FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2011

Topless 51 next up for Tyler County Speedway

(Middlebourne, W.V. 3-30-11.) With a less than a favorable weather forecast, Circle Track Management decided to cancel opening night (April 2) for the ultra fast ¼ mile. That now sets the season opener April 9. It is also the 17th annual Topless 51 for Late Models. Plus regular racing in all other classes.

The Topless race for the second consecutive year will be sanctioned by the UFo series, and will pay $4,000 to the winner. The event at Tyler County is the second oldest such race in the country. Only the Topless 100 in Batesville Arkansas is two years older.

Starting in 1995, New Martinsville’s Steve Steele put his name first on the list. Steele passed race long leader Butch McGill exiting turn four coming to the checkered flag. Setting the bar high for races to come

After losing on the final circuit in the inaugural race, in 1996 ‘the Doddridge County Terror’ Butch McGill dominated and won the second annual event.

In 1997 Gary Dalton grabbed the lead early. Eighth starting Kenny Johnson,‘the South Side Flyer’ worked his way to the front and began a duel with Dalton. Johnson secured the spot on lap 47 enroute to the victory. Johnson, Dalton, Bobby Hill, Chris Stotts and Bill Childers were the top five.

The 1998 race had Greg Mitchell holding the point until lap eight when ‘the Beverly Gearjammer’. Chuck Harper grabbed the spot and never looked back. Harper, Bobby Hill, Denny Chamberlain, Bill Childers, and D J Cline filled out the top five.

In 1999 Mike Balzano was the leader at the outset, but Chuck Harper stole the spot away on lap 10. He would relinquish it to Paul Wilmoth Jr. on lap 17. Harper would get it back on lap 24, only to have Butch McGill take it on lap 31. McGill became the first two time winner as he bested Harper, Gary Dalton, Mike Eaton and Steve Weigle.

What some call one of the best of the annual roofless races happened in 2000. Mike Benedum held off numerous attempts from Doug Horton to take the point. On the white flag lap, Horton, ‘the Bruceton Bandit’ got under Benedum at the flag stand to get the lead and collected his biggest career win. Charlie Maloney was third, Jimmy Cobb and Jeremy Peck were fourth and fifth.

The 2001 version had three different leaders as Chuck Harper held the spot until lap 38 when Mike Benedum took over. ‘The Gambler’ Paul Wilmoth Jr. then snagged the spot on lap 41 to capture his first Topless crown. Benedum, Doug Horton, Robbie Scott and Mike Eaton filled out the top five.

Paul Wilmoth Jr. dominated the 2002 race as he lead wire to wire to take his second checkerboard. Mike Benedum would finish second for the third straight year. Bobby Hill, Robbie Scott and Chuck Harper were third through fifth.

The 2003 50 lapper had Steve Weigle in command for the first 17 go rounds. M T Hall then took over until lap 27 when ninth starting Chuck Harper secured it. Harper would become the third two time winner as he crossed the line ahead of Tim Dohm, Mike Benedum (from eleventh), Hall and Robbie Scott.

Tired of finishing second (three times) and third (’03) ‘The Bristol Bullet’ Mike Benedum snared the lead away from M T Hall on lap 39 to put his name on the Topless winners list. Hall held on for second, Robbie Blair was third. Butch McGill and Tim Dohm completed the top five.

In 2005 Jared Hawkins set sail and was the front car until Robbie Scott slipped by on lap 17. Scott would drive on for the win. Hawkins finished second. Chuck Harper (from thirteenth) was third. Bobby Hill was fourth and Sonny Conley was fifth.

“The pass that no one saw”. That is what the 2006 version became known as. Near the half way mark Sonny Conley drove around the front runners on the back straight for the lead. When a yellow fell later in the race, officials were confused on where Conley should be placed. After asking drivers and officials, front runner Bill Childers stated he wasn’t quite sure what place he was in, but Conley did pass him. Conley was given the front spot and would be the eventual winner. It was Conley’s biggest career win.

An ‘out of stater’ came to the Bullring in 2007 and stole the show. St. Clairsville Ohio’s Mark Banal lead wire to wire and was never seriously challenged enroute to the victory. Ricky Williams, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Josh McGuire and Robbie Blair crossed behind.

For his third trip to victory lane, Paul Wilmoth Jr., would lead all 50 circuits in the 2008 edition. Mike Balzano gave chase but had to settle for second. Tim Dohm, Eddie Carrier Jr., and Doug Horton rounded out the top five.

Two oval track travellers put on a show in 2009 as Robbie Blair held off ‘Showtime’ Steve Shaver for the front spot until lap 20. Shaver took over and didn’t give it back. Blair crossed in second. Third through fifth were Jared Hawkins, Eddie Carrier Jr., and Tim Dohm.

In last years event Gary Dalton returned to Tyler County and grabbed the lead at the drop of the green. Doug Horton passed Dalton on lap 4, but Dalton regained the spot on lap 14. Paul Wilmoth Jr. then outdragged Dalton for the lead on the restart of lap 19. Wilmoth would add his fourth Topless trophy to the case. Robbie Scott (from eleventh), Jared Miley (from nineteenth), Doug Horton, and Eddie Carrier Jr. (from twelfth) were second through fifth.

This years version should be like the 16 previous; edge of your seat, door to door and lightning quick racing around the “Bullring’ as $4,000 awaits the winner this year. Plus what nickname will go on the list as this years winner.