TAZEWELL, TN (5/12/07) - In a wild night of action at the Tazewell Speedway, Jimmy Owens stole the show by starting 20th and roaring through the field to claim the win in the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass sanctioned "Harley Davidson of Knoxville 50". Owens becomes the sixth different winner in six races for the Series this season.
Brad Hall and Chris Combs brought the field down to the green flag with Combs powering ahead to lead lap one followed by Hall, Mike Marlar, Steve Smith, and Billy Ogle Jr. The first caution of the race would fly one lap later when David Webb and Victor Lee spun off turn two. On the restart, fifth-running Billy Ogle Jr. slowed as cars bottle-necked up behind him, resulting in Jason Keltner spinning into the inside wall.
When racing resumed, Combs paced the field with Hall, Marlar, and Smith battling it out for second. The trio raced two and nearly three wide for three laps until they ran out of real estate in turn four. Hall spun to halt in turn four collecting Rodney Kiker in the process with Marlar and Smith also showing signs of damage. While Hall's night was finished, both Marlar's crew and Kiker's crew would work feverishly to get their drivers back onto the track without losing a lap.
On the restart, Combs now had Smith and Troy Eads in his rear view mirror. In an entertaining battle for the point, Smith and Combs swapped the lead back and forth until Smith slowed with damage on his car on lap 8. While a Series official was attending to Chris Combs' car under the caution, Smith would run into Combs' entry, resulting in Smith being disqualified for the night.
The new line-up found Combs at the front of the field with 20th-starting Jimmy Owens now in second. Owens, who got into the wall qualifying, was unable to run a heat, now found himself in the bridesmaid position with Eads, Glen Vanover, and Tyrel Todd rounding out the top five.
When the green flag waved, Owens darted ahead of Combs and into the lead, as Todd disposed of Vanover and moved into fourth. Owens' torrid pace found the Newport, TN hotshoe working through lapped traffic by lap 13. A lap 17 yellow for a slowing Jerry Rice kept Owens within striking distance of the field as Combs, Eads, Todd, and now Mike Marlar rounded out the top five.
Like Owens, Marlar also spun during qualifying, resulting in him having to start last in his heat. After racing his way into second in his heat, Marlar was as high as third in the feature when the lap 5 accident forced him pitside for repairs. Now back in the top five, Marlar was on a mission. On the restart, he stormed into third and set his sights on Combs in a door-to-door war for second. Marlar would grab sole possession of the spot just before the halfway point and attempt to reel in Owens, who was methodically picking his way through the back of the field.
Marlar caught the break he needed on lap 28 when the caution waved for fast qualifier Bobby Wolter Jr. When racing resumed, Owens shot ahead of Marlar, Combs, Todd, and Vanover. Marlar's rollercoaster night took another turn when a flat tire on lap 30 brought out the yellow and forced him pitside. For the second time in the race, the Stephens Motorsports team was able to get Marlar back out before racing resumed.
Back under green, Owens led Combs, Todd, Vanover, and Kiker as Combs was able to keep pace with Owens this time. Never more than three car lengths ahead, Combs followed Owens tracks in an effort to run down the "Newport Nightmare". Meanwhile, Marlar continued to put on a show by once again thundering through the field. Marlar cracked the top five on lap 35 and used a caution one lap later to move into fourth.
Following the final caution of the race on lap 38, Marlar would roll by Todd to grab third and slip under Combs one circuit later to move back into second. Trying to run down race leader Owens over the final ten laps, the Winfield, TN native simply could not track down the lightning fast Owens. Over the final few laps, Owens flawlessly maneuvered through the backmarkers to go on and claim the win in his Cornett powered Bloomquist GTO sponsored by Reece Monument Co., Gantte Appraisals, Performance Rod & Custom, Red Line Oil, and VP Racing Fuels. The win makes Owens the sixth different winner in as many races for the ultra competitive O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series.
"I messed up out there qualifying and just got too high, but my crew, man, these guys did an awesome job of getting my car back together so I could run the feature," said Owens in victory lane. "You have to be patient to win here, but you also have to have a good car, and tonight I was just lucky too, to stay out of trouble and work my way to the front."
