BROWNSTOWN, IN -- With temperatures nearing triple digits on a hot Saturday evening in Brownstown, nobody was hotter than Steve Barnett as the Franklin, IN native took the lead on lap 18 and never looked back in the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series' Lee Fleetwood Memorial.
Brad Neat and Justin Blackwell brought the field down to the green with Neat assuming the point as Blackwell fell into the clutches of 5th-starting Steve Barnett, Mike Jewell, and Steve Godsey. Neat quickly motored ahead in the early stages of the race as Godsey worked past Jewell on lap 5 and immediately started hounding Barnett for the runner-up spot. Behind them, Aaron Hatton, Michael England, Brad Barrow, and Frankie Coomer were nip-and-tuck for the fifth spot.
On an already hot night, Barnett began to turn up the heat on lap 12 as he distanced himself from Godsey and began reeling in race leader Neat. The Franklin Flyer looked under Neat on lap 16 as the two raced side-by-side for the point. Neat worked for two solid laps to keep Barnett at bay, but was unable to turn back the two-time Lee Fleetwood Memorial winner. Barnett finally grabbed sole possession of the top spot on lap 18 as the front duo closed in on the rear or field when the crossed flags were displayed to the drivers.
As Barnett attempted to slice his way through the back of the field, Neat remained within striking distance as Godsey, Jewell, and Hatton closed in on Neat. At one time, the front five were all nose-to-tail with Barnett leading the congo line around the backmarkers. Barnett finally had clear sailing on lap 28, but it would be short lived as the first caution flag of the event flew just 10 laps from the finish.
A second lap 30 caution would fall before the green flag with 10 to go waved with Barnett at the front of the Delaware double-file restart. Barnett inched ahead ever so slightly as Godsey worked the high groove looking for a pass on Neat. The battle would be stalled on lap 33 as the race's final yellow would fly for a slowing Dan Sturgeon.
On the restart, Godsey grabbed second from Neat as Jewell slipped under both of them making it three-wide behind race leader Barnett with just six laps to go. At the same time, 12th-starting Tim Tungate had his mount glued to the bottom and wasted no time joining the battle. The intense three-wide dogfight for second allowed Barnett to creep ahead over the final few laps of the race. Jewell finally cleared both Neat and Godsey with three laps remaining but didn't have enough juice to catch the race leader. When the checkered flag waved, Steve Barnett's JD Byryder/Advanced Racing Suspensions/Spear's Auto Parts/Tony Stewart Racing, Cornett powered Rayburn Monte Carlo would pick up the win making him the first ever three-time winner of the Lee Fleetwood Memorial. Barnett also became the 10th different winner in as many races on the 2005 season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series.
"This race and this family (the Fleetwood Family) both mean a lot to us and I'm happy we could get the win," Barnett said in victory lane. "Our car was great all night long. I'd like to thank my crew, my family, and all my sponsors for the help and support."
Scottsburg, IN's Mike Jewell took second in the MPC Motorsports/Southern Indiana Drilling/Bullock/MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY, finished third in his NWN Distributing/Neat's Service Center/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY) worked his way up to fourth in the White Construction/Price's Grocery/AMS/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Bedford, IN veteran Steve Godsey rounded out the top five in his Thrifty Auto Sales/Indiana Stone Works/Bent Chassis. Michael England, Aaron Hatton, Tyrel Todd, Josh Williams, and 21st-starting Mark Barber completed the top ten.
