Junction City, KY--Johnny Wheeler from Campbellsville, KY picked up his second career STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Presented by Arizona Sport Shirts on Friday Night at the Legendary Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY as he would take the $3000 to win Spring into Spring 40. It was the first ever visit by Kentucky's Premier Dirt Late Model Sanctioning Body to the John Bradshaw promoted facility. Wheeler drove the Larry Yantz Racing, Clayton Homes, Crossland Homes, Luv Homes, Classic Homes, Yantz Mobile Home Services, Legend's Inc., D&S Remodeling, VP Racing Fuels, PPM, Cornett Thunder Engines, C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo #57 to the winners circle leading all 40 laps. Eddie Carrier Jr of Ona, WV the defending STARS Battle of the Bluegrass Champion finished second in the Carl Grover Motorsports Rocket Ford Taurus. Coming home in third was Mike Marlar in the Wilson's Service Center C.J. Rayburn Race Cars Grand Prix, fourth was Mike Jewell in the Morgan Foods Mastersbilt Grand Prix and completing the top five was Timmy Yeager in the Dale and Anita Clark Racing Mastersbilt Ford Taurus.
<img src="http://www.stlouisracing.com/pixs03/DCP_2717.jpg">
Wheeler would grab the lead at the start of the 40 lap main event with Eddie Carrier, Jr. immediately taking second place with Scott James moving to third followed by Jesse James Lay and Timmy Yeager. The first move in the top five was by Mike Marlar who passed Yeager for fifth on lap six. The first caution flag of the race flew on the 13th lap for Bobby Carrier Jr who pitted with a flat tire. The would be a sign of things to come as five more cautions would dot the remainder of the race. Apparently there were pieces of debris embedded in the race track that caused some tires to puncture. During the first caution the cars of Darrell Lanigan, Mike Marlar and Lay all pitted for flat tires. The race would go six more laps under green when Brad Neat slowed with tire problems. At this time the track was checked and a few pieces of debris were removed from within the race track.
At the 20 lap mark which was the halfway point of the race Wheeler was still in front just as he had been from the beginning with Eddie Carrier Jr., Scott James and Timmy Yeager the top four cars. But James' fate would be next as a flat tire would take him to the pits for a quick tire change on the 21st lap. That moved Yeager into third with Mike Jewell now fourth and Richard Smith running in fifth. Marlar who had pitted early on was on the move as he stormed through the field to move into the top five past Smith on lap 26. Marlar, Jewell and Yeager then set up a terrific race for third that would last until the checker fell. Up front it was all Wheeler as the 39 year old driver was in complete control and most assuredly hoping and praying that nothing like what had happened to some of his competitors would prevent him from winning the race. Wheeler's prays were answered as he would go on to get the checkered flag first scoring his second career BoB win. Eddie Carrier Jr would run second the entire distance for his best finish of the season. The race for third came down to the final tour around the track with Marlar getting the spot just ahead of Jewell and Yeager who touched on the final turn.
Completing the top ten were Richard Smith, Scott James, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton and Jim Curry.
There were 34 entries on hand with Tyrel Todd taking the Racing Optics Fast time at 13.97 seconds. Heat race winners were Scott James, Johnny Wheeler, Eddie Carrier Jr and Jesse James Lay. The two AFCO B-Main winners were Bobby Wolter Jr and Darrell Lanigan.
