Greg Johnson Wins O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Lake Cumberland Classic; Jewell Crowned Series Champion
BURNSIDE, KY – The 2006 season came to a close for the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts Saturday night at the Lake Cumberland Speedway with Greg Johnson narrowly edging out David Webb to claim the win in the Lake Cumberland Classic. In addition, Mike Jewell was crowned the 2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Champion.
Josh McGuire and Greg Johnson led a stout field of competitors to the green with Johnson powering into the early race lead. Behind him, the racing was intense with McGuire, Justin Rattliff, and David Webb all vying for the runner-up spot as Victor Lee and Mike Jewell danced for 5th. Rattliff slipped by McGuire on lap 4 with Webb following suit just a few circuits later.
By lap 10, Johnson had quietly walked away from the field and closed in on lapped traffic as Webb hounded Rattliff for 2nd. Webb, a two-time O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass winner at Lake Cumberland this season, moved into 2nd on lap 12 and began his pursuit of race-leader Johnson. Meanwhile, an exciting battle for fourth found Jewell and Lee side-by-side with McGuire, Chris Combs, and Michael England wrestling for 6th.
Using every inch of the multi-grooved race track, both Johnson and Webb weaved in and out of lapped traffic until Webb finally pulled up the rear decklid of Johnson just before the halfway point. When the crossed flags were displayed to the field, Webb looked inside of Johnson in a bid for the top spot, only to have Johnson shut the door. In a highly entertaining battle for the top spot, Johnson and Webb engaged in a high-speed game of “cat-and-mouse” that reached its peak on lap 27 when Webb pulled doorhandle-to-doorhandle with the Bedford, IN native. With the crowd on its feet, Webb finally completed the pass for the lead on lap 28, only to have a caution for Brandon Hardgrove veto Webb’s winning pass.
When racing resumed, Johnson led Webb, Rattliff, Jewell, and Combs back to the green as the front duo picked up right where they left off. Webb looked high and low on Johnson, getting his nose alongside the #4 in every corner, only to have Johnson power back out front on the straightaways. Behind them, Series championship contenders Jewell and Combs raced side-by-side for the 4th spot.
With just four laps remaining, the leaders came to the back of the field as Johnson masterfully worked through the lapped traffic, bringing Webb with him. Trying to use the backmarkers to his advantage, Webb daringly darted through the traffic in an effort to get by Johnson, but to no avail. A last lap, last ditch effort by Webb saw him get a nose under Johnson, but it was not enough. When the checkered flag fell, Johnson was the first car to cross the stripe in his Pro Power/Rayburn sponsored by Bedford Transport and GB Graphics. The win was Johnson’s fifth of the season with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, leading all A-Main winners for the season.
“This car has been great ever since we got it,” Johnson said after the race. “I have to thank CJ Rayburn for giving us a great car to drive. I could put this thing anywhere I wanted to and I knew it would stick.”
Behind Johnson, was Nicholasville, KY’s David Webb in the ORS Auto Body/Aluminum Racing Products sponsored, Pro Power/Rayburn. Third spot went to the Series’ 2006 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year, Justin Rattliff, of Campbellsville, KY, driving the Rattliff Motors/Gowen’s Auto Glass/Pro Power/Rayburn. 2006 Series Champion Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN was fourth in his Bullock powered MasterSbilt sponsored by MPC Motorsports and Southern Indiana Rock Drilling. Rounding out the top five was the 2006 Series runner-up Chris Combs of Isom, KY in the R&P Industrial Chimney/D&D Dairy/Cropper/Swartz GTO.
Of the 27 entries on hand for the event, Justin Rattliff set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.420. Mason Racin’ Heats were won by Rattliff and Josh McGuire while Greg Johnson won the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat and Tommy Bailey won the Design 500 B-Main.
The 2006 racing season for the nation’s most competitive regional racing series is complete with Mike Jewell winning the Series Championship. A complete tally of the final points as well as a look back on the 2006 season will be in a separate press release later this week.
For more information on the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, please log onto our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Event Summary
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Lake Cumberland Speedway – Lake Cumberland Classic
Burnside, KY
10/14/06
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Justin Rattliff/13.420
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Justin Rattliff, David Webb, Victor Lee, Jason Keltner, Jeff Watson, Sydney Sprague, Tim Patrick, Steve Elliott, Joe Patrick
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Josh McGuire, Jordan Bland, Chris Combs, Rod Carter Jr., John Mason, Jerry Denson, PJ Feistritzer, Larry Gray; (DNS - Aaron Hatton)
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Greg Johnson, Mike Jewell, Bobby Wolter Jr., Michael England, Freddy Smith, Tommy Bailey, Brandon Hardgrove, Danny Hatcher, Joe Ramey
Design 500 B-Main: Tommy Bailey, Jerry Denson, Brandon Hardgrove, Tim Patrick, Sydney Sprague, Danny Hatcher, Steve Elliott, Joe Patrick, PJ Feistritzer, Joe Ramey; (DNS – Larry Gray, Aaron Hatton)
O’Reilly Auto Part Late Cumberland Classic: Greg Johnson, David Webb, Justin Rattliff, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Josh McGuire, Victor Lee, Bobby Wolter Jr., Michael England, Jeff Watson, Rod Carter Jr., Tommy Bailey, Jason Keltner, Jordan Bland, Sydney Sprague, Freddy Smith, John Mason, Tim Patrick, Danny Hatcher, Brandon Hardgrove, Jerry Denson, PJ Feistritzer
Event Statistics
Entries: 27
Lap Leaders: Greg Johnson 1-40
Cautions: 1
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Sydney Sprague
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: PJ Feistritzer, Danny Hatcher
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, Real Wheels, and Digital EFX Wraps
BURNSIDE, KY – The 2006 season came to a close for the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts Saturday night at the Lake Cumberland Speedway with Greg Johnson narrowly edging out David Webb to claim the win in the Lake Cumberland Classic. In addition, Mike Jewell was crowned the 2006 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Champion.
