By Dustin Jarrett
SITKA, KY – After being the “best man” three times this season, Chris Combs finally found out what it’s like to be the groom as the Isom, KY hotshoe waltzed down the aisle and found victory lane for the first time with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. Combs passed Mike Jewell on a restart with six laps remaining to nab the popular victory in front of a capacity crowd at 201 Speedway.
Bobby Wolter Jr. and Mike Jewell set the pace for the 40-lap A-Main with Jewell taking the early advantage. Wolter had a rear view mirror full of Chuckie May, Freddy Smith, and Chris Combs, who were engaged in a fierce battle for third. Anthony Adams and Justin Rattliff soon joined the battle making for an entertaining show among the top ten.
After hounding Jewell for several laps, Wolter finally darted into the lead on lap 7 as the leaders were picking their way through the back of the field. Wolter’s pass would be vetoed, however, as a caution flag negated the lead change and put Jewell back on he point. Another lap 7 yellow kept the field tight with Jewell leading Wolter, May, Smith, and Adams on the restart.
When racing resumed, Wolter once again shot to he outside, engaging in a side-by-side battle with race leader Jewell. The two danced door-to-door for several laps before Wolter finally cleared Jewell on lap 11 on assumed sole possession of the lead with May now knocking on the backdoor of Jewell. Behind that lead trio, the intense racing continued as fourth-running Smith had his hands full with Combs, Rattliff, and Aaron Hatton.
After a pair of lap 12 cautions slowed the pace, Jewell pulled alongside Wolter to rekindle the highly-entertaining race for the lead. An outstanding duel saw the two run side-by-side with Jewell inching back ahead of Wolter to reassume command of the field on lap 15. As Wolter slowly started to fade, May and Rattliff closed and engaged in their own battle for second. On back through the field, Combs and Adams sliced and diced for fifth while David Powers and Brandon Kinzer swapped the seventh position.
The complexion of the race changed drastically on lap 24 when Wolter, May, and Rattliff all came together in turn two. All three cars gnashed to a halt with May and Rattliff falling to back of the field and Wolter retiring from the event.
The restart now saw Jewell leading Combs, Tim Tungate, Adams, and 15th-starting John Mason. Jewell enjoyed his biggest lead of the race – a mere five cars lengths – while Combs had his hands full with Tungate, Adams, Mason, and Kinzer. With less than ten laps to go, Adams worked his way into third and set his sights on Combs in a bid for second. The duo raced side-by-side until lap 34 when Adams slid to a stop in turn 4.
The yellow set up a six-lap dash to the finish with Jewell now leading Combs, Tungate, Mason, and Kinzer. On the restart, Combs brought the crowd to their feet as he shot to the outside of Jewell in a bid for the win. They ran doorhandle-to-doorhandle with Combs leading laps 35 and 36 by less than a nosepiece. The race was halted on lap 36 as the red flag flew when Carri Mason splintered the outside wall and came to a grinding halt on the frontstretch.
In a four-lap shootout, the Isom, KY native and defending Series Rookie of the Year had to keep both of the defending Series Co-Champions at bay. When racing resumed, Jewell made a bid for the lead, but was unsuccessful in wrangling the top spot away. As the checkered flag fell, Chris Combs would be the first to cross the stripe as he notched his first ever win with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series in yet another exciting 201 Speedway finish.
“This is unbelievable!” said a jubilant Combs after the race. “I just have thank my family and my crew and my sponsors. You know, when we had that caution there with six laps to go, my crew chief motioned for me to try the high side. I gave it a shot and it worked.”
Combs drives a Cropper powered Swartz GTO sponsored by Combs Brothers Racing, Bub’s Trucking, Tim Short Automotive, Combs Wallpaper Gallery, K&E Trucking, R&P Industrial Chimney, Combs Trucking, AC2 Graphics, Breeding Heavy Haulers, D&D Dairy, and Combs Transport.
Second place was Scottsburg, IN’s Mike Jewell in the MPC Motorsports/Southern Indiana Drilling sponsored, Bullock powered MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Tim Tungate of Campbellsville, KY in the Mulch Madness/Guardian Mortgage/Bullock/Rayburn Monte Carlo finished third. In his first ever appearance at the track, Millersburg, OH’s John Mason was fourth in the Mason Racin’/Rebel Shock Dyno/SMS/Rocket GTO. Completing the top five was Brandon Kinzer of Allen, KY driving a Custom powered Rocket Grand Prix sponsored by Kinzer Drilling and Panther Motorsports Design. Freddy Smith finished sixth with Justin Rattliff, David Powers, Terry Hicks, and Jamie Ferguson rounding out the top ten.
Justin Rattliff was the fast qualifier during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.573. Mason Racin’ Heats were won by Chris Combs and Mike Jewell with Bobby Wolter Jr. winning the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat. DJ Wells picked up the win in the Design 500 B-Main.
The O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series heads to Bardstown, KY next Saturday, July 8th to celebrate Series Race #100 at the Bluegrass Speedway. For more information on the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit us on the web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com.
