Jimmy Owens Earns O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Win in Bluegrass Speedway's 8th Annual Kentuckiana Klash
BARDSTOWN, KY -- It was neither a driver from Kentucky nor a driver from Indiana that would be victorious in the 8th Annual Kentuckiana Klash, instead it was Newport, TN's Jimmy Owens picking up the $5000 paycheck at Bluegrass Speedway Saturday night. The event marked race #100 for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts and it was Owens' second win with the series in 2006.
With a strong field of cars on hand, Terry English and Jimmy Owens set the pace with Owens storming into the lead. English would wrestle with Brad Neat for the runner-up spot while Aaron Hatton, Mike Jewell, Tim Tungate, and Michael England were slicing and dicing from 4th on back. The race would be halted on lap 4 for an accident in turns one and two.
On the restart, Owens led Neat, English, Hatton, and Jewell back to the green with the Newport Nightmare leaving the side-by-side battle for 2nd behind of him. Jewell used the Delaware double-file restart to move into 4th and join Neat and English in the race for 2nd. Jewell worked his way around English on lap 8 and looked under Neat one circuit later, but a caution slowed the pace and tightened the field back together.
After an aborted restart, Owens led Neat, Jewell, English, and Hatton back to the Delaware double-file restart with Jewell pulling alongside Owens momentarily in turns one and two. Owens motored back ahead of the pack as Jewell settled into second with Neat knocking on the back door. Behind of them, an intense battle for 7th found Hatton trying to fend off the challenges of both Steve Casebolt and Chris Combs. As that trio raced three wide around the high-banked half-mile, Owens had the Jeff and Eddie Harrod-owned #20 in cruise control at the front of the field.
Just before the halfway point, Neat set his sights on race-leader Owens as he was able to maneuver back around Jewell to move back into 2nd. Meanwhile, Michael England quietly began working his way to the front. England used the bottom groove to sneak by English for 4th and then inched his way up to challenge Jewell for 3rd. At the same time, the fierce battle from 6th on back continued to grab the fans' attention with Hatton, Tungate, Casebolt, and fast qualifier Justin Rattliff jockeying for position.
With 15 laps to go, Owens began working his mount through the back of the field. Although he was able to manage the lapped traffic flawlessly, a caution with just 10 laps remaining erased Owens' advantage and allowed the field to be closed back in on the rear decklid of the race-long leader. The restart saw Owens ahead of Neat, Jewell, England, and English.
When racing resumed, both Neat and Jewell challenged Owens for the point as the trio went three-wide into turns one and two. Owens again held the preferred line with Jewell reassuming control of the bridesmaid honors. As Casebolt, Hatton, and English renewed the rivalry for 6th, England continued to impress by hounding Neat for the 3rd spot. As the finals laps ticked away, those two race side-by-side allowed Jewell to pull away in 2nd.
It would all happen behind race leader Jimmy Owens, however, as the Newport, TN native would not be denied a win in the 100th race for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. When the checkered flag fell, he would be the first to cross the stripe in the Harrod Farms, Central Painting, Perry's Auto Sales, Red Line Oil, PPM Racing Products, Hoosier Tires sponsored, Jay Dickens powered, CJ Rayburn GTO. It would be Owens' third win with the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, and his second series win of 2006.
"I have to thank my crew for setting this car up for me," said Owens in victory lane. "They've been doing a great job lately in getting the set-ups where we need to be and it's really been showing these last few races."
2nd place honors went to current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series points leader Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN in his Bullock powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo sponsored by Morgan Foods and REMAX. Dunnville, KY's Brad Neat finished 3rd in his Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Michael England of Glasgow, KY nabbed 4th in the D&D Dairy/Young Oil Corporation sponsored, Pro Power/TNT Grand Prix. Rounding out the top 5 was Benton, KY veteran Terry English in the AAA Fence Inc./Dave Seay Chevy sponsored, Runion powered Rayburn Monte Carlo. Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Aaron Hatton, Justin Rattliff, and Lee Devasier completed the top 10.
Justin Rattliff set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.053. Mason Racin' Heats went to Jimmy Owens and Brad Neat while the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat was won by Terry English. Mike Marlar was the winner of the Design 500 B-Main.
Next Saturday, July 15th, the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts will pay tribute to the late Paul Wooldridge as the series visits the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY for the 19th Annual "Butterball" Wooldridge Memorial paying $5000 to win.
