucas, Steve Landrum, Brian Ruhlman
Second Heat: Victor Lee, Michael Chilton, Stanley Haddix, Bill Blair Jr
Third heat: Jerry Rice, Mike Marlar, Darrell Lanigan, Steve Casebolt Jr
Fourth Heat: Mike Jewell, Michael Bradley, Joey Kramer, Michael Wooldridge
Fifth Heat: Jesse James Lay, Johnny Wheeler, Aaron Hatton, Dick Phillips
Sixth Heat: Jim Curry, Jerry Bowersock, Josh Williams, David Powers
AFCO 1st B-Main: Brian Ruhlman, Steve Casebolt Jr., Rick Corbin, Tony Traficant
AFCO 2nd B-Main: Michael Wooldridge, Dick Phillips, David Powers, John Holt
PBM Performance Products "Fall 50" Main Event: Mike Jewell, Timmy Yeager, Jerry Rice, Darrell Lanigan, Jesse James Lay, Scott James, Greg Lucas, Steve Casebolt Jr., Joey Kramer, Johnny Wheeler, Jim Curry, Steve Landrum, Brad Neat, Victor Lee, Josh Williams, Brian Ruhlman, Roger Williams, Dick Phillips, Michael Chilton, Michael Bradley, Michael Wooldridge, Mike Marlar, Aaron Hatton, Jerry Bowersock, Stanley Haddix
Race Statistics
Entries: 56
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Provisionals: Scott James and Brad Neat
Track Provisional: Roger Williams
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Joey Kramer
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Scott James
Race Leaders: Timmy Yeager
1-30 Mike Jewell 31-50
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Friday Night, October 3, 2003
Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY
Johnny Wheeler continues to make the Legendary Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY his own personal playground in STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series competition as the 40 year old Campbellsville, KY driver won his third BoB event of 2003 in four tries on Friday Night as he put in a dominating performance in winning the 13th Annual Fall Classic-A Tribute Memorial to John Bradshaw taking the $3000 win. Wheeler drove the Larry Yantz Racing #57 C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo entry out of Waynesburg, KY sponsored by Clayton Homes, Koni Shocks, Crossland Homes, Blackstar Graphics, LUV Homes, VP Racing Fuel, Classic Homes, American Racer Tires, D&S Remodeling, Yantz Mobile Home Services, Legend's Inc., PPM Performance Products, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply and Cornett Thunder Race Engines took his fourth career Battle of the Bluegrass event win. 2003 Series champion, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN finished in second driving the Renegade Race Fuels/WFO Graphics/C.J. Rayburn Grand Prix. Timmy Yeager of Harrodsburg, KY was third in the Stephen Estes/Mulligan Plumbing/Estes Automotive and Machine/C.J. Rayburn #22. Fourth place went to veteran Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN piloting the Southern Indiana Rock Drilling/Cornett Thunder Engines/MasterSbilt Grand Prix and wrapping up the top five was Jesse James Lay of Walton, Ky in the Outlaw Racing/Delta Faucet/Rocket Chassis Monte Carlo. The event was a tribute to the hard work and dedication put forth by John Bradshaw who brought back the track to racing condition this season after taking over promotership, he unfortunately passed away in June and the track is now promoted by Jerry and Mary Denson, who continue to go forward with Mr. Bradshaw's vision.
Wheeler won the second heat race and drew the number two starting spot for the 40 lap main event. In a night that saw at least two rain delays the action on the race track was fast and furious as Wheeler would grab the lead at the start of the main event with Scott James going to second followed by Aaron Hatton. A lapped two caution for a car against the turn three wall would halt the action with one lap in the books. When the race resumed Wheeler stormed away from James and Hatton as those two were dicing it out for second place. Hatton would displace James for second in the fifth lap after the two had exchanged the spot on a couple of occasions in a single lap. The next caution flew on lap 10 for a spun car on the backstretch. After each restart Wheeler would pounce on the opportunity to stretch his lead out over the field of cars. His vast experience of the track was beneficial again was he would go to a straightaway lead over Hatton by the 18th lap. The race was really heating up for second through eighth spots with Hatton, James, Michael Chilton, Mike Marlar, Victor Lee, Timmy Yeager and Mike Jewell all racing hard with cars going two and three wide on several occasions. Wheeler's straightaway advantage disappeared after another caution on the 20th lap slowed him momentarily.
