Media Information

13th Annual Spring Sizzler      

April 24, 2010

Marlar

2009 Spring Sizzler Champion

Mike Marlar-Winfield, Tennessee

                         

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“Where It’s Always Showtime!”

 

Quick Track Facts

 

Name:  Bluegrass Speedway

 

Owner:  Charles Hamilton

 

Promoters:  David and Anita Ferrell

 

Motto:  “Where It’s Always Showtime”

 

Website:  www.bluegrass-speedway.com

 

Seating Capacity:  7,500

 

VIP Suites:  9

 

Tower Area Includes:  Race Control, Press Box, and Public Address Box

 

Racing Surface:  Clay

 

Lap Distance:  2,640 feet or ½ of a mile

 

First Event:  May 27, 1995

 

Late Model Track Record: Mike Marlar 14.657 (4/30/05)

 

First Late Model Feature Winner:  Johnny Wheeler (6/03/95)

Spring Sizzler History

1998- Mike Hawley, Earl Plessinger, Greg Johnson, Scotty Earl, Jeff Harrod, Jerry Rucker, Billy Meredith, Joe Godsey, Jeff Coulter, Finn Watson (top10)

 

1999- Terry English, Scotty Earl, Jesse James Lay, Dion Deason, Mike Hawley, Fin Watson, Joe Williamson, Jr., Steven Godsey, Jeff Coulter, Dustin Neat (top 10)

 

2000- Rick Corbin, Whitney McQueary, Timmy Yeager, Scotty Earl, Johnny Wheeler, Mike Hawley, Finn Watson, Todd Rust, Billy Dever, Tommy Wheeler, Ed Behn, Billy Meredith, Shawn Bryan, Wayne Hager

 

2001(NALMS)- Don O’Neal, John Gill, Bob Pierce, Steve Barnett, Scott James, Jim Curry, Jay Mobley, Steve Hillard, Shawn Negangard, Troy Green, Jesse James Lay, Audie McWilliams, Brian Clendenen, Mike Hawley, Ed Behn, Frank Reaber, B.J. McCammon, Timmy Yeager, Mike Jewell, James Huff

 

2002(NALMS)- RAINOUT

 

2003(NARA BoB)- Don O’Neal, Kevin Claycomb, Scott James, Steve Hillard, Darrell Lanigan, Steve Barnett, John Gill, Michael Chilton, Whitney McQueary, Rick Corbin, Mike Marlar, Brad Neat, James Huff, John Whitney, Jesse James Lay, Johnny Wheeler, Jerry Rice, Joey Daniel, Richard Smith, Aaron Hatton, Joey Kramer, Bobby Carrier, Jr., Steve Casebolt, Jr.

 

2004(NARA BoB)- Don O’Neal, Greg Johnson, Timmy Yeager, Aaron Hatton, Mike Jewell, Joey Kramer, Bryan Barber, Tyrel Todd, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Rick Corbin, Joey Daniel, Brad Neat, James Huff, Jerry Rice, Johnny Wheeler, Jesse James Lay, Michael Chilton, Victor Lee, Steve Cornelius, Tait Davenport, John Gill, Jeremy Williams, Tim Tungate

 

2005 (NARA BoB)- Shannon Babb, Jimmy Owens, Josh Williams, Tim Tungate, Rick Combs, Mike Jewell, Tim Dohm, Wayne Chinn, Freddy Smith, Joey Daniel, Chris Combs, Johnny Wheeler, Frankie Coomer, Shannon Thornsberry, Patrick Sheltra, Brad Neat, Whitney McQueary, Chuckie May, Aaron Hatton, Dustin Neat, John Gill, Timmy Yeager, Steve Casebolt, Jr., Scott James, Bryan Barber

 

2006 (NARA BoB)- Rainout

 

2007 (NARA BoB)- 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

 

