RICHMOND, KY (July 21, 2007) - Tim Tungate came to Richmond Raceway Saturday night without a trip to victory lane in 2007 on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series, but the 2005 Series Champion would leave the event $5000 richer and his second emotional win in the 20th Annual Butterball Wooldridge Memorial. Tungate joins Mike Jewell to become only the second driver to take home the Butterball trophy more than one time.
As the field took the green at the start of the 50-lap shootout, Duane Chamberlain, Tim Tungate and Tyrel Todd danced three-wide for the lead with Dennis Roberson, 8-time Wooldridge Memorial winner Mike Jewell, Bobby Carrier, Jr. and Lee Devasier engaging in a scorching battle for fourth. Jewel wasted little time taking the position and then set his sights on the lead pack.
Jewell raced down the lead pack and then took the high line to take the second spot from Todd. As Jewell reeled Tungate in, Todd put his nose to the inside of Jewell as the battle for second got red hot. Behind the lead trio, Jerry Rice began his charge to the front on lap nine after wrestling away the fourth position from Duane Chamberlain. As Rice was making up real estate quickly, he soon found his Harrod Farms mount glued to the rear decklid of Todd in third. The next six circuits laps would see Tungate, Jewell, Todd and Rice battle door to door for the front spot until a caution on lap 15 slowed the field.
With Tungate out front of the Delaware double file restart, Todd chose the inside lane hoping to take advantage of the low grove on Jewell heading into turn one. The inside line paid off as Todd gained enough momentum to put his nose under Tungate for the lead. As the field stacked two-by-two behind them, Jerry Rice also took advantage of the low groove to overtake the third spot from Jewell and set his line of attack on the leaders.
Rice caught the lead duo making it a three way dance for the lead. The trio danced their way around the track until a caution for Carrier, Jr. with 25 laps complete. Devasier and Carrier, Jr. fell victim to the lap 25 restart and both retired for the night.
While Tungate paced the field back to the green, Rice used the high line advantage to nab second spot from Todd. Rice pulled up to the spoiler of Tungate and peaked to the low side for the lead. The battle was waved off on lap 27 when a multiple car caution clogged turn four.
The night's action was shaken up on the restart when Todd, Rice, Aaron Hatton and Dustin Neat came to a rest in turn two. The top five would changed drastically after the re-do as Jason Keltner and Victor Lee joined race leaders Tungate, Jewell and Chamberlain to round out the top 5. Two laps later, the caution would fly again as the night would end for Rice as his car came to a stop in turn one.
With 15 circuits remaining, Tungate set his cruise control and pulled away from the battle behind him. Two top 5 battles were set behind second place runner Jewell as Chamberlain and Keltner danced for third ands Lee and Michael England were set for combat for the fifth spot. Lee dashed his 19th starting spot machine past Keltner on lap 39 with England in close pursuit. As the pair tracked down Chamberlain, David Webb put on a show powering into sixth past Keltner on a move to the front.
Over the last ten laps, Tungate would distance himself from the field, leaving Jewell, Lee, 20th starting Webb and Chamberlain to round out the top 5 at the checkers. The Campbellsville, KY driver crossed the strip claiming the $5000 paycheck in his Bullock powered, Rayburn Monte Carlo sponsored by B&W Auto Recyclers, Mulch Madness, Guardian Mortgage, J&L Title, The Shack, Barnes Auto Sales, ABC Child Care, Phillips Lane Restaurant and Jeff's Food Mart.
"I don't know what to say," said an excited Tungate after climbing down from the window of his car. "I would like to dedicate this win to Russell Blevins, a crew member we lost a few weeks ago. The car was really good tonight and I have to thank the guys in the pits for that."
Finishing second was Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN in the Southern Indiana Drilling/MPC Motorsports/Morgan Foods/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Coming home third using a Series provisional to make the show was Victor Lee in his Revel Motorsports/Budda Bert Transmissions/Big T's Drywall/Ado's Auto Parts/Jay Dickens powered/Rayburn Grand Prix.
Fourth went to the other Series provisional starter, David Webb, in his ORS AutoBody/Valvoline/B&H Electric/Angler's Outpost/Pro Power/ Rayburn GTO. Rounding out the top five was Richmond, IN's Duane Chamberlain in a Dargie powered Bloomquist Monte Carlo sponsored by CW Watson Excavating, Custom Hot Rod & Fabrication, and TruckingSuccess.com. Sixth through tenth were 13th-starting Michael England, 14th-starting Jason Keltner, Brad Barrow, Tyrel Todd, and Dennis Roberson.
Earlier in the evening, Jerry Rice set the bar for the twenty-nine entries in Racing Optic Time Trials with a quick time of 16.560. The Arizona Sport Shirts Heats were won by Tim Tungate, Duane Chamberlain and Tyrel Todd. Michael England and Jason Keltner came out on top in the Design 500 B-Mains. Taking series provisionals to start the race were Victor Lee and David Webb while Brandon Witt and Marty Stepp chased the field using Richmond Raceway track provisionals.
