By Dustin Jarrett
RICHMOND, KY -- In O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series action, Mike Jewell became the 10th different winner in as many races on the 2005 season Saturday night at the Richmond Raceway. The Scottsburg, IN native passed fellow Hoosier State driver John Gill with ten laps remaining to grab his first BoB win of the year.
Aaron Hatton and John Gill set the pace for the 40-lap feature with Gill motoring ahead and into the early race lead as Hatton tucked in line behind him followed by Whitney McQueary, Tyrel Todd, and Mike Jewell. Gill wasted no time pulling away from an intense battle for second which saw both McQueary and Jewell work past Hatton and lock horns for the runner-up spot. Behind them, Todd and Tim Tungate slipped by Hatton as well and waged their own side-by-side battle for the 4th position.
As the fans' attention focused on the battles for 2nd and 4th, Gill closed in on the back of the field by lap 12. Just one circuit later, the race's only caution flag would fly for Benji Lee. The Delaware double-file restart saw Gill lead the pack followed by McQueary, Jewell, Todd, and Tungate. On back through the field, 15th-starting Brad Neat and 17th-starting Jesse Lay were quietly picking their way through the pack.
Jewell used the restart to take sole possession of 2nd as Todd and Tungate continued to dice it out for 4th. Tungate took the spot on lap 16 and looked to reel in McQueary for 3rd. Up front, Gill had a half straightaway lead on the field with Jewell now lurking in the distance.
Just after the halfway point, the Scottsburg, IN driver slowly began to erase the lead Gill had built. By lap 27, Jewell had closed to Gill's back bumper and looked for a possible pass in the corners. Jewell made his move on lap 29 and pulled alongside The Modern Day Cowboy in one and two. Jewell, who started 6th, completed the pass on Gill and was credited with leading lap 30. With just ten laps remaining, Gill was not giving up as the front duo worked through the back of the field. Meanwhile, Neat had battled his way up to 7th while Lay moved up into 9th.
Over the final eight laps, Jewell and Gill sliced through the backmarkers with The Scottsburg Express inching ahead ever so slightly. When the checkered flag fell, Mike Jewell picked up his first O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series win of the season in the Southern Indiana Drilling/MPC Motorsports/Remax Hometown Professionals/Morgan Foods/Shelton Angus Farms/Scott County Tire/PBM/PPM/Jewell TV Service/Advance Racing Shocks/Stephens Oil Co. sponsored Bullock powered MasterSbilt.
In an interview in the pits after the race, Jewell was happy to nab his first BoB win of the 2005 season. "We've had some bad luck here lately, so hopefully this a sign that things are turning around for us," he said. "I have to thank my crew, who works so hard on this race car. I'd also like to thank all my sponsors, my family, and the fans, as well as God for guiding us all through this race safely."
Mitchell, IN's John Gill posted his best finish of the season rolling the Harrod Farms/Central Painting/AMS/Rocket Grand Prix across the line in 2nd. 3rd place honors went to series points leader Whitney McQueary (Dunnville, KY) in the Bigg Dawg Motorsports/Kelco Metals/Estes/Rocket Monte Carlo. Tim Tungate, Campbellsville, KY, brought the White Construction/J&L Title/AMS/Rayburn Monte Carlo home in 4th. Eubank, KY native Tyrel Todd rounded out the top five in his Pulaski Steel & Supply/Gerald's Auto Parts/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo.
