O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
Delta Bowl Speedway
Thursday, July 3, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
TUNICA MS. Bill Frye claimed his third O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series win of the year. Frye moved into second place in series points, and cut into Terry Phillip's point lead. Frye lead from the outset, but won a mid-race duel with Jeff Floyd en route to the win.
Frye held the pole, with Anthony Rushing to his outside. Frye moved to the lead as the green flag fell, with Rushing, Leslie Essary, Gary Stolba, and Terry Phillips giving chase. Stolba was on the move quickly, passing Essary for third on the second lap. Stolba moved past Rushing for second in turn four on the next circuit. Phillips drove past Rushing and Essary for the third spot by lap four.
Phillips drove to second spot, past Stolba on the backstretch on lap five, but Frye had built a half straightaway margin even this early in the race.
Jeff Floyd was on the move, and was fifth by lap six. Floyd drove under Essary for fourth in turn four on lap seven. While this was happening, Phillips was starting to ease into Frye's lead. Frye was starting to work traffic by lap ten, but the caution came out one lap later for Jamie Elam, who was pulled up on the backstretch.
Frye and Phillips were side by side on the restart, while David Gibson was racing Essary hard for fifth. Floyd was third, and the top three were in a tight formation going for the lead. Floyd and Phillips raced for second on lap 14, with Floyd taking the spot on the backstretch.
Frye had re-opened a 15 carlength lead by lap 17, but Floyd was starting to close by the mid-way point in the race as Frye was starting to see traffic again. Floyd closed up quickly as Frye was trying to negotiate heavy traffic by lap 23. Frye and Floyd were in a side by side duel by lap 25, trying to work through five slower cars that were racing for position.
Floyd was able to take the lead from Frye in the traffic on lap 26, but the pair were back to side by side racing on lap 28, with Frye re-taking the top spot coming off turn four. Frye had finally cleared the traffic by lap 30, but Floyd was still staying close.
Mike Bowers brought out the second caution of the night, as he was spun on the backstretch entering turn three. Bowers had been running fifth at the time, and Jack Sullivan inherited the spot on the restart. Sullivan took advantage of the situation, getting by Stolba as the green re-appeared.
Jeff Taylor came from his row ten starting position to work past Stolba for fifth on lap 35. Jack Sullivan completed his best run in the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series, besting Terry Phillips for the third spot in turn four on lap 38.
Bill Frye came home with the win, with Jeff Floyd, Jack Sullivan, Terry Phillips, and Jeff Taylor making up the top five. Gary Stolba, Charlie Randolph, Jerry Buck, David Gibson, and Joey Mack rounded out the top ten.
Entries: 32
Top Qualifier: Bill Frye
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: Jeff Taylor
Provisionals: Mike Brown, Dewaine Hottinger
Lap Leaders: Bill Frye 1-25, 28-40; Jeff Floyd 27-28
Cautions: 2
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
Finish/Driver/Start/Chassis/Motor/Make/Money Won
1) Bill Frye, (1) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $3,000
2) Jeff Floyd, (7) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $2,000
3) Jack Sullivan, (12) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $1,250
4) Terry Phillips, (6) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $1,100
5) Jeff Taylor, (20) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,000
6) Gary Stolba, (3) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Charlie Randolph, (5) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $700
8) Jerry Buck, (15) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $675
9) David Gibson, (9) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Joey Mack, (16) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $625
11) Jamie Dacus, (10) GRT/Pruitt/Monte Carlo; $600
12) Stacy Taylor, (19) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $575
13) Mike Bowers, (18) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $550
14) Mike Brown, (21) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Dewaine Hottinger, (22) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Jerry Inmon, (11) GRT/Baker/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Johnny Stokes, (8) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $500
18) Jimmy Holland, (17) GRT/Baker/Monte Carlo; $500
19) Anthony Rushing, (2) Rocket/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Leslie Essary, (4) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $500
21) Todd Hall, (13) MasterSbilt/Hall/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jamie Elam, (14) GRT/Pruitt/Monte Carlo; $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Charlie Randolph, Muskogee OK 2) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 3) Jamie Dacus, Lakeland TN 4) Todd Hall, Charleston MO 5) John Pafford, Eads TN 6) Tommy Ray, Southhaven MS 7) Jerry Walker, Southhaven MS 8) Howard Kimbrough, Olive Branch MS
2nd Heat 1) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 2) Anthony Rushing, Kocsiusko MS 3) Jerry Inmon, Bruce MS 4) Joey Mack, Benton MO 5) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 6) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 7) Terry Pool, Olive Branch MS 8) Dane Dacus, Arlington TN
3rd Heat 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 3) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 4) Jimmy Holland, Memphis TN 5) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 6) Shane Essary, Aurora MO 7) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 8) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Johnny Stokes, Columbus MS 3) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR 4) Jamie Elam, Hernando MS 5) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 6) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 7) Johnny Lancaster, Coldwater MS 8) Walter Borbour Jr., Byhalia MS
1st Last Chance Qualifier (12 Laps, two transfer) 1) Jimmy Holland 2) Stacy Taylor 3) Shane Essary 4) Mike Brown 5) Tommy Ray 6) John Pafford 7) Howard Kimbrogh 8) Jerry Walker
2nd Last Chance Qualifier 1) Mike Bowers 2) Jeff Taylor 3) Steve Rushin 4) Dewaine Hottinger 5) Johnny Lancaster 6) Dane Dacus 7) Terry Pool (scratch: Walter Borbour Jr.)