When the race resumed this time Hatton and James were able to steal some time with Wheeler staying within contact of him as the race was approaching ten laps to go. A wild ride for Michael Chilton and Victor Lee on the 29th lap would halt the action as a car checked up in front of them forcing both evasive actions. Chilton's car would come to halt in turn one with Lee suffering a left rear flat tire. This all happened after third place runner, Scott James left the race with a flat tire as the accident would put the fourth place running Chilton out of the event. When that was cleaned up it was still Wheeler in control with Hatton in second followed by Marlar, who had clinched the 2003 series title heading into the race. Hatton and Marlar would try and mount a challenge to Wheeler in the remaining laps, but Hatton's prospects ended with a flat tire on the 37th circuit, just three laps from the end of the race. That would put Marlar in second with Timmy Yeager now up to third. Those three then raced to the checkers with Wheeler taking home the win leading all 40 laps of the feature. Marlar finished in second continuing a streak that shows him finishing in the top four of the last eight STARS Battle of the Bluegrass events consistency which makes him the champion. Yeager trying to clinch the runner-up in points for the second year in a row would take third with Mike Jewell grabbing fourth just barely edging out Jesse James Lay, who finished fifth after pitting for a two tire change earlier in the race.
Completing the top ten were Dustin Neat, Tyrel Todd (from 17th), Rick Combs, Victor Lee and Brad Neat. In preliminary action Mike Marlar took the Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time at 13.500 seconds over the 29 entries on hand. Heat race winners were Johnny Wheeler, Aaron Hatton and Scott James. Bucky Jackson won the AFCO Racing Products B-Main.
Race Summary
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Event #24
The Legendary Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY
Friday Night, October 3, 2003
Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time: Mike Marlar 13.500
First Heat: Johnny Wheeler, Mike Marlar, Mike Jewell, Jesse James Lay, Rick Combs
Second Heat: Aaron Hatton, Timmy Yeager, Brad Neat, Bobby Carrier Jr., Steve Barnett
Third Heat: Scott James, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, Dustin Neat, Joey Daniel
AFCO B-Main: Bucky Jackson, Tyrel Todd, Michael Wooldridge, Tim Taylor
PBM Performance Products 13th Annual Fall Classic-A Memorial Tribute to John Bradshaw Main Event: Johnny Wheeler, Mike Marlar, Timmy Yeager, Mike Jewell, Jesse James Lay, Dustin Neat, Tyrel Todd, Rick Combs, Victor Lee, Brad Neat, Aaron Hatton, Bobby Carrier Jr., Michael Chilton, Bucky Jackson, Scott James, Steve Cornelius, Joey Daniel, Bobby Wolter Jr., Jim Curry, Michael Wooldridge
Race Statistics:
Entries: 29
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Provisionals: Jim Curry and Bobby Wolter Jr
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Mike Marlar
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger of the Race: Tyrel Todd
Lap Leaders: Johnny Wheeler
1-40
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2003 STARS Battle of
the Bluegrass Season to Wrap Up at Ponderosa and Florence October 3 and 4
The second season for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts will wrap with back to back to events this Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4. On Friday Night, October 3 the series heads to the Legendary Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY for a $3000 to win event. The "John Bradshaw Memorial Fall Classic" race will pay tribute to the person who turned around the fortunes of the speedway this year as the fans and drivers pay tribute to Mr. Bradshaw, the man who became the promoter at the start of the 2003 racing season and passed away in June. There will be a complete show for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series on Friday Night, October 3 at the Ponderosa Speedway with Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Time Trials, Heat Races, AFCO B-Mains and the 40 lap main event. In the previous three visits to Ponderosa this year it has been Johnny Wheeler ending up in victory circle twice with current STARS Battle of the Bluegrass point’s leader, Mike Marlar winning two weeks ago at the track. Gates will open at 4 pm with time trials at 7:30 pm. The track phone number on race day is (859) 854-6808.
The 2003 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass season ends with a $5000 to win event at the home of the North/South 100 the Florence Speedway in Union, KY this Saturday Night, October 4. It will be the second visit of the season to the Northern Kentucky 1/2 mile facility as the BoB Boys venture north for their season finale. In the first ever visit to the track in May it was Scott James winning the "Ralph Latham Memorial Race" in dramatic fashion. There will be a complete show for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass with Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Time Trials, Heat Races, AFCO B-Mains and the 50 lap A-main event paying $5000 to win. Pit gates will open at 4 pm with time trials at 7 p.m. The track phone on race day is (859) 485-7591. For more information on Florence Speedway please visit their website at www.florencespeedway.com.
The 2003 STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Season Championship will be finalized this coming weekend with Mike Marlar holding the points lead not only in the season long point’s chase but also in the R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Year point’s standings. Marlar holds a commanding lead over the other drivers heading into the final weekend of BoB racing for 2003. However the other positions in the top ten will go down to the final race with battle for positioning still up for grabs.
