K-C Raceway
July 16, 2011
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‘Hot Rod’ Conley rocks the field in AMRA Late Model main at K-C Raceway

by Scott Wolfe
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (July 16) - The first appearance of non-winged sprint cars since 1994 was a huge success as the new breed of California Kid, 19-year old Justin Grant garnered the 2nd Annual Gene Comstock Memorial for BOSS sprint cars on the high banks of Jeff and Vicki Schrader's K-C Raceway. Hot Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, Ohio bested the potent AMRA Late Model field, Brandon Mather broke Jamey Adams' win streak in the Hobby Stocks, and Todd Ervin won the first appearance of the Rear-wheel Drive Four Cylinders.  

The Late Model feature was the typical action-packed, highly competitive bout that K-C fans have come to expect. Athens, OH driver Ralph Withem led the first four laps before hot Rod Conley reeled him in. Next, former champ Jason Montgomery blasted by Withem along with Mike Wilson, allowing Montgomery to challenge Conley for the lead. Montgomery took the lead on lap seven, but a caution for Paul Davis reverted the lead back to Conley. Davis collected fellow Kentucky hot-shoe Ken Howell in the process.

Although it appeared their chances had narrowed, both fought back up through the pack for top ten finishes in some of the best passing laps of the night. First heat winner K-C Burdette suffered a flat tire, ending his night.

A couple laps later, a hard-charging Delmas Conley climbed the wall in turn four. With the right front wheel still up on the wall, Conley backed the car down onto the track, shook it down, said "it's a go" and went to the tail, setting up an exciting charge back to fourth place.

A pile-up that left nowhere to go eliminated top runner Kevin Wagner, who has had a great deal of success at K-C over the last few weeks. Collected in the incident were hard-challengers Dean Boyd, Brian Eaton, Kenny Spencer, and Tony Roush. Only Roush and Spencer were able to continue.

Meanwhile, 10th place starter Audie Swartz, Mark Frazier, and Racin' Jason Perry were on the move and in a battle with second heat winner Billy Gullion. Frazier had a top five all night long, but around the 19th circuit his car began to smoke and he dropped out along with Montgomery.

As Delmas Conley and Paul Davis blasted back toward the front, Rod Conley pulled away from the field with Wilson now in second. Swartz made a late race charge, as he and Wilson swapped positions and slide jobs over the last two laps. It appeared Wilson locked wheels with Swartz coming down to the checkered scattering both cars in different directions a Wilson backward toward the finish line. Withem had a rocket-ship all night and finished strong at third.

Conley crossed for the win followed by Swartz, Ralph Withem, Delmas Conley, Paul Davis, Ken Howell. Tony Roush, Brett Foster, Kenny Spencer, Mike Wilson, and Mark Frazier. Swartz and Tony Roush shared hard charger honors passing eight cars each.

Said Conley, "This racing business is tough. It's tough every night out and everyone is fast anymore. I am glad to bring home the win. Thanks to Conley Trucking and all the guys back at the shop. Sometimes it seems we have to work more on our trucks (Conley Trucking) than the race cars, but that's what makes the racing possible. Thanks to all the fans who came out tonight."

K-C Raceway
July 16, 2011

AMRA Late Models (25)
Fast Time: Jason Montgomery 13:763
Heat One: K-C Burdette, Delmas Conley, Jason Montgomery, Audie Swartz, Kevin Wagner, Dean Boyd, Kenny Spencer, Matthew Jobe
Heat Two: Billy Gullion, Rod Conley, Jason Perry, Mark Frazier, Brian Eaton, Dylan Huron, Tony Roush, Robbie Ratliff
Heat Three: Mike Wilson, Ralph Withem, Paul Davis, Brett Foster, Ken Howell, Josh Bivens, Tommy Bigham, Russ Fronapfel
B-Main: Dean Boyd, Dylan Huron, Tony Roush, Russ Fronapfel, Kenny Spencer, Matthew Jobe, Robbie Ratliff, Tommy Bigham, Josh Bivens, Boyd Adkins (DNS)
Feature: Rod Conley, Audie Swartz, Ralph Withem, Delmas Conley, Paul Davis, Ken Howell. Tony Roush, Brett Foster, Kenny Spencer, Mike Wilson, Mark Frazier, Billy Gullion, Jason Montgomery, Jason Perry, Kevin Wagner, Brian Eaton, Dean Boyd, Russ Fronapfel, K-C Burdette, Dylan Huron

BOSS Non-Winged Sprints (15)
Heat One: Adam Strausser, Aaron Middaugh, Mike Weber, Duane Spille, Ernie Christian
Heat Two: Dustin Smith, Travis Welpott, Landon Simon, Josh Slone, Jeb Lowder
Heat Three: Justin Grant, Joss Moffett, Todd Keen, Michael Fischesser, Jason Soudrette
Gene Comstock Memorial: Justin Grant, Dustin Smith, Joss Moffett, Adam Strausser, Todd Keen, Aaron Middaugh, Jason Soudrette, Landon Simon, Michael Fischesser, Josh Slone, Travis Welpott, Mike Weber, Jeb Lowder, Duane Spille, Ernie Christian

Hobby Stocks: (12)
Heat One: Brandon Thompson, Keith Dubois, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tim Cutler, Jack Martin, Blake Sheets
Heat Two: Brandon Mather, Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Tracey Ross, Evan Seitz, Butch Eblin
Feature; Brandon Mather, Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tracey Ross, Butch Eblin, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, Blake Sheets, Keith Dubois, Evan Seitz

Four Cylinders: (14)
Heat One: James Ball, Steve Cruse, John Smith, Derek Davis, Scott Henry, Zach Ackley
Heat Two: Todd Ervin, Tom McVey, Kyle Purdy, Chip Turitt, Adam Haynes, Dustin Hartley
Feature: Todd Ervin, Derek Davis, Tom McVey, Kyle Purdy, James Ball, John Smith, Chip Truitt, Adam Haynes, Dustin Hartley, Steve Cruse, Scott Henry, Zach Ackley