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
Malden Speedway
Friday, July 4, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
MALDEN MO. Terry Phillips picked up O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series win number seven in 2003, and his career 30th. Phillips led all 40 laps from his outside front row starting position, leading his nearest rival, Bill Frye for the entire length of the race. Another Phillips and Frye duel for the series championship appears to be taking shape.
Bill Frye claimed his second pole in as many nights, with Phillips to his outside. A pile-up on the first attempt to start the race resulted in Jeff Taylor recieving enough damage to his car to have to go out on the hook. Taylor was done for the night.
The field got started on the next attempt, and Phillips headed Frye, Jeff Floyd, Joey Mack, and Steve Rushin for four laps before the first of three cautions. Leslie Essary brought out caution number one, stopped with a flat tire in turn four. One lap after the race restarted, it went back to yellow as Mike Brown, and Mike Bowers were tangled in turn two. Leslie Essary caused the yellow to wave on lap six, this time something was broke on his car, and Essary retired for the night at that point.
The field restarted at the six lap mark, and Billy James shot into the fourth spot, with Joey Mack falling back to fifth. Phillips opened a five carlength lead on lap eight, then was pacing the field by ten carlengths on lap 10.
The top three cars, Phillips, Frye, and Floyd, had broken away from the field, and Frye had begun to close back in on Phillips by lap 17. The pair were nose to tail by lap 20, and the leaders were looking at traffic. Phillips was faced by three cars racing for position by lap 22. Phillips was able to clear the traffic a bit easier than Frye, and had opened a five carlength lead by lap 27.
Phillips had put two lapped cars between himself and Frye by lap 29, and was pacing the two-time champion by 10 carlengths. Now Frye had Jeff Floyd on his back bumper, and Phillips was able to pull out to a half straightaway margin by lap 32. Joey Mack worked his way back around Billy James for the fourth spot by lap 34.
Terry Phillips lead the final laps, and came home with the win. Bill Frye, Jeff Floyd, Joey Mack, and Billy James made up the top five. Jerry Buck, Todd Hall, Steve Rushin, Dewaine Hottinger, and Stacy Taylor rounded out the top ten.
