The STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts may have had the longest title in dirt late model racing history, but after the first season of sanctioning Late Model racing in the state of Kentucky the series is on the map heading into the 2003 season as the successful 2002 campaign got off the ground with 20 events held and 12 different event winners would enter victory circle this year. With an average of 36 cars and a total of 237 different drivers entering events the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass has stamped itself as a terrific regional series for the state.
Eddie Carrier Jr of Leburn, KY would stand alone as the very first points champion for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series as the 31 year old racer would win three times on the circuit this year and take the 2002 title by just 90 points. Carrier's tremendous proficiency for qualifying helped his cause throughout the season as his pedal to the metal, full throttle qualifying runs earned him 12 Racing Optics Fast Time Awards. Even more incredible consistency this year was that out of 20 feature events Carrier never used a provisional starting spot to make the feature and he only finished outside the top 10 a total of four times this season. Carrier recorded 10 top five finishes and his main event wins this year were at 201 Speedway in Sitka, KY, Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY and Thunder Ridge Racing Complex in Prestonsburg, KY. His familiar black and orange #1 Rocket Chassis Prix is sponsored by Miller Brothers Coal, Hawkeye Trucking, American Race Tires, Inner Light Candles and Bath, Perry County Tire and powered by a Custom Race Engine. His pit crew consists of crew chief, Bryan Carrier, Kenny Pearce, Boyd Fugate and Eddie's wife, Jamie. The car is owned by JR Automotive of Leburn, KY.
Timmy Yeager of Harrodsburg, KY would finish second the final point rundown, as he would win twice this year on the series. Yeager would go into the record books by winning the first ever STARS Battle of the Bluegrass feature at the McCoy Motor Speedway in Glasgow, KY on May 3. Yeager would then end the point's season with a win at the Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, KY on October 26. Jesse James Lay of Walton, KY finished third in points as he too won twice this year on the very competitive circuit. Lay's wins were at Lake Cumberland in May and at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY. Johnny Wheeler of Campbellsville, KY wound up fourth in points grabbing one win at the Soggy Bottom Speedway in Morgantown, KY in August. Richard Smith of Science Hill, KY completed the top five in points as he took one win this year and that came at the Thunder Mountain Speedway in Olive Hill, KY.
The second five drivers are Joey Daniel of Liberty, KY, Bobby Carrier Jr of Harrodsburg, KY, Tyrel Todd of Eubank, KY, Aaron Hatton of Mount Sterling, KY and Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN.
Other event winners this year included a co-leading series three for Mike Hawley of Paint Lick, Ky, two wins apiece went to Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY and Jackie Boggs from Grayson, KY. Other winners were Scott James, Mike Jewell, Steve Hillard and Rick Corbin. Three different states were represented in victory circle this year including Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.
Bobby Wolter Jr of Lexington, KY is the 2002 PBM Performance Products Rookie of the Year winner. The 30-year-old driver started 11 main events this year with his best finish being a seventh place in the Kentucky Klassic at Glasgow, KY in September. Wolter started the year in his own ride, but on Labor Day Weekend when the steering went out of his number 4X machine, he hopped into the Danny Ray and Diane Preston #19 C.J. Rayburn entry and finished the season in that ride with some impressive runs late in the year. Wolter's toughest challenger early in the year was Victor Lee, Lee was leading the rookie points until a split with his car owner forced him on the sidelines for a majority of the season. Lee would re-enter the chase late in the BoB season but it was too late as Wolter had taken over the points lead for the top rookie and would stay there clinching the honor. Driving two differrent cars this year Wolter's sponsors included Crane Carrier Handbook, R&P Industrial Chimney, Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Estes Automotive and Machine, PBM Performance Products, Lamb's Tree Service, American Scaffolding, Racedekals.com, AMS Race Engines, and Central Painting. Crew chief help this year came from his father, Bobby Wolter, Sr and Jeff Gullett.
The First Annual awards banquet has been announced and it will be on Saturday Night, January 25, 2003 at the Continental Inn in Lexington, KY at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and must be bought in advance by January 18, 2003. The Continental Inn is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 60 and New Circle Road. The address is 801 New Circle Road. There will be a buffet style meal. The top ten drivers will receive awards and point fund money. Other special awards will be given out as well.
The STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series would like to thank all of the promoters, media, drivers, car owners, sponsors and fans for their support in 2002. The series sponsors this season were: Arizona Sport Shirts, PBM Performance Products, Estes Automotive and Machine, Miller Bro. Coal, American Race Tires, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, R & P Industrial Chimney, Smith Automotive and Machine, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Racedekals.com, Ringer Gloves, Design 500, Bert Transmissions, AFCO Racing Products, Outlaw Race Cars, Suspension Spring Specialists, Racing Optics, Trailer Parts and Service of Kentucky and Hoosier Tire South.