Official Summary
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Race #2 of 25
The Legendary Ponderosa Speedway
Junction City, KY
Friday Night, May 2, 2003
Racing Optics Fast Time: Tyrel Todd 13.97
First Heat: Scott James, Timmy Yeager, Tyrel Todd, Bobby Carrier Jr
Second Heat: Johnny Wheeler, Aaron Hatton, Richard Smith, Bobby Wolter Jr
Third Heat: Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Jewell, Michael Chilton, Darrell Lanigan
Fourth Heat: Jesse James Lay, Mike Marlar, Kevin Claycomb, Jim Curry
AFCO 1st B-Main: Bobby Wolter Jr., Bobby Carrier Jr., Dustin Neat, Audie McWilliams
AFCO 2nd B-Main: Darrell Lanigan, Jim Curry, Brad Neat, David Freeman
PBM Performance Products A-Main: Johnny Wheeler, Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Marlar, Mike Jewell, Timmy Yeager, Richard Smith, Scott James, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton, Jim Curry, Jesse James Lay, Bobby Wolter Jr., Dustin Neat, Brad Neat, Aaron Hatton, Kevin Claycomb, Darrell Lanigan, Bobby Carrier Jr., Ronnie Smith, Brandon Hardgrove
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger - Jim Curry
Racing Optics Time Trials
1. #14-Tyrel Todd-Eubank, KY 13.97
2. #77-Joey Kramer-Hanover, IN 13.97
3. #97-Michael Chilton-Harrodsburg, KY 14.00
4. #28-Kevin Claycomb-Vincennes, IN 14.00
5. #83-Scott James-Lawrenceburg, IN 14.00
6. #27J-Richard Smith-Science Hill, KY 14.09
7. #29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY 14.13
8. #157-Mike Marlar-Winfield TN 14.15
9. #44-Tim Taylor-Eubank, KY 14.19
10. #33-Aaron Hatton-Mt. Sterling, KY 14.19
11. #9-Mike Jewell-Scottsburg, IN 14.19
12. #33-Jesse James Lay-Walton, KY 14.22
13. #75-Carnell Parker-Clarksville, TN 14.22
14. #57-Johnny Wheeler-Campbellsville, KY 14.25
15. #28-Eddie Carrier Jr-Ona, WV 14.28
16. #76-David Freeman-Lexington, KY 14.31
17. #10-Audie McWilliams-Walton, KY 14.32
18. #11-Dustin Neat-Dunnville, KY 14.34
19. #16-Victor Lee-Stanford, KY 14.41
20. #7-Jim Curry-Norman, IN 14.44
21. #17-Bobby Carrier Jr-Harrodsburg, KY 14.47
22. #19-Bobby Wolter Jr-Lexington, KY 14.53
23. #23-Larry Martin Jr-Maysville, KY 14.59
24. #41-Brad Neat-Dunnville, KY 14.59
25. #C1-Timmy Yeager-Harrodsburg, KY 14.59
26. #77-Joey Daniel-Liberty, KY 14.66
27. #1-Michael Wooldridge-Frankfort, KY 14.81
28. #32s-Ronnie Smith-Waco, KY 14.81
29. #22-Brandon Hardgrove-Burnside, KY 15.03
30. #16-Steven Ashby-Cunningham, TN 15.09
31. #C8-Jimmy Crabtree-Irvine, KY 15.09
32. #17-Chris Wilson-Louisa, KY 15.15
33. #H3-Jason Hinkle-Danville, KY 15.37
34. #1X-Billy Barber Jr-Danville, KY NT
<img src="http://www.stlouisracing.com/pixs03/DCP_2717.jpg">
Wheeler would grab the lead at the start of the 40 lap main event with Eddie Carrier, Jr. immediately taking second place with Scott James moving to third followed by Jesse James Lay and Timmy Yeager. The first move in the top five was by Mike Marlar who passed Yeager for fifth on lap six. The first caution flag of the race flew on the 13th lap for Bobby Carrier Jr who pitted with a flat tire. The would be a sign of things to come as five more cautions would dot the remainder of the race. Apparently there were pieces of debris embedded in the race track that caused some tires to puncture. During the first caution the cars of Darrell Lanigan, Mike Marlar and Lay all pitted for flat tires. The race would go six more laps under green when Brad Neat slowed with tire problems. At this time the track was checked and a few pieces of debris were removed from within the race track.
At the 20 lap mark which was the halfway point of the race Wheeler was still in front just as he had been from the beginning with Eddie Carrier Jr., Scott James and Timmy Yeager the top four cars. But James' fate would be next as a flat tire would take him to the pits for a quick tire change on the 21st lap. That moved Yeager into third with Mike Jewell now fourth and Richard Smith running in fifth. Marlar who had pitted early on was on the move as he stormed through the field to move into the top five past Smith on lap 26. Marlar, Jewell and Yeager then set up a terrific race for third that would last until the checker fell. Up front it was all Wheeler as the 39 year old driver was in complete control and most assuredly hoping and praying that nothing like what had happened to some of his competitors would prevent him from winning the race. Wheeler's prays were answered as he would go on to get the checkered flag first scoring his second career BoB win. Eddie Carrier Jr would run second the entire distance for his best finish of the season. The race for third came down to the final tour around the track with Marlar getting the spot just ahead of Jewell and Yeager who touched on the final turn.