Entries: 29
Top Qualifier: Bill Frye
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: David Gibson
Provisionals: Charlie Randolph (2), David Gibson
Lap Leaders: Terry Phillips 1-40
Cautions: 4
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
1) Terry Phillips, (2) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $3,000
2) Bill Frye, (1) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $2,000
3) Jeff Floyd, (4) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,250
4) Joey Mack, (5) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $1,100
5) Billy James, (9) Rocket/Robinson/Monte Carlo; $1,000
6) Jerry Buck, (14) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Todd Hall, (11) GRT/Hall/Grand Prix; $700
8) Steve Rushin, (7) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $675
9) Dewaine Hottinger, (6) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Stacy Taylor, (15) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $625
11) Charlie Randolph, (21) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $600
12) David Gibson, (22) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $575
13) Jack Sullivan, (13) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $550
14) Gary Stolba, (3) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Barry Barkley, (17) Schwartz/Vaughn/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Mike Brown, (12) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Mike Bowers, (8) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
18) Nathan Retting, (19) Larry Shaw/Robinson/Grand Prix; $500
19) Stacy Caldwell, (16) GRT/Performance/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Shane Essary, (20) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
21) Leslie Essary, (18) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jeff Taylor, (10) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 3) Joey Mack, Benton MO 4) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 5) Barry Barkley, Jonesboro AR 6) Dean Carpenter, Coldwater MS 7) Scott Hutchinson, Johnston City IL (scratch: Charlie Randolph)
2nd Heat 1) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 2) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 3) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 4) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 5) Shane Essary, Aurora MO 6) Scott Gibbs, Bloomfield MO 7) Nathan Retting, Sikeston MO
3rd Heat 1) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 2) Billy James, Sikeston MO 3) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 4) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 5) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 6) Carey Conaway, Jonesboro AR 7) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Todd Hall, Charleston MO 3) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK 4) Stacy Caldwell, Nettleton MS 5) John Pafford, Eads TN 6) Shon Stuart, Corning AR 7) Kent Bailey, Sturdivant MO
Last Chance Qualifier (15 Laps, four transfer) 1) Barry Barkley 2) Leslie Essary 3) Nathan Retting 4) Shane Essary 5) David Gibson 6) Carey Conaway 7) Charlie Randolph 8) John Pafford 9) Kent Bailey 10) Shon Stuart 11) Scott Gibbs 12) Scott Hutchinson (scratch: Dean Carpenter)
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
Batesville Speedway
Saturday, July 5, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
LOCUST GROVE AR. Bill Frye powered to his second win of the weekend, taking the lead from points leader Terry Phillips on lap 22. Frye wasn't challenged the rest of the way. Frye not only picked up his second $3,000 winners check of the weekend, but gained 10 points on Terry Phillips in the year long points chase.
Leslie Essary picked up his fourth pole of the 2003 season, and had Phillips to his outside. The pair rode side by side for most of the first lap, before Phillips took the lead coming out of turn four. Essary dropped in behind, with Stacy Taylor, Joey Mack, and Bill Frye taking the top spots. The caution flag flew on lap two, for Jerry Walker who had spun on the backstretch. Frye took fourth from Mack on the restart, while Phillips opened a five carlength advantage.
Frye took third from Stacy Taylor in turn two on lap three, then the caution flag waved on lap four for Shane Essary who had stopped in turn four. David Gibson moved to fifth on the restart while out front, Phillips had flown out to a 10 carlength lead by lap six. Frye worked past Essary for second in turn four on lap 10.
Phillips was already starting to lap back markers by lap 13. Stacy Taylor drove by Essary for third in turn two on lap 16. Phillips' lead began to shrink as he was encountering heavy traffic. Jason Snodgrass brought out the caution on lap 20, as he had a broken wheel on his right rear.
Phillips and Frye raced side by side for the lead on the restart, with Frye making the move for the lead in turn four on lap 22. Steve Rushin worked to fifth by lap 24. Charlie Randolph drew a yellow flag on lap 25 as he was stalled in turn four.
Stacy Taylor and Leslie Essary went by Phillips on the restart, as Phillips started to fade dramatically. Jamie Elam brought the caution flag back out, as he was stopped with a flat tire on lap 26. Phillips pitted at that time, and re-joined the field at the rear after making adjustments.
Essary darted past Taylor for second on the restart. Jeff Floyd powered his way into fourth, with Rushin maintained fifth. Out front, Frye had opened a 15 carlength advantage by lap 28. David Gibson drew yet another yellow flag on lap 29 as he was stopped on the backstretch.
Stacy Taylor got the better of things on the restart, taking second from Essary. Frye was ten carlengths over Taylor by lap 36. The final caution flag waved on lap 38, as Gary Stolba was stopped on the track.
Essary and Floyd split Taylor on the restart, but Steve Rushin found a final burst of energy, and drove by all three to take the second spot.
Bill Frye came home with the win, with Steve Rushin, Jeff Floyd, Leslie Essary, and Stacy Taylor making up the top five. Terry Phillips rallied to finish sixth, with Dewaine Hottinger, Jack Sullivan, Mike Bowers, and Jerry Buck rounding out the top ten.
