By Bret Emrick
Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky parlayed his outside front row starting position in Saturday nights World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned ‘Daytona Dodge Chrysler/MOPAR Speed Shop/Valvoline 50’ at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida into a $10,000 victory. Driving the MOPAR Performance Parts/Valvoline/Freeport Recycling No. 15 Steve Francis Racing Rocket Chassis/Stanton MOPAR/Dodge Charger ‘The Kentucky Colonel’ blew into the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back taking his first WoO Late Model Series win of the season by .378 seconds over Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania. Finishing third was Muscatine, Iowa pilot Brian Birkhofer followed by Darrell Lanigan of Union, Kentucky and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Georgia.
Francis was very happy with the victory especially with it happening this early in the season stating, “Anytime you can get a win it’s good. And then to get one this early in the season is even better. It sorta’ takes the pressure off of you.”
Still smarting from losing the 2005 World of Outlaws Late Model Championship by a second level tie-breaker Francis related how he’s learned that every point is important. Especially now that he holds the 2006 point lead three rounds into the season.
“It’s a long season”, said Francis. “I lost the championship last year on a tie-breaker and I’ve learned that you need to get every point you can get. That’s why it’s so good to get out of here with a win and the points lead.”
Powering into the lead past pole sitter Birkhofer at the drop of the green flag proved to be the winning move despite feeling heavy pressure from Eckert for three laps early in the race and in the waning laps. “Rick raced me really clean there”, said Francis. “I saw that orange nose and kept seeing it and kept seeing it and thought surely he’s going to slide up the track a bit and give me some room. Late in the race I saw my guys down in the corner let me know I had the room so I just tucked in behind the 19 car.
“Yeah, the track got one groove on the bottom but I made my mind up we were going to stay down there. I tried once to step to the outside of the 19 car but it started to slide and I wasn’t gonna give Rick that big of a door. I just tucked it back down and rode. We ran a nice pace and I just tried to make myself as wide as I could.”
After a lap 12 caution for a Shannon Babb and Matt Miller tangle in turn two the race remained green allowing Francis to open up some distance on Eckert. Though mired in heavy lapped traffic for nearly the final half of the race Francis never wavered and gave full credit for the win to his crew.
“This win give the credit to the crew. They worked hard today and put a lot of effort into it. After the race Thursday night when the race track got kinda rough we basically started back at the bottom and rebuilt this car. We ran it last night in the UMP race and it ran pretty good. The motor we had in we ran it all week down here and up in Georgia and it had a lot of laps on it. We pulled the motor today; well actually they pulled the motor today while I played on the go-carts, and dropped in a new Stanton MOPAR. Give the credit to them.”
Any passing on a track surface that had been used and abused for nearly two straight weeks was going to be at a premium. Once past the lap 12 restart Francis, Eckert and Birkhofer pulled away from the rest of the field. Clanton held fourth early in the event until Lanigan made a lap 9 pass to take fourth. There were several positions swaps from sixth through tenth in the early laps but past lap 20 it was a matter of not making any mistakes.
Completing the top finishers were Thursday night WoO Late Model Series winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida in sixth. Chickamauga, Georgia pilot Dale McDowell was seventh ahead of defending WoO Late Model Series Champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas who rallied from a fourteenth starting spot. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, New York advanced four spots to finish ninth ahead of Bear Lake, Pennsylvania driver Chub Frank.
Eckert was pleased with his second place effort aboard the Raye Vest Excavating/J&J Steel No. 24 Raye Vest Rocket Chassis/Cornett Racing Engines Ford Taurus and thought he may have had a shot at Francis stating, “The car was good. Real good. I could get up alongside of Steve but you had to be real careful. You got too far out and you’d get freight-trained. The track crew worked and worked and worked on this track all week. That’s all you can ask. They worked on it and tried. It’s too bad because Robby Allen and Dustin had this car working real good. We won the race last night and finish second tonight so we’ll take it.”
Birkhofer started his Daufeldt Transports/McDonalds of the Quad Cities/J&J Steel No. 15B Brian Birkhofer Racing MasterSbilt Race Cars/Pro Power Racing/Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the pole but could only watch as Francis carried the momentum into turn one to snare the lead. Birkhofer stayed with Francis through a lap 4 caution for a Matt Miller flat right front tire but lost the runner-up spot to Eckert on the restart. ‘Birky’ ran right with Eckert and Francis but couldn’t advance any further than third.
“I had the place to be for this race. Starting from the pole”, said Birkhofer. “I just couldn’t fire on the starts. On the restart with Rick having the outside I knew I was dead meat. I’m just glad we got third. With the track rubbering up and being one groove we just used that to keep guys behind us. We’ll just take the check, head home and regroup.”
Round 3 of the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season was captured by the cameras of SPEED and will be broadcast at a later date.
Clanton topped the 69 car field in time trials with his fast lap of 17.516 seconds at an average speed of 102.763 mph around the high-banked 1/2mile oval. Heat race wins went to Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr., Francis, Eckert and Birkhofer. Snaring the ‘B’ Main events were Dan Schlieper, Bart Hartman and Brian Harris. Birkhofer won the Dash for heat race winners.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will next be in action Friday, March 17 at Baton Rouge Raceway in Baker (Baton Rouge), Louisiana followed by a Saturday, March 18 date at Fast Trax Motorplex in Chatham, Louisiana. Both events mark the first ever appearances by the WoO Late Model Series in the state of Louisiana.
For more information on ‘The Bayou Battle’ visit the Baton Rouge Raceway website at www.batonrougeraceway.com and the Fast Trax Motorplex website at www.fasttraxspeedway.net.
