BARDSTOWN, KY (4/28/07) - Winfield, TN hotshoe Mike Marlar became the fifth different winner in as many races for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series after Saturday night's win in the 10th Annual Spring Sizzler at Bluegrass Speedway. Marlar now finds himself atop a very tight battle in the 2007 Championship points chase.
Mike Marlar and Cody Mahoney brought the field down to the green with Marlar immediately jumping ahead of the pack. Before a complete lap was in the books, a caution would wave when defending Series Champion Mike Jewell got up on the backstretch wall. On the restart, Marlar again shot out front with Aaron Hatton, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, and Mahoney in tow. Lee got by Chilton on lap 5 as 8th-starting Dustin Neat wasted no time cracking the top five as he worked past Mahoney. Lee continued his assault passing Hatton just a few circuits later and setting his sights on race leader Mike Marlar.
A caution for Jordan Bland's flat right rear tire brought out the caution on lap 10 and kept the field tight with Marlar leading Lee, Hatton, Chilton, and Neat. When racing resumed, Neat bolted past both Chilton and Hatton as the front three cars separated themselves from the rest of the field. Behind the lead trio, a highly entertaining battle for sixth found Jason Keltner, David Webb, and Jerry Rice racing three-wide for that position. A lap 15 caution spoiled that battle when Bryan Barber rode the wall in turn two.
On the restart, Dustin Neat used the Delaware double-file restart to his advantage, powering ahead of Lee to take 2nd and challenge Marlar for the top spot. Meanwhile, 16th-starting Tyrel Todd was quietly picking his way through the field on the bottom of the race track. Todd grabbed 6th on lap 17 as Doug Smith slowed on the track one lap later to bring out the final caution of the race.
When racing resumed, Victor Lee would benefit from the Delaware double-file restart, charging back by Neat to reclaim the bridesmaid position. Seemingly out of nowhere, Jerry Rice suddenly looked like he was shot from a cannon. Rice, utilizing the very top side of the speedway, went from 8th to 6th on lap 19 and cracked the top 5 just one lap later. Rice wasn't finished as he grabbed 4th on lap 22 and looked to chase down the lead trio of Marlar, Lee, and Neat.
As time was running out for Rice, Lee found his groove and made the final five laps worth the price of admission. Lee got a phenomenal run on Marlar going into the corners to close the gap between himself and the race-long leader. With just 3 laps to go, Lee looked under Marlar in a bid for the lead, but Marlar powered ahead of the Stanford, KY native off the corners. Over the final three circuits, Lee continued to challenge Marlar for the lead, but simply could not muster up enough momentum off the corners to take sole possession of the top spot. And, when the checkered flag waved, Mike Marlar became the fifth different winner in five races in 2007 for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series. After the win, Marlar took the checkered flag around the Bluegrass Speedway for a victory lap in remembrance of his late car owner Owen "Junior" Stephens.
"This was a win for Owen and Mary Lu and the entire Stephens Motorsports Team," Marlar said in victory lane. "Mario and all the guys gave me a great car all night tonight and I couldn't have done it without their help."
Winfield, TN's Mike Marlar drives an Estes powered Rayburn GTO owned by Mary Lu and the late Owen "Junior" Stephens which carries sponsorship from the S&B Cattle Company, Stephens Trucking, Fleming Auto Parts, Crumps Lawn & Garden, Dyer's Top Rods, Doyle Fertilizer, Advance Racing Suspensions, and Wayne Bowen Racing Supply.
Second place went to Victor Lee of Stanford, KY in the Ado's Auto Parts/Budda sponsored, Jay Dickens powered, Rayburn Grand Prix. Dunnville, KY's Dustin Neat grabbed third in his Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Estes/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Fourth spot went to Verona, KY's Jerry Rice in the Perry's Auto Sales/Valvoline sponsored Jay Dickens/Rocket GTO. Rounding out the top five was 16th-starting Tyrel Todd of Eubank, KY driving a Bullock powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo sponsored by Todd Truss and Pulaski Steel & Supply.
Mike Marlar set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.459. Marlar, Mike Jewell, Aaron Hatton, and Cody Mahoney won the Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heats while Chris Combs won the Design 500 B-Main.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series will take a weekend off before traveling to the bad-fast Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN for a $4000 to win race on Saturday, May 12th.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts sanctions regional dirt track 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 Summary
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Bluegrass Speedway
Bardstown, KY
April 28, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Mike Marlar -16.459
Mason Racin' Heat #1: Mike Marlar, Jerry Rice, Jeff Watson, Joey Daniel, Ed Behn, Larry Greer, Tommy Carlton, Bobby Carrier Jr.