Entries: 28
Top Qualifier: Leslie Essary
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: Steve Rushin
Provisionals: Gary Stolba, Jerry Walker (4)
Lap Leaders: Terry Phillips 1-21, Bill Frye 22-40
Cautions: 7
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
1) Bill Frye, (4) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $3,000
2) Steve Rushin, (12) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $2,000
3) Jeff Floyd, (7) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,250
4) Leslie Essary, (1) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $1,100
5) Stacy Taylor, (3) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $1,000
6) Terry Phillips, (2) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Dewaine Hottinger, (15) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $700
8) Jack Sullivan, (10) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $675
9) Mike Bowers, (8) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Jerry Buck, (9) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $625
11) Jeff Taylor, (11) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $600
12) Mike Brown, (17) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $575
13) David Gibson, (6) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $550
14) Jamie Dacus, (18) GRT/RPM/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Dane Dacus, (16) GRT/Gearte/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Gary Stolba, (21) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Jason Snodgrass, (19) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
18) Jamie Elam, (14) GRT/RPM/Monte Carlo; $500
19) Charlie Randolph, (13) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Joey Mack, (5) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $500
21) Shane Essary, (20) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jerry Walker, (22) Larry Shaw/Dynotech/Grand Prix $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 2) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 3) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 4) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 5) Jamie Dacus, Lakeland TN 6) Bryan Millican, Cleveland TX 7) John Pafford, Eads TN
2nd Heat 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 3) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR 4) Dane Dacus, Arlington TN 5) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 6) Jason Snodgrass, Mountain Home AR 7) Shane Diamant, North Little Rock AR
3rd Heat 1) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 2) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 3) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 4) Charlie Randolph, Muskogee OK 5) Stacy Caldwell, Nettleton MS 6) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK 7) Shane Essary, Aurora MO
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Joey Mack, Benton MO 3) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 4) Jamie Elam, Hernando MS 5) Barry Barkley, Jonesboro AR 6) Charles LaPlant, East Prairie MO 7) Jerry Walker, Southhaven MS
1st Last Chance Qualifier (15 Laps, four transfer) 1) Mike Brown 2) Jamie Dacus 3) Jason Snodgrass 4) Shane Essary 5) Charles LaPlant 6) Jerry Walker 7) Shane Diamant 8) John Pafford 9) Gary Stolba 10) Barry Barkley 11) Bryan Millican (scratch: Stacy Caldwell)
MARS POINTS AS OF: 07/06/03
1 75P PHILLIPS, TERRY SPRINGFIELD, MO 1230
2 66F FRYE, BILL GREENBRIAR, AR 1192
3 F1 FLOYD, JEFF WALNUT RIDGE, AR 1142
4 5T TAYLOR, JEFF BATESVILLE, AR 1128
5 5E ESSARY, LESLIE CRANE, MO 1084
6 81B BUCK, JERRY HARVIELL, M0 1008
7 427B BROWN, MIKE FT. GIBSON, OK 970
8 65H HOTTINGER, DEWAINE RUSSELLVILLE, AR 944
9 60B BOWERS, MIKE NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 930
10 14JR RUSHIN, STEVE POPLAR BLUFF, MO 926
11 9R RANDOLPH II, CHARLIE MUSKOGEE, OK 916
12 97M MACK, JOEY BENTON, MO 846
13 18S SULLIVAN, JACK GREENBRIAR, AR 818
14 33S STOLBA, GARY WILLOW SPRINGS, MO 798
15 15E ESSARY, SHANE AURORA, MO 756
16 27T TAYLOR, STACY JACKSONVILLE, AR 726
17 G2 GIBSON, DAVID ASH FLAT, AR 543
18 88WW WALLACE, WENDELL BATESVILLE, AR 524
19 12M MERRILL, RAYMOND SALLISAW, OK 521
20 21W WALKER, JERRY SOUTHAVEN, MS 517
Delta Bowl Speedway
Thursday, July 3, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
TUNICA MS. Bill Frye claimed his third O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series win of the year. Frye moved into second place in series points, and cut into Terry Phillip's point lead. Frye lead from the outset, but won a mid-race duel with Jeff Floyd en route to the win.
Frye held the pole, with Anthony Rushing to his outside. Frye moved to the lead as the green flag fell, with Rushing, Leslie Essary, Gary Stolba, and Terry Phillips giving chase. Stolba was on the move quickly, passing Essary for third on the second lap. Stolba moved past Rushing for second in turn four on the next circuit. Phillips drove past Rushing and Essary for the third spot by lap four.