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Event #24
Friday Night, October 3, 2003
The Legendary Ponderosa Speedway-Junctioin City, KY
Track Phone: (859) 854-6808
Event Payoff
1. $3000.00
2. 1500.00
3. 1000.00
4. 800.00
5. 750.00
6. 700.00
7. 650.00
8. 600.00
9. 550.00
10. 500.00
11. 450.00
12. 400.00
13. 350.00
14. 300.00
15. 300.00
16. 275.00
17. 275.00
18. 250.00
19. 250.00
20. 250.00
Season Finale-Saturday Night, October 4, 2003
Florence Speedway-Union, KY
Track Phone: (859) 485-7591
Event #25
Event Payoff
1. $5000.00
2. 3000.00
3. 2000.00
4. 1500.00
5. 1000.00
6. 800.00
7. 750.00
8. 700.00
9. 650.00
10. 600.00
11. 550.00
12. 500.00
13. 450.00
14. 450.00
15. 400.00
16. 400.00
17. 350.00
18. 350.00
19. 300.00
20. 300.00
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Rules and Procedures at both races:
Tire Rules: Hoosier LM20, D20, D21, LM40, D55
American Racer SD44, MD 56
Goodyear C375
Fore more information please
call the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass office at (859) 271-4501 or log on to
www.battleofthebluegrass.com.
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Lake Cumberland T-shirt Contest!
Battle of the Bluegrass Series and Arizona Sport shirts are
rewarding all fans who take interest in the BoB series by giving
them free shirts via a online contest. The rules are simple and
consist of the following objectives...
The person picking the driver that sets fast qualifying time, who is
closest to the actual fast time, will win a Battle of the Bluegrass
shirt
(IE: Joe Bob Johnson fast time 25.034)
Also we will be giving away a shirt to the person who correctly
guesses the winner of the feature event. To determine a tie breaker
you will also be required to guess the number of Late Models that
will be at the event. The person who guesses the winner and comes
closest guessing car count, without going over gets the shirt
(IE:Larry Jinglejangle will win 120 Cars on hand)
To enter you must have a active user name on the Battle of the
Bluegrass Series message board, and leave your email address and
name, along with your picks on the Battle Of The Bluegrass message
board at..
www.battleofthebluegrass.com
Don't forget Tony Rose of American Racer has already donated a
jacket. We are also looking into other things for those of you fans
that have the most accurate picks over the course of the season.
Keep playing and winning!
This weekends event will take Place at Lake Cumberland Speedway Best
of Luck, deadline to enter is Thursday night 8pm est.
www.battleofthebluegrass.com
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September 20, 2003
Bluegrass Speedway
Bardstown, KY
Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY out dueled Brad Neat to win the 5th Annual "Bluegrass 50" on Saturday Night at the Bluegrass Speedway. The race was sanctioned for the first time by Kentucky's Premier Dirt Late Model Sanctioning Body the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series as a series record 67 Late Models were on hand for the $5000 to win event. It also set a regular season record for car count at Bardstown breaking last year's 52 car field for the 2002 Bluegrass 50 event. In a thrilling 50 lap main event that saw no caution flags Lanigan would win by just one car length over Neat, who had led the first 44 laps of the race. Lanigan the 2003 Eldora Dream $100,000 winner would take his third STARS BoB win of the year and his fifth career which ties him with Eddie Carrier Jr and Mike Marlar for most all-time in the two year history of the series. Lanigan drove the Lanigan Autosports, Accutex Signs and Banners, Gotta Race Wear, AFCO Racing Products, Porter Lanigan Real Estate, Turbo Blue Racing Gasoline, Weld Racing, Moreland's One Stop Race Shop, Bert Transmissions, Dyer's Top Rods, Custom Craft Racing Headers, Mothers Polishes, Waxes and Cleaners, Arizona Sport Shirts, Delph Communications, All-Star Performance, Cornett Thunder Race Engines powered Rocket Ford Taurus #29 to victory lane holding off Neat who drove the Greg Neat/Neat's Service Center/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo to a second place finish. Current STARS Battle of the Bluegrass point’s leader, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN was third in the PBM Performance Products/WFO Graphics/C.J. Rayburn Grand Prix. Fourth went to John Gill of Mitchell, IN in the Terry Eaglin Motorsports/Helena Chemicals/Rocket Grand Prix with fifth at the finish going to Steve Casebolt Jr of Richmond, IN in the Dargie Race Engines/Rocket Ford Taurus.
The 2002 Bluegrass Speedway track champion, Brad Neat would start on the outside front row alongside Aaron Hatton, the pole sitter. Neat would set his sights on leading the first lap rocketing into the lead with Hatton running second and Lanigan right on his heels. Lanigan made the move around Hatton for the second position on the second circuit as a fierce battle for third between Hatton and Steve Casebolt Jr would start to turn up the heat. Neat and Lanigan started to pull away from the rapidly progressing race as cars were running all over the 1/2 mile high banked track in position challenges all over the place. The duo of Neat and Lanigan would enter traffic by the 13th lap with Neat still holding his advantage over Lanigan. With traffic slowing their momentum at times Casebolt was able to close up on the two frontrunners and was trying to make it a three car tussle for the lead. Hatton was sitting in fourth with Mike Marlar now up to fourth after starting in the 14th slot. Marlar was closing in quickly on Hatton and Casebolt using the top groove against the wall around the track as he would shoot past Hatton and Casebolt on the same lap, which was lap 23 to take over third place. When the crossed flags were shown indicating the halfway mark of the race lap 25 would see Neat on the point with Lanigan in second, Marlar in third with Casebolt and Gill in the top five.