Race Summary
201 Speedway – Sitka, KY
July 1, 2006
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Justin Rattliff/13.573
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Chris Combs, Chuckie May, Justin Rattliff, Bryan Barber, Brandon Kinzer, DJ Wells, Jamie Ferguson, Lee McKenzie, Steve Stollings
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Mike Jewell, Freddy Smith, Aaron Hatton, David Powers, Eric Wells, Terry Hicks, Michael Paul Howard, Robert “Taco” Fletcher
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Bobby Wolter Jr., Anthony Adams, Rick Aukland, Tim Tungate, John Mason, Dan Deaton, Tandy Spurlock, Anthony Ferguson, Carri Mason
Design 500 B-Main: DJ Wells, Terry Hicks, Michael Paul Howard, Jamie Ferguson, Dan Deaton, Robert “Taco” Fletcher, Anthony Ferguson, Lee McKenzie, Carri Mason, Tandy Spurlock
O’Reilly Auto Parts A-Main: Chris Combs, Mike Jewell, Tim Tungate, John Mason, Brandon Kinzer, Freddy Smith, Justin Rattliff, David Powers, Terry Hicks, Jamie Ferguson, Tandy Spurlock, DJ Wells, Chuckie May, Lee McKenzie, Carri Mason, Bobby Wolter Jr., Robert “Taco” Fletcher, Aaron Hatton, Eric Wells, Bryan Barber, Steve Stollings, Dan Deaton, Michael Paul Howard
Race Statistics
Entries: 28
Lap Leaders: Jewell 1-10, Wolter Jr. 11-14, Jewell 15-34, Combs 35-40
Cautions: 7
Red Flags: 1
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger: Tandy Spurlock (started 23rd, finished 11th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: Carri Mason, Steve Stollings
Track Provisionals: Tandy Spurlock, Lee McKenzie
Current O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
1. 9 Mike Jewell – 2550
2. 47 Chris Combs – 2490
3. 16 Justin Rattliff – 2360
4. 18 Tim Tungate – 2330
5. 10 Bryan Barber – 2225
6. 33 Aaron Hatton – 2170
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. – 1900
8. D2 Dan Deaton – 1685
9. 41 Brad Neat – 1610
10. 4 Greg Johnson - 1410
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Retailer of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir Manufacturer & Vendor of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels – “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Supporters Include: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery, Drive Smart Kentucky, Lucas Oil Products, 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, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
SITKA, KY – After being the “best man” three times this season, Chris Combs finally found out what it’s like to be the groom as the Isom, KY hotshoe waltzed down the aisle and found victory lane for the first time with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. Combs passed Mike Jewell on a restart with six laps remaining to nab the popular victory in front of a capacity crowd at 201 Speedway.
Bobby Wolter Jr. and Mike Jewell set the pace for the 40-lap A-Main with Jewell taking the early advantage. Wolter had a rear view mirror full of Chuckie May, Freddy Smith, and Chris Combs, who were engaged in a fierce battle for third. Anthony Adams and Justin Rattliff soon joined the battle making for an entertaining show among the top ten.
After hounding Jewell for several laps, Wolter finally darted into the lead on lap 7 as the leaders were picking their way through the back of the field. Wolter’s pass would be vetoed, however, as a caution flag negated the lead change and put Jewell back on he point. Another lap 7 yellow kept the field tight with Jewell leading Wolter, May, Smith, and Adams on the restart.
When racing resumed, Wolter once again shot to he outside, engaging in a side-by-side battle with race leader Jewell. The two danced door-to-door for several laps before Wolter finally cleared Jewell on lap 11 on assumed sole possession of the lead with May now knocking on the backdoor of Jewell. Behind that lead trio, the intense racing continued as fourth-running Smith had his hands full with Combs, Rattliff, and Aaron Hatton.
After a pair of lap 12 cautions slowed the pace, Jewell pulled alongside Wolter to rekindle the highly-entertaining race for the lead. An outstanding duel saw the two run side-by-side with Jewell inching back ahead of Wolter to reassume command of the field on lap 15. As Wolter slowly started to fade, May and Rattliff closed and engaged in their own battle for second. On back through the field, Combs and Adams sliced and diced for fifth while David Powers and Brandon Kinzer swapped the seventh position.
The complexion of the race changed drastically on lap 24 when Wolter, May, and Rattliff all came together in turn two. All three cars gnashed to a halt with May and Rattliff falling to back of the field and Wolter retiring from the event.
The restart now saw Jewell leading Combs, Tim Tungate, Adams, and 15th-starting John Mason. Jewell enjoyed his biggest lead of the race – a mere five cars lengths – while Combs had his hands full with Tungate, Adams, Mason, and Kinzer. With less than ten laps to go, Adams worked his way into third and set his sights on Combs in a bid for second. The duo raced side-by-side until lap 34 when Adams slid to a stop in turn 4.