Phillips drove to second spot, past Stolba on the backstretch on lap five, but Frye had built a half straightaway margin even this early in the race.
Jeff Floyd was on the move, and was fifth by lap six. Floyd drove under Essary for fourth in turn four on lap seven. While this was happening, Phillips was starting to ease into Frye's lead. Frye was starting to work traffic by lap ten, but the caution came out one lap later for Jamie Elam, who was pulled up on the backstretch.
Frye and Phillips were side by side on the restart, while David Gibson was racing Essary hard for fifth. Floyd was third, and the top three were in a tight formation going for the lead. Floyd and Phillips raced for second on lap 14, with Floyd taking the spot on the backstretch.
Frye had re-opened a 15 carlength lead by lap 17, but Floyd was starting to close by the mid-way point in the race as Frye was starting to see traffic again. Floyd closed up quickly as Frye was trying to negotiate heavy traffic by lap 23. Frye and Floyd were in a side by side duel by lap 25, trying to work through five slower cars that were racing for position.
Floyd was able to take the lead from Frye in the traffic on lap 26, but the pair were back to side by side racing on lap 28, with Frye re-taking the top spot coming off turn four. Frye had finally cleared the traffic by lap 30, but Floyd was still staying close.
Mike Bowers brought out the second caution of the night, as he was spun on the backstretch entering turn three. Bowers had been running fifth at the time, and Jack Sullivan inherited the spot on the restart. Sullivan took advantage of the situation, getting by Stolba as the green re-appeared.
Jeff Taylor came from his row ten starting position to work past Stolba for fifth on lap 35. Jack Sullivan completed his best run in the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series, besting Terry Phillips for the third spot in turn four on lap 38.
Bill Frye came home with the win, with Jeff Floyd, Jack Sullivan, Terry Phillips, and Jeff Taylor making up the top five. Gary Stolba, Charlie Randolph, Jerry Buck, David Gibson, and Joey Mack rounded out the top ten.
Entries: 32
Top Qualifier: Bill Frye
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: Jeff Taylor
Provisionals: Mike Brown, Dewaine Hottinger
Lap Leaders: Bill Frye 1-25, 28-40; Jeff Floyd 27-28
Cautions: 2
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
Finish/Driver/Start/Chassis/Motor/Make/Money Won
1) Bill Frye, (1) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $3,000
2) Jeff Floyd, (7) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $2,000
3) Jack Sullivan, (12) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $1,250
4) Terry Phillips, (6) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $1,100
5) Jeff Taylor, (20) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,000
6) Gary Stolba, (3) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Charlie Randolph, (5) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $700
8) Jerry Buck, (15) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $675
9) David Gibson, (9) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Joey Mack, (16) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $625
11) Jamie Dacus, (10) GRT/Pruitt/Monte Carlo; $600
12) Stacy Taylor, (19) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $575
13) Mike Bowers, (18) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $550
14) Mike Brown, (21) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Dewaine Hottinger, (22) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Jerry Inmon, (11) GRT/Baker/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Johnny Stokes, (8) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $500
18) Jimmy Holland, (17) GRT/Baker/Monte Carlo; $500
19) Anthony Rushing, (2) Rocket/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Leslie Essary, (4) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $500
21) Todd Hall, (13) MasterSbilt/Hall/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jamie Elam, (14) GRT/Pruitt/Monte Carlo; $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Charlie Randolph, Muskogee OK 2) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 3) Jamie Dacus, Lakeland TN 4) Todd Hall, Charleston MO 5) John Pafford, Eads TN 6) Tommy Ray, Southhaven MS 7) Jerry Walker, Southhaven MS 8) Howard Kimbrough, Olive Branch MS
2nd Heat 1) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 2) Anthony Rushing, Kocsiusko MS 3) Jerry Inmon, Bruce MS 4) Joey Mack, Benton MO 5) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 6) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 7) Terry Pool, Olive Branch MS 8) Dane Dacus, Arlington TN
3rd Heat 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 3) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 4) Jimmy Holland, Memphis TN 5) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 6) Shane Essary, Aurora MO 7) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 8) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Johnny Stokes, Columbus MS 3) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR 4) Jamie Elam, Hernando MS 5) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 6) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 7) Johnny Lancaster, Coldwater MS 8) Walter Borbour Jr., Byhalia MS
1st Last Chance Qualifier (12 Laps, two transfer) 1) Jimmy Holland 2) Stacy Taylor 3) Shane Essary 4) Mike Brown 5) Tommy Ray 6) John Pafford 7) Howard Kimbrogh 8) Jerry Walker
2nd Last Chance Qualifier 1) Mike Bowers 2) Jeff Taylor 3) Steve Rushin 4) Dewaine Hottinger 5) Johnny Lancaster 6) Dane Dacus 7) Terry Pool (scratch: Walter Borbour Jr.)
