JUNCTION CITY, KY (8/24/07) - Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN restarted lap 9 at the rear of the field, but would take the checkered flag first in the 5th Annual John Bradshaw Memorial for the O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass Series on Friday evening at Ponderosa Speedway. Marlar took over the lead with 9 laps remaining and went on to claim the victory in the Mary Lu Stephens owned, S and B Cattle Company/PBM/Erson Cams/Crump's Lawn and Garden/Doyle Fertilizer/ Dyer's Top Rods/Fleming Auto Parts sponsored #34 C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Estes Race Engines powered mount.
The start of the 50 lap, $5,000 to win O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series A-Main would see fourth place starter Eddie Carrier, Jr. roll to the lead, followed by Chris Combs, Brad Neat, Justin Rattliff, and Scott James. The first of nine cautions would wave on lap 2 when Dustin Neat would spin entering turn three. The restart would also see the caution fly when David Webb would spin entering turn three with a flat left-rear tire and Bobby Carrier, Jr. and C.J. Rayburn would tangle behind Webb's spin on the backchute.
Eddie Carrier, Jr. would again bring the field to the green flag, with Rattliff going to third and ninth place starter Aaron Hatton going to fifth. Lap 4 would see Mike Jewell slow on the frontchute and Tyrel Todd, Dustin Neat, and C.J. Rayburn all tangle trying to avoid Jewell and bring out another caution flag. The restart would see Hatton make a three-wide move and go to second, with Scott James working past Combs for fourth. Eddie Carrier, Jr. would slip up in turn two on lap 9 and Hatton would dive beneath to claim the top spot, as Eddie Carrier, Jr. would slow one lap later with a driveshaft twisted in half to draw the next caution and see his evening be done. The restart would also be brought back after contact mid-pack resulted in Jerry Rutherford being turned around on the frontchute.
It would be at this point in the race when Mike Marlar would go pitside and change tires and rejoin the field at the rear on the next restart. Hatton would continue to hold the top spot, while James would now work in second and battle with Rattliff, while 13th starter Victor Lee had made his way to fourth, with Tim Tungate now fifth. Dustin Webber would swat the concrete and stop in turn four to draw the next caution period. The restart would see Tungate drive by Lee for the fourth spot, while all eyes began to focus on Marlar, who was marching his way toward the front in a hurry, making his way to the fifth spot by lap 16 and passing Tungate for fourth two trips later.
Justin Rattliff would draw the next caution when mechanical woes slowed his mount in turn four on lap 19. The next restart would Hatton still on the point, with James in second, and Marlar would now grab the third position and Marlar and James would settle into a spirited battle for the runner-up slot, while Tungate and Lee would trade the fourth spot back and forth. Race leader Hatton would start the process of lapping slower traffic on lap 28, while James and Marlar continued their torrid tangle for the runner-up slot. Lee would win the battle for fourth from Tungate for the time being on lap 29, while Marlar would turn the heat up on James for second and deliver a wicked slider on James and a lapped car in turn four on lap 31 to claim the second position.
Meanwhile, Lee and Tungate continued to battle directly behind Webb, while Marlar's march continued on as he would chase down Hatton and begin to pressure Hatton for the lead on lap 38. In what was shaping up as an excellent battle for the lead, race leader Hatton would slow entering turn one on lap 41 and would draw the final caution of the race. This would hand the lead over to Marlar and over the final nine circuits only a brush with the concrete wall in turn four with five laps remaining would the Volunteer State native as he would become the fifth different winner of the John Bradshaw Memorial and score his ninth career series win. James and Lee would take second and third, with Tungate fourth, and Jason Keltner coming home fifth. The remainder of the top ten would be Bobby Carrier, Jr., David Webb, Jordan Bland, Tyrel Todd, and Doug Smith.
Eddie Carrier, Jr. set fast time in Racing Optic Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.559. Arizona Sport Shirt heats went to Mike Marlar, Chris Combs and Brad Neat.