World Of Outlaws Late Model Series Race Report For 2-18-06
Round No. 3-2006 Season-‘Daytona Dodge Chrysler/MOPAR Speed Shop/Valvoline 50’
Volusia Speedway Park-Barberville (Daytona Beach), FL-1/2 Mile Oval
$45,000 Purse-$10,000 To Win-50 Lap Feature Event
Showing Finish Pos.-Start Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Laps Completed-Reason Out(if any)-Purse Money Won
1. (2) # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland, KY-50-Running-$10,000
2. (3) # 24-Rick Eckert-York, PA-50-Running-$6,000
3. (1) # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA-50-Running-$3,500
4. (5) # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY-50-Running-$2,500
5. (4) # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove, GA-50-Running-$2,200
6. (6) # 1P-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville, FL-50-Running-$2,000
7. (9) # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-50-Running-$1,800
8. (14) # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR-50-Running-$1,600
9. (13) # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown, NY-50-Running-$1,400
10. (10) # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA-50-Running-$1,200
11. (11) # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport, TN-50-Running-$1,000
12. (8) # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville, IN-50-Running-$900
13. (24) #75G-John Gill-Mitchell, IN-50-Running-$800
14. (17) # 32D-Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL-50-Running-$700
15. (21) # 21H-Brian Harris-Davenport, IA-50-Running-$700
16. (16) # 0-Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN-50-Running-$700
17. (15) # 28E-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville, IL-50- Running-$700
18. (25) # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV-50-Running-$700
19. (26) # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia,GA-50-Running-$700
20. (18) # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla, NY-50-Running-$700
21. (7) # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV-49-Running-$700
22. (22) # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown, NY-48-Running-$700
23. (20) # 75-Bart Hartman-Zanesville, OH-13-Mechanical-$700
24. (12) # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL-12-Accident-$700
25. (23) # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville, OH-12-Accident-$700
26. (19) # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan, WI-9-Mechanical-$700
® = ’Rookie of the Year’ Driver
Time Of Race: 21 Mins. 43.846 Secs.
Margin Of Victory: 0.378 Secs.
Yellow Flags: Two – Laps 4, 12
Red Flags: – None
Lap Leaders: One – Francis 1-50
‘Rookie of the Race’: None
Provisional Starters: Richards, C. Smith
Car Count: 69
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Clanton 17.516 secs. – 102.763 mph avg.
Heat Race Winners: Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr., Francis, Eckert, Birkhofer
‘B’ Main Winners: Schlieper, Hartman, Harris
Dash Winner: Birkhofer
2006 World Of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Point Standings (after 2-18-06)
Showing Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Entered-Feature Starts-Wins-Top 5’s-Top 10’s-Purse Money Won-Points-Trail By
1. # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland, KY-3-3-1-2-3-$18,000-434-0
2. # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove, GA-3-3-0-2-3-$7,500-420-14
3. # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR-3-3-0-1-3-$9,200-414-20
4. # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown, NY-3-3-0-1-3-$6,700-412-22
5. # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-3-3-0-0-2-$4,300-396-38
6. # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA-3-3-0-0-2-$4,100-394-40
7. # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY-3-3-0-1-2-$4,400-390-44
8. # 32D-Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL-3-3-0-0-0-$2,400-372-62
9. # 1-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville, FL-3-2-1-1-2-$12,000-363-71
10. # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV-3-3-0-0-1-$2,800-358-76
t10. # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan, WI-3-3-0-1-1-$3,900-358-76
12. # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville, IN-3-3-0-0-1-$2,800-356-78
13. # 24-Rick Eckert-York, PA-3-3-0-1-1-$7,400-354-80
14. # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia, GA-3-2-1-1-1-$10,810-337-97
15. # 91-Ricky Elliott-Seaford, DE-3-2-0-1-1-$3,200-333-101
16. # 99-Donnie Moran-Dresden, OH-3-2-0-1-1-$3,010-331-103
17. # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA-3-2-0-1-1-$4,310-327-107
18. # 28-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville, IL-3-2-0-0-0-$1,610-315-119
19. # 2-Brady Smith-Solon Springs, WI-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-311-123
20. # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown, NY-3-2-0-0-0-$1,810-309-125
21. # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL-3-3-0-0-0-$2,100-306-128
22. # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-303-131
23. # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville, OH-3-2-0-0-0-$1,500-299-135
24. # 58C-Garrett Durrett®-Simsboro, LA-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-289-145
t24. # 23-Patrick Sheltra-Indiantown, FL-3-2-0-0-0-$1,400-289-145
26. #Won11-Rob Blair-Titusville, PA-3-2-0-0-0-$1,400-283-151
27. # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla, NY-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-275-159
28. # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport, TN-2-2-0-1-1-$3,200-268-166
29. # 4B-Jackie Boggs-Grayson, KY-3-1-0-0-0-$810-254-180
30. # 5-Eric Jacobsen®-Santa Cruz, CA-3-1-0-0-0-$920-246-188
® = ‘Rookie of the Year’ Driver
SUMMARY - TIME TRIALS:
Showing Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Sponsor-Chassis-Engine-Body Style-Fast Lap
1. # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove,GA-RSD Enterprises/SAE Parts-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-17.516
2. # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union,KY-Gotta Race/Bert Transmission-Rocket-Cornett-Taurus-17.547
3. # 1P-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville,FL-Dunn Benson Ford/Lucas Oil-MasterSbilt-Wallace-Taurus-17.680
4. # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland,KY-MOPAR Performance Parts/Valvoline-Rocket-Stanton MOPAR-Charger-17.695
5. # 24-Rick Eckert-York,PA-Raye Vest Excavating/J&J Steel-Rocket-Cornett-Taurus-17.765
6. # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine,IA-Daufeldt Transport/J&J Steel-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-17.804
7. # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown,NY-Sweeteners Plus/C.M.E.,Inc.-Rocket-C&C Performance-Grand Prix-17.806
8. # 21D-Dan Stone-Thompson,PA-NEP Telephone-Lazer G2-Rhodes-Monte Carlo-17.810
9. # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga,GA-J&J Steel/Hennessey Rental Tools-Rocket/Shaw-RaceTek-Grand Prix-17.863
10. # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake,PA-Lester Buildings/Corry Rubber-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-17.904
11. # 22-G.R. Smith®-Folsom,NJ-Gicobbe Trucking-Rocket-Pro Power-GTO-17.931
12. # 2-Brady Smith-Solon Springs,WI-Amsoil/Hood Equipment-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-17.976
13. # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg,WV-Polino Contracting/Biscotti’s Restaurant-Rocket-Cornett-Monte Carlo-18.009
14. # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville,IN-Independence Lumber-MasterSbilt-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.077
15. # 28E-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville,IL-Petroff Towing/Peterson Aluminum-Rayburn-Hedrick-Monte Carlo-18.085
16. # 0-Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg,TN-Miller Bros. Coal/Hawkeye Trucking-Bloomquist-Hill-Mustang-18.092
17. # 32D-Darren Miller-Watertown,NY-Seubert Calf Ranches-Rocket-Pro Power-Taurus-18.099
18. # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla,NY-Gypsum Wholesalers-Rocket-Enders-Grand Prix-18.106
19. # 83-Scott James-Greendale,IN-Powell Motorsports/Baylor Trucking-Rocket-Dickens-Grand Prix-18.122
20. # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown,NY-Gypsum Wholesalers-Rocket-Enders-Grand Prix-18.138
21. # 28-Jimmy Mars-Menominee,WI-Keyes Chevytown/Heeg Drilling-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.141
22. # 28C-Eddie Carrier Jr.-Salt Rock,WV-Grover Motorsports/Engines Inc.-Rocket-Grover-Taurus-18.168
23. # 21H-Brian Harris-Davenport,IA-IITI/Country Spring Water-Rocket-Gaerte-Grand Prix-18.168
24. #Won11-Rob Blair-Titusville,PA-Bossard’s Used Auto Parts-Rocket-Draime-Monte Carlo-18.177
25. # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston,WV-Suebert Calf Ranches/ACE Metal Works-Rocket-Cornett-GTO-18.179
26. # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville,AR-J&J Steel/Banner Valley Hauling-Rayburn-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.203
27. # 12-Jamie Elam-Sanitobia,MS-Graham Construction-Rocket-Baker-Grand Prix-18.207
28. # 75-Bart Hartman-Zanesville,OH-Urgent Cash/Imler’s Poultry-Rocket-Cornett-Grand Prix-18.213
29. # 23-John Blankenship-Williamson,WV-Busch Beer/Walker CAT-Rocket-Pro Power-Taurus-18.219
30. # 71W-Chris Wall-Holden,LA-C&M Gator Farm-MasterSbilt-Wall to Wall-Monte Carlo-18.235
31. # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia,GA-JP Drilling/CSR Aluminum-GRT-RaceTek-Monte Carlo-18.238
32. # 88C-Jim Cliburn-Star,MS-Cliburn Tank Lines-Rocket-Baker-Monte Carlo-18.253
33. # 58C-Garrett Durrett®-Simsboro,LA-Garrett Racing/Pro Power Racing-Warrior-Pro Power-Taurus-18.287
34. # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville,OH-McCullough Industries/Doug Herbert Performance-Rocket-Baker-Grand Prix-18.303
35. # 4B-Jackie Boggs-Grayson,KY-Miller Bros.Coal/McDonalds of Grayson-Swartz-Cropper-Monte Carlo-18.336
36. # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua,IL-Car City/Karl Chevrolet-Rayburn-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.353
37. # 99-Donnie Moran-Dresden,OH-Eddie’s Sunoco-PDM Performance-MasterSbilt-SMS Engines-Monte Carlo-18.401
38. # 5-Eric Jacobsen-Santa Cruz,CA-Well Pict Berries/Soil Fume,Inc.-Rocket-Pro Power-GTO-18.408
39. # 66-Chuck Chitty-Jacksonville,FL-B&C Power Lines-GRT-K&W-Monte Carlo-18.411
40. # 16-Justin Rattliff-Campbellsville,KY-Rattliff Motors-Rayburn-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.452
41. # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport,TN-PDM Performance Parts-Rayburn-Gaerte-Grand Prix-18.458
42. # 75G-John Gill-Mitchell,IN-Harrod Farms-Rocket-Bullock-Grand Prix-18.468