As more cars were being lapped Lanigan would close in on Neat lap after lap gaining every opportunity he had to take a swipe at the lead. Just when it seemed like Lanigan would get a run on Neat for the lead, Neat would stand up and hold his ground not allowing Lanigan by as the two raced hard. On the 40th lap Neat almost lost the lead then when he and a car he was trying to lap touched on the back straight forcing Neat to get sideways with allowed Lanigan to close right on his bumper. Lanigan would try every possible groove on the track to get by Neat, but Neat was driving the race of his career as he had his sights on the biggest payday of his career and his first ever STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Series win. With very heavy traffic in front of Neat and Lanigan, Marlar was tracking them down closing to two lengths behind Lanigan with less than 10 laps to go. On the 44th lap Lanigan was finally able to make a pass on Neat for the point, but with heavy traffic playing a part in the final outcome of the race, Neat would fight back going back by Lanigan momentarily, but Lanigan would come right back and re-take the lead as the laps would tick down. With two laps to go it was between Lanigan and Neat and with limited space separating the two in traffic Neat would try one last gasp on the white flag lap shooting to the top of the track heading into turn number one but he grazed the wall in turn two killing his chances to pull the win out on the final lap as Lanigan would get to three car lengths in front of him heading down the backstretch. Neat would give it all he had in the final two turns, but Lanigan would head to finish line with Neat right on him taking the checkered flag in a thrilling finish. Neat would end up one car length back in second with Marlar two lengths back in third. Gill got around Casebolt near the end to claim fourth with Casebolt rounding out the top five drivers.
Completing the top ten were Joey Kramer, Rick Corbin, Aaron Hatton, Josh Williams and Duane Hommel. In preliminary events Bryan Barber took the Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time at 16.261 seconds for the 67 entries on hand. Heat races went to Aaron Hatton, Darrell Lanigan, Joey Kramer, Brad Neat, Steve Casebolt Jr and Josh Williams. There were three AFCO B-Mains with Mike Jewell, Mike Marlar and Steve Barnett winning those.
Race Summary
Event #23
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Saturday Night, September 20, 2003
Bluegrass Speedway-Bardstown, KY
Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time: Bryan Barber 16.261
First Heat: Aaron Hatton, John Gill, Mike Jewell, David Freeman
Second Heat: Darrell Lanigan, Duane Hommel, David Powers, Billy Dever
Third Heat: Joey Kramer, Doug Ault, Mike Marlar, Michael Chilton
Fourth Heat: Brad Neat, Rick Corbin, Eddie Carrier Jr., Shawn Negangard
Fifth Heat: Steve Casebolt Jr., Whitney McQueary, Steve Barnett, Tyrel Todd
Sixth Heat: Josh Williams, Jerry Rice, Dustin Neat, Tim Tungate
AFCO 1st B-Main: Mike Jewell, David Powers, Audie McWilliams, Kevin Claycomb
AFCO 2nd B-Main: Mike Marlar, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jesse James Lay, Shawn Negangard
AFCO 3rd B-Main: Steve Barnett, Dustin Neat, Tyrel Todd, Kenny Christy
PBM Performance Products "Bluegrass 50" Main Event: Darrell Lanigan, Brad Neat, Mike Marlar, John Gill, Steve Casebolt Jr., Joey Kramer, Rick Corbin, Aaron Hatton, Josh Williams, Duane Hommel, Mike Jewell, Jerry Rice, Jesse James Lay, Bryan Barber, Whitney McQueary, Eddie Carrier Jr., Doug Ault, Tyrel Todd, Timmy Yeager, Michael Chilton, David Powers, Steve Barnett, Audie McWilliams, Dustin Neat (DNS)
Race Statistics:
Entries: 67 (New Series Record)
STARS BoB Provisionals: Timmy Yeager and Michael Chilton
Track Provisional: Bryan Barber
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Mike Marlar
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Mike Marlar
Caution Flags: 0
Lap Leaders: Brad Neat
1-44 Darrell Lanigan 45-50
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September 19, 2003
Friday Night, September 19, 2003
Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Current STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series point’s leader, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN continued his march to the 2003 series crown as he won his fifth series event on Friday Night at the Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY. Marlar, who also leads the R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Year point standings led all 40 laps and had to withstand a late charge by three other drivers to take the Fourth Annual Hugh "Junebug" Rowland Memorial race worth $3000. Marlar drove the David Marlar, Todd Truss Company, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, Wilson's Service Center, CarCosmetics.net, Winfield Video, Roger Ogle Home Builders, Renegade Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Oneida Paint and Body, H&M West Enterprises, Marlar and Sons Auto Dismantling, Kenny's Rowboat, 45 Race Shop, Hoosier Tires, Real Wheels, Performance Battery, PBM Performance Parts, WFO Graphics, Estes Automotive and Machine powered C.J. Rayburn Grand Prix #157 to a series record tying fifth career win as he equaled the 2002 Series Champion, Eddie Carrier, Jr.'s five career win total in taking the win. Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN finished second in the Powell Motorsports/Dargie Race Engines/Lazer G2 Monte Carlo. Third place went to Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN in the Southern Indiana Rock Drilling/Cornett Thunder Race Engines/MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Taking fourth was Dream $100,000 winner, Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY in the Accutex Signs and Banners/Cornett Thunder Race Engines/Rocket Ford Taurus. Rounding out the top five was Jesse James Lay of Walton, KY in the Delta Faucet Company/Dargie Race Engines/Rocket Monte Carlo.