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
Malden Speedway
Friday, July 4, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
MALDEN MO. Terry Phillips picked up O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series win number seven in 2003, and his career 30th. Phillips led all 40 laps from his outside front row starting position, leading his nearest rival, Bill Frye for the entire length of the race. Another Phillips and Frye duel for the series championship appears to be taking shape.
Bill Frye claimed his second pole in as many nights, with Phillips to his outside. A pile-up on the first attempt to start the race resulted in Jeff Taylor recieving enough damage to his car to have to go out on the hook. Taylor was done for the night.
The field got started on the next attempt, and Phillips headed Frye, Jeff Floyd, Joey Mack, and Steve Rushin for four laps before the first of three cautions. Leslie Essary brought out caution number one, stopped with a flat tire in turn four. One lap after the race restarted, it went back to yellow as Mike Brown, and Mike Bowers were tangled in turn two. Leslie Essary caused the yellow to wave on lap six, this time something was broke on his car, and Essary retired for the night at that point.
The field restarted at the six lap mark, and Billy James shot into the fourth spot, with Joey Mack falling back to fifth. Phillips opened a five carlength lead on lap eight, then was pacing the field by ten carlengths on lap 10.
The top three cars, Phillips, Frye, and Floyd, had broken away from the field, and Frye had begun to close back in on Phillips by lap 17. The pair were nose to tail by lap 20, and the leaders were looking at traffic. Phillips was faced by three cars racing for position by lap 22. Phillips was able to clear the traffic a bit easier than Frye, and had opened a five carlength lead by lap 27.
Phillips had put two lapped cars between himself and Frye by lap 29, and was pacing the two-time champion by 10 carlengths. Now Frye had Jeff Floyd on his back bumper, and Phillips was able to pull out to a half straightaway margin by lap 32. Joey Mack worked his way back around Billy James for the fourth spot by lap 34.
Terry Phillips lead the final laps, and came home with the win. Bill Frye, Jeff Floyd, Joey Mack, and Billy James made up the top five. Jerry Buck, Todd Hall, Steve Rushin, Dewaine Hottinger, and Stacy Taylor rounded out the top ten.
Entries: 29
Top Qualifier: Bill Frye
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: David Gibson
Provisionals: Charlie Randolph (2), David Gibson
Lap Leaders: Terry Phillips 1-40
Cautions: 4
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
1) Terry Phillips, (2) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $3,000
2) Bill Frye, (1) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $2,000
3) Jeff Floyd, (4) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,250
4) Joey Mack, (5) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $1,100
5) Billy James, (9) Rocket/Robinson/Monte Carlo; $1,000
6) Jerry Buck, (14) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Todd Hall, (11) GRT/Hall/Grand Prix; $700
8) Steve Rushin, (7) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $675
9) Dewaine Hottinger, (6) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Stacy Taylor, (15) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $625
11) Charlie Randolph, (21) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $600
12) David Gibson, (22) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $575
13) Jack Sullivan, (13) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $550
14) Gary Stolba, (3) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Barry Barkley, (17) Schwartz/Vaughn/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Mike Brown, (12) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Mike Bowers, (8) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
18) Nathan Retting, (19) Larry Shaw/Robinson/Grand Prix; $500
19) Stacy Caldwell, (16) GRT/Performance/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Shane Essary, (20) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
21) Leslie Essary, (18) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jeff Taylor, (10) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 3) Joey Mack, Benton MO 4) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 5) Barry Barkley, Jonesboro AR 6) Dean Carpenter, Coldwater MS 7) Scott Hutchinson, Johnston City IL (scratch: Charlie Randolph)
2nd Heat 1) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 2) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 3) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 4) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 5) Shane Essary, Aurora MO 6) Scott Gibbs, Bloomfield MO 7) Nathan Retting, Sikeston MO
3rd Heat 1) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 2) Billy James, Sikeston MO 3) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 4) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 5) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 6) Carey Conaway, Jonesboro AR 7) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Todd Hall, Charleston MO 3) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK 4) Stacy Caldwell, Nettleton MS 5) John Pafford, Eads TN 6) Shon Stuart, Corning AR 7) Kent Bailey, Sturdivant MO
Last Chance Qualifier (15 Laps, four transfer) 1) Barry Barkley 2) Leslie Essary 3) Nathan Retting 4) Shane Essary 5) David Gibson 6) Carey Conaway 7) Charlie Randolph 8) John Pafford 9) Kent Bailey 10) Shon Stuart 11) Scott Gibbs 12) Scott Hutchinson (scratch: Dean Carpenter)
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
Batesville Speedway
Saturday, July 5, 2003
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
LOCUST GROVE AR. Bill Frye powered to his second win of the weekend, taking the lead from points leader Terry Phillips on lap 22. Frye wasn't challenged the rest of the way. Frye not only picked up his second $3,000 winners check of the weekend, but gained 10 points on Terry Phillips in the year long points chase.
