Eldora Speedway | 13929
St Route 118 | New Weston | OH | 45348
For immediate news release e-mail: mail@eldoraspeedway.com
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.