Up next for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series is a trip to Eastern Kentucky to the infamous 201 Speedway in Sitka, KY. 201 Speedway is 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval promoted by racer Chuckie May. The track is nestled in a hill located just 5.5 miles north of US 23 on SR 201, just outside Paintsville, KY. For more information, contact the track at (606)265-5201.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, check us out on the web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Race Summary
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Ponderosa Speedway
Junction City, KY
August 24, 2007
Racing Optics Top Qualifier- Eddie Carrier, Jr. 13.559
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat One: Mike Marlar, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Jerry Rice, Jason Keltner, Victor Lee, Mike Jewell, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Doug Smith
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Two: Chris Combs, Justin Ratliff, David Webb, Tim Tungate, Jordan Bland, Jerry Rutherford, Donald Rayborn, Dustin Webber
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Three: Brad Neat, Scott James, Aaron Hatton, Dustin Neat, Tyrel Todd, CJ Rayburn Jamie Ferguson
12th Annual Pete Abell Memorial Feature: Mike Marlar, Scott James, Victor Lee, Tim Tungate, Jason Keltner, Bobby Carrier, Jr., David Webb, Jordan Bland, Tyrel Todd, Doug Smith, CJ Rayburn, Jamie Ferguson, Aaron Hatton, Donald Rayborn, Justin Ratliff, Dustin Webber, Brad Neat, Jerry Rutherford, Jerry Rice, Chris Combs, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Dustin Neat, Mike Jewell
Race Statistics
Entries: 23
Lap Leaders: Eddie Carrier, Jr. (1-8), Aaron Hatton (9-40), Mike Marlar (41-50)
Cautions: 9
Red Flags: 0
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger Of The Race: Bobby Carrier, Jr. (19th to 6th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie Of The Race: Jason Keltner
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Winners
Florence Speedway (April 13th) - Michael England
Twin Cities Raceway Park (April 20th) - Rick Aukland
Brownstown Speedway (April 21st) - Don O'Neal
Ponderosa Speedway (April 27th) - Aaron Hatton
Bluegrass Speedway (April 28th) - Mike Marlar
Tazewell Speedway (May 12th) - Jimmy Owens
Portsmouth Raceway Park (May 27th) - Audie Swartz
Bluegrass Speedway (May 28th) - Don O'Neal
Richmond Raceway (May 29th) - Greg Johnson
Lake Cumberland Speedway (May 31st) - Josh McGuire
Ponderosa Speedway (June 1st) - Brad Neat
Bluegrass Speedway (June 16th) - Mike Jewell
Brownstown Speedway (June 23rd) - Rohn Moon
201 Speedway (June 30th) - Justin Rattliff
Florence Speedway (July 11th) - Scott James
Ponderosa Speedway (July 13th) - Aaron Hatton
Bluegrass Speedway (July 14th) - Steve Francis
Richmond Raceway (July 21st) - Tim Tungate
Ponderosa Speedway (August 24th) - Mike Marlar
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Sponsors
O'Reilly Auto Parts - Title Sponsor and "Official Auto Parts Retailer of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
Arizona Sport Shirts - Presenting Sponsor and "Official Souvenir Manufacturer & Vendor of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
Sunoco Race Fuels - "Official Race Fuel of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Supporters Include: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery, Drive Smart Kentucky, Hoosier Race Tires, American Race Tires, PPM Performance Products, Bazell Fuels, Cruise With the Champions, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, Racing Optics, Design 500, Trailer Parts & Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert Transmissions, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
The start of the 50 lap, $5,000 to win O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series A-Main would see fourth place starter Eddie Carrier, Jr. roll to the lead, followed by Chris Combs, Brad Neat, Justin Rattliff, and Scott James. The first of nine cautions would wave on lap 2 when Dustin Neat would spin entering turn three. The restart would also see the caution fly when David Webb would spin entering turn three with a flat left-rear tire and Bobby Carrier, Jr. and C.J. Rayburn would tangle behind Webb's spin on the backchute.
Eddie Carrier, Jr. would again bring the field to the green flag, with Rattliff going to third and ninth place starter Aaron Hatton going to fifth. Lap 4 would see Mike Jewell slow on the frontchute and Tyrel Todd, Dustin Neat, and C.J. Rayburn all tangle trying to avoid Jewell and bring out another caution flag. The restart would see Hatton make a three-wide move and go to second, with Scott James working past Combs for fourth. Eddie Carrier, Jr. would slip up in turn two on lap 9 and Hatton would dive beneath to claim the top spot, as Eddie Carrier, Jr. would slow one lap later with a driveshaft twisted in half to draw the next caution and see his evening be done. The restart would also be brought back after contact mid-pack resulted in Jerry Rutherford being turned around on the frontchute.
It would be at this point in the race when Mike Marlar would go pitside and change tires and rejoin the field at the rear on the next restart. Hatton would continue to hold the top spot, while James would now work in second and battle with Rattliff, while 13th starter Victor Lee had made his way to fourth, with Tim Tungate now fifth. Dustin Webber would swat the concrete and stop in turn four to draw the next caution period. The restart would see Tungate drive by Lee for the fourth spot, while all eyes began to focus on Marlar, who was marching his way toward the front in a hurry, making his way to the fifth spot by lap 16 and passing Tungate for fourth two trips later.