The nation's most competitive regional dirt racing series will take a short break before being back into action at the D-shaped Ponderosa Speedway for the $5000 to win 5th Annual John Bradshaw Memorial on August 24th. The Series will then head to Eastern Kentucky for the second trip to 201 Speedway on the 2007 schedule with the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass joining the DirtCar Series on September 1st.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts, please visit our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Results Summary
O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass
Richmond Raceway - Richmond, KY
July 21, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Jerry Rice - 16.560
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #1: Tim Tungate, Dennis Roberson, Lee Devasier, Jerry Rice, Michael England, Jason Keltner, Mike Marlar, Marty Stepp, Brandon Witt, Michael Chilton
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #2: Duane Chamberlain, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Aaron Hatton, Chris Combs, Doug Smith, David Webb, John Jackson, Johnny Wheeler, Chris Ruble
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Tyrel Todd, Mike Jewell, Brad Barrow, Dustin Neat, Jason Barrett, Anthony Adams, Tommy Carlton, Jim Robinson, Jerry Rutherford
Design 500 B-Main #1: Michael England, Jason Barrett, Mike Marlar, David Webb, Victor Lee, Brandon Witt, Johnny Wheeler, Jerry Rutherford, Tommy Carlton
Design 500 B-Main #2: Jason Keltner, Doug Smith, John Jackson, Michael Chilton, Anthony Adams, Jim Robinson, Marty Stepp, Chris Ruble
20th Annual "Butterball" Wooldridge Memorial: Tim Tungate, Mike Jewell, Victor Lee, David Webb, Duane Chamberlain, Michael England, Jason Keltner, Brad Barrow, Tyrel Todd, Dennis Roberson, Dustin Neat, Chris Combs, Jason Barrett, Doug Smith, Aaron Hatton, Jerry Rice, John Jackson, Lee Devasier, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Mike Marlar, Marty Stepp, Brandon Witt
Race Statistics
Cautions: 6
Lap Leaders: Tim Tungate 1-50
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Victor Lee (started 19th, finished 3rd) and David Webb (started 20th, finished 4th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
Series Provisionals: Victor Lee, David Webb
Track Provisionals: Brandon Witt, Marty Stepp
Entries: 29
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
1. 4 Victor Lee - 3593
2. 0 Jason Keltner - 3259
3. 14 Tyrel Todd - 3220
4. 11 Jerry Rice - 3123
5. 18 Tim Tungate - 3025
6. 13 David Webb - 2982
7. 157 Mike Marlar - 2660
8. 9 Mike Jewell - 2621
9. 47 Chris Combs - 2369
10. 45 Doug Smith - 2259
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
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, Mason Racin', Design 500, Trailer Parts & Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert Transmissions, Rick Schwallie Photography, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
-Jesse Howard - O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass PR
As the field took the green at the start of the 50-lap shootout, Duane Chamberlain, Tim Tungate and Tyrel Todd danced three-wide for the lead with Dennis Roberson, 8-time Wooldridge Memorial winner Mike Jewell, Bobby Carrier, Jr. and Lee Devasier engaging in a scorching battle for fourth. Jewel wasted little time taking the position and then set his sights on the lead pack.
Jewell raced down the lead pack and then took the high line to take the second spot from Todd. As Jewell reeled Tungate in, Todd put his nose to the inside of Jewell as the battle for second got red hot. Behind the lead trio, Jerry Rice began his charge to the front on lap nine after wrestling away the fourth position from Duane Chamberlain. As Rice was making up real estate quickly, he soon found his Harrod Farms mount glued to the rear decklid of Todd in third. The next six circuits laps would see Tungate, Jewell, Todd and Rice battle door to door for the front spot until a caution on lap 15 slowed the field.
With Tungate out front of the Delaware double file restart, Todd chose the inside lane hoping to take advantage of the low grove on Jewell heading into turn one. The inside line paid off as Todd gained enough momentum to put his nose under Tungate for the lead. As the field stacked two-by-two behind them, Jerry Rice also took advantage of the low groove to overtake the third spot from Jewell and set his line of attack on the leaders.
Rice caught the lead duo making it a three way dance for the lead. The trio danced their way around the track until a caution for Carrier, Jr. with 25 laps complete. Devasier and Carrier, Jr. fell victim to the lap 25 restart and both retired for the night.
While Tungate paced the field back to the green, Rice used the high line advantage to nab second spot from Todd. Rice pulled up to the spoiler of Tungate and peaked to the low side for the lead. The battle was waved off on lap 27 when a multiple car caution clogged turn four.
The night's action was shaken up on the restart when Todd, Rice, Aaron Hatton and Dustin Neat came to a rest in turn two. The top five would changed drastically after the re-do as Jason Keltner and Victor Lee joined race leaders Tungate, Jewell and Chamberlain to round out the top 5. Two laps later, the caution would fly again as the night would end for Rice as his car came to a stop in turn one.
With 15 circuits remaining, Tungate set his cruise control and pulled away from the battle behind him. Two top 5 battles were set behind second place runner Jewell as Chamberlain and Keltner danced for third ands Lee and Michael England were set for combat for the fifth spot. Lee dashed his 19th starting spot machine past Keltner on lap 39 with England in close pursuit. As the pair tracked down Chamberlain, David Webb put on a show powering into sixth past Keltner on a move to the front.