Eddie Carrier Jr of Leburn, KY would stand alone as the very first points champion for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series as the 31 year old racer would win three times on the circuit this year and take the 2002 title by just 90 points. Carrier's tremendous proficiency for qualifying helped his cause throughout the season as his pedal to the metal, full throttle qualifying runs earned him 12 Racing Optics Fast Time Awards. Even more incredible consistency this year was that out of 20 feature events Carrier never used a provisional starting spot to make the feature and he only finished outside the top 10 a total of four times this season. Carrier recorded 10 top five finishes and his main event wins this year were at 201 Speedway in Sitka, KY, Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY and Thunder Ridge Racing Complex in Prestonsburg, KY. His familiar black and orange #1 Rocket Chassis Prix is sponsored by Miller Brothers Coal, Hawkeye Trucking, American Race Tires, Inner Light Candles and Bath, Perry County Tire and powered by a Custom Race Engine. His pit crew consists of crew chief, Bryan Carrier, Kenny Pearce, Boyd Fugate and Eddie's wife, Jamie. The car is owned by JR Automotive of Leburn, KY.
Timmy Yeager of Harrodsburg, KY would finish second the final point rundown, as he would win twice this year on the series. Yeager would go into the record books by winning the first ever STARS Battle of the Bluegrass feature at the McCoy Motor Speedway in Glasgow, KY on May 3. Yeager would then end the point's season with a win at the Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, KY on October 26. Jesse James Lay of Walton, KY finished third in points as he too won twice this year on the very competitive circuit. Lay's wins were at Lake Cumberland in May and at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY. Johnny Wheeler of Campbellsville, KY wound up fourth in points grabbing one win at the Soggy Bottom Speedway in Morgantown, KY in August. Richard Smith of Science Hill, KY completed the top five in points as he took one win this year and that came at the Thunder Mountain Speedway in Olive Hill, KY.
The second five drivers are Joey Daniel of Liberty, KY, Bobby Carrier Jr of Harrodsburg, KY, Tyrel Todd of Eubank, KY, Aaron Hatton of Mount Sterling, KY and Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN.
Other event winners this year included a co-leading series three for Mike Hawley of Paint Lick, Ky, two wins apiece went to Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY and Jackie Boggs from Grayson, KY. Other winners were Scott James, Mike Jewell, Steve Hillard and Rick Corbin. Three different states were represented in victory circle this year including Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.
Bobby Wolter Jr of Lexington, KY is the 2002 PBM Performance Products Rookie of the Year winner. The 30-year-old driver started 11 main events this year with his best finish being a seventh place in the Kentucky Klassic at Glasgow, KY in September. Wolter started the year in his own ride, but on Labor Day Weekend when the steering went out of his number 4X machine, he hopped into the Danny Ray and Diane Preston #19 C.J. Rayburn entry and finished the season in that ride with some impressive runs late in the year. Wolter's toughest challenger early in the year was Victor Lee, Lee was leading the rookie points until a split with his car owner forced him on the sidelines for a majority of the season. Lee would re-enter the chase late in the BoB season but it was too late as Wolter had taken over the points lead for the top rookie and would stay there clinching the honor. Driving two differrent cars this year Wolter's sponsors included Crane Carrier Handbook, R&P Industrial Chimney, Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Estes Automotive and Machine, PBM Performance Products, Lamb's Tree Service, American Scaffolding, Racedekals.com, AMS Race Engines, and Central Painting. Crew chief help this year came from his father, Bobby Wolter, Sr and Jeff Gullett.
The First Annual awards banquet has been announced and it will be on Saturday Night, January 25, 2003 at the Continental Inn in Lexington, KY at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and must be bought in advance by January 18, 2003. The Continental Inn is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 60 and New Circle Road. The address is 801 New Circle Road. There will be a buffet style meal. The top ten drivers will receive awards and point fund money. Other special awards will be given out as well.
The STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series would like to thank all of the promoters, media, drivers, car owners, sponsors and fans for their support in 2002. The series sponsors this season were: Arizona Sport Shirts, PBM Performance Products, Estes Automotive and Machine, Miller Bro. Coal, American Race Tires, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, R & P Industrial Chimney, Smith Automotive and Machine, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Racedekals.com, Ringer Gloves, Design 500, Bert Transmissions, AFCO Racing Products, Outlaw Race Cars, Suspension Spring Specialists, Racing Optics, Trailer Parts and Service of Kentucky and Hoosier Tire South.