Mason Racin' Heat #2: Mike Jewell, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, Bryan Barber, Chris Combs, Johnny Wheeler, Doug Smith
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Aaron Hatton, Jason Keltner, Jordan Bland, David Webb, DJ Wells, Dan Deaton, Eric Wells
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #4: Cody Mahoney, Dustin Neat, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Shannon Thornsberry, Bobby Wolter Jr., Jason Hinkle
Design 500 B-Main: Chris Combs, Shannon Thornsberry, Johnny Wheeler, Bobby Wolter Jr., Bobby Carrier Jr., Doug Smith, Dan Deaton, DJ Wells, Larry Greer, Eric Wells, Tommy Carlton, Ed Behn
10th Annual Spring Sizzler: Mike Marlar, Victor Lee, Dustin Neat, Jerry Rice, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton, Chris Combs, Jason Keltner, Aaron Hatton, David Webb, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Shannon Thornsberry, Tim Tungate, Doug Smith, Larry Greer, Cody Mahoney, Tommy Carlton, Bryan Barber, Bobby Wolter, Jr., Jordan Bland, Mike Jewell, Jeff Watson
Race Statistics
Entries: 29
Cautions: 4
Lap Leaders: Marlar 1-30
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger of the Race: Tyrel Todd (started 16th, finished 5th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
Series Provisionals: Larry Greer, Doug Smith
Track Provisional: Tommy Carlton
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Points
1. 34 Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) - 1126
2. 4 Victor Lee (Stanford, KY) - 1098
3. 11 Jerry Rice (Verona, KY) - 1084
4. 47 Chris Combs (Isom, KY) - 903
5. 0 Jason Keltner (Campbellsville, KY) - 834
6. 9 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN) - 812
7. 13w David Webb (Nicholasville, KY) - 799
8. 14 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY) - 748
9. 16 Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) - 742
10. 18 Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY) - 739
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Schedule
May 12 - Tazewell Speedway - $4000
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)
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
Dustin Jarrett - O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Pr (djarrett@battleofthebluegrass.com)
Mike Marlar and Cody Mahoney brought the field down to the green with Marlar immediately jumping ahead of the pack. Before a complete lap was in the books, a caution would wave when defending Series Champion Mike Jewell got up on the backstretch wall. On the restart, Marlar again shot out front with Aaron Hatton, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, and Mahoney in tow. Lee got by Chilton on lap 5 as 8th-starting Dustin Neat wasted no time cracking the top five as he worked past Mahoney. Lee continued his assault passing Hatton just a few circuits later and setting his sights on race leader Mike Marlar.
A caution for Jordan Bland's flat right rear tire brought out the caution on lap 10 and kept the field tight with Marlar leading Lee, Hatton, Chilton, and Neat. When racing resumed, Neat bolted past both Chilton and Hatton as the front three cars separated themselves from the rest of the field. Behind the lead trio, a highly entertaining battle for sixth found Jason Keltner, David Webb, and Jerry Rice racing three-wide for that position. A lap 15 caution spoiled that battle when Bryan Barber rode the wall in turn two.
On the restart, Dustin Neat used the Delaware double-file restart to his advantage, powering ahead of Lee to take 2nd and challenge Marlar for the top spot. Meanwhile, 16th-starting Tyrel Todd was quietly picking his way through the field on the bottom of the race track. Todd grabbed 6th on lap 17 as Doug Smith slowed on the track one lap later to bring out the final caution of the race.
When racing resumed, Victor Lee would benefit from the Delaware double-file restart, charging back by Neat to reclaim the bridesmaid position. Seemingly out of nowhere, Jerry Rice suddenly looked like he was shot from a cannon. Rice, utilizing the very top side of the speedway, went from 8th to 6th on lap 19 and cracked the top 5 just one lap later. Rice wasn't finished as he grabbed 4th on lap 22 and looked to chase down the lead trio of Marlar, Lee, and Neat.
As time was running out for Rice, Lee found his groove and made the final five laps worth the price of admission. Lee got a phenomenal run on Marlar going into the corners to close the gap between himself and the race-long leader. With just 3 laps to go, Lee looked under Marlar in a bid for the lead, but Marlar powered ahead of the Stanford, KY native off the corners. Over the final three circuits, Lee continued to challenge Marlar for the lead, but simply could not muster up enough momentum off the corners to take sole possession of the top spot. And, when the checkered flag waved, Mike Marlar became the fifth different winner in five races in 2007 for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series. After the win, Marlar took the checkered flag around the Bluegrass Speedway for a victory lap in remembrance of his late car owner Owen "Junior" Stephens.