Winfield, TN's Mike Marlar finished second in the Crumps Lawn & Garden/Fleming Auto Parts sponsored Estes/Rayburn GTO. Third spot went to Chris Combs of Isom, KY in a Cropper powered Swartz GTO sponsored by Breeding Heavy Haulers and Combs Trucking. Eubank, KY's Tyrel Todd took fourth in his Todd Truss/Pulaski Steel & Supply/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Completing the top five was David Webb of Nicholasville, KY in a Pro Power/Rayburn GTO sponsored by ORS Auto Body and B&H Electric.
Bobby Wolter Jr. set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 11.537. Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heats went to Steve Smith, Brad Hall, and Chris Combs.
Next up for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts is the 2nd Annual Kentucky Speedweek. Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH will kick off the Speedweek with the Owen "Junior" Stephens Memorial on Sunday, May 27th. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, the Series will venture to Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY. Then on Tuesday, May 29th, the Speedweek will hit the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY. After a night off, the second half of the Speedweek hits Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, KY on Thursday, May 31st. On Friday, June 1st, the Series makes the second visit of the year to the Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY. The 2007 Kentucky Speedweek wraps up on Saturday, June 2nd with the $10,000 to win Ralph Latham Memorial sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts sanctions regional Dirt Late Model racing in and around the state of Kentucky. For more information on the nation's most competitive regional racing series, please visit our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call our office at (859) 433-5707.
Race Results
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Tazewell Speedway - Tazewell, TN
May 12, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Bobby Wolter Jr./11.537
Mason Racin' Heat #1: Steve Smith, Michael Chilton, Tyrel Todd, Rodney Kiker, Marty Calloway, Bobby Wolter Jr.; (DNS: Vic Hill)
Mason Racin' Heat #2: Brad Hall, Jason Trammell, Billy Ogle Jr., Jason Keltner, Steve Rouse, Jerry Rice; (DNS: Jimmy Owens)
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Chris Combs, Mike Marlar, Glen Vanover, Troy Eads, David Webb, Doug Smith, Victor Lee
Harley Davidson of Knoxville 50: Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, Chris Combs, Tyrel Todd, David Webb, Jerry Rice, Glen Vanover, Doug Smith, Jason Keltner, Billy Ogle Jr., Bobby Wolter Jr., Rodney Kiker, Michael Chilton, Troy Eads, Jason Trammell, Brad Hall, Victor Lee, Marty Calloway, Steve Rouse, Steve Smith; (DNS: Vic Hill)
Race Statistics
Entries: 21
Lap Leaders: Chris Combs 1-7, Steve Smith 8, Jimmy Owens 9-50
Cautions: 9
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger of the Race: Jimmy Owens (started 20th, finished 1st)
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series 2nd Annual Kentucky Speedweek
May 27 - Portsmouth Raceway Park - $3000
May 28 - Bluegrass Speedway - $3000
May 29 - Richmond Raceway - $3000
May 30 - Rain Date
May 31 - Lake Cumberland Speedway - $3000
June 1 - Ponderosa Speedway - $3000
June 2 - Florence Speedway - $10,000 (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series)
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Points Standings
1. 34 Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) - 1364
2. 11 Jerry Rice (Verona, KY) - 1284
3. 4 Victor Lee (Stanford, KY) - 1243
4. 47 Chris Combs (Isom, KY) - 1139
5. 0 Jason Keltner (Campbellsville, KY) - 1023
6. 13w David Webb (Nicholasville, KY) - 1006
7. 14 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY) - 964
8. 97 Michael Chilton (Salvisa, KY) - 893
9. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. (Lexington, KY) - 828
10. 9 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN) - 812
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Winners
Michael England - Florence Speedway, April 13th
Rick Aukland - Twin Cities Raceway Park, April 20th
Don O'Neal - Brownstown Speedway, April 21st
Aaron Hatton - Ponderosa Speedway, April 27th
Mike Marlar - Bluegrass Speedway, April 28th
Jimmy Owens - Tazewell Speedway, May 12th
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, 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, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
Brad Hall and Chris Combs brought the field down to the green flag with Combs powering ahead to lead lap one followed by Hall, Mike Marlar, Steve Smith, and Billy Ogle Jr. The first caution of the race would fly one lap later when David Webb and Victor Lee spun off turn two. On the restart, fifth-running Billy Ogle Jr. slowed as cars bottle-necked up behind him, resulting in Jason Keltner spinning into the inside wall.
