BARDSTOWN, KY -- The race might have been dubbed the Kentuckiana Klash, but the winner was Winfield, Tennessee driver Mike Marlar flag-to-flag in the caution-free O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series race Saturday night at Bluegrass Speedway. Marlar becomes the 11th different winner in 12 races this season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Fast Qualifier Mike Marlar got the jump on outside polesitter Jeff Watson to snag the early lead in the 30-Lap A-Main for the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. Watson quickly tucked in line behind Marlar with Terry English, Brad Neat and Jerry Rice in hot pursuit. Side-by-side action behind the front three saw Neat, Rice, and Bryan Barber swap positions throughout the early stages of the race while Marlar quietly put some real estate between himself and Watson. By lap 5, Neat assumed sole possession of fourth as he tried to track down Watson and English to make it a three way toss-up for the runner-up spot. English worked by Watson on lap 7 and Neat followed suit just one circuit later. Soon thereafter, Barber, Rice, and Mike Jewell would also make their way past the outside polesitter.
Just shy of the halfway point, Marlar began picking his way through the back of the field. As the Winfield, TN driver sliced through the rear of the field, as English tried to chop away at the straightaway-length lead Marlar had built. Behind English, Neat was slowly closing the gap between himself and second place car. With the crossed flags displayed to the field, the fans shifted their focus to the battle for fourth as Jerry Rice looked under Bryan Barber seemingly in every corner of every lap.
As the second half of the race ticked away, Neat used lap traffic to close in to the rear deck of English by lap 20. Sticking a nose under English in the corner, Neat could never complete the pass. Without a yellow flag to aid him, Terry English was unable to erase the huge lead Marlar had built in the early stages of the race. When checkers fell on the 2005 version of the Kentuckiana Klash, Mike Marlar's Pro Power/Precision Racing Engine motored Wayne Bowen Racing Supply/PBM Performance Products/Wilson's Service Center/DART Engine Components/Car Cosmetics Waxes & Polishes/H-1 Auto Parts/Renegade Race Fuels/Real Wheels/Hoosier Tires/Suspension Springs/K & N Filters/All-Star Performance/Todd Truss sponsored C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo across the line in first. Marlar became the 11th different winner in 12 races this season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts.
"We've been through some struggles this year," Marlar said in victory lane, "so it's good to win here at Bardstown. I just can't say enough about these C.J. Rayburn Race Cars and I have to thank Wayne Bowen too. He's been a vital part of our team this season and we couldn't do it without him."
Benton, KY's Terry English finished second in his AAA Fence Inc./Larry Seay Chevy sponsored Runion/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Third spot went to Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY in the Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Buffalo, KY's Bryan Barber took home fourth in the B&B Motorsports/PBM Performance Parts sponsored Dale Meers powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Rounding out the top five was Verona, KY's Jerry Rice in the Brooks Electric/McDonald's/Draime/Bob Pierce Grand Prix. Mike Jewell came home sixth with Jeff Watson, Tim Tungate, Aaron Hatton, and Arkansas native Duke Whiseant rounding out the top ten.
