Blair Captures IRS Opener at Hilltop Speedway

Regaining the lead from fellow Pennsylvania driver Dave Hess Jr. with 11 laps remaining, Rob Blair of Titusville, Pa., earned $6,000 for his victory in the Independent Racing Series-sanctioned Deadline 50 at Hilltop Speedway. Blair, who started outside the front row, led 11 laps before the sixth-starting Hess took command. But Blair won a three-car duel among Hess and Tim Dohm to go back out front on the 40th lap and led the rest of the way in the series opener.

Last year's IRS champion Rick Aukland, who started ninth, finished second with Dohm, polesitter Doug Drown and Hess rounding out the top five. Provisional starters Ryan Markham and Wayne Chinn (in a backup car) rallied from the 12th row to finish sixth and seventh. Chinn ran as high as third before stalling on the 30th lap. The race was halted by eight cautions and a red flag for Mike Knight's flipping accident. The series rookie from Ripley, N.Y., was running third when he flipped in turn two.

Notes: Blair's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Specialty Products and Maloney Tool & Mold. ... Lapped traffic made life difficult for the frontrunners throughout the race. ... Fast qualifier Matt Miller was knocked out of the race on the 24th lap after a tangle with Mike Balzano.

Official Summary of Results

Round # 1-2008 Season
Hilltop Speedway-Millersburg, OH
April 18, 2008
Independent Racing Series Super Late Models

A-Main Finish:
1. Robbie Blair-Titusville, PA
2. Rick Aukland-Zanesville, OH
3. Tim Dohm-Cross Lanes, WV
4. Doug Drown-Wooster, OH
5. Dave Hess Jr.-Waterford, PA
6. Ryan Markham-Ashland, OH
7. Wayne Chinn-Bradford, OH
8. Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV
9. Dusty Moore-Swanton, OH
10. Andy Bond-Coolville, OH
11. Wayne Maffett Jr.-Mansfield, OH
12. Mark Gardiner-Navarro, OH
13. Rick Bond-Mansfield, OH
14. Eric Myers-Holmesville, OH
15. Duane Chamberlain-Richmond, IN
16. Justin Chance-Mansfield, OH
17. Mike Knight-Ripley, NY
18. Jared Hawkins-Fairmont, WV
19. Matt Miller-Waterville, OH
20. John Mason-Millersburg, OH
21. Steve Casebolt Jr.-Richmond, IN
22. George Lee-Loudonville, OH
23. Doug Dodd-Cambridge, OH
24. Scott Peltz-Cadiz, OH

Cornett Racing Engines Heat-1: Matt Miller, Mike Knight, Rick Bond, George Lee, Dusty Moore, Wayne Maffett Jr., Larry Kingseed, Thomas Baker, Dave Hornikel, Corey Conley

Malcuit Racing Engines Heat-2: Steve Casebolt Jr., Tim Dohm, Justin Chance, Jared Hawkins, Cody Parker, Andy Bond, David Scott, Jeff Esbenshade, Jeremy Canada, Chester Elliott

Gustwear Heat-3: Dave Hess Jr., Robbie Blair, Mike Balzano, Duane Chamberlain, Devin Friese, Wayne Chinn, Ryan Markham, Mark Gardiner, Jeff Gress, Keith Tish

Indy Screen Printing Heat-4: Doug Dodd, Rick Aukland, Doug Drown, Scott Peltz, Eric Myers, John Mason, Jason Montgomery, Rob Stambaugh, Ryan Eddleblute, Mike Pivonka

Dave Poske Performance Parts B-Main 1: Wayne Maffett Jr., Dusty Moore, Andy Bond, David Scott, Jeff Esbenshade, Cody Parker, Jeremy Canada, Larry Kingseed, Thomas Baker, Corey Conley

Dave Poske Performance Parts B-Main 2: John Mason, Eric Myers, Mark Gardiner, Ryan Markham, Rob Stambaugh, Jason Montgomery, Ryan Eddleblute, Devin Friese, Keith Tish, Jeff Gress, Mike Pivonka, Wayne Chinn

Entries: 40 from five states
Integra Racing Shocks Fast Time Award: Matt Miller-14:322 seconds
Cautions: Eight (Laps 1, 1, 14, 19, 24, 27, 30, 44)
Red Flags (Lap 36)

Independent Racing Series Championship Points: (after April 18)
1. Robbie Blair-150 (Titusville, PA)
2. Rick Aukland-147 (Zanesville, OH)
3. Tim Dohm-144 (Cross Lanes, WV)
4. Dave Hess Jr.-139 (Waterford, PA)
5. Ryan Markham-137 (Ashland, OH)
6. Wayne Chinn-135 (Bradford, OH)
7. Mike Balzano-134 (Parkersburg, WV)
8. Andy Bond-132 (Coolville, OH)
9. Wayne Maffett Jr.-131 (Mansfield, OH)
10. Rick Bond-129 (Mansfield, OH)

Independent Racing Series Rookie of the Year Points: (after April 18)
1. Tim Dohm-144 (Cross Lanes, WV)
2. Andy Bond-132 (Coolville, OH)
3. Duane Chamberlain-127 (Richmond, IN)
4. Mike Knight-125 (Ripley, NY)
5. Devin Friese-75 (Chambersburg, PA)
5. Cody Parker-75 (Zanesville, OH)