When racing resumed, Combs paced the field with Hall, Marlar, and Smith battling it out for second. The trio raced two and nearly three wide for three laps until they ran out of real estate in turn four. Hall spun to halt in turn four collecting Rodney Kiker in the process with Marlar and Smith also showing signs of damage. While Hall's night was finished, both Marlar's crew and Kiker's crew would work feverishly to get their drivers back onto the track without losing a lap.
On the restart, Combs now had Smith and Troy Eads in his rear view mirror. In an entertaining battle for the point, Smith and Combs swapped the lead back and forth until Smith slowed with damage on his car on lap 8. While a Series official was attending to Chris Combs' car under the caution, Smith would run into Combs' entry, resulting in Smith being disqualified for the night.
The new line-up found Combs at the front of the field with 20th-starting Jimmy Owens now in second. Owens, who got into the wall qualifying, was unable to run a heat, now found himself in the bridesmaid position with Eads, Glen Vanover, and Tyrel Todd rounding out the top five.
When the green flag waved, Owens darted ahead of Combs and into the lead, as Todd disposed of Vanover and moved into fourth. Owens' torrid pace found the Newport, TN hotshoe working through lapped traffic by lap 13. A lap 17 yellow for a slowing Jerry Rice kept Owens within striking distance of the field as Combs, Eads, Todd, and now Mike Marlar rounded out the top five.
Like Owens, Marlar also spun during qualifying, resulting in him having to start last in his heat. After racing his way into second in his heat, Marlar was as high as third in the feature when the lap 5 accident forced him pitside for repairs. Now back in the top five, Marlar was on a mission. On the restart, he stormed into third and set his sights on Combs in a door-to-door war for second. Marlar would grab sole possession of the spot just before the halfway point and attempt to reel in Owens, who was methodically picking his way through the back of the field.
Marlar caught the break he needed on lap 28 when the caution waved for fast qualifier Bobby Wolter Jr. When racing resumed, Owens shot ahead of Marlar, Combs, Todd, and Vanover. Marlar's rollercoaster night took another turn when a flat tire on lap 30 brought out the yellow and forced him pitside. For the second time in the race, the Stephens Motorsports team was able to get Marlar back out before racing resumed.
Back under green, Owens led Combs, Todd, Vanover, and Kiker as Combs was able to keep pace with Owens this time. Never more than three car lengths ahead, Combs followed Owens tracks in an effort to run down the "Newport Nightmare". Meanwhile, Marlar continued to put on a show by once again thundering through the field. Marlar cracked the top five on lap 35 and used a caution one lap later to move into fourth.
Following the final caution of the race on lap 38, Marlar would roll by Todd to grab third and slip under Combs one circuit later to move back into second. Trying to run down race leader Owens over the final ten laps, the Winfield, TN native simply could not track down the lightning fast Owens. Over the final few laps, Owens flawlessly maneuvered through the backmarkers to go on and claim the win in his Cornett powered Bloomquist GTO sponsored by Reece Monument Co., Gantte Appraisals, Performance Rod & Custom, Red Line Oil, and VP Racing Fuels. The win makes Owens the sixth different winner in as many races for the ultra competitive O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series.
"I messed up out there qualifying and just got too high, but my crew, man, these guys did an awesome job of getting my car back together so I could run the feature," said Owens in victory lane. "You have to be patient to win here, but you also have to have a good car, and tonight I was just lucky too, to stay out of trouble and work my way to the front."
