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TTDCS Media
RINGGOLD, Ga. (June 26) - It was another hotly contested battle at Boyd's Speedway Friday night, both literally and figuratively as Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN captured his second TTDCS win of the season driving for Bob Harris in an unfamiliar number B1 car.
With temperatures soaring in the 90s and high humidity, another great crowd was on hand Friday night to witness thirty-two of the area's finest Super Late Models, representing five states, battle it out at the 'Boyd's Bullring'.
Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, TN appeared to have the field covered as the east Tennessee multiple track champion and former Extreme DirtCar Series Rookie of The Year knocked down a 14.12 second lap in Performance Products Pole Qualifying which was 4/10 quicker than second fastest Stacy Boles of Claxton, TN who logged in at 14.52. Ogle cruised to victory in the first Sunoco Dash earning himself the pole starting spot for the fifty-lap A-Main. Meanwhile Boles spun while leading Dash two and Derek Ellis of Chatsworth, GA inherited the lead and went on to claim the dash two win earning the outside front row starting spot for the A-Main.
Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN had trouble in qualifying and only completed one lap but was off the pace with what was later discovered to be a slipped belt. He would later take advantage of a series provisional to make the main event as the event's twenty-second starter. Meanwhile former Thunder Series Champion Anthony White of Clinton, TN also struggled in qualifying but managed to earn the fourth and final transfer spot in the second B-Main to start the grid in twentieth. Both drivers would later be factors in the A-Main.
As the green flag flew over the twenty-five car field it was apparent that Ogle would be tough to beat. The first fourteen laps went caution free with Ogle leading Kerr and Weaver, while Mark Vineyard of Powell, TN and Joe Armes of Petros, TN made up the top five. Weaver slipped around Kerr on the high side to take second but even he appeared to be no match for Ogle who was leading by several car lengths until lapped traffic played a factor in diminishing his strong hold on the field.
Lady Luck would eventually enter the picture though for Ogle as on lap twenty-six a broken left rear hub would send his tire and rim scurrying across the track in turn four ending his great run prematurely.
The action then really heated up as Weaver inherited the lead but Kerr gave him all he could handle and moved along side on several occasions before claiming the spot near the forty lap mark. Then seemingly from nowhere comes 'The Winfield Warrior' of Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) who had started back in that twenty-second provisional starting spot slipped to the high side of Weaver in turn two to take second and then slipped beneath Kerr in turn three to grab the lead. Now a three-way battle for the lead was on as Kerr stayed in Marlar's tracks while Weaver was trying the high side and suddenly catastrophe struck for what was arguably the best race in the history of the series as Kerr slammed the rear of Marlar in turn four causing him to come to a stop at the exit of turn four.
Marlar was sent to the rear for stopping on the track and Kerr was sent to the rear for excessive driving. Marlar chose to leave the track while Kerr reported to the rear of the field.
Weaver inherited the lead once again but another 'come from behind' performance had been overshadowed by Marlar's exciting run and that was from three-time Thunder Series Champion Anthony White who barley raced his way into the feature by grabbing the fourth and final transfer spot in the second B-Main to start twentieth. White suddenly found himself in second place after the departure of Marlar and Kerr at the front of the field.
Weaver was not to be denied from that point on however as he claimed the win over White. Mark Vineyard of Powell, TN ended a strong run in third with young Ringgold, GA driver Cody Barnett finishing a solid fourth while Jake Knowles of Tyrone, GA wound up fifth.
'I really want to thank the fans for coming out tonight cause man it's hot and unbelievably hot inside these race cars. I want to thank the series for putting these shows on. I hate what happened to Marlar and Kerr. I was hoping to get to race them for the win cause I think I still had a shot at it but we'll take it. Thanks to Bob Harris for letting me drive his car tonight and thanks to Josh and my guys and to Ronnie Johnson for helping me on the car" stated Weaver from Victory Lane.
The Bob Harris owned number B1 car has a GRT Chassis with a Vic Hill Racing Engine and is sponsored by Preferred Sandblasting & Painting.
Statement from Series Director Brad Byrd:
"I really hated having to put Marlar to the rear but our rules are clearly stated and simple; if you stop on the track you will go to the tail. This rule was actually voted on unanimously by the drivers in 2006 when a similar incident occurred and the driver got his spot back. We have taken judgment calls completely out of the mix. If I had allowed Marlar to keep his spot then suddenly judgment calls are back and would be expected of us the next time something like this happens in the future. Tommy (Kerr) admitted fault and has accepted the responsibility of it and apologized to Marlar for spinning him out. I know this rule is not always going to be easy to apply or popular with the fans but it is what the rule book clearly states and that is what I have no choice but to base my decisions on. I want to congratulate all the drivers for putting on one of the best shows I have ever seen, especially to Mikey for yet another outstanding come from behind performance".
RACE SUMMARY
BOYD'S SPEEDWAY 'SHRINERS BENEFIT' 6-26-09 -
$3,000 TO WIN - RACE #8
32 Entries Representing Five States (TN, GA, NC, KY, AL)
FEATURE FINISH - 50 Laps
1. B1-Randy Weaver
2. 2X-Anthony White
3. 4-Mark Vineyard
4. 18-Cody Barnett
5. 66-Jake Knowles
6. 8-David Payne
7. M45-Kevin Gibson
8. 4T-Tommy Kerr
9. 57-David McCoy
10. 99-Derek Ellis
11. 22-Robert Gant
12. 98-Shon Flannary
13. 45-Doug Smith
14. J1-John Owenby
15. 17-Brett Wyatt
16. 157-Mike Marlar
17. H3-Kayne Hickman
18. 77-Joe Armes
19. 201-Billy Ogle Jr.
20. 41-Brian Hickman
21. P16-Jamie Perry
22. 11B-Stacy Boles
23. T22-Ronnie Johnson
24. L7-Lee Sutton
25. T16-Todd Morrow
DID NOT START
5-Bryan Hendrix
118-Dee Vaught
2-Billy Jack Hodgens
75-Joey McCoy
55-JJ Nye
J1-Josh Johnson
T22-Mike Tinker
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS FAST TIME: 201-Billy Ogle Jr. 14.122
SUNOCO QUICK SIX #1 WINNER: 201-Billy Ogle Jr.
SUNOCO QUICK SIX #2 WINNER: 99-Derek Ellis
WEST HAVEN B-MAIN #1 WINNER: 22-Robert Gant
WEST HAVEN B-MAIN #2 WINNER: 66-Jake Knowles
TTDCS HARD CHARGER: 2-Anthony White (20th to 2nd)
RACIN' WITH REX RACER OF THE RACE: 157-Mike Marlar
DOUBLE H BUMPER AWARD: 8-David Payne
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