Josh McGuire and Greg Johnson led a stout field of competitors to the green with Johnson powering into the early race lead. Behind him, the racing was intense with McGuire, Justin Rattliff, and David Webb all vying for the runner-up spot as Victor Lee and Mike Jewell danced for 5th. Rattliff slipped by McGuire on lap 4 with Webb following suit just a few circuits later.
By lap 10, Johnson had quietly walked away from the field and closed in on lapped traffic as Webb hounded Rattliff for 2nd. Webb, a two-time O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass winner at Lake Cumberland this season, moved into 2nd on lap 12 and began his pursuit of race-leader Johnson. Meanwhile, an exciting battle for fourth found Jewell and Lee side-by-side with McGuire, Chris Combs, and Michael England wrestling for 6th.
Using every inch of the multi-grooved race track, both Johnson and Webb weaved in and out of lapped traffic until Webb finally pulled up the rear decklid of Johnson just before the halfway point. When the crossed flags were displayed to the field, Webb looked inside of Johnson in a bid for the top spot, only to have Johnson shut the door. In a highly entertaining battle for the top spot, Johnson and Webb engaged in a high-speed game of “cat-and-mouse” that reached its peak on lap 27 when Webb pulled doorhandle-to-doorhandle with the Bedford, IN native. With the crowd on its feet, Webb finally completed the pass for the lead on lap 28, only to have a caution for Brandon Hardgrove veto Webb’s winning pass.
When racing resumed, Johnson led Webb, Rattliff, Jewell, and Combs back to the green as the front duo picked up right where they left off. Webb looked high and low on Johnson, getting his nose alongside the #4 in every corner, only to have Johnson power back out front on the straightaways. Behind them, Series championship contenders Jewell and Combs raced side-by-side for the 4th spot.
With just four laps remaining, the leaders came to the back of the field as Johnson masterfully worked through the lapped traffic, bringing Webb with him. Trying to use the backmarkers to his advantage, Webb daringly darted through the traffic in an effort to get by Johnson, but to no avail. A last lap, last ditch effort by Webb saw him get a nose under Johnson, but it was not enough. When the checkered flag fell, Johnson was the first car to cross the stripe in his Pro Power/Rayburn sponsored by Bedford Transport and GB Graphics. The win was Johnson’s fifth of the season with the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, leading all A-Main winners for the season.
“This car has been great ever since we got it,” Johnson said after the race. “I have to thank CJ Rayburn for giving us a great car to drive. I could put this thing anywhere I wanted to and I knew it would stick.”
Behind Johnson, was Nicholasville, KY’s David Webb in the ORS Auto Body/Aluminum Racing Products sponsored, Pro Power/Rayburn. Third spot went to the Series’ 2006 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year, Justin Rattliff, of Campbellsville, KY, driving the Rattliff Motors/Gowen’s Auto Glass/Pro Power/Rayburn. 2006 Series Champion Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN was fourth in his Bullock powered MasterSbilt sponsored by MPC Motorsports and Southern Indiana Rock Drilling. Rounding out the top five was the 2006 Series runner-up Chris Combs of Isom, KY in the R&P Industrial Chimney/D&D Dairy/Cropper/Swartz GTO.
Of the 27 entries on hand for the event, Justin Rattliff set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 13.420. Mason Racin’ Heats were won by Rattliff and Josh McGuire while Greg Johnson won the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat and Tommy Bailey won the Design 500 B-Main.
The 2006 racing season for the nation’s most competitive regional racing series is complete with Mike Jewell winning the Series Championship. A complete tally of the final points as well as a look back on the 2006 season will be in a separate press release later this week.
For more information on the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, please log onto our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the Series office at (859) 433-5707.
Event Summary
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Lake Cumberland Speedway – Lake Cumberland Classic
Burnside, KY
10/14/06
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Justin Rattliff/13.420
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Justin Rattliff, David Webb, Victor Lee, Jason Keltner, Jeff Watson, Sydney Sprague, Tim Patrick, Steve Elliott, Joe Patrick
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Josh McGuire, Jordan Bland, Chris Combs, Rod Carter Jr., John Mason, Jerry Denson, PJ Feistritzer, Larry Gray; (DNS - Aaron Hatton)
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Greg Johnson, Mike Jewell, Bobby Wolter Jr., Michael England, Freddy Smith, Tommy Bailey, Brandon Hardgrove, Danny Hatcher, Joe Ramey
Design 500 B-Main: Tommy Bailey, Jerry Denson, Brandon Hardgrove, Tim Patrick, Sydney Sprague, Danny Hatcher, Steve Elliott, Joe Patrick, PJ Feistritzer, Joe Ramey; (DNS – Larry Gray, Aaron Hatton)
O’Reilly Auto Part Late Cumberland Classic: Greg Johnson, David Webb, Justin Rattliff, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Josh McGuire, Victor Lee, Bobby Wolter Jr., Michael England, Jeff Watson, Rod Carter Jr., Tommy Bailey, Jason Keltner, Jordan Bland, Sydney Sprague, Freddy Smith, John Mason, Tim Patrick, Danny Hatcher, Brandon Hardgrove, Jerry Denson, PJ Feistritzer
Event Statistics
Entries: 27
Lap Leaders: Greg Johnson 1-40
Cautions: 1
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Sydney Sprague
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: PJ Feistritzer, Danny Hatcher
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, Real Wheels, and Digital EFX Wraps