2008 (O’Reilly BoB)- Mike Marlar, Victor Lee, Jordan Bland, Tyrel Todd, Don O’Neal, Terry English, Joey Daniel, Brad Neat, Aaron Hatton, Joey Kramer, Chris Wilson, Zach Carney, Tim Tungate, Dustin Neat, David Webb, Jason Keltner, Larry Gray, Chris Combs, Eric Wells, Greg Johnson, D.J. Wells, Ed Behn, Mike Jewell

 

2009 (O’Reilly BoB)- Mike Marlar, Victor Lee, Greg Johnson, Dustin Linville, Michael Chilton, Kevin Claycomb, Justin Rattliff, Jason Keltner, Jordan Bland, Dustin Neat, Tim Tungate, Mike Jewell, Chris Combs, Eric Wells, Shannon Thornsberry, Cody Mahoney, David Webb, Ed Behn, Tyrel Todd, Larry Gray, Jr., D.J. Wells, Larry Greer, Aaron Hatton 

Super Late Model Win List: 1995-April 17, 2010

Tim Tungate- 29             Jerry Rice- 1

Johnny Wheeler- 25                   Cody Mahoney- 1

Brad Neat- 17                            David Webb- 3

Joey Daniel- 11                          Tim Prince- 1

Scotty Earl- 10                          Eric Wells- 1

Darrell Lanigan- 8                       Jordan Bland- 1

Timmy Yeager- 8                       John Whitney- 1

Bryan Barber- 9                         Justin Rattliff- 1

Mike Marlar- 9                           Victor Lee- 1

Dustin Neat- 8                           Dustin Linville- 1

Josh Tarter- 7                            Ray Cook- 1

Finn Watson- 7

Rick Corbin- 7

Mike Hawley- 6

Audie McWilliams- 5

Don O’Neal- 5

Whitney McQueary- 5

Mike Jewell- 6

Jason Keltner- 5

Shannon Babb- 4

John Gill- 4

Scott Bloomquist- 3

Jimmy Owens- 3

Jesse James Lay- 3

Steve Trabue- 3

Bob Pierce- 3

James Huff- 2

Jim Curry- 2

Kevin Claycomb- 2

Terry English- 3

Billy Moyer, Jr.- 2

Rick Combs- 3

Steve Francis- 3

Rick Eckert- 1

Shawn Negangard- 1

Ed Behn- 1

Billy Meredith- 1

Todd Rust- 1

Earl Plessinger- 1

Greg Johnson- 1

Royce McGowan- 1

Greg Williams- 1

Steve Barnett- 1

Eddie Carrier, Jr.- 1

Larry Wicker- 1

Joey Kramer- 1

 

 

Super Late Model Track Champions

 

1995:  Garry Mahoney- Madison, Indiana

 

1996:  Steve Trabue- Scottsburg, Indiana

 

1997:  Jason Bingham- Hodgenville, Kentucky

 

1998:  Tim Tungate- Campbellsville, Kentucky

 

1999:  Tim Tungate- Campbellsville, Kentucky

 

2000:  Johnny Wheeler- Campbellsville, Kentucky

 

2001:  Joey Daniel- Liberty, Kentucky

 

2002:  Brad Neat- Dunnville, Kentucky

 

2003:  Bryan Barber- Buffalo, Kentucky

 

2004:  Joey Daniel- Liberty, Kentucky

 

2005:  Joey Daniel- Liberty, Kentucky

 

2006:  Jason Keltner- Campbellsville, Kentucky

 

2007:  Dustin Neat- Dunnville, Kentucky

 

2008:  Dustin Neat- Dunnville, Kentucky

 

2009:  David Webb-Nicholasville, Kentucky

 

 

Spring Sizzler Facts and Tidbits

-Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN would make it three straight wins in the Spring Sizzler event by taking the win in the 2009 race after trading slidejobs with early race leader Victor Lee and taking the lead for good on lap 21.  Marlar would drive away for the win over Victor Lee, Greg Johnson, Dustin Linville, and Michael Chilton.

 

-Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN would make it back-to-back wins in the Spring Sizzler event by winning the ’08 race when he took the lead from Jordan Bland on lap 18.  Marlar would hold off a charging Victor Lee to score the race win, with Bland, Tyrel Todd, and Don O’Neal completing the top five finishers.