Marlar grabbed the lead right from the start in a rapidly run race with only one caution flag to slow the action on the track. Victor Lee would put the #16 Harlow Racing entry into second place on the opening circuit with Scott James running in third. Marlar would begin to pull away from Lee ever so slightly as Lee was distancing himself from James. The two frontrunners would start to encounter some lapped traffic ahead by the 10th lap as Lee started to close down the advantage that Marlar had built over him. The race for third place was really getting going as James, Mike Jewell and Darrell Lanigan were going two and three wide at times in the race for third. A scary moment occurred on the 13th circuit for Marlar as he was pinched up against the fronstretch wall while attempting to lap a car. Marlar showed some sparks from the wall contact but kept his car going without slowing down much, but it did allow Lee to close up on him. Marlar and Lee would see more traffic in front of them and this time it was getting not just one or two cars it was heavy the two would have to race through to see who would get to victory lane. Marlar and Lee would dive around and in front of traffic until lap 25 when the only caution flag of the race would fly for Tyrel Todd in turn four. While under the caution flag, Lee who had shown signs of smoke coming from his car pulled into the infield and was out of the race after a solid effort.
This would move James into second with Jewell, Lanigan and Michael Chilton also in the mix to see who could handle Marlar in the remaining 15 laps of the event. When the race resumed it was still Marlar on the point with a handful from James, Jewell and Lanigan to deal with in the final laps. Marlar would hold a two to three lead over James with traffic again coming into play with less than five to go. James would close right on Marlar with Jewell and Lanigan coming along with him. While Marlar's view was not clear in front of him it was apparent that James may be able to muster a challenge to Marlar with two laps to go. When the white flag came out Marlar shot into turn one with cars in front and James took the inside route to close to a car length, as the two raced into turns three and four Marlar took the high side against the wall using a car as a pick as he drove to the finish line holding off James by one car length to take the win. Jewell and Lanigan would follow closely in third and fourth with Jesse James Lay coming from eighth to grab fifth place at the finish.
Completing the top ten were Steve Barnett, Bobby Carrier Jr., Eddie Carrier Jr, Duane Hommel and Steve Casebolt, Jr. In preliminary events Eddie Carrier Jr was the Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Timer at 13.322 seconds over the 30 entrants on hand which was a new track record for the reconfigured version of Ponderosa Speedway. Heat race winners were Eddie Carrier Jr., Victor Lee, Mike Marlar and Scott James. The AFCO B-Mains were won by Steve Casebolt Jr. and Michael Chilton.