Justin Rattliff would draw the next caution when mechanical woes slowed his mount in turn four on lap 19. The next restart would Hatton still on the point, with James in second, and Marlar would now grab the third position and Marlar and James would settle into a spirited battle for the runner-up slot, while Tungate and Lee would trade the fourth spot back and forth. Race leader Hatton would start the process of lapping slower traffic on lap 28, while James and Marlar continued their torrid tangle for the runner-up slot. Lee would win the battle for fourth from Tungate for the time being on lap 29, while Marlar would turn the heat up on James for second and deliver a wicked slider on James and a lapped car in turn four on lap 31 to claim the second position.
Meanwhile, Lee and Tungate continued to battle directly behind Webb, while Marlar's march continued on as he would chase down Hatton and begin to pressure Hatton for the lead on lap 38. In what was shaping up as an excellent battle for the lead, race leader Hatton would slow entering turn one on lap 41 and would draw the final caution of the race. This would hand the lead over to Marlar and over the final nine circuits only a brush with the concrete wall in turn four with five laps remaining would the Volunteer State native as he would become the fifth different winner of the John Bradshaw Memorial and score his ninth career series win. James and Lee would take second and third, with Tungate fourth, and Jason Keltner coming home fifth. The remainder of the top ten would be Bobby Carrier, Jr., David Webb, Jordan Bland, Tyrel Todd, and Doug Smith.
Eddie Carrier, Jr. set fast time in Racing Optic Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.559. Arizona Sport Shirt heats went to Mike Marlar, Chris Combs and Brad Neat.
Up next for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series is a trip to Eastern Kentucky to the infamous 201 Speedway in Sitka, KY. 201 Speedway is 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval promoted by racer Chuckie May. The track is nestled in a hill located just 5.5 miles north of US 23 on SR 201, just outside Paintsville, KY. For more information, contact the track at (606)265-5201.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, check us out on the web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Race Summary
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Ponderosa Speedway
Junction City, KY
August 24, 2007
Racing Optics Top Qualifier- Eddie Carrier, Jr. 13.559
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat One: Mike Marlar, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Jerry Rice, Jason Keltner, Victor Lee, Mike Jewell, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Doug Smith
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Two: Chris Combs, Justin Ratliff, David Webb, Tim Tungate, Jordan Bland, Jerry Rutherford, Donald Rayborn, Dustin Webber
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Three: Brad Neat, Scott James, Aaron Hatton, Dustin Neat, Tyrel Todd, CJ Rayburn Jamie Ferguson
12th Annual Pete Abell Memorial Feature: Mike Marlar, Scott James, Victor Lee, Tim Tungate, Jason Keltner, Bobby Carrier, Jr., David Webb, Jordan Bland, Tyrel Todd, Doug Smith, CJ Rayburn, Jamie Ferguson, Aaron Hatton, Donald Rayborn, Justin Ratliff, Dustin Webber, Brad Neat, Jerry Rutherford, Jerry Rice, Chris Combs, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Dustin Neat, Mike Jewell
Race Statistics
Entries: 23
Lap Leaders: Eddie Carrier, Jr. (1-8), Aaron Hatton (9-40), Mike Marlar (41-50)
Cautions: 9
Red Flags: 0
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger Of The Race: Bobby Carrier, Jr. (19th to 6th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie Of The Race: Jason Keltner
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Winners
Florence Speedway (April 13th) - Michael England
Twin Cities Raceway Park (April 20th) - Rick Aukland
Brownstown Speedway (April 21st) - Don O'Neal
Ponderosa Speedway (April 27th) - Aaron Hatton
Bluegrass Speedway (April 28th) - Mike Marlar
Tazewell Speedway (May 12th) - Jimmy Owens
Portsmouth Raceway Park (May 27th) - Audie Swartz
Bluegrass Speedway (May 28th) - Don O'Neal
Richmond Raceway (May 29th) - Greg Johnson
Lake Cumberland Speedway (May 31st) - Josh McGuire
Ponderosa Speedway (June 1st) - Brad Neat
Bluegrass Speedway (June 16th) - Mike Jewell
Brownstown Speedway (June 23rd) - Rohn Moon
201 Speedway (June 30th) - Justin Rattliff
Florence Speedway (July 11th) - Scott James
Ponderosa Speedway (July 13th) - Aaron Hatton
Bluegrass Speedway (July 14th) - Steve Francis
Richmond Raceway (July 21st) - Tim Tungate
Ponderosa Speedway (August 24th) - Mike Marlar
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Sponsors
O'Reilly Auto Parts - Title Sponsor and "Official Auto Parts Retailer of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
Arizona Sport Shirts - Presenting Sponsor and "Official Souvenir Manufacturer & Vendor of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
Sunoco Race Fuels - "Official Race Fuel of the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series"
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Supporters Include: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery, Drive Smart Kentucky, Hoosier Race Tires, American Race Tires, PPM Performance Products, Bazell Fuels, Cruise With the Champions, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, Racing Optics, Design 500, Trailer Parts & Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert Transmissions, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