41 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Steve Barnett setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Brad Neat, Justin Blackwell, Steve Godsey, and Mike Jewell. B-Main wins went to Doug Ault and Tyrel Todd.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts makes their second visit of 2005 to Sitka, KY's 201 Speedway this Saturday, July 2nd. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
Race Summary
Brownstown Speedway - Richmond, KY
Saturday, June 25, 2005
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Steve Barnett/15.958
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #1: Brad Neat, Steve Barnett, Michael England, Matt Huddleston, Mark Barber, Whitney McQueary, CJ Rayburn, Rick Sowders, Gary Harden, Rick Burton
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #2: Justin Blackwell, Brad Barrow, Dan Sturgeon, Doug Ault, Wayne Chinn, Chris Combs, Rickey Riggle, Dusty Chapman, Derek Ramp, Ryan Eads
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #3: Steve Godsey, Frankie Coomer, Josh Williams, Ernie Barrow, Mark Kinser, Brent Londeree, Blake Chinn, Brian Wilhite, Jason Hinkle, John Gill (DNS)
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #4: Mike Jewell, Aaron Hatton, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Shannon Reed, Jeff Wilson, Mike Luna, Randy Riggle, Charles Ross
B-Main #1: Doug Ault, Matt Huddleston, CJ Rayburn, Whitney McQueary, Wayne Chinn, Rickey Riggle, Rick Sowders, Dusty Chapman, Gary Harden, Chris Combs, Derek Ramp, Ryan Eads, Mark Barber, Rick Burton
B-Main #2: Tyrel Todd, Mark Kinser, Ernie Barrow, Jeff Wilson, Shannon Reed, Blake Chinn, Mike Luna, Brent Londeree, Randy Riggle, Charles Ross, Jason Hinkle, Brian Wilhite
40-Lap Lee Fleetwood Memorial: Steve Barnett, Mike Jewell, Brad Neat, Tim Tungate, Steve Godsey, Michael England, Aaron Hatton, Tyrel Todd, Josh Williams, Mark Barber, Brad Barrow, Doug Ault, CJ Rayburn, Frankie Coomer, Matt Huddleston, Chris Combs, Dan Sturgeon, Whitney McQueary, Mark Kinser, Ernie Barrow, Justin Blackwell
Race Statistics:
Entries: 41
Cautions: 3
Lap Leaders: Brad Neat 1-17, Steve Barnett 18-40
BoB Rookie of the Race: Frankie Coomer
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Mark Barber
BoB Provisionals: Whitney McQueary, Chris Combs
Track Provisional: Mark Barber
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
Brad Neat and Justin Blackwell brought the field down to the green with Neat assuming the point as Blackwell fell into the clutches of 5th-starting Steve Barnett, Mike Jewell, and Steve Godsey. Neat quickly motored ahead in the early stages of the race as Godsey worked past Jewell on lap 5 and immediately started hounding Barnett for the runner-up spot. Behind them, Aaron Hatton, Michael England, Brad Barrow, and Frankie Coomer were nip-and-tuck for the fifth spot.
On an already hot night, Barnett began to turn up the heat on lap 12 as he distanced himself from Godsey and began reeling in race leader Neat. The Franklin Flyer looked under Neat on lap 16 as the two raced side-by-side for the point. Neat worked for two solid laps to keep Barnett at bay, but was unable to turn back the two-time Lee Fleetwood Memorial winner. Barnett finally grabbed sole possession of the top spot on lap 18 as the front duo closed in on the rear or field when the crossed flags were displayed to the drivers.
As Barnett attempted to slice his way through the back of the field, Neat remained within striking distance as Godsey, Jewell, and Hatton closed in on Neat. At one time, the front five were all nose-to-tail with Barnett leading the congo line around the backmarkers. Barnett finally had clear sailing on lap 28, but it would be short lived as the first caution flag of the event flew just 10 laps from the finish.
A second lap 30 caution would fall before the green flag with 10 to go waved with Barnett at the front of the Delaware double-file restart. Barnett inched ahead ever so slightly as Godsey worked the high groove looking for a pass on Neat. The battle would be stalled on lap 33 as the race's final yellow would fly for a slowing Dan Sturgeon.