43. # 66K-Jake Knowles-Tyrone,GA-Walker Concrete-Rocket-Clements-Monte Carlo-18.472
44. # i4-Damon Eller-Crumpler,NC-Independence Lumber-MasterSbilt-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.527
45. # 99H-Frank Heckenast Jr.-Orland Park,IL-Speedway Auto Parts-Rayburn-Rhyne-Monte Carlo-18.598
46. # 28M-Chuckie May-Allen,KY-May Block Co./TEM Equipment-GRT-Cornett-Taurus-18.599
47. # 14-April Farmer-Livingston,TN-Tennessee Rotary Drilling-Rocket-Clements-Monte Carlo-18.607
48. # 18L-Ivedent Lloyd-Ocala,FL-Lloyd’s Land Clearing-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.664
49. # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan,WI-Miller Bros. Coal/Hawkeye Trucking-Rayburn-Pro Power-18.679
50. # 8-Don Cliburn-Star,MS-Cliburn Tank Lines-Rocket-Cornett-Fusion-18.727
51. # 88R-Andrew Reaume-Blenheim,Ontario,Canada-Westside Performance-Rocket-C&C Performance-Monte Carlo-18.754
52. #777-Jared Landers-Benson,AR-Mark Martin Ford-Rocket-RaceTek-GTO-18.767
53. # 11-Anthony Rushing Jr.-Kosciusko,MS-Mid-Coastal Signing-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-18.854
54. # 5M-John VanDenBerg-Oskaloosa,IA-Car City/Karl Chevrolet-Rayburn-Dickens-Grand Prix-18.902
55. # 23S-Patrick Sheltra-Indiantown,FL-Sheltra & Sons Construction-Rayburn-Clements-Grand Prix-18.922
56. # 24L-Ray Love Jr.-Faulkner,MD-Love Concrete-Rocket-Kuntz-Monte Carlo-18.927
57. # 18K-Brandon Kinzer-Allen,KY-Kinzer Drilling-Rocket-Dickens-GTO-18.962
58. # 19D-Ronnie DeHaven Jr.-Winchester,VA-DeHaven’s Trailer Sales-GRT-Leggett-Taurus-18.983
59. # 18H-Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth-Northport,AL-Stuckey Enterprises-MasterSbilt-Wallace-Fusion-18.992
60. # 12B-Jordan Bland-Campbellsville,KY-B&W Metal-MasterSbilt-Cornett-GTO-19.024
61. # 2R-Joe Ramey-Wheelersburg,OH-Joe Ramey Trucking/Rumpke Disposal-Swartz-T&H-Grand Prix-19.400
62. # 9i-Steve Isenberg-Marshfield,WI-Don Nikolai Construction-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-19.632
63. # 16H-Mike Hammerle-St. Charles,MO-King Edward Fried Chicken-Hammerle-RCE/SCP-Grand Prix-18.918
64. # 12K-Gary Simpson-Denton,MD-Kelly Transport-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-19.755
65. # 34-Ky Harper-Holland,OH-J&G Industries-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-19.839
66. # 22G-Jill George-Cedar Falls,IA-E Creative Group-MasterSbilt-AEM-GTO-19.976
67. # 03-Bo Allen-McCleny,FL-Ernie Palmer Toyota-Warrior-Sikes-Grand Prix-20.368
68. # 91E-Ricky Elliott-Seaford,DE-BSW Construction-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-No Time
69. # 81-Aaron Ridley-Chatsworth,GA-True Temp Heating and Air-Rocket-RaceTek-Grand Prix-No Time
® = ’Rookie of the Year’ Driver
Heat # 1 (10 Laps- Top 3 Advance To Feature): Clanton, Balzano, McCreadie, Schlieper, C. Smith, Richards, Moran, Ramey, James, Knowles, Sheltra-NS, Allen-NS
Heat # 2 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Lanigan, O’Neal, Moyer, Fuller, Stone, Elliott, Jacobsen, J. Cliburn, D. Cliburn, Eller, Isenberg, Love Jr.
Heat # 3 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Pearson Jr., McDowell, Erb Jr., Durrett, Mars, Elam, Reaume, Kinzer, Heckenast Jr., Chitty, Hammerle, Ridley-NS
Heat # 4 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Francis, Frank, Bloomquist, Hartman, Carrier Jr., M. Miller, Rattliff, Landers, May, Simpson, DeHaven Jr.
Heat # 5 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Eckert, Owens, D. Miller, Rushing Jr., Harris, Boggs, Blankenship, Hollingsworth, Farmer, Harper, G.R. Smith
Heat # 6 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Birkhofer, Babb, Decker, B. Smith, Wall, Gill, Lloyd, VanDenBerg, Bland, George, Blair
‘B’ Main # 1 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Schlieper, Fuller, Richards, Moran, Jacobsen, Stone, J. Cliburn, Eller, D. Cliburn, Love Jr., C. Smith, Elliott-NS, Ramey-NS, James-NS, Knowles-NS, Isenberg-NS, Sheltra-NS, Allen-NS
‘B’ Main # 2 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Hartman, M. Miller, Carrier Jr., Rattliff, Elam, Mars, Reaume, Heckenast Jr., May, Durrett, Simpson, Hammerle, Landers, Kinzer, DeHaven Jr., Chitty-NS
‘B’ Main # 3 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Harris, Gill, Wall, Blankenship, B. Smith, VanDenBerg, Bland, Boggs, Harper, George, G.R. Smith, Rushing Jr., Hollingsworth, Farmer, Lloyd-NS, Blair-NS
Dash (6 Laps-Finish Determines First Three Rows Of Feature): Birkhofer, Francis, Eckert, Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr.
Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky parlayed his outside front row starting position in Saturday nights World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned ‘Daytona Dodge Chrysler/MOPAR Speed Shop/Valvoline 50’ at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida into a $10,000 victory. Driving the MOPAR Performance Parts/Valvoline/Freeport Recycling No. 15 Steve Francis Racing Rocket Chassis/Stanton MOPAR/Dodge Charger ‘The Kentucky Colonel’ blew into the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back taking his first WoO Late Model Series win of the season by .378 seconds over Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania. Finishing third was Muscatine, Iowa pilot Brian Birkhofer followed by Darrell Lanigan of Union, Kentucky and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Georgia.