Race Summary
Event #22
Ponderosa Speedway
Junction City, KY
Friday Night, September 19, 2003
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time: Eddie Carrier Jr 13.322
First Heat: Eddie Carrier Jr., Darrell Lanigan, Bobby Carrier Jr., Steve Casebolt Jr
Second Heat: Victor Lee, Mike Jewell, Steve Barnett, Jason Setser
Third Heat: Mike Marlar, Steve Cornelius, Duane Hommel, Michael Chilton
Fourth Heat: Scott James, Jesse James Lay, Aaron Hatton, Duane Chamberlain
AFCO 1st B-Main: Steve Casebolt Jr., Bobby Wolter Jr., Jason Setser, Timmy Yeager
AFCO 2nd B-Main: Michael Chilton, Duane Chamberlain, John Blankenship, Dustin Neat
PBM Performance Products/Hugh "Junebug" Rowland Memorial Main Event: Mike Marlar, Scott James, Mike Jewell, Darrell Lanigan, Jesse James Lay, Steve Barnett, Bobby Carrier Jr, Eddie Carrier Jr, Duane Hommel, Steve Casebolt Jr, Timmy Yeager, Aaron Hatton, Steve Cornelius, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton, Bobby Wolter, Jr., John Blankenship, Victor Lee, Duane Chamberlain, Jason Setser, Dustin Neat
Race Statistics
Entries: 30
STARS BoB Provisionals: Timmy Yeager and Tyrel Todd
Track Provisional: Dustin Neat
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Mike Marlar
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Timmy Yeager
Caution Flags: 1
Race Leader: Marlar 1-40
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September 17, 2003
After seeing three different winners in three races this past weekend the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sports Shirts heads into the 2003 stretch run with two shows this coming Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. On Friday Night, the series heads for the third time this year to the Legendary Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY for the running of the 4th Annual Hugh "Junebug" Rowland Memorial Race paying $3000 to win. In the previous visits this year to "The Pond" it has been the Johnny Wheeler show, with the "Wheelman" taking both event wins. There will be a complete show at Ponderosa for the BoB Boys with Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Time Trials, Heat Races, AFCO B-Mains and the 40 lap PBM Performance A-main. Gates will open on Friday at 4 pm with time trials at 7:30 pm for more information please call the track office at (859) 854-6808. Previous winners of the Junebug Rowland Memorial include Dustin Neat, Jay Mobley and Don O'Neal.
On Saturday Night, September 20 it is one of the most anticipated events on the 2003 schedule as the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series heads to the Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY for the "Bluegrass 50" which will feature a 50 lap main event paying $5000 to win. This event will also feature double-file restarts in the PBM Performance A-main. It will be the final big race tune-up before the $60,000 to win Dirt Track World Championship race at Bardstown to be held on October 18 and 19. Valuable track time will be important this weekend for the drivers with a complete show to be run with Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Time Trials, Heat Races, AFCO B-Mains and the 50 lap A-main. It will be the seventh appearance in two years for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Series to the 1/2 mile dirt track and the first time the series has sanctioned the "Bluegrass 50" Previous STARS BoB winners at Bardstown include: Rick Corbin, Eddie Carrier Jr, Don O'Neal, Darrell Lanigan and the only two time BoB winner at Bardstown, Mike Jewell. The 5th Annual Bluegrass 50 at Bardstown has been captured by Darrell Lanigan (2x), Kevin Claycomb and John Gill in the past. Pit Gates will open at 4 pm with spectator gates opening at 5 pm on Saturday. Hot laps will commence at 6:30 pm with time trials starting at 7 pm. For more information please call the track phone at (502) 349-1241 or log on to the Bluegrass Speedway website at www.bluegrass-speedway.com.
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Weekend Payoffs
Friday Night, September 19, 2003
The Legendary Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY
Hugh "Junebug' Rowland Memorial race
40 Lap feature:
1. $3000.00
2. 1500.00
3. 1000.00
4. 800.00
5. 750.00
6. 700.00
7. 650.00
8. 600.00
9. 550.00
10. 500.00
11. 450.00
12. 400.00
13. 350.00
14. 300.00
15. 300.00
16. 275.00
17. 275.00
18. 250.00
19. 250.00
20. 250.00
Saturday Night, September 20
Bluegrass Speedway-Bardstown, KY
Bluegrass 50 Payoff
1. $5000.00
2. 3000.00
3. 2000.00
4. 1500.00
5. 1000.00
6. 800.00
7. 750.00
8. 700.00
9. 650.00
10. 600.00
11. 550.00
12. 500.00
13. 450.00
14. 450.00
15. 400.00
16. 400.00
17. 350.00
18. 350.00
19. 300.00
20. 300.00
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Sunday Night, September 14, 2003
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Half Mountain Speedway-Royalton, KY
Defending STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Champion, Eddie Carrier Jr of Ona, WV became the all-time event winner in the two year history of the series as he recorded his fifth series win on Sunday Night at the Half Mountain Speedway as he led 38 of the 40 laps in taking the $5000 win. Carrier Jr aboard the Carl Grover Motorsports #28 sponsored by Engines, Inc., Railway Equipment Inc, American Racer Tires, Real Wheels, AFCO Shocks and Springs, All Star Performance, Outwears, Ringers Gloves, Racing Optics, CGM Graphics, Aviad Oiling Systems, Dyers Top Rods, Grover Engines and Rocket Chassis won the event despite a couple of puffs of smoke coming from his car's oil filter in the final few laps but he held on for the win. Aaron Hatton of Mt. Sterling, KY finished off a strong weekend by posting a second place finish to Carrier in the Hatton Racing/Porter Tire Center/MasterSbilt Race Cars #33. Third place at Half Mountain went to Hall of Famer, Charlie Swartz of Grayson, KY in his first ever appearance with the series the veteran driver wheeled the Jeff Fields owned/Fields Excavating/Swartz Chassis #1 to third in front of fourth place finisher and current STARS Battle of the Bluegrass points leader, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN in the Todd Truss Company/PBM Performance Products/C.J. Rayburn Grand Prix. Rounding out the top five was Jackie Boggs of Grayson, Ky in the Steve Cascio Racing/Miller Brothers Coal/McDonald's of Maysville, KY #4B. It was the first ever appearance at the Jim Branham promoted facility for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass as 32 cars were on hand for the event before a large crowd of spectators.