34 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Mike Marlar setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.255. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Marlar, Terry English, Brad Neat, and Jeff Watson. B-Main wins went to Joey Daniel and Tyrel Todd.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts ventures to Tennessee this weekend for a double-header with Friday night action at Crossville, TN's Crossville Raceway USA and Saturday night thunder at Oneida, TN's Scenic Raceway. Both events are $3000 to win. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
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Race Summary
Bluegrass Speedway - Bardstown, KY
Saturday, July 9, 2005
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Mike Marlar 16.255
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #1: Mike Marlar, Jerry Rice, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Ed Behn, Scotty Earl, Dave Crawford
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #2: Terry English, Bryan Barber, Michael England, Josh Williams, Frankie Coomer, Jesse Lay, Billy Dever, Wayne Chinn; (DNS - Cliff Clark)
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #3: Brad Neat, John Gill, Tim Tungate, Timmy Yeager, Steve Barnett, Shannon Thornsberry, Lee Devasier, T.J. Wooldridge
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #4: Jeff Watson, Aaron Hatton, Duke Whiseant, Whitney McQueary, Tyrel Todd, Mike Luna, Blake Chinn, Jason Hinkle
B-Main #1: Joey Daniel, Jesse Lay, Billy Dever, Ed Behn, Wayne Chinn, Johnny Wheeler, Dave Crawford, Frankie Coomer
B-Main #2: Tyrel Todd, Steve Barnett, Lee Devasier, Shannon Thornsberry, Blake Chinn, Jason Hinkle, T.J. Wooldridge, Mike Luna
O’Reilly Auto Parts 30-Lap A-Main 7th Annual Kentuckiana Klash: Mike Marlar, Terry English, Brad Neat, Bryan Barber, Jerry Rice, Mike Jewell, Jeff Watson, Tim Tungate, Aaron Hatton, Duke Whiseant, Whitney McQueary, Josh Williams, Joey Daniel, Tyrel Todd, Jesse Lay, Wayne Chinn, Steve Barnett, Billy Dever, Chris Combs, Frankie Coomer, Timmy Yeager, John Gill, Michael England, Johnny Wheeler
Race Statistics:
Entries: 34
Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar 1-30
Cautions: 0
BoB Rookie of the Race: Wayne Chinn
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Wayne Chinn
BoB Provisionals: Frankie Coomer and Wayne Chinn
Track Provisionals: Johnny Wheeler and Billy Dever
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 7/9/05)
1. 2305 Whitney McQueary (Dunnville, KY)
2. 2115 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN)
3. 2100 Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY)
4. 2025 Aaron Hatton (Mt. Sterling, KY)
5. 2000 Chris Combs (Isom, KY)
6. 1975 Michael England (Glasgow, KY)
7. 1850 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY)
8. 1800 Frankie Coomer (Austin, IN)
9. 1735 Wayne Chinn (Tipp City, OH)
10. 1495 Bryan Barber (Buffalo, KY)
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, 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
Fast Qualifier Mike Marlar got the jump on outside polesitter Jeff Watson to snag the early lead in the 30-Lap A-Main for the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. Watson quickly tucked in line behind Marlar with Terry English, Brad Neat and Jerry Rice in hot pursuit. Side-by-side action behind the front three saw Neat, Rice, and Bryan Barber swap positions throughout the early stages of the race while Marlar quietly put some real estate between himself and Watson. By lap 5, Neat assumed sole possession of fourth as he tried to track down Watson and English to make it a three way toss-up for the runner-up spot. English worked by Watson on lap 7 and Neat followed suit just one circuit later. Soon thereafter, Barber, Rice, and Mike Jewell would also make their way past the outside polesitter.
Just shy of the halfway point, Marlar began picking his way through the back of the field. As the Winfield, TN driver sliced through the rear of the field, as English tried to chop away at the straightaway-length lead Marlar had built. Behind English, Neat was slowly closing the gap between himself and second place car. With the crossed flags displayed to the field, the fans shifted their focus to the battle for fourth as Jerry Rice looked under Bryan Barber seemingly in every corner of every lap.
As the second half of the race ticked away, Neat used lap traffic to close in to the rear deck of English by lap 20. Sticking a nose under English in the corner, Neat could never complete the pass. Without a yellow flag to aid him, Terry English was unable to erase the huge lead Marlar had built in the early stages of the race. When checkers fell on the 2005 version of the Kentuckiana Klash, Mike Marlar's Pro Power/Precision Racing Engine motored Wayne Bowen Racing Supply/PBM Performance Products/Wilson's Service Center/DART Engine Components/Car Cosmetics Waxes & Polishes/H-1 Auto Parts/Renegade Race Fuels/Real Wheels/Hoosier Tires/Suspension Springs/K & N Filters/All-Star Performance/Todd Truss sponsored C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo across the line in first. Marlar became the 11th different winner in 12 races this season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts.