Francis was very happy with the victory especially with it happening this early in the season stating, “Anytime you can get a win it’s good. And then to get one this early in the season is even better. It sorta’ takes the pressure off of you.”
Still smarting from losing the 2005 World of Outlaws Late Model Championship by a second level tie-breaker Francis related how he’s learned that every point is important. Especially now that he holds the 2006 point lead three rounds into the season.
“It’s a long season”, said Francis. “I lost the championship last year on a tie-breaker and I’ve learned that you need to get every point you can get. That’s why it’s so good to get out of here with a win and the points lead.”
Powering into the lead past pole sitter Birkhofer at the drop of the green flag proved to be the winning move despite feeling heavy pressure from Eckert for three laps early in the race and in the waning laps. “Rick raced me really clean there”, said Francis. “I saw that orange nose and kept seeing it and kept seeing it and thought surely he’s going to slide up the track a bit and give me some room. Late in the race I saw my guys down in the corner let me know I had the room so I just tucked in behind the 19 car.
“Yeah, the track got one groove on the bottom but I made my mind up we were going to stay down there. I tried once to step to the outside of the 19 car but it started to slide and I wasn’t gonna give Rick that big of a door. I just tucked it back down and rode. We ran a nice pace and I just tried to make myself as wide as I could.”
After a lap 12 caution for a Shannon Babb and Matt Miller tangle in turn two the race remained green allowing Francis to open up some distance on Eckert. Though mired in heavy lapped traffic for nearly the final half of the race Francis never wavered and gave full credit for the win to his crew.
“This win give the credit to the crew. They worked hard today and put a lot of effort into it. After the race Thursday night when the race track got kinda rough we basically started back at the bottom and rebuilt this car. We ran it last night in the UMP race and it ran pretty good. The motor we had in we ran it all week down here and up in Georgia and it had a lot of laps on it. We pulled the motor today; well actually they pulled the motor today while I played on the go-carts, and dropped in a new Stanton MOPAR. Give the credit to them.”
Any passing on a track surface that had been used and abused for nearly two straight weeks was going to be at a premium. Once past the lap 12 restart Francis, Eckert and Birkhofer pulled away from the rest of the field. Clanton held fourth early in the event until Lanigan made a lap 9 pass to take fourth. There were several positions swaps from sixth through tenth in the early laps but past lap 20 it was a matter of not making any mistakes.
Completing the top finishers were Thursday night WoO Late Model Series winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida in sixth. Chickamauga, Georgia pilot Dale McDowell was seventh ahead of defending WoO Late Model Series Champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas who rallied from a fourteenth starting spot. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, New York advanced four spots to finish ninth ahead of Bear Lake, Pennsylvania driver Chub Frank.
Eckert was pleased with his second place effort aboard the Raye Vest Excavating/J&J Steel No. 24 Raye Vest Rocket Chassis/Cornett Racing Engines Ford Taurus and thought he may have had a shot at Francis stating, “The car was good. Real good. I could get up alongside of Steve but you had to be real careful. You got too far out and you’d get freight-trained. The track crew worked and worked and worked on this track all week. That’s all you can ask. They worked on it and tried. It’s too bad because Robby Allen and Dustin had this car working real good. We won the race last night and finish second tonight so we’ll take it.”
Birkhofer started his Daufeldt Transports/McDonalds of the Quad Cities/J&J Steel No. 15B Brian Birkhofer Racing MasterSbilt Race Cars/Pro Power Racing/Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the pole but could only watch as Francis carried the momentum into turn one to snare the lead. Birkhofer stayed with Francis through a lap 4 caution for a Matt Miller flat right front tire but lost the runner-up spot to Eckert on the restart. ‘Birky’ ran right with Eckert and Francis but couldn’t advance any further than third.
“I had the place to be for this race. Starting from the pole”, said Birkhofer. “I just couldn’t fire on the starts. On the restart with Rick having the outside I knew I was dead meat. I’m just glad we got third. With the track rubbering up and being one groove we just used that to keep guys behind us. We’ll just take the check, head home and regroup.”
Round 3 of the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season was captured by the cameras of SPEED and will be broadcast at a later date.
Clanton topped the 69 car field in time trials with his fast lap of 17.516 seconds at an average speed of 102.763 mph around the high-banked 1/2mile oval. Heat race wins went to Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr., Francis, Eckert and Birkhofer. Snaring the ‘B’ Main events were Dan Schlieper, Bart Hartman and Brian Harris. Birkhofer won the Dash for heat race winners.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will next be in action Friday, March 17 at Baton Rouge Raceway in Baker (Baton Rouge), Louisiana followed by a Saturday, March 18 date at Fast Trax Motorplex in Chatham, Louisiana. Both events mark the first ever appearances by the WoO Late Model Series in the state of Louisiana.
For more information on ‘The Bayou Battle’ visit the Baton Rouge Raceway website at www.batonrougeraceway.com and the Fast Trax Motorplex website at www.fasttraxspeedway.net.