Leslie Essary picked up his fourth pole of the 2003 season, and had Phillips to his outside. The pair rode side by side for most of the first lap, before Phillips took the lead coming out of turn four. Essary dropped in behind, with Stacy Taylor, Joey Mack, and Bill Frye taking the top spots. The caution flag flew on lap two, for Jerry Walker who had spun on the backstretch. Frye took fourth from Mack on the restart, while Phillips opened a five carlength advantage.
Frye took third from Stacy Taylor in turn two on lap three, then the caution flag waved on lap four for Shane Essary who had stopped in turn four. David Gibson moved to fifth on the restart while out front, Phillips had flown out to a 10 carlength lead by lap six. Frye worked past Essary for second in turn four on lap 10.
Phillips was already starting to lap back markers by lap 13. Stacy Taylor drove by Essary for third in turn two on lap 16. Phillips' lead began to shrink as he was encountering heavy traffic. Jason Snodgrass brought out the caution on lap 20, as he had a broken wheel on his right rear.
Phillips and Frye raced side by side for the lead on the restart, with Frye making the move for the lead in turn four on lap 22. Steve Rushin worked to fifth by lap 24. Charlie Randolph drew a yellow flag on lap 25 as he was stalled in turn four.
Stacy Taylor and Leslie Essary went by Phillips on the restart, as Phillips started to fade dramatically. Jamie Elam brought the caution flag back out, as he was stopped with a flat tire on lap 26. Phillips pitted at that time, and re-joined the field at the rear after making adjustments.
Essary darted past Taylor for second on the restart. Jeff Floyd powered his way into fourth, with Rushin maintained fifth. Out front, Frye had opened a 15 carlength advantage by lap 28. David Gibson drew yet another yellow flag on lap 29 as he was stopped on the backstretch.
Stacy Taylor got the better of things on the restart, taking second from Essary. Frye was ten carlengths over Taylor by lap 36. The final caution flag waved on lap 38, as Gary Stolba was stopped on the track.
Essary and Floyd split Taylor on the restart, but Steve Rushin found a final burst of energy, and drove by all three to take the second spot.
Bill Frye came home with the win, with Steve Rushin, Jeff Floyd, Leslie Essary, and Stacy Taylor making up the top five. Terry Phillips rallied to finish sixth, with Dewaine Hottinger, Jack Sullivan, Mike Bowers, and Jerry Buck rounding out the top ten.