Winfield, TN's Mike Marlar finished second in the Crumps Lawn & Garden/Fleming Auto Parts sponsored Estes/Rayburn GTO. Third spot went to Chris Combs of Isom, KY in a Cropper powered Swartz GTO sponsored by Breeding Heavy Haulers and Combs Trucking. Eubank, KY's Tyrel Todd took fourth in his Todd Truss/Pulaski Steel & Supply/Bullock/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo. Completing the top five was David Webb of Nicholasville, KY in a Pro Power/Rayburn GTO sponsored by ORS Auto Body and B&H Electric.
Bobby Wolter Jr. set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 11.537. Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heats went to Steve Smith, Brad Hall, and Chris Combs.
Next up for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts is the 2nd Annual Kentucky Speedweek. Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH will kick off the Speedweek with the Owen "Junior" Stephens Memorial on Sunday, May 27th. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, the Series will venture to Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY. Then on Tuesday, May 29th, the Speedweek will hit the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY. After a night off, the second half of the Speedweek hits Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, KY on Thursday, May 31st. On Friday, June 1st, the Series makes the second visit of the year to the Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY. The 2007 Kentucky Speedweek wraps up on Saturday, June 2nd with the $10,000 to win Ralph Latham Memorial sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts sanctions regional Dirt Late Model racing in and around the state of Kentucky. For more information on the nation's most competitive regional racing series, please visit our website at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call our office at (859) 433-5707.
Race Results
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Tazewell Speedway - Tazewell, TN
May 12, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Bobby Wolter Jr./11.537
Mason Racin' Heat #1: Steve Smith, Michael Chilton, Tyrel Todd, Rodney Kiker, Marty Calloway, Bobby Wolter Jr.; (DNS: Vic Hill)
Mason Racin' Heat #2: Brad Hall, Jason Trammell, Billy Ogle Jr., Jason Keltner, Steve Rouse, Jerry Rice; (DNS: Jimmy Owens)
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Chris Combs, Mike Marlar, Glen Vanover, Troy Eads, David Webb, Doug Smith, Victor Lee
Harley Davidson of Knoxville 50: Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, Chris Combs, Tyrel Todd, David Webb, Jerry Rice, Glen Vanover, Doug Smith, Jason Keltner, Billy Ogle Jr., Bobby Wolter Jr., Rodney Kiker, Michael Chilton, Troy Eads, Jason Trammell, Brad Hall, Victor Lee, Marty Calloway, Steve Rouse, Steve Smith; (DNS: Vic Hill)
Race Statistics
Entries: 21
Lap Leaders: Chris Combs 1-7, Steve Smith 8, Jimmy Owens 9-50
Cautions: 9
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger of the Race: Jimmy Owens (started 20th, finished 1st)
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series 2nd Annual Kentucky Speedweek
May 27 - Portsmouth Raceway Park - $3000
May 28 - Bluegrass Speedway - $3000
May 29 - Richmond Raceway - $3000
May 30 - Rain Date
May 31 - Lake Cumberland Speedway - $3000
June 1 - Ponderosa Speedway - $3000
June 2 - Florence Speedway - $10,000 (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series)
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Points Standings
1. 34 Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) - 1364
2. 11 Jerry Rice (Verona, KY) - 1284
3. 4 Victor Lee (Stanford, KY) - 1243
4. 47 Chris Combs (Isom, KY) - 1139
5. 0 Jason Keltner (Campbellsville, KY) - 1023
6. 13w David Webb (Nicholasville, KY) - 1006
7. 14 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY) - 964
8. 97 Michael Chilton (Salvisa, KY) - 893
9. 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. (Lexington, KY) - 828
10. 9 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN) - 812
2007 O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Winners
Michael England - Florence Speedway, April 13th
Rick Aukland - Twin Cities Raceway Park, April 20th
Don O'Neal - Brownstown Speedway, April 21st
Aaron Hatton - Ponderosa Speedway, April 27th
Mike Marlar - Bluegrass Speedway, April 28th
Jimmy Owens - Tazewell Speedway, May 12th
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, 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, Double H Race Fab, DT52 Photos, and Real Wheels