Bucky Jackson making his first ever start with the series would lead the first lap of the race with Brandon Kinzer and Michael Chilton following. Jackson's lead would be short lived as the veteran driver would spin in turns three and four on the second lap handing the lead to Kinzer. Kinzer, would led one circuit until Eddie Carrier, Jr. who started third would storm by him to take over the point. Kinzer would remain in second until Aaron Hatton, who started fifth roared through the field passing Kinzer for second place on the eighth lap. The race was dotted with caution flags, one red flag and a slight rain delay, but was packed with plenty of racing action as several drivers were racing for the first time at Half Mountain as putting on a show for the fans. A car on the move as well during the first part of the race was veteran, Charlie Swartz. who has rejoined the dirt late model racing wars after a brief retirement. Swartz, who was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2001 and was the 1980 winner of the World 100 and the 1982 Dirt Track World Championship, started 10th in the strong field and was up to third by ninth lap. The trio of Carrier, Hatton and Swartz would stay that way the remainder of the race.
With the number of green flag laps and caution laps during the race fuel consumption might have become an issue, but the final 12 laps would go caution free and despite some puffs of smoke coming from the car's oil filter in the final few laps Carrier would bring his car home in victory lane for the second time this season in STARS Battle of the Bluegrass competition as the 32 year old racer would become the first driver to win five STARS BoB events in the 41 races the series has run since the series began in May of 2002.
Completing the top ten were Brandon Kinzer, Tyrel Todd, David Powers, John Blankenship and Raymond Nichols. In preliminary action Eddie Carrier Jr would take the Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics fast time at 17.361 seconds around the 4/10ths mile oval. Heat races were won by Carrier, Bucky Jackson and Kinzer. The AFCO B-Main was won by Mike Marlar.
Race Summary
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Event #21
Sunday Night, September 14, 2003
Half Mountain Speedway-Royalton, KY
Racing Optics Fast Time: Eddie Carrier Jr 17.261
First Heat: Eddie Carrier Jr., Michael Chilton, Jackie Boggs, Charlie Swartz
Second Heat: Bucky Jackson, Aaron Hatton, Shannon Thornsberry, Benny Feltner
Third Heat: Brandon Kinzer, Victor Lee, Tyrel Todd, Jim LeMaster
AFCO B-Main: Mike Marlar, Raymond Nichols, John Blankenship, Dennis Little
PBM Performance Products Main: Eddie Carrier Jr., Aaron Hatton, Charlie Swartz, Mike Marlar, Jackie Boggs, Brandon Kinzer, Tyrel Todd, David Powers, John Blankenship, Raymond Nichols, Richard Smith, Steve Cornelius, Jim LeMaster, Benny Feltner, Steven Ashby, Timmy Yeager, Michael Chilton, Bucky Jackson, Stanley Haddix, Dennis Little, Shannon Thornsberry, Paul Harris, Victor Lee, Chuckie May
Race Statistics
Entries: 32
STARS BoB Provisionals: Timmy Yeager and Steven Ashby
Track Provisionals: Paul Harris and Stanley Haddix
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Mike Marlar
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger of the Race: Mike Marlar
Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: Bucky Jackson-Lap 1 Brandon Kinzer-Lap 2 Eddie Carrier Jr-Laps 3-40
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STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Saturday Night, September 13, 2003
Richmond Raceway-Richmond, KY
Last Corner Pass Nets Jewell STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Win at Richmond
One night after the closest finish in the two year history of the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series at the Clinton County (KY) Speedway it was topped by an even closer finish on Saturday Night at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY as Mike Jewell came from the ninth starting spot to pass race leader, Mike Marlar at the flagstand to win by less than a foot. Jewell was running fourth with just five laps to go and then he passed Jesse James Lay, Michael Chilton and Marlar to win his second STARS Battle of the Bluegrass main event on the year and his third career. Jewell’s win came aboard the Don Powell crew chiefed, Southern Indiana Rock Drilling/Morgan Foods/MPC Motorsports/LaFountain’s Body Shop/Jewell TV Service/KP Radio/Shelton Angus Farms/Scott County Tire/GKN SinterMetals/Pruett’s Auto Repair/Hoosier Tires/Cornett Thunder Race Engines/MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Current STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Points leader, Mike Marlar finished second for the second night in a row driving the CarCosmetics.net/Wilson’s Service Center/C.J.Rayburn Grand Prix. Michael Chilton was third in the Chilton’s Lawn Care/AMS Race Engines/C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo. Fourth place went to Jesse James Lay in the Cox Outdoor Advertising/Blue Beacon Truck Washes/Rocket Monte Carlo and rounding out the top five was Aaron Hatton in the Porter Tire Center/Pro Shocks/MasterSbilt Grand Prix.