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 NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Bluegrass Speedway - Bardstown, KY
July 8, 2006
Racing Optics Fast Time: Justin Rattliff/16.053
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Jimmy Owens, Aaron Hatton, Tim Tungate, Justin Rattliff, Mike Watson, Jerry Rutherford, Mike Marlar, Bobby Wolter Jr., Dave Crawford
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Brad Neat, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Scotty Earl, Timmy Yeager, Eric Wells, Dan Deaton, Dustin Neat
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Terry English, Michael England, Lee Devasier, Bryan Barber, Jason Keltner, Joey Daniel, Johnny Wheeler, Jordan Bland, Devin Sebree, Sam Murphy
Design 500 B-Main: Mike Marlar, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Bobby Wolter Jr., Timmy Yeager, Jordan Bland, Sam Murphy, Dan Deaton, Devin Sebree, Dave Crawford, Eric Wells
8th Annual Kentuckiana Klash: Jimmy Owens, Mike Jewell, Brad Neat, Michael England, Terry English, Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Aaron Hatton, Justin Rattliff, Lee Devasier, Bryan Barber, Tim Tungate, Bobby Wolter Jr., Jason Keltner, Johnny Wheeler, Scotty Earl, Jerry Rutherford, Jordan Bland, Joey Daniel, Dan Deaton, Mike Marlar, Mike Watson, Dave Crawford
Race Statistics:
Entries: 28
Cautions: 5
Lap Leaders: Jimmy Owens 1-40
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Bobby Wolter Jr. (started 19th, finished 13th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: Dan Deaton, Jordan Bland
Track Provisional: Dave Crawford
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 7/8/06)
1. 9 Mike Jewell - 2780
2. 47 Chris Combs - 2690
3. 16 Justin Rattliff - 2555
4. 18 Tim Tungate - 2500
5. 10 Bryan Barber - 2400
6. 33 Aaron Hatton - 2360
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. - 2065
8. 41 Brad Neat - 1830
9. D2 Dan Deaton - 1815
10. 19 Greg Johnson - 1410
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Schedule
July 15th - Richmond Raceway (Richmond, KY) - $5000 to win/Butterball Wooldridge Memorial
July 21st - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $3000 to win
July 22nd - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $3000 to win
Aug. 25th - Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) - $3000 to win/John Bradshaw Memorial
Sept. 2nd - 201 Speedway (Sitka, KY) - $3000 to win
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
BARDSTOWN, KY -- It was neither a driver from Kentucky nor a driver from Indiana that would be victorious in the 8th Annual Kentuckiana Klash, instead it was Newport, TN's Jimmy Owens picking up the $5000 paycheck at Bluegrass Speedway Saturday night. The event marked race #100 for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts and it was Owens' second win with the series in 2006.
With a strong field of cars on hand, Terry English and Jimmy Owens set the pace with Owens storming into the lead. English would wrestle with Brad Neat for the runner-up spot while Aaron Hatton, Mike Jewell, Tim Tungate, and Michael England were slicing and dicing from 4th on back. The race would be halted on lap 4 for an accident in turns one and two.
On the restart, Owens led Neat, English, Hatton, and Jewell back to the green with the Newport Nightmare leaving the side-by-side battle for 2nd behind of him. Jewell used the Delaware double-file restart to move into 4th and join Neat and English in the race for 2nd. Jewell worked his way around English on lap 8 and looked under Neat one circuit later, but a caution slowed the pace and tightened the field back together.
After an aborted restart, Owens led Neat, Jewell, English, and Hatton back to the Delaware double-file restart with Jewell pulling alongside Owens momentarily in turns one and two. Owens motored back ahead of the pack as Jewell settled into second with Neat knocking on the back door. Behind of them, an intense battle for 7th found Hatton trying to fend off the challenges of both Steve Casebolt and Chris Combs. As that trio raced three wide around the high-banked half-mile, Owens had the Jeff and Eddie Harrod-owned #20 in cruise control at the front of the field.
Just before the halfway point, Neat set his sights on race-leader Owens as he was able to maneuver back around Jewell to move back into 2nd. Meanwhile, Michael England quietly began working his way to the front. England used the bottom groove to sneak by English for 4th and then inched his way up to challenge Jewell for 3rd. At the same time, the fierce battle from 6th on back continued to grab the fans' attention with Hatton, Tungate, Casebolt, and fast qualifier Justin Rattliff jockeying for position.
With 15 laps to go, Owens began working his mount through the back of the field. Although he was able to manage the lapped traffic flawlessly, a caution with just 10 laps remaining erased Owens' advantage and allowed the field to be closed back in on the rear decklid of the race-long leader. The restart saw Owens ahead of Neat, Jewell, England, and English.