"We've been through some struggles this year," Marlar said in victory lane, "so it's good to win here at Bardstown. I just can't say enough about these C.J. Rayburn Race Cars and I have to thank Wayne Bowen too. He's been a vital part of our team this season and we couldn't do it without him."
Benton, KY's Terry English finished second in his AAA Fence Inc./Larry Seay Chevy sponsored Runion/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Third spot went to Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY in the Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Buffalo, KY's Bryan Barber took home fourth in the B&B Motorsports/PBM Performance Parts sponsored Dale Meers powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Rounding out the top five was Verona, KY's Jerry Rice in the Brooks Electric/McDonald's/Draime/Bob Pierce Grand Prix. Mike Jewell came home sixth with Jeff Watson, Tim Tungate, Aaron Hatton, and Arkansas native Duke Whiseant rounding out the top ten.
34 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Mike Marlar setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.255. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Marlar, Terry English, Brad Neat, and Jeff Watson. B-Main wins went to Joey Daniel and Tyrel Todd.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts ventures to Tennessee this weekend for a double-header with Friday night action at Crossville, TN's Crossville Raceway USA and Saturday night thunder at Oneida, TN's Scenic Raceway. Both events are $3000 to win. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
==============================
Race Summary
Bluegrass Speedway - Bardstown, KY
Saturday, July 9, 2005
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Mike Marlar 16.255
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #1: Mike Marlar, Jerry Rice, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Ed Behn, Scotty Earl, Dave Crawford
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #2: Terry English, Bryan Barber, Michael England, Josh Williams, Frankie Coomer, Jesse Lay, Billy Dever, Wayne Chinn; (DNS - Cliff Clark)
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #3: Brad Neat, John Gill, Tim Tungate, Timmy Yeager, Steve Barnett, Shannon Thornsberry, Lee Devasier, T.J. Wooldridge
VP Fuels Makin’ Power Heat #4: Jeff Watson, Aaron Hatton, Duke Whiseant, Whitney McQueary, Tyrel Todd, Mike Luna, Blake Chinn, Jason Hinkle
B-Main #1: Joey Daniel, Jesse Lay, Billy Dever, Ed Behn, Wayne Chinn, Johnny Wheeler, Dave Crawford, Frankie Coomer
B-Main #2: Tyrel Todd, Steve Barnett, Lee Devasier, Shannon Thornsberry, Blake Chinn, Jason Hinkle, T.J. Wooldridge, Mike Luna
O’Reilly Auto Parts 30-Lap A-Main 7th Annual Kentuckiana Klash: Mike Marlar, Terry English, Brad Neat, Bryan Barber, Jerry Rice, Mike Jewell, Jeff Watson, Tim Tungate, Aaron Hatton, Duke Whiseant, Whitney McQueary, Josh Williams, Joey Daniel, Tyrel Todd, Jesse Lay, Wayne Chinn, Steve Barnett, Billy Dever, Chris Combs, Frankie Coomer, Timmy Yeager, John Gill, Michael England, Johnny Wheeler
Race Statistics:
Entries: 34
Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar 1-30
Cautions: 0
BoB Rookie of the Race: Wayne Chinn
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Wayne Chinn
BoB Provisionals: Frankie Coomer and Wayne Chinn
Track Provisionals: Johnny Wheeler and Billy Dever
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 7/9/05)
1. 2305 Whitney McQueary (Dunnville, KY)
2. 2115 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN)
3. 2100 Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY)
4. 2025 Aaron Hatton (Mt. Sterling, KY)
5. 2000 Chris Combs (Isom, KY)
6. 1975 Michael England (Glasgow, KY)
7. 1850 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY)
8. 1800 Frankie Coomer (Austin, IN)
9. 1735 Wayne Chinn (Tipp City, OH)
10. 1495 Bryan Barber (Buffalo, KY)
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, 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