Completing the top ten were Richard Smith, Scott James, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton and Jim Curry.
There were 34 entries on hand with Tyrel Todd taking the Racing Optics Fast time at 13.97 seconds. Heat race winners were Scott James, Johnny Wheeler, Eddie Carrier Jr and Jesse James Lay. The two AFCO B-Main winners were Bobby Wolter Jr and Darrell Lanigan.
Official Summary
STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Race #2 of 25
The Legendary Ponderosa Speedway
Junction City, KY
Friday Night, May 2, 2003
Racing Optics Fast Time: Tyrel Todd 13.97
First Heat: Scott James, Timmy Yeager, Tyrel Todd, Bobby Carrier Jr
Second Heat: Johnny Wheeler, Aaron Hatton, Richard Smith, Bobby Wolter Jr
Third Heat: Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Jewell, Michael Chilton, Darrell Lanigan
Fourth Heat: Jesse James Lay, Mike Marlar, Kevin Claycomb, Jim Curry
AFCO 1st B-Main: Bobby Wolter Jr., Bobby Carrier Jr., Dustin Neat, Audie McWilliams
AFCO 2nd B-Main: Darrell Lanigan, Jim Curry, Brad Neat, David Freeman
PBM Performance Products A-Main: Johnny Wheeler, Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Marlar, Mike Jewell, Timmy Yeager, Richard Smith, Scott James, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton, Jim Curry, Jesse James Lay, Bobby Wolter Jr., Dustin Neat, Brad Neat, Aaron Hatton, Kevin Claycomb, Darrell Lanigan, Bobby Carrier Jr., Ronnie Smith, Brandon Hardgrove
PPM Racing Products/Outlaw Race Cars Hard Charger - Jim Curry
Racing Optics Time Trials
1. #14-Tyrel Todd-Eubank, KY 13.97
2. #77-Joey Kramer-Hanover, IN 13.97
3. #97-Michael Chilton-Harrodsburg, KY 14.00
4. #28-Kevin Claycomb-Vincennes, IN 14.00
5. #83-Scott James-Lawrenceburg, IN 14.00
6. #27J-Richard Smith-Science Hill, KY 14.09
7. #29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY 14.13
8. #157-Mike Marlar-Winfield TN 14.15
9. #44-Tim Taylor-Eubank, KY 14.19
10. #33-Aaron Hatton-Mt. Sterling, KY 14.19
11. #9-Mike Jewell-Scottsburg, IN 14.19
12. #33-Jesse James Lay-Walton, KY 14.22
13. #75-Carnell Parker-Clarksville, TN 14.22
14. #57-Johnny Wheeler-Campbellsville, KY 14.25
15. #28-Eddie Carrier Jr-Ona, WV 14.28
16. #76-David Freeman-Lexington, KY 14.31
17. #10-Audie McWilliams-Walton, KY 14.32
18. #11-Dustin Neat-Dunnville, KY 14.34
19. #16-Victor Lee-Stanford, KY 14.41
20. #7-Jim Curry-Norman, IN 14.44
21. #17-Bobby Carrier Jr-Harrodsburg, KY 14.47
22. #19-Bobby Wolter Jr-Lexington, KY 14.53
23. #23-Larry Martin Jr-Maysville, KY 14.59
24. #41-Brad Neat-Dunnville, KY 14.59
25. #C1-Timmy Yeager-Harrodsburg, KY 14.59
26. #77-Joey Daniel-Liberty, KY 14.66
27. #1-Michael Wooldridge-Frankfort, KY 14.81
28. #32s-Ronnie Smith-Waco, KY 14.81
29. #22-Brandon Hardgrove-Burnside, KY 15.03
30. #16-Steven Ashby-Cunningham, TN 15.09
31. #C8-Jimmy Crabtree-Irvine, KY 15.09
32. #17-Chris Wilson-Louisa, KY 15.15
33. #H3-Jason Hinkle-Danville, KY 15.37
34. #1X-Billy Barber Jr-Danville, KY NT