The race got underway on an ominous start as a multi car pileup in turns three and four which brought out the red flag before a single lap was scored. The third restart would see the field start single file per the lineup sheet which meant that pole sitter Michael Chilton would lead the field. When the race went green again Chilton would hold the lead with Timmy Yeager running in second followed by Mike Marlar and David Powers. Chilton and Yeager would begin to distance themselves from the rest of the pack in the first five laps of the race. Marlar would then pick up his momentum as he would close on Yeager quickly and then pass him on the ninth circuit to take over second place. Chilton meanwhile was cruising around the track using the top groove of the race track a he had his car setup to run there. A really good battle for the third position on back was taking place with at least five cars scrambling for one spot. Yeager, Powers, Jesse James Lay, Mike Jewell and Aaron Hatton were the drivers involved in a crowd pleasing duel as several times there was three wide action on the track. When the race hit the halfway mark (20 Laps in) it was still Chilton showing the way with Marlar running in second and starting to hunt him down. Marlar would close to two car lengths when a caution flag for Marty Stepp came out on the 22nd lap. On the restart it was Chilton, Marlar, Lay now running third with Yeager, Powers, Jewell and Hatton in that running order. This would set up a memorable 18 lap race to the finish.
Jewell would pass Powers on the 24th lap to grab fifth; a lap later a lead change would take place with Marlar passing Chilton for the point. Jewell continued to be on the move taking fourth from Yeager on the 28th lap. The race still looked liked it would be a two car race to the end between Marlar and Chilton. With Lay in third and Jewell in fourth those two started to run down Marlar and Chilton and were trying to make it a four way ride to the checkers. With five laps to go Marlar held a two car length lead over Chilton with Lay and Jewell coming on strong, a lap later Jewell would go by Lay for third and he the set his sights on Chilton going by him with three to go, the question was did Jewel have enough time to catch up to and pass Marlar. Jewell changed his line on the track and did indeed track down Marlar closing right on him as the two took the white flag and as they headed down the backshute Jewell would set his car up to dive to the inside of Marlar as the two raced off turn three Jewell shot underneath Marlar and the two came to the finish line neck and neck with Jewell winning the race by less than a foot. The night before a Clinton County Marlar had come up just short of a win by just one half a car length to Aaron Hatton. Chilton who led 24 laps finished third with Lay coming home in fourth as Hatton was fifth.
Completing the top ten were David Powers, Victor Lee, Tyrel Todd, Timmy Yeager and Jim Curry. In Preliminary events Timmy Yeager set fast time at 15.398 seconds over the 31 entrants on hand. Heat race winners were Yeager, Powers, Chilton and Marlar. The AFCO B-Mains were won by Tyrel Todd and Rick Corbin.
Race Summary
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Event #20
Richmond Raceway-Richmond, KY
Saturday Night, September 13, 2003
Racing Optics/Bullzilla Graphics Fast Time: Timmy Yeager 15.398
First Heat: Timmy Yeager, John Rhoades, Mike Jewell, Bobby Carrier Jr
Second Heat: David Powers, Jesse James Lay, Steve Cornelius, Marty Stepp
Third Heat: Michael Chilton, Aaron Hatton, Victor Lee, Dennis Roberson
Fourth Heat: Mike Marlar, Jeff Wilson, Herbie Barnett, Rick Corbin
1st AFCO B-Main: Tyrel Todd, Bobby Carrier Jr., David Freeman, Scott Douglas
2nd AFCO B-Main: Rick Corbin, Jim Curry, Jim LeMaster, Dennis Roberson
PBM Performace Products Main Event: Mike Jewell, Mike Marlar, Michael Chilton, Jesse James Lay, Aaron Hatton, David Powers, Victor Lee, Tyrel Todd, Timmy Yeager, Jim Curry, Rick Corbin, Scott Douglas, Bobby Carrier Jr., Herbie Barnett, Jim LeMaster, John Rhoades, Jeff Wilson, Marty Stepp, Scott James, Steve Cornelius, David Freeman, Ed Behn
Race Statistics
Entries: 31
STARS BoB Provisionals: Scott James and Ed Behn
Track Provisionals: Scott Douglas and Marty Stepp
R&P Industrial Chimney Rookie of the Race: Mike Marlar
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger of the Race: Mike Jewell
Lead Changes: 3 among three drivers
Lap Leaders: Chilton 1-24, Marlar 25-39, Jewell 40