Over the last ten laps, Tungate would distance himself from the field, leaving Jewell, Lee, 20th starting Webb and Chamberlain to round out the top 5 at the checkers. The Campbellsville, KY driver crossed the strip claiming the $5000 paycheck in his Bullock powered, Rayburn Monte Carlo sponsored by B&W Auto Recyclers, Mulch Madness, Guardian Mortgage, J&L Title, The Shack, Barnes Auto Sales, ABC Child Care, Phillips Lane Restaurant and Jeff's Food Mart.
"I don't know what to say," said an excited Tungate after climbing down from the window of his car. "I would like to dedicate this win to Russell Blevins, a crew member we lost a few weeks ago. The car was really good tonight and I have to thank the guys in the pits for that."
Finishing second was Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN in the Southern Indiana Drilling/MPC Motorsports/Morgan Foods/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Coming home third using a Series provisional to make the show was Victor Lee in his Revel Motorsports/Budda Bert Transmissions/Big T's Drywall/Ado's Auto Parts/Jay Dickens powered/Rayburn Grand Prix.
Fourth went to the other Series provisional starter, David Webb, in his ORS AutoBody/Valvoline/B&H Electric/Angler's Outpost/Pro Power/ Rayburn GTO. Rounding out the top five was Richmond, IN's Duane Chamberlain in a Dargie powered Bloomquist Monte Carlo sponsored by CW Watson Excavating, Custom Hot Rod & Fabrication, and TruckingSuccess.com. Sixth through tenth were 13th-starting Michael England, 14th-starting Jason Keltner, Brad Barrow, Tyrel Todd, and Dennis Roberson.
Earlier in the evening, Jerry Rice set the bar for the twenty-nine entries in Racing Optic Time Trials with a quick time of 16.560. The Arizona Sport Shirts Heats were won by Tim Tungate, Duane Chamberlain and Tyrel Todd. Michael England and Jason Keltner came out on top in the Design 500 B-Mains. Taking series provisionals to start the race were Victor Lee and David Webb while Brandon Witt and Marty Stepp chased the field using Richmond Raceway track provisionals.
The nation's most competitive regional dirt racing series will take a short break before being back into action at the D-shaped Ponderosa Speedway for the $5000 to win 5th Annual John Bradshaw Memorial on August 24th. The Series will then head to Eastern Kentucky for the second trip to 201 Speedway on the 2007 schedule with the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass joining the DirtCar Series on September 1st.
For more information on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts, please visit our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Results Summary
O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass
Richmond Raceway - Richmond, KY
July 21, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Jerry Rice - 16.560
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #1: Tim Tungate, Dennis Roberson, Lee Devasier, Jerry Rice, Michael England, Jason Keltner, Mike Marlar, Marty Stepp, Brandon Witt, Michael Chilton
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #2: Duane Chamberlain, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Aaron Hatton, Chris Combs, Doug Smith, David Webb, John Jackson, Johnny Wheeler, Chris Ruble
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Tyrel Todd, Mike Jewell, Brad Barrow, Dustin Neat, Jason Barrett, Anthony Adams, Tommy Carlton, Jim Robinson, Jerry Rutherford
Design 500 B-Main #1: Michael England, Jason Barrett, Mike Marlar, David Webb, Victor Lee, Brandon Witt, Johnny Wheeler, Jerry Rutherford, Tommy Carlton
Design 500 B-Main #2: Jason Keltner, Doug Smith, John Jackson, Michael Chilton, Anthony Adams, Jim Robinson, Marty Stepp, Chris Ruble
20th Annual "Butterball" Wooldridge Memorial: Tim Tungate, Mike Jewell, Victor Lee, David Webb, Duane Chamberlain, Michael England, Jason Keltner, Brad Barrow, Tyrel Todd, Dennis Roberson, Dustin Neat, Chris Combs, Jason Barrett, Doug Smith, Aaron Hatton, Jerry Rice, John Jackson, Lee Devasier, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Mike Marlar, Marty Stepp, Brandon Witt
Race Statistics
Cautions: 6
Lap Leaders: Tim Tungate 1-50
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Victor Lee (started 19th, finished 3rd) and David Webb (started 20th, finished 4th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
Series Provisionals: Victor Lee, David Webb
Track Provisionals: Brandon Witt, Marty Stepp
Entries: 29
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
1. 4 Victor Lee - 3593
2. 0 Jason Keltner - 3259
3. 14 Tyrel Todd - 3220
4. 11 Jerry Rice - 3123
5. 18 Tim Tungate - 3025
6. 13 David Webb - 2982
7. 157 Mike Marlar - 2660
8. 9 Mike Jewell - 2621
9. 47 Chris Combs - 2369
10. 45 Doug Smith - 2259
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
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, Mason Racin', Design 500, Trailer Parts & Sales, Honda of Prestonsburg, Bullock Race Engines, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Bert Transmissions, Rick Schwallie Photography, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
-Jesse Howard - O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass PR