29 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Blake Chinn setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Aaron Hatton, John Gill, and Tyrel Todd with Bryan Barber winning the B-Main.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts makes their first ever trip to the Hoosier State this Saturday, June 25th, for Brownstown Speedway's 7th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
Race Summary
Richmond Raceway - Richmond, KY
Saturday, June 18, 2005
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Blake Chinn - 15.212
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #1: Aaron Hatton, Whitney McQueary, Michael Chilton, Wayne Chinn, Shannon Thornsberry, Bryan Barber, Blake Chinn, Scott Douglas, Rick Corbin, Jason Hinkle
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #2: John Gill, Tim Tungate, Marty Stepp, Chris Combs, Benji Lee, Jesse Lay, Herbie Barnett, Billy Barber, Dennis Roberson
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #3: Tyrel Todd, Mike Jewell, Frankie Coomer, Mike Luna, Brad Neat, Jason Barrett, Dwight Embree, Brandon Witt, Michael England
B-Main: Bryan Barber, Jesse Lay, Blake Chinn, Jason Barrett, Michael England, Herbie Barnett, Dennis Roberson, Scott Douglas, Rick Corbin, Brandon Witt, Jason Hinkle, Dwight Embree, Billy Barber
O'Reilly Auto Parts 40-Lap A-Main: Mike Jewell, John Gill, Whitney McQueary, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Frankie Coomer, Brad Neat, Jesse Lay, Wayne Chinn, Chris Combs, Mary Stepp, Bryan Barber, Scott Douglas, Aaron Hatton, Mike Luna, Michael Chilton, Blake Chinn, Shannon Thornsberry, Benji Lee, Brandon Witt, Jason Hinkle
Race Statistics:
Entries: 29
Cautions: 1
Lap Leaders: John Gill 1-29, Mike Jewell 30-40
BoB Rookie of the Race: Frankie Coomer
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Jesse Lay
BoB Provisionals: Jason Hinkle
Track Provisionals: Brandon Witt and Scott Douglas
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 6/18/05)
1. 5m Whitney McQueary 1730
2. 47 Chris Combs 1555
3. 18 Tim Tungate 1550
4. 9 Mike Jewell 1480
5. 5e Michael England 1470
6. 33 Aaron Hatton 1425
7. 14 Tyrel Todd 1355
8. 49 Frankie Coomer 1315
9. 1 Wayne Chinn 1305
10. 10 Bryan Barber 1185
2005 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Store of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
Lucas Oil - “Official Oil Products of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
VP Racing Fuels - “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
2005 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Sponsors include: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Lucas Oil Products, Arizona Sports Shirts, VP Racing Fuels, Oval Craft, Hoosier Racing Tires, Dart, PPM, BERT, Rayburn Chassis, American Race Tire, Real Wheels, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, Trailer Parts & Sales, DJ Designs, Racing Optics, Smith Automotive and Machine, Cruise With The Champions, Rattliff Motors, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Racing Engines, and All-Star Performance
RICHMOND, KY -- In O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series action, Mike Jewell became the 10th different winner in as many races on the 2005 season Saturday night at the Richmond Raceway. The Scottsburg, IN native passed fellow Hoosier State driver John Gill with ten laps remaining to grab his first BoB win of the year.
Aaron Hatton and John Gill set the pace for the 40-lap feature with Gill motoring ahead and into the early race lead as Hatton tucked in line behind him followed by Whitney McQueary, Tyrel Todd, and Mike Jewell. Gill wasted no time pulling away from an intense battle for second which saw both McQueary and Jewell work past Hatton and lock horns for the runner-up spot. Behind them, Todd and Tim Tungate slipped by Hatton as well and waged their own side-by-side battle for the 4th position.
As the fans' attention focused on the battles for 2nd and 4th, Gill closed in on the back of the field by lap 12. Just one circuit later, the race's only caution flag would fly for Benji Lee. The Delaware double-file restart saw Gill lead the pack followed by McQueary, Jewell, Todd, and Tungate. On back through the field, 15th-starting Brad Neat and 17th-starting Jesse Lay were quietly picking their way through the pack.
Jewell used the restart to take sole possession of 2nd as Todd and Tungate continued to dice it out for 4th. Tungate took the spot on lap 16 and looked to reel in McQueary for 3rd. Up front, Gill had a half straightaway lead on the field with Jewell now lurking in the distance.
Just after the halfway point, the Scottsburg, IN driver slowly began to erase the lead Gill had built. By lap 27, Jewell had closed to Gill's back bumper and looked for a possible pass in the corners. Jewell made his move on lap 29 and pulled alongside The Modern Day Cowboy in one and two. Jewell, who started 6th, completed the pass on Gill and was credited with leading lap 30. With just ten laps remaining, Gill was not giving up as the front duo worked through the back of the field. Meanwhile, Neat had battled his way up to 7th while Lay moved up into 9th.