Entries: 28
Top Qualifier: Leslie Essary
W&W Concrete Hard Charger: Steve Rushin
Provisionals: Gary Stolba, Jerry Walker (4)
Lap Leaders: Terry Phillips 1-21, Bill Frye 22-40
Cautions: 7
A FEATURE (40 Laps)
1) Bill Frye, (4) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $3,000
2) Steve Rushin, (12) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $2,000
3) Jeff Floyd, (7) GRT/Kuntz/Taurus; $1,250
4) Leslie Essary, (1) GRT/Mike's/Grand Prix; $1,100
5) Stacy Taylor, (3) GRT/Dickens/Monte Carlo; $1,000
6) Terry Phillips, (2) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $750
7) Dewaine Hottinger, (15) GRT/Kuntz/Monte Carlo; $700
8) Jack Sullivan, (10) GRT/Dickens/Grand Prix; $675
9) Mike Bowers, (8) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $650
10) Jerry Buck, (9) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $625
11) Jeff Taylor, (11) Larry Shaw/Kuntz/Taurus; $600
12) Mike Brown, (17) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $575
13) David Gibson, (6) Rocket/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $550
14) Jamie Dacus, (18) GRT/RPM/Monte Carlo; $525
15) Dane Dacus, (16) GRT/Gearte/Monte Carlo; $500
16) Gary Stolba, (21) GRT/Hatfield/Monte Carlo; $500
17) Jason Snodgrass, (19) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
18) Jamie Elam, (14) GRT/RPM/Monte Carlo; $500
19) Charlie Randolph, (13) GRT/BMS/Monte Carlo; $500
20) Joey Mack, (5) GRT/Kuntz/Mustang; $500
21) Shane Essary, (20) GRT/Hatfield/Grand Prix; $500
22) Jerry Walker, (22) Larry Shaw/Dynotech/Grand Prix $500
1st Heat (12 Laps) 1) Leslie Essary, Crane MO 2) Jeff Floyd, Walnut Ridge AR 3) Jeff Taylor, Batesville AR 4) Dewaine Hottinger, Russellville AR 5) Jamie Dacus, Lakeland TN 6) Bryan Millican, Cleveland TX 7) John Pafford, Eads TN
2nd Heat 1) Terry Phillips, Springfield MO 2) Jerry Buck, Harviell MO 3) David Gibson, Ash Flat AR 4) Dane Dacus, Arlington TN 5) Gary Stolba, Willow Springs MO 6) Jason Snodgrass, Mountain Home AR 7) Shane Diamant, North Little Rock AR
3rd Heat 1) Stacy Taylor, Jacksonville AR 2) Mike Bowers, North Little Rock AR 3) Jack Sullivan, Greenbriar AR 4) Charlie Randolph, Muskogee OK 5) Stacy Caldwell, Nettleton MS 6) Mike Brown, Ft. Gibson OK 7) Shane Essary, Aurora MO
4th Heat 1) Bill Frye, Greenbriar AR 2) Joey Mack, Benton MO 3) Steve Rushin, Poplar Bluff MO 4) Jamie Elam, Hernando MS 5) Barry Barkley, Jonesboro AR 6) Charles LaPlant, East Prairie MO 7) Jerry Walker, Southhaven MS
1st Last Chance Qualifier (15 Laps, four transfer) 1) Mike Brown 2) Jamie Dacus 3) Jason Snodgrass 4) Shane Essary 5) Charles LaPlant 6) Jerry Walker 7) Shane Diamant 8) John Pafford 9) Gary Stolba 10) Barry Barkley 11) Bryan Millican (scratch: Stacy Caldwell)
MARS POINTS AS OF: 07/06/03
1 75P PHILLIPS, TERRY SPRINGFIELD, MO 1230
2 66F FRYE, BILL GREENBRIAR, AR 1192
3 F1 FLOYD, JEFF WALNUT RIDGE, AR 1142
4 5T TAYLOR, JEFF BATESVILLE, AR 1128
5 5E ESSARY, LESLIE CRANE, MO 1084
6 81B BUCK, JERRY HARVIELL, M0 1008
7 427B BROWN, MIKE FT. GIBSON, OK 970
8 65H HOTTINGER, DEWAINE RUSSELLVILLE, AR 944
9 60B BOWERS, MIKE NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 930
10 14JR RUSHIN, STEVE POPLAR BLUFF, MO 926
11 9R RANDOLPH II, CHARLIE MUSKOGEE, OK 916
12 97M MACK, JOEY BENTON, MO 846
13 18S SULLIVAN, JACK GREENBRIAR, AR 818
14 33S STOLBA, GARY WILLOW SPRINGS, MO 798
15 15E ESSARY, SHANE AURORA, MO 756
16 27T TAYLOR, STACY JACKSONVILLE, AR 726
17 G2 GIBSON, DAVID ASH FLAT, AR 543
18 88WW WALLACE, WENDELL BATESVILLE, AR 524
19 12M MERRILL, RAYMOND SALLISAW, OK 521
20 21W WALKER, JERRY SOUTHAVEN, MS 517