When racing resumed, both Neat and Jewell challenged Owens for the point as the trio went three-wide into turns one and two. Owens again held the preferred line with Jewell reassuming control of the bridesmaid honors. As Casebolt, Hatton, and English renewed the rivalry for 6th, England continued to impress by hounding Neat for the 3rd spot. As the finals laps ticked away, those two race side-by-side allowed Jewell to pull away in 2nd.
It would all happen behind race leader Jimmy Owens, however, as the Newport, TN native would not be denied a win in the 100th race for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. When the checkered flag fell, he would be the first to cross the stripe in the Harrod Farms, Central Painting, Perry's Auto Sales, Red Line Oil, PPM Racing Products, Hoosier Tires sponsored, Jay Dickens powered, CJ Rayburn GTO. It would be Owens' third win with the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series, and his second series win of 2006.
"I have to thank my crew for setting this car up for me," said Owens in victory lane. "They've been doing a great job lately in getting the set-ups where we need to be and it's really been showing these last few races."
2nd place honors went to current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series points leader Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN in his Bullock powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo sponsored by Morgan Foods and REMAX. Dunnville, KY's Brad Neat finished 3rd in his Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Cornett/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Michael England of Glasgow, KY nabbed 4th in the D&D Dairy/Young Oil Corporation sponsored, Pro Power/TNT Grand Prix. Rounding out the top 5 was Benton, KY veteran Terry English in the AAA Fence Inc./Dave Seay Chevy sponsored, Runion powered Rayburn Monte Carlo. Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Aaron Hatton, Justin Rattliff, and Lee Devasier completed the top 10.
Justin Rattliff set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.053. Mason Racin' Heats went to Jimmy Owens and Brad Neat while the Arizona Sport Shirts Heat was won by Terry English. Mike Marlar was the winner of the Design 500 B-Main.
Next Saturday, July 15th, the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts will pay tribute to the late Paul Wooldridge as the series visits the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY for the 19th Annual "Butterball" Wooldridge Memorial paying $5000 to win.
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 NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
Bluegrass Speedway - Bardstown, KY
July 8, 2006
Racing Optics Fast Time: Justin Rattliff/16.053
Mason Racin’ Heat #1: Jimmy Owens, Aaron Hatton, Tim Tungate, Justin Rattliff, Mike Watson, Jerry Rutherford, Mike Marlar, Bobby Wolter Jr., Dave Crawford
Mason Racin’ Heat #2: Brad Neat, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Scotty Earl, Timmy Yeager, Eric Wells, Dan Deaton, Dustin Neat
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Terry English, Michael England, Lee Devasier, Bryan Barber, Jason Keltner, Joey Daniel, Johnny Wheeler, Jordan Bland, Devin Sebree, Sam Murphy
Design 500 B-Main: Mike Marlar, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Bobby Wolter Jr., Timmy Yeager, Jordan Bland, Sam Murphy, Dan Deaton, Devin Sebree, Dave Crawford, Eric Wells
8th Annual Kentuckiana Klash: Jimmy Owens, Mike Jewell, Brad Neat, Michael England, Terry English, Chris Combs, Steve Casebolt, Aaron Hatton, Justin Rattliff, Lee Devasier, Bryan Barber, Tim Tungate, Bobby Wolter Jr., Jason Keltner, Johnny Wheeler, Scotty Earl, Jerry Rutherford, Jordan Bland, Joey Daniel, Dan Deaton, Mike Marlar, Mike Watson, Dave Crawford
Race Statistics:
Entries: 28
Cautions: 5
Lap Leaders: Jimmy Owens 1-40
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger of the Race: Bobby Wolter Jr. (started 19th, finished 13th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Justin Rattliff
Series Provisionals: Dan Deaton, Jordan Bland
Track Provisional: Dave Crawford
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Points (after 7/8/06)
1. 9 Mike Jewell - 2780
2. 47 Chris Combs - 2690
3. 16 Justin Rattliff - 2555
4. 18 Tim Tungate - 2500
5. 10 Bryan Barber - 2400
6. 33 Aaron Hatton - 2360
7. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. - 2065
8. 41 Brad Neat - 1830
9. D2 Dan Deaton - 1815
10. 19 Greg Johnson - 1410
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Schedule
July 15th - Richmond Raceway (Richmond, KY) - $5000 to win/Butterball Wooldridge Memorial
July 21st - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $3000 to win
July 22nd - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $3000 to win
Aug. 25th - Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) - $3000 to win/John Bradshaw Memorial
Sept. 2nd - 201 Speedway (Sitka, KY) - $3000 to win
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