"This was a win for Owen and Mary Lu and the entire Stephens Motorsports Team," Marlar said in victory lane. "Mario and all the guys gave me a great car all night tonight and I couldn't have done it without their help."
Winfield, TN's Mike Marlar drives an Estes powered Rayburn GTO owned by Mary Lu and the late Owen "Junior" Stephens which carries sponsorship from the S&B Cattle Company, Stephens Trucking, Fleming Auto Parts, Crumps Lawn & Garden, Dyer's Top Rods, Doyle Fertilizer, Advance Racing Suspensions, and Wayne Bowen Racing Supply.
Second place went to Victor Lee of Stanford, KY in the Ado's Auto Parts/Budda sponsored, Jay Dickens powered, Rayburn Grand Prix. Dunnville, KY's Dustin Neat grabbed third in his Neat's Service Center/NWN Distributing/Estes/Rayburn Monte Carlo. Fourth spot went to Verona, KY's Jerry Rice in the Perry's Auto Sales/Valvoline sponsored Jay Dickens/Rocket GTO. Rounding out the top five was 16th-starting Tyrel Todd of Eubank, KY driving a Bullock powered MasterSbilt Monte Carlo sponsored by Todd Truss and Pulaski Steel & Supply.
Mike Marlar set fast time during Racing Optics Time Trials with a quick lap of 16.459. Marlar, Mike Jewell, Aaron Hatton, and Cody Mahoney won the Mason Racin'/Arizona Sport Shirts Heats while Chris Combs won the Design 500 B-Main.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series will take a weekend off before traveling to the bad-fast Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN for a $4000 to win race on Saturday, May 12th.
The O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts sanctions regional dirt track 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 Summary
O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts
Bluegrass Speedway
Bardstown, KY
April 28, 2007
Racing Optics Fast Qualifier: Mike Marlar -16.459
Mason Racin' Heat #1: Mike Marlar, Jerry Rice, Jeff Watson, Joey Daniel, Ed Behn, Larry Greer, Tommy Carlton, Bobby Carrier Jr.
Mason Racin' Heat #2: Mike Jewell, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, Bryan Barber, Chris Combs, Johnny Wheeler, Doug Smith
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #3: Aaron Hatton, Jason Keltner, Jordan Bland, David Webb, DJ Wells, Dan Deaton, Eric Wells
Arizona Sport Shirts Heat #4: Cody Mahoney, Dustin Neat, Tim Tungate, Tyrel Todd, Shannon Thornsberry, Bobby Wolter Jr., Jason Hinkle
Design 500 B-Main: Chris Combs, Shannon Thornsberry, Johnny Wheeler, Bobby Wolter Jr., Bobby Carrier Jr., Doug Smith, Dan Deaton, DJ Wells, Larry Greer, Eric Wells, Tommy Carlton, Ed Behn
10th Annual Spring Sizzler: Mike Marlar, Victor Lee, Dustin Neat, Jerry Rice, Tyrel Todd, Michael Chilton, Chris Combs, Jason Keltner, Aaron Hatton, David Webb, Johnny Wheeler, Joey Daniel, Shannon Thornsberry, Tim Tungate, Doug Smith, Larry Greer, Cody Mahoney, Tommy Carlton, Bryan Barber, Bobby Wolter, Jr., Jordan Bland, Mike Jewell, Jeff Watson
Race Statistics
Entries: 29
Cautions: 4
Lap Leaders: Marlar 1-30
PPM Performance Products Hard Charger of the Race: Tyrel Todd (started 16th, finished 5th)
Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race: Jason Keltner
Series Provisionals: Larry Greer, Doug Smith
Track Provisional: Tommy Carlton
Current O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Points
1. 34 Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) - 1126
2. 4 Victor Lee (Stanford, KY) - 1098
3. 11 Jerry Rice (Verona, KY) - 1084
4. 47 Chris Combs (Isom, KY) - 903
5. 0 Jason Keltner (Campbellsville, KY) - 834
6. 9 Mike Jewell (Scottsburg, IN) - 812
7. 13w David Webb (Nicholasville, KY) - 799
8. 14 Tyrel Todd (Eubank, KY) - 748
9. 16 Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) - 742
10. 18 Tim Tungate (Campbellsville, KY) - 739
Upcoming O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Series Schedule
May 12 - Tazewell Speedway - $4000
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)
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
Dustin Jarrett - O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Pr (djarrett@battleofthebluegrass.com)