Over the final eight laps, Jewell and Gill sliced through the backmarkers with The Scottsburg Express inching ahead ever so slightly. When the checkered flag fell, Mike Jewell picked up his first O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series win of the season in the Southern Indiana Drilling/MPC Motorsports/Remax Hometown Professionals/Morgan Foods/Shelton Angus Farms/Scott County Tire/PBM/PPM/Jewell TV Service/Advance Racing Shocks/Stephens Oil Co. sponsored Bullock powered MasterSbilt.
In an interview in the pits after the race, Jewell was happy to nab his first BoB win of the 2005 season. "We've had some bad luck here lately, so hopefully this a sign that things are turning around for us," he said. "I have to thank my crew, who works so hard on this race car. I'd also like to thank all my sponsors, my family, and the fans, as well as God for guiding us all through this race safely."
Mitchell, IN's John Gill posted his best finish of the season rolling the Harrod Farms/Central Painting/AMS/Rocket Grand Prix across the line in 2nd. 3rd place honors went to series points leader Whitney McQueary (Dunnville, KY) in the Bigg Dawg Motorsports/Kelco Metals/Estes/Rocket Monte Carlo. Tim Tungate, Campbellsville, KY, brought the White Construction/J&L Title/AMS/Rayburn Monte Carlo home in 4th. Eubank, KY native Tyrel Todd rounded out the top five in his Pulaski Steel & Supply/Gerald's Auto Parts/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo.
29 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Blake Chinn setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Aaron Hatton, John Gill, and Tyrel Todd with Bryan Barber winning the B-Main.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts makes their first ever trip to the Hoosier State this Saturday, June 25th, for Brownstown Speedway's 7th Annual Lee Fleetwood Memorial. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
Race Summary
Richmond Raceway - Richmond, KY
Saturday, June 18, 2005
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Blake Chinn - 15.212
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #1: Aaron Hatton, Whitney McQueary, Michael Chilton, Wayne Chinn, Shannon Thornsberry, Bryan Barber, Blake Chinn, Scott Douglas, Rick Corbin, Jason Hinkle
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #2: John Gill, Tim Tungate, Marty Stepp, Chris Combs, Benji Lee, Jesse Lay, Herbie Barnett, Billy Barber, Dennis Roberson
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #3: Tyrel Todd, Mike Jewell, Frankie Coomer, Mike Luna, Brad Neat, Jason Barrett, Dwight Embree, Brandon Witt, Michael England
B-Main: Bryan Barber, Jesse Lay, Blake Chinn, Jason Barrett, Michael England, Herbie Barnett, Dennis Roberson, Scott Douglas, Rick Corbin, Brandon Witt, Jason Hinkle, Dwight Embree, Billy Barber
O'Reilly Auto Parts 40-Lap A-Main: Mike Jewell, John Gill, Whitney McQueary, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Frankie Coomer, Brad Neat, Jesse Lay, Wayne Chinn, Chris Combs, Mary Stepp, Bryan Barber, Scott Douglas, Aaron Hatton, Mike Luna, Michael Chilton, Blake Chinn, Shannon Thornsberry, Benji Lee, Brandon Witt, Jason Hinkle
Race Statistics:
Entries: 29
Cautions: 1
Lap Leaders: John Gill 1-29, Mike Jewell 30-40
BoB Rookie of the Race: Frankie Coomer
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Jesse Lay
BoB Provisionals: Jason Hinkle
Track Provisionals: Brandon Witt and Scott Douglas
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 6/18/05)
1. 5m Whitney McQueary 1730
2. 47 Chris Combs 1555
3. 18 Tim Tungate 1550
4. 9 Mike Jewell 1480
5. 5e Michael England 1470
6. 33 Aaron Hatton 1425
7. 14 Tyrel Todd 1355
8. 49 Frankie Coomer 1315
9. 1 Wayne Chinn 1305
10. 10 Bryan Barber 1185
2005 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Store of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
Lucas Oil - “Official Oil Products of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
VP Racing Fuels - “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series”
2005 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Sponsors include: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Lucas Oil Products, Arizona Sports Shirts, VP Racing Fuels, Oval Craft, Hoosier Racing Tires, Dart, PPM, BERT, Rayburn Chassis, American Race Tire, Real Wheels, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, Trailer Parts & Sales, DJ Designs, Racing Optics, Smith Automotive and Machine, Cruise With The Champions, Rattliff Motors, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Racing Engines, and All-Star Performance