World Of Outlaws Late Model Series Race Report For 2-18-06
Round No. 3-2006 Season-‘Daytona Dodge Chrysler/MOPAR Speed Shop/Valvoline 50’
Volusia Speedway Park-Barberville (Daytona Beach), FL-1/2 Mile Oval
$45,000 Purse-$10,000 To Win-50 Lap Feature Event
Showing Finish Pos.-Start Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Laps Completed-Reason Out(if any)-Purse Money Won
1. (2) # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland, KY-50-Running-$10,000
2. (3) # 24-Rick Eckert-York, PA-50-Running-$6,000
3. (1) # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA-50-Running-$3,500
4. (5) # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY-50-Running-$2,500
5. (4) # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove, GA-50-Running-$2,200
6. (6) # 1P-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville, FL-50-Running-$2,000
7. (9) # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-50-Running-$1,800
8. (14) # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR-50-Running-$1,600
9. (13) # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown, NY-50-Running-$1,400
10. (10) # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA-50-Running-$1,200
11. (11) # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport, TN-50-Running-$1,000
12. (8) # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville, IN-50-Running-$900
13. (24) #75G-John Gill-Mitchell, IN-50-Running-$800
14. (17) # 32D-Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL-50-Running-$700
15. (21) # 21H-Brian Harris-Davenport, IA-50-Running-$700
16. (16) # 0-Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN-50-Running-$700
17. (15) # 28E-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville, IL-50- Running-$700
18. (25) # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV-50-Running-$700
19. (26) # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia,GA-50-Running-$700
20. (18) # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla, NY-50-Running-$700
21. (7) # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV-49-Running-$700
22. (22) # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown, NY-48-Running-$700
23. (20) # 75-Bart Hartman-Zanesville, OH-13-Mechanical-$700
24. (12) # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL-12-Accident-$700
25. (23) # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville, OH-12-Accident-$700
26. (19) # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan, WI-9-Mechanical-$700
® = ’Rookie of the Year’ Driver
Time Of Race: 21 Mins. 43.846 Secs.
Margin Of Victory: 0.378 Secs.
Yellow Flags: Two – Laps 4, 12
Red Flags: – None
Lap Leaders: One – Francis 1-50
‘Rookie of the Race’: None
Provisional Starters: Richards, C. Smith
Car Count: 69
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Clanton 17.516 secs. – 102.763 mph avg.
Heat Race Winners: Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr., Francis, Eckert, Birkhofer
‘B’ Main Winners: Schlieper, Hartman, Harris
Dash Winner: Birkhofer
2006 World Of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Point Standings (after 2-18-06)
Showing Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Entered-Feature Starts-Wins-Top 5’s-Top 10’s-Purse Money Won-Points-Trail By
1. # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland, KY-3-3-1-2-3-$18,000-434-0
2. # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove, GA-3-3-0-2-3-$7,500-420-14
3. # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR-3-3-0-1-3-$9,200-414-20
4. # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown, NY-3-3-0-1-3-$6,700-412-22
5. # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-3-3-0-0-2-$4,300-396-38
6. # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA-3-3-0-0-2-$4,100-394-40
7. # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union, KY-3-3-0-1-2-$4,400-390-44
8. # 32D-Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL-3-3-0-0-0-$2,400-372-62
9. # 1-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville, FL-3-2-1-1-2-$12,000-363-71
10. # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV-3-3-0-0-1-$2,800-358-76
t10. # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan, WI-3-3-0-1-1-$3,900-358-76
12. # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville, IN-3-3-0-0-1-$2,800-356-78
13. # 24-Rick Eckert-York, PA-3-3-0-1-1-$7,400-354-80
14. # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia, GA-3-2-1-1-1-$10,810-337-97
15. # 91-Ricky Elliott-Seaford, DE-3-2-0-1-1-$3,200-333-101
16. # 99-Donnie Moran-Dresden, OH-3-2-0-1-1-$3,010-331-103
17. # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA-3-2-0-1-1-$4,310-327-107
18. # 28-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville, IL-3-2-0-0-0-$1,610-315-119
19. # 2-Brady Smith-Solon Springs, WI-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-311-123
20. # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown, NY-3-2-0-0-0-$1,810-309-125
21. # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL-3-3-0-0-0-$2,100-306-128
22. # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-303-131
23. # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville, OH-3-2-0-0-0-$1,500-299-135
24. # 58C-Garrett Durrett®-Simsboro, LA-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-289-145
t24. # 23-Patrick Sheltra-Indiantown, FL-3-2-0-0-0-$1,400-289-145
26. #Won11-Rob Blair-Titusville, PA-3-2-0-0-0-$1,400-283-151
27. # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla, NY-3-2-0-0-0-$1,510-275-159
28. # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport, TN-2-2-0-1-1-$3,200-268-166
29. # 4B-Jackie Boggs-Grayson, KY-3-1-0-0-0-$810-254-180
30. # 5-Eric Jacobsen®-Santa Cruz, CA-3-1-0-0-0-$920-246-188
® = ‘Rookie of the Year’ Driver
SUMMARY - TIME TRIALS:
Showing Pos.-Car #-Driver-Residence-Sponsor-Chassis-Engine-Body Style-Fast Lap
1. # 25-Shane Clanton-Locust Grove,GA-RSD Enterprises/SAE Parts-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-17.516
2. # 29-Darrell Lanigan-Union,KY-Gotta Race/Bert Transmission-Rocket-Cornett-Taurus-17.547
3. # 1P-Earl Pearson Jr.-Jacksonville,FL-Dunn Benson Ford/Lucas Oil-MasterSbilt-Wallace-Taurus-17.680
4. # 15-Steve Francis-Ashland,KY-MOPAR Performance Parts/Valvoline-Rocket-Stanton MOPAR-Charger-17.695
5. # 24-Rick Eckert-York,PA-Raye Vest Excavating/J&J Steel-Rocket-Cornett-Taurus-17.765
6. # 15B-Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine,IA-Daufeldt Transport/J&J Steel-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-17.804
7. # 39-Tim McCreadie-Watertown,NY-Sweeteners Plus/C.M.E.,Inc.-Rocket-C&C Performance-Grand Prix-17.806
8. # 21D-Dan Stone-Thompson,PA-NEP Telephone-Lazer G2-Rhodes-Monte Carlo-17.810
9. # 17M-Dale McDowell-Chickamauga,GA-J&J Steel/Hennessey Rental Tools-Rocket/Shaw-RaceTek-Grand Prix-17.863
10. # 1*-Chub Frank-Bear Lake,PA-Lester Buildings/Corry Rubber-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-17.904
11. # 22-G.R. Smith®-Folsom,NJ-Gicobbe Trucking-Rocket-Pro Power-GTO-17.931
12. # 2-Brady Smith-Solon Springs,WI-Amsoil/Hood Equipment-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-17.976
13. # E1-Mike Balzano-Parkersburg,WV-Polino Contracting/Biscotti’s Restaurant-Rocket-Cornett-Monte Carlo-18.009
14. # 71-Don O’Neal-Martinsville,IN-Independence Lumber-MasterSbilt-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.077
15. # 28E-Dennis Erb Jr.-Carpentersville,IL-Petroff Towing/Peterson Aluminum-Rayburn-Hedrick-Monte Carlo-18.085
16. # 0-Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg,TN-Miller Bros. Coal/Hawkeye Trucking-Bloomquist-Hill-Mustang-18.092
17. # 32D-Darren Miller-Watertown,NY-Seubert Calf Ranches-Rocket-Pro Power-Taurus-18.099
18. # 91-Billy Decker-Unadilla,NY-Gypsum Wholesalers-Rocket-Enders-Grand Prix-18.106
19. # 83-Scott James-Greendale,IN-Powell Motorsports/Baylor Trucking-Rocket-Dickens-Grand Prix-18.122
20. # 19-Tim Fuller-Watertown,NY-Gypsum Wholesalers-Rocket-Enders-Grand Prix-18.138
21. # 28-Jimmy Mars-Menominee,WI-Keyes Chevytown/Heeg Drilling-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.141
22. # 28C-Eddie Carrier Jr.-Salt Rock,WV-Grover Motorsports/Engines Inc.-Rocket-Grover-Taurus-18.168
23. # 21H-Brian Harris-Davenport,IA-IITI/Country Spring Water-Rocket-Gaerte-Grand Prix-18.168
24. #Won11-Rob Blair-Titusville,PA-Bossard’s Used Auto Parts-Rocket-Draime-Monte Carlo-18.177
25. # 1-Josh Richards-Shinnston,WV-Suebert Calf Ranches/ACE Metal Works-Rocket-Cornett-GTO-18.179
26. # 21-Billy Moyer-Batesville,AR-J&J Steel/Banner Valley Hauling-Rayburn-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.203
27. # 12-Jamie Elam-Sanitobia,MS-Graham Construction-Rocket-Baker-Grand Prix-18.207
28. # 75-Bart Hartman-Zanesville,OH-Urgent Cash/Imler’s Poultry-Rocket-Cornett-Grand Prix-18.213
29. # 23-John Blankenship-Williamson,WV-Busch Beer/Walker CAT-Rocket-Pro Power-Taurus-18.219
30. # 71W-Chris Wall-Holden,LA-C&M Gator Farm-MasterSbilt-Wall to Wall-Monte Carlo-18.235
31. # 44-Clint Smith-Senoia,GA-JP Drilling/CSR Aluminum-GRT-RaceTek-Monte Carlo-18.238
32. # 88C-Jim Cliburn-Star,MS-Cliburn Tank Lines-Rocket-Baker-Monte Carlo-18.253
33. # 58C-Garrett Durrett®-Simsboro,LA-Garrett Racing/Pro Power Racing-Warrior-Pro Power-Taurus-18.287
34. # 7-Matt Miller-Waterville,OH-McCullough Industries/Doug Herbert Performance-Rocket-Baker-Grand Prix-18.303
35. # 4B-Jackie Boggs-Grayson,KY-Miller Bros.Coal/McDonalds of Grayson-Swartz-Cropper-Monte Carlo-18.336
36. # 18-Shannon Babb-Moweaqua,IL-Car City/Karl Chevrolet-Rayburn-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.353
37. # 99-Donnie Moran-Dresden,OH-Eddie’s Sunoco-PDM Performance-MasterSbilt-SMS Engines-Monte Carlo-18.401