 

-Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN would lead all 30 circuits in scoring the 10th Annual Spring Sizzler win aboard the Mary Lu Stephens Motorsports owned mount.  Marlar would do a reverse victory lap after the event to honor the memory of former car owner and husband of Mrs. Stephens, the late Owen Stephens, Jr.  Marlar would win the race over Victor Lee, Dustin Neat, Jerry Rice, and Tyrel Todd.

 

-There have been 90 different drivers make the Spring Sizzler event at Bluegrass Speedway.  There were two drivers to make their first appearance in the Spring Sizzler of 2009 and they were Dustin Linville and Justin Rattliff. 

 

-Campbellsville, KY native  Tim Tungate has made more Spring Sizzler events than any other driver, having made the event 8 times (1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009).  Fellow Campbellsville, KY racer Johnny Wheeler has made 7 Spring Sizzler races, while Aaron Hatton of Mount Sterling, KY and Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, IN have made 6 starts each in the race.  Drivers that have made 5 starts in the Spring Sizzler event include Joey Daniel of Liberty, KY and fellow Casey County native Dustin Neat of Dunnville, KY. 

 

-After trying three different occasions, Mother Nature was the winner of the 2006 Spring Sizzler event as it was considered a rainout event, cancelled, and was not rescheduled.

 

-Shannon Babb would continue a recent streak of great runs at Bluegrass Speedway by capturing the 2005 Spring Sizzler in his first attempt to make the race.  Babb would be the final entry among 51 participants and win over Jimmy Owens, Josh Williams, Tim Tungate, and Rick Combs.  Mike Marlar also established a new Bluegrass Speedway Late Model qualifying record with a 14.657 second lap.

 

-The 2004 Spring Sizzler saw the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series again sanction the race, with Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN taking his third Spring Sizzler win, while 2004 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series champion Aaron Hatton would claim a personal best at Bluegrass with a fourth place finish.

 

-In 2003, the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series would sanction the event for the first time and Don O’Neal would win his second Spring Sizzler with a last lap, turn two pass of Kevin Claycomb to grab a $3,000 payday.

 

-The 2002 Spring Sizzler event would fall victim to Mother Nature as persistent rain showers throughout the day would force cancellation of the Northern All Star Late Model series event.

 

-The 2001 Spring Sizzler would begin the “Real Deal” Era as Don O’Neal won his first Spring Sizzler in only his second ride with Tom Ware Motorsports, with Eddie Carrier, Sr. spinning wrenches pitside.

 

-The 2000 version of the Spring Sizzler would be the first under then new and current track promoters David and Anita Ferrell and Rick Corbin of Independence, KY, better known as the “Bluegrass Invader”, would capture the checkered flag and $2,000 for his efforts.

 

-Terry English of Benton, KY made a rare visit to Bluegrass Speedway at the time during the early part of the 1999 racing season walked away $3,000 richer after winning the 1999 Spring Sizzler.

 

-Former NASCAR SlimJim All Pro series campaigner Mike Hawley of Paint Lick, KY won the inaugural Spring Sizzler event in 1998, as the driver known as the “Bluegrass Rambler” picked up what at that time was his biggest win on dirt.

 

-The 2010 Spring Sizzler will see C.J. Rayburn’s National All Star Racing Association sanction the event for the very first time.  This tour allows those Late Models with the GM CT525 Crate engine to compete with the open Super Late Model engines with a weight break in place.