The yellow set up a six-lap dash to the finish with Jewell now leading Combs, Tungate, Mason, and Kinzer. On the restart, Combs brought the crowd to their feet as he shot to the outside of Jewell in a bid for the win. They ran doorhandle-to-doorhandle with Combs leading laps 35 and 36 by less than a nosepiece. The race was halted on lap 36 as the red flag flew when Carri Mason splintered the outside wall and came to a grinding halt on the frontstretch.
In a four-lap shootout, the Isom, KY native and defending Series Rookie of the Year had to keep both of the defending Series Co-Champions at bay. When racing resumed, Jewell made a bid for the lead, but was unsuccessful in wrangling the top spot away. As the checkered flag fell, Chris Combs would be the first to cross the stripe as he notched his first ever win with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series in yet another exciting 201 Speedway finish.
“This is unbelievable!” said a jubilant Combs after the race. “I just have thank my family and my crew and my sponsors. You know, when we had that caution there with six laps to go, my crew chief motioned for me to try the high side. I gave it a shot and it worked.”
Combs drives a Cropper powered Swartz GTO sponsored by Combs Brothers Racing, Bub’s Trucking, Tim Short Automotive, Combs Wallpaper Gallery, K&E Trucking, R&P Industrial Chimney, Combs Trucking, AC2 Graphics, Breeding Heavy Haulers, D&D Dairy, and Combs Transport.
Second place was Scottsburg, IN’s Mike Jewell in the MPC Motorsports/Southern Indiana Drilling sponsored, Bullock powered MasterSbilt Grand Prix. Tim Tungate of Campbellsville, KY in the Mulch Madness/Guardian Mortgage/Bullock/Rayburn Monte Carlo finished third. In his first ever appearance at the track, Millersburg, OH’s John Mason was fourth in the Mason Racin’/Rebel Shock Dyno/SMS/Rocket GTO. Completing the top five was Brandon Kinzer of Allen, KY driving a Custom powered Rocket Grand Prix sponsored by Kinzer Drilling and Panther Motorsports Design. Freddy Smith finished sixth with Justin Rattliff, David Powers, Terry Hicks, and Jamie Ferguson rounding out the top ten.
Justin Rattliff was the fast qualifier during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.573. Mason Racin’ Heats were won by Chris Combs and Mike Jewell with Bobby Wolter Jr. winning the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat. DJ Wells picked up the win in the Design 500 B-Main.
The O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series heads to Bardstown, KY next Saturday, July 8th to celebrate Series Race #100 at the Bluegrass Speedway. For more information on the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, visit us on the web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com.
Race Summary
201 Speedway – Sitka, KY
July 1, 2006
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Justin Rattliff/13.573
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Chris Combs, Chuckie May, Justin Rattliff, Bryan Barber, Brandon Kinzer, DJ Wells, Jamie Ferguson, Lee McKenzie, Steve Stollings
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Mike Jewell, Freddy Smith, Aaron Hatton, David Powers, Eric Wells, Terry Hicks, Michael Paul Howard, Robert “Taco” Fletcher
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Bobby Wolter Jr., Anthony Adams, Rick Aukland, Tim Tungate, John Mason, Dan Deaton, Tandy Spurlock, Anthony Ferguson, Carri Mason
Design 500 B-Main: DJ Wells, Terry Hicks, Michael Paul Howard, Jamie Ferguson, Dan Deaton, Robert “Taco” Fletcher, Anthony Ferguson, Lee McKenzie, Carri Mason, Tandy Spurlock
O’Reilly Auto Parts A-Main: Chris Combs, Mike Jewell, Tim Tungate, John Mason, Brandon Kinzer, Freddy Smith, Justin Rattliff, David Powers, Terry Hicks, Jamie Ferguson, Tandy Spurlock, DJ Wells, Chuckie May, Lee McKenzie, Carri Mason, Bobby Wolter Jr., Robert “Taco” Fletcher, Aaron Hatton, Eric Wells, Bryan Barber, Steve Stollings, Dan Deaton, Michael Paul Howard
Race Statistics
Entries: 28
Lap Leaders: Jewell 1-10, Wolter Jr. 11-14, Jewell 15-34, Combs 35-40
Cautions: 7
Red Flags: 1
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger: Tandy Spurlock (started 23rd, finished 11th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: Carri Mason, Steve Stollings
Track Provisionals: Tandy Spurlock, Lee McKenzie
Current O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points
1. 9 Mike Jewell – 2550
2. 47 Chris Combs – 2490
3. 16 Justin Rattliff – 2360
4. 18 Tim Tungate – 2330
5. 10 Bryan Barber – 2225
6. 33 Aaron Hatton – 2170
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. – 1900
8. D2 Dan Deaton – 1685
9. 41 Brad Neat – 1610
10. 4 Greg Johnson - 1410
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series Sponsors
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Title Sponsor and “Official Auto Parts Retailer of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Arizona Sport Shirts – Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir Manufacturer & Vendor of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
Sunoco Race Fuels – “Official Race Fuel of the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series”
2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Supporters Include: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Arizona Sport Shirts, Sunoco Race Fuels, DART Machinery, Drive Smart Kentucky, Lucas Oil Products, 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, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
