By Steve Molnar
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (March 8, 2003) - James Ward set the fast time in qualifying and then secured the pole for the first ever O'Reilly Auto Parts SUPR All Star Race of Champions at Baton Rouge Raceway. Ward, the 2002 Late Model America/Ashley Brothers Rookie of the Year, topped the first heat race to earn the pole and he'll be joined on the front row by Ronny Adams. Adams, tied with Ronnie Poche' as the second winningest driver in SUPR history with 26 victories, will be looking to break that tie with a victory on Sunday. The second row will consist of Springfield, Louisiana's Racing Alligator Farmer Chris Wall and he'll be joined by Clinton, Mississippi's Scott Slay. The third row will feature current O'Reilly SUPR Late Model point leader Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, Louisiana and last week's Mardi Gras Nationals feature winner David Ashley.
15 cars secured a spot in the feature for Sunday's race as the top three cars from each heat race advanced. 35 cars were on hand for qualifying and two last chance races remain to help set the field for the twin 40-lap features. Former Baton Rouge Track Champion Jerry Bevis of Zachary, Louisiana will start on the pole of the first last chance race while Marlon Wild of Springfield, Louisiana will be on the pole for the second last chance race, a race that features four former champions: Doug Ingalls, Donald Watson, Rusty Cummings and Jay Blair.
The racing resumes on Sunday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. with the last chance races, the Coca-Cola UMP Modified 40-lap feature and then the first-ever O' Reilly Auto Parts SUPR Race of Champions will complete the racing program.
Feature Line-up:
1. James Ward
2. Ronny Adams
3. Chris Wall
4. Scott Slay
5. Kenny Merchant
6. David Ashley
7. Jon Mitchell
8. Tommy Surrett
9. Rodney Wing
10. Davin Bates
11. Phil Cooper
12. Ryan Plaisance
13. Eric Courville
14. Kevin Watts
15. Dude Garrett
Last Chance #1:
1. Jerry Bevis
2. Jimmy Nolan
3. Curt Lipsey
4. Jody Prince
5. Kennith Crowe
6. Bubba Mullins
7. Dan Molphus
8. David Lafleur
9. Kerry Vicknair
10. Odie Green
Last Chance #2:
1. Marlon Wild
2. Doug Ingalls
3. Donald Watson
4. Rusty Cummings
5. Bill Gordon
6. Butch Jenkins
7. Shane McCloud
8. Randy Cook
9. Jay Blair
10. Cody Chisolm
<B>Postponed!</b>
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (March 9, 2003) - Heavy overnight rains, dense fog this morning and little hope for improvement today has led to the postponement of the O'Reilly SUPR All Star Race of Champions. O'Reilly SUPR officials have not yet set a make-up date. We will post the make-up date on the O'Reilly SUPR Web site (www.suprracing.com) as soon as it is announced. For further information contact the Baton Rouge Raceway offices at 225-275-5040.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (March 8, 2003) - James Ward set the fast time in qualifying and then secured the pole for the first ever O'Reilly Auto Parts SUPR All Star Race of Champions at Baton Rouge Raceway. Ward, the 2002 Late Model America/Ashley Brothers Rookie of the Year, topped the first heat race to earn the pole and he'll be joined on the front row by Ronny Adams. Adams, tied with Ronnie Poche' as the second winningest driver in SUPR history with 26 victories, will be looking to break that tie with a victory on Sunday. The second row will consist of Springfield, Louisiana's Racing Alligator Farmer Chris Wall and he'll be joined by Clinton, Mississippi's Scott Slay. The third row will feature current O'Reilly SUPR Late Model point leader Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, Louisiana and last week's Mardi Gras Nationals feature winner David Ashley.
15 cars secured a spot in the feature for Sunday's race as the top three cars from each heat race advanced. 35 cars were on hand for qualifying and two last chance races remain to help set the field for the twin 40-lap features. Former Baton Rouge Track Champion Jerry Bevis of Zachary, Louisiana will start on the pole of the first last chance race while Marlon Wild of Springfield, Louisiana will be on the pole for the second last chance race, a race that features four former champions: Doug Ingalls, Donald Watson, Rusty Cummings and Jay Blair.
The racing resumes on Sunday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. with the last chance races, the Coca-Cola UMP Modified 40-lap feature and then the first-ever O' Reilly Auto Parts SUPR Race of Champions will complete the racing program.
Feature Line-up:
1. James Ward
2. Ronny Adams
3. Chris Wall
4. Scott Slay
5. Kenny Merchant
6. David Ashley
7. Jon Mitchell
8. Tommy Surrett
9. Rodney Wing
10. Davin Bates
11. Phil Cooper
12. Ryan Plaisance
13. Eric Courville
14. Kevin Watts
15. Dude Garrett
Last Chance #1:
1. Jerry Bevis
2. Jimmy Nolan
3. Curt Lipsey
4. Jody Prince
5. Kennith Crowe
6. Bubba Mullins
7. Dan Molphus
8. David Lafleur
9. Kerry Vicknair
10. Odie Green
Last Chance #2:
1. Marlon Wild
2. Doug Ingalls
3. Donald Watson
4. Rusty Cummings
5. Bill Gordon
6. Butch Jenkins
7. Shane McCloud
8. Randy Cook
9. Jay Blair
10. Cody Chisolm
<B>Postponed!</b>
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (March 9, 2003) - Heavy overnight rains, dense fog this morning and little hope for improvement today has led to the postponement of the O'Reilly SUPR All Star Race of Champions. O'Reilly SUPR officials have not yet set a make-up date. We will post the make-up date on the O'Reilly SUPR Web site (www.suprracing.com) as soon as it is announced. For further information contact the Baton Rouge Raceway offices at 225-275-5040.
