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Wolfe and Schrader Take Eldora Old Spice Wins.
ROSSBURG, OH (July 10) -- If you can consider Lucas Wolfe an outsider, the score on the Old Spice Summer Sizzler has been reduced to 2 -1 in favor of the National Racing Alliance (NRA) Sprint Invaders following Wednesday’s spectacular run. Wolfe earned $2,000 for his seven minute run, equating to $285 per minute. Prior to Wednesday, the NRA regulars had dominated the event, with Darren Long and Tim Allison the previous winners.
Continuing Wednesday’s trend of outsiders taking home the cash, NASCAR’s Kenny Schrader dominated the UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) Modified finale.
The Old Spice Summer Sizzler concept pits NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney against the NRA faithful in a full points meet. Whle the trio has struggled somewhat over the years to create strong showings, Wednesday’s competition allowed them to showcase their talents in a ‘return to their roots’. All three have extensive open wheel history behind them.
Dale Blaney, Dave’s younger brother, shot into the early lead of the 25-lap chase and appeared enroute to a duplication of an earlier victory this season, on Eldora’s one-half mile clay oval. As he sped to the early lead, Darren Long, Dave Blaney and Kahne were in hot pursuit.
With all eyes focused on that front running foursome, Wolfe was creating his own fireworks.
After starting in 8th spot, he slipped back a few notches before stepping up his program and finding a fast lane along the bottom groove.
Equally quick was Dustin Dagget, as he moved into the top five by lap four. He picked off Dave Blaney on lap 8 for third, then disposed of Long on lap 10 to move into contention for the lead. But, at the same his momentum kicked in, so did Wolfe’s.
On lap 11, Wolfe drop kicked Dave Blaney to fifth, two laps later did the same to Long and then reeled in Dagget. It took him but two laps to move Dagget back to third, and with lapped traffic ahead, Wolfe pulled up alongside Dale Blaney for a classic three lap chase that had the crowd in a frenzy.
With seven laps to go, Wolfe pulled into the lead he was to hold to the finish, despite a valiant last lap effort by Dale Blaney. Wolfe’s margin of victory was less than two car lengths.
Finishing behind them were Greg Wilson in another strong run, followed by Kahne and Daggett.
Dave Blaney finished 8th and Stewart advanced from 20th to finish 12th.
Schrader undoubtedly had the fastest Modified in the field.
After finishing second in his qualifying heat race, the inversion for the start of the 17-lap main event found him starting on the outside pole. And when the green flag dropped, their was no denying Schrader.
He shot into the lead and never looked back, even as he encountered heavy lapped traffic in the latter stages. His momentum up against the wall was intense and his first question in victory lane was “how close were they behind me”. He was unaware of his domination.
With an eleven year old chassic, Schrader’s crew found the right combination.
Brian Ruhlman tried desperately to reel in Schrader, but failed; having to settle for runner-up honors, while Jerry Bowersock turned in another strong position to advance from mid-field to third at the checkered flag. Gary Richard turned in his best performance of the season to finish fourth, while Steve Shute completed the top five.
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OLD SPICE SUMMER SIZZLER
NRA Sprint Invaders - 36 cars
Fast Time: Gary Fast 14.791
Heat 1: Greg Wilson, Tim Allison, Kevin Huntley, Gary Fast, Dave Blaney, Cory Seeling, Tony Stewart, Kent Wolters, Steve Erwin, Bob Gehr, Dave Miller, Bob Carman
Heat 2: Phil Gressman, Mike Brecht, Lucas Wolfe, Kasey Kahne, Dustin Daggett, Mike Miller, Mike Dussell, Dennis Yoakam, Ryan Myers, Chad Wilson, Randy Fusi, Mike Dunlap
Heat 3: Ron Blair, Dale Blaney, Darren Long, Dwain Leiber, Jared Horstman, Luke Hall, Scott Carter, Mark Hery, Bud Kaeding, Rick Boughan, Adam Main, Brent Gehr
B-Main: Kent Wolters, Mike Dussell, Scott Carter, Steve Erwin, Chad Wilson, Mark Hery, Bob Gehr, Randy Fusi, Brent Gehr, Bob Carman, Dave Miller, Dennis Yoakam, Rick Boughan, Ryan Myers, Adam Main, Mike Dunlap
25-lap A-Main:
1)Lucas Wolfe 2)Dale Blaney 3)Greg Wilson 4)Kasey Kahne 5)Dustin Daggett 6)Darren Long 7)Mike Brecht 8)Dave Blaney 9)Gary Fast 10)Mike Dussell 11)Kevin Huntley 12)Tony Stewart 13)Phil Gressman 14)Bud Kaeding 15)Jared Horstman 16)Tim Allison 17)Kent Wolters 18)Dwain Leiber 19)Mike Miller 20)Cory Seeling 21)Ron Blair 22)Luke Hall 23)Dennis Yoakam
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UMP MODIFIEDS - 34 cars
Heat 1: Brian Ruhlman, Ken Schrader, Todd Sherman, Jerry Bowersock, Mike Dirksen, Rob Trent, Mike Hohlbein, Shane Unger, Todd Sanders
Heat 2: Steve Shute, Mike Chrisman, Scott Orr, Jon Henry, Rob Williams, Tim Richardson, Zach Walkup, Aaron Jenkins, Brent Hole
Heat 3: Tony Anderson, Davey Gantt, Mark Kowarsch, Justin Matson, Fireball Pinkerton, Ron Capps, David Treon, Jr., Ryan Forst
Heat 4: Gary Richard, Shaun Smith, David Spille, Doug Hewitt, Jr., Mike Roediger, John Brooks, Stan Smith, Bob Burch
B-Main 1: Mike Dirksen, Rob Williams, Mike Hohlbein, Rob Trent, Aaron Jenkins, Todd Sanders, Tim Richardson, Shane Unger, Zach Walkup
B-Main 2: Mike Roediger, Fireball Pinkerton, Ron Capps, Bob Burch, John Brooks, Stan Smith, Ryan Forst, David Treon, Jr.
17-lap A-Main:
1)Ken Schrader 2)Brian Ruhlman 3)Jerry Bowersock 4)Gary Richard 5)Steve Shute 6)Scott Orr 7)Shaun Smith 8)Tony Anderson 9)Rob Williams 10)Mark Kowarsch 11)Mike Roediger 12)Mike Dirksen 13)Mike Chrisman 14)Jon Henry 15)Justin Matson 16)David Spille 17)Fireball Pinkerton 18)Davey Gantt 19)Todd Sherman 20)Ron Capps 21)Doug Hewitt, Jr. 22)Mike Hohlbein
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