 

Spring Sizzler Roll Call of Drivers

Ed Behn- 3 (2000, 2008, 2009)                B.J. McCammon- 1 (2001)

Shawn Bryan- 1 (2000)                           Mike Marlar- 4 (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Steve Barnett- 2 (2001, 2003)                  Chuckie May- 1 (2005)

Bryan Barber- 3 (2004, 2005, 2007)         Dustin Neat- 5 (1999, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Shannon Babb- 1 (2005)                         Brad Neat- 4 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008)

Jeff Coulter- 2 (1998, 1999)                     Shawn Negangard- 1 (2001)

Rick Corbin- 3 (2000, 2003, 2004)            Don O’Neal- 4 (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008)

Jim Curry- 1 (2001)                                 Jimmy Owens- 1 (2005) 

Brian Clendenen- 1 (2001)                       Earl Plessinger- 1 (1998)

Kevin Claycomb- 2 (2003, 2009)              Bob Pierce- 1 (2001)    

Michael Chilton- 4 (‘03, ‘04, ’07, ‘09)        Jerry Rucker- 1 (1998)             

Bobby Carrier, Jr.- 1 (2003)                     Todd Rust- 1 (2000)

Steve Cornelius- 1 (2004)                        Frank Reaber- 1 (2001)

Steve Casebolt, Jr.- 1 (2005)                   Jerry Rice- 3 (2003, 2004, 2007)

Frankie Coomer- 1 (2005)                       Richard Smith- 1 (2003)

Chris Combs- 4 (‘05, ‘07, ’08, ‘09)            Patrick Sheltra- 1 (2005)

Rick Combs- 1 (2005)                             Freddy Smith- 1 (2005)

Wayne Chinn- 1 (2005)                           Tim Tungate- 8 (1998, 1999, ‘00, ‘04, ‘05, ’07, ’08, ‘09)

Tait Davenport- 1 (2004)              Tyrel Todd- 4 (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Dion Deason- 1 (1999)                            Shannon Thornsberry- 2 (2005, 2009)

Billy Dever- 1 (2000)                               Finn Watson- 2 (1998, 1999)

Joey Daniel- 5 (‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ’07, ‘08)       Joe Williamson, Jr.- 1 (1999)

Tim Dohm- 1 (2005)                                Johnny Wheeler- 7 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003-2005, ’07)

Scotty Earl- 3 (1998, 1999, 2000)            Tommy Wheeler- 1 (2000)

Terry English- 2 (1999, 2008)                  John Whitney- 1 (2003)

Joe Godsey- 1 (1998)                            Jeremy Williams- 1 (2004)

Steven Godsey- 1 (1999)                        Josh Williams- 1 (2005)

John Gill- 4 (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005)       Timmy Yeager- 3 (2000, 2001, 2005)

Troy Green- 1 (2001)                              Jason Keltner- 3 (2007, 2008, 2009)

Mike Hawley- 4 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)David Webb- 3 (2007, 2008, 2009)

Jeff Harrod- 1 (1998)                               Doug Smith- 1 (2007)

Wayne Hager- 1 (2000)                           Larry Greer- 2 (2007, 2009)

Steve Hillard- 2 (2001, 2003)                               Cody Mahoney- 2 (2007, 2009)

James Huff- 3 (2001, 2003, 2004)                        Tommy Carlton- 1 (2007)

Aaron Hatton- 6 (‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ’07, ’08, ‘09)           Bobby Wolter, Jr.- 1 (2007)

Greg Johnson- 4 (1998, 2004, 2008, 2009)           Jordan Bland- 3 (2007, 2008, 2009)

Scott James- 3 (2001, 2004, 2005)                      Jeff Watson- 1 (2007)

Mike Jewell- 6 (‘01, ‘04, ‘05, ‘07, ’08, ‘09) Chris Wilson- 1 (2008)

Joey Kramer- 3 (2003, 2004, 2008)                      Zach Carney- 1 (2008)

Jesse Lay- 4 (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004)                 Larry Gray- 2 (2008, 2009)

Darrell Lanigan- 1 (2003)                                     Eric Wells- 2 (2008, 2009)

Victor Lee- 4 (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)                 D.J. Wells- 2 (2008, 2009)      

Billy Meredith- 2 (1998, 2000)                              Dustin Linville- 1 (2009)

Whitney McQueary- 3 (2000, 2003, 2005)            Justin Rattliff- 1 (2009)

Jay Mobley- 1 (2001)

Audie McWilliams- 1 (2001)