On the restart, Godsey grabbed second from Neat as Jewell slipped under both of them making it three-wide behind race leader Barnett with just six laps to go. At the same time, 12th-starting Tim Tungate had his mount glued to the bottom and wasted no time joining the battle. The intense three-wide dogfight for second allowed Barnett to creep ahead over the final few laps of the race. Jewell finally cleared both Neat and Godsey with three laps remaining but didn't have enough juice to catch the race leader. When the checkered flag waved, Steve Barnett's JD Byryder/Advanced Racing Suspensions/Spear's Auto Parts/Tony Stewart Racing, Cornett powered Rayburn Monte Carlo would pick up the win making him the first ever three-time winner of the Lee Fleetwood Memorial. Barnett also became the 10th different winner in as many races on the 2005 season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series.
"This race and this family (the Fleetwood Family) both mean a lot to us and I'm happy we could get the win," Barnett said in victory lane. "Our car was great all night long. I'd like to thank my crew, my family, and all my sponsors for the help and support."
Scottsburg, IN's Mike Jewell took second in the MPC Motorsports/Southern Indiana Drilling/Bullock/MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY, finished third in his NWN Distributing/Neat's Service Center/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY) worked his way up to fourth in the White Construction/Price's Grocery/AMS/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Bedford, IN veteran Steve Godsey rounded out the top five in his Thrifty Auto Sales/Indiana Stone Works/Bent Chassis. Michael England, Aaron Hatton, Tyrel Todd, Josh Williams, and 21st-starting Mark Barber completed the top ten.
41 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Late Models were on hand with Steve Barnett setting fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials. VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat Races were won by Brad Neat, Justin Blackwell, Steve Godsey, and Mike Jewell. B-Main wins went to Doug Ault and Tyrel Todd.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts makes their second visit of 2005 to Sitka, KY's 201 Speedway this Saturday, July 2nd. For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit our website at www.naradirtcar.com.
Race Summary
Brownstown Speedway - Richmond, KY
Saturday, June 25, 2005
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Steve Barnett/15.958
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #1: Brad Neat, Steve Barnett, Michael England, Matt Huddleston, Mark Barber, Whitney McQueary, CJ Rayburn, Rick Sowders, Gary Harden, Rick Burton
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #2: Justin Blackwell, Brad Barrow, Dan Sturgeon, Doug Ault, Wayne Chinn, Chris Combs, Rickey Riggle, Dusty Chapman, Derek Ramp, Ryan Eads
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #3: Steve Godsey, Frankie Coomer, Josh Williams, Ernie Barrow, Mark Kinser, Brent Londeree, Blake Chinn, Brian Wilhite, Jason Hinkle, John Gill (DNS)
VP Fuels Makin' Power Heat #4: Mike Jewell, Aaron Hatton, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Shannon Reed, Jeff Wilson, Mike Luna, Randy Riggle, Charles Ross
B-Main #1: Doug Ault, Matt Huddleston, CJ Rayburn, Whitney McQueary, Wayne Chinn, Rickey Riggle, Rick Sowders, Dusty Chapman, Gary Harden, Chris Combs, Derek Ramp, Ryan Eads, Mark Barber, Rick Burton
B-Main #2: Tyrel Todd, Mark Kinser, Ernie Barrow, Jeff Wilson, Shannon Reed, Blake Chinn, Mike Luna, Brent Londeree, Randy Riggle, Charles Ross, Jason Hinkle, Brian Wilhite
40-Lap Lee Fleetwood Memorial: Steve Barnett, Mike Jewell, Brad Neat, Tim Tungate, Steve Godsey, Michael England, Aaron Hatton, Tyrel Todd, Josh Williams, Mark Barber, Brad Barrow, Doug Ault, CJ Rayburn, Frankie Coomer, Matt Huddleston, Chris Combs, Dan Sturgeon, Whitney McQueary, Mark Kinser, Ernie Barrow, Justin Blackwell
Race Statistics:
Entries: 41
Cautions: 3
Lap Leaders: Brad Neat 1-17, Steve Barnett 18-40
BoB Rookie of the Race: Frankie Coomer
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Mark Barber
BoB Provisionals: Whitney McQueary, Chris Combs
Track Provisional: Mark Barber
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