38. # 5-Eric Jacobsen-Santa Cruz,CA-Well Pict Berries/Soil Fume,Inc.-Rocket-Pro Power-GTO-18.408
39. # 66-Chuck Chitty-Jacksonville,FL-B&C Power Lines-GRT-K&W-Monte Carlo-18.411
40. # 16-Justin Rattliff-Campbellsville,KY-Rattliff Motors-Rayburn-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.452
41. # 20-Jimmy Owens-Newport,TN-PDM Performance Parts-Rayburn-Gaerte-Grand Prix-18.458
42. # 75G-John Gill-Mitchell,IN-Harrod Farms-Rocket-Bullock-Grand Prix-18.468
43. # 66K-Jake Knowles-Tyrone,GA-Walker Concrete-Rocket-Clements-Monte Carlo-18.472
44. # i4-Damon Eller-Crumpler,NC-Independence Lumber-MasterSbilt-Dickens-Monte Carlo-18.527
45. # 99H-Frank Heckenast Jr.-Orland Park,IL-Speedway Auto Parts-Rayburn-Rhyne-Monte Carlo-18.598
46. # 28M-Chuckie May-Allen,KY-May Block Co./TEM Equipment-GRT-Cornett-Taurus-18.599
47. # 14-April Farmer-Livingston,TN-Tennessee Rotary Drilling-Rocket-Clements-Monte Carlo-18.607
48. # 18L-Ivedent Lloyd-Ocala,FL-Lloyd’s Land Clearing-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-18.664
49. # 9-Dan Schlieper-Sullivan,WI-Miller Bros. Coal/Hawkeye Trucking-Rayburn-Pro Power-18.679
50. # 8-Don Cliburn-Star,MS-Cliburn Tank Lines-Rocket-Cornett-Fusion-18.727
51. # 88R-Andrew Reaume-Blenheim,Ontario,Canada-Westside Performance-Rocket-C&C Performance-Monte Carlo-18.754
52. #777-Jared Landers-Benson,AR-Mark Martin Ford-Rocket-RaceTek-GTO-18.767
53. # 11-Anthony Rushing Jr.-Kosciusko,MS-Mid-Coastal Signing-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-18.854
54. # 5M-John VanDenBerg-Oskaloosa,IA-Car City/Karl Chevrolet-Rayburn-Dickens-Grand Prix-18.902
55. # 23S-Patrick Sheltra-Indiantown,FL-Sheltra & Sons Construction-Rayburn-Clements-Grand Prix-18.922
56. # 24L-Ray Love Jr.-Faulkner,MD-Love Concrete-Rocket-Kuntz-Monte Carlo-18.927
57. # 18K-Brandon Kinzer-Allen,KY-Kinzer Drilling-Rocket-Dickens-GTO-18.962
58. # 19D-Ronnie DeHaven Jr.-Winchester,VA-DeHaven’s Trailer Sales-GRT-Leggett-Taurus-18.983
59. # 18H-Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth-Northport,AL-Stuckey Enterprises-MasterSbilt-Wallace-Fusion-18.992
60. # 12B-Jordan Bland-Campbellsville,KY-B&W Metal-MasterSbilt-Cornett-GTO-19.024
61. # 2R-Joe Ramey-Wheelersburg,OH-Joe Ramey Trucking/Rumpke Disposal-Swartz-T&H-Grand Prix-19.400
62. # 9i-Steve Isenberg-Marshfield,WI-Don Nikolai Construction-MasterSbilt-Pro Power-Monte Carlo-19.632
63. # 16H-Mike Hammerle-St. Charles,MO-King Edward Fried Chicken-Hammerle-RCE/SCP-Grand Prix-18.918
64. # 12K-Gary Simpson-Denton,MD-Kelly Transport-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-19.755
65. # 34-Ky Harper-Holland,OH-J&G Industries-Rocket-Custom-Monte Carlo-19.839
66. # 22G-Jill George-Cedar Falls,IA-E Creative Group-MasterSbilt-AEM-GTO-19.976
67. # 03-Bo Allen-McCleny,FL-Ernie Palmer Toyota-Warrior-Sikes-Grand Prix-20.368
68. # 91E-Ricky Elliott-Seaford,DE-BSW Construction-Rocket-Pro Power-Grand Prix-No Time
69. # 81-Aaron Ridley-Chatsworth,GA-True Temp Heating and Air-Rocket-RaceTek-Grand Prix-No Time
® = ’Rookie of the Year’ Driver
Heat # 1 (10 Laps- Top 3 Advance To Feature): Clanton, Balzano, McCreadie, Schlieper, C. Smith, Richards, Moran, Ramey, James, Knowles, Sheltra-NS, Allen-NS
Heat # 2 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Lanigan, O’Neal, Moyer, Fuller, Stone, Elliott, Jacobsen, J. Cliburn, D. Cliburn, Eller, Isenberg, Love Jr.
Heat # 3 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Pearson Jr., McDowell, Erb Jr., Durrett, Mars, Elam, Reaume, Kinzer, Heckenast Jr., Chitty, Hammerle, Ridley-NS
Heat # 4 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Francis, Frank, Bloomquist, Hartman, Carrier Jr., M. Miller, Rattliff, Landers, May, Simpson, DeHaven Jr.
Heat # 5 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Eckert, Owens, D. Miller, Rushing Jr., Harris, Boggs, Blankenship, Hollingsworth, Farmer, Harper, G.R. Smith
Heat # 6 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Birkhofer, Babb, Decker, B. Smith, Wall, Gill, Lloyd, VanDenBerg, Bland, George, Blair
‘B’ Main # 1 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Schlieper, Fuller, Richards, Moran, Jacobsen, Stone, J. Cliburn, Eller, D. Cliburn, Love Jr., C. Smith, Elliott-NS, Ramey-NS, James-NS, Knowles-NS, Isenberg-NS, Sheltra-NS, Allen-NS
‘B’ Main # 2 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Hartman, M. Miller, Carrier Jr., Rattliff, Elam, Mars, Reaume, Heckenast Jr., May, Durrett, Simpson, Hammerle, Landers, Kinzer, DeHaven Jr., Chitty-NS
‘B’ Main # 3 (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): Harris, Gill, Wall, Blankenship, B. Smith, VanDenBerg, Bland, Boggs, Harper, George, G.R. Smith, Rushing Jr., Hollingsworth, Farmer, Lloyd-NS, Blair-NS
Dash (6 Laps-Finish Determines First Three Rows Of Feature): Birkhofer, Francis, Eckert, Clanton, Lanigan, Pearson Jr.
