Blair Settles for 2nd at 201 Speedway
May 10, 2008
Sitka, KY
After leading a majority of the race, Rob Blair and the WON11 team would see one slip away as lapped traffic would dictate the outcome of the race.
“It’s a little disappointing to have a car like that, lead most of the race, and have to settle for second”, stated Blair. “We had a great car all night. I could run anywhere on the track and the car felt good.”
Dash winner Robbie Blair and Eddie Carrier Jr. brought the field of 25 to the green flag in front of one of the largest crowds ever assembled at 201 Speedway with Carrier jumping to the point up high to lead the first three circuits. A side-by-side battle at the flag-stand on the fourth circuit saw Blair come away with the lead for the first time in the event with Carrier, Tim Dohm, Mike Marlar and Mike Balzano in tow.
By the ninth circuit, Tim Dohm had already climbed to second challenging for the lead on the inside but Blair held the top spot until lapped cars bunched the leaders back together on the 15th lap with John Melvin being the first lapped race-car.
The first caution flag would come on lap-17 for Jared Hawkins coming to a stop in turn four. The restarted 17th lap would be plagued by caution as debris made its way on to the racing surface in turn two. Several cars that didn’t get slowed down in time found themselves spun around while the caution was coming out for the rest of the field.
After the field was placed in the Delaware Double-File restart, Blair brought the whole grid of 25 back to the green flag with Dohm riding second, Carrier was third, RJ Conley was fourth and Balzano was fifth. Carrier would slide past Dohm after the restart and regain second while chasing Blair with clean air for the leaders up front.
By the 28th lap, Carrier had moved his way back up to the back bumper of Robbie Blair and while Blair got caught up behind the lapped car of John Melvin in turn two, Carrier went to the inside and claimed the top spot once again. The duo would mix it up for the next few laps working their way closer to the lapped car of Terry Hicks by the 34th lap.
On the same 34th circuit, caution would wave for the final time as Kevin Wager slowed his mount in turn two.
The final 16 lap shoot-out to the checkered flag saw leader Eddie Carrier Jr. out in front of Blair, sixth starting Conley now third while Dohm held on to fourth and Marlar was fifth. Blair would work his way to the outside of Carrier for the lead on the restart while leading the next several laps.
Lapped traffic became a problem for Blair with just a few laps to go as on the 46th circuit Blair would lead his final lap of the race. Carrier made his move to the inside of Blair with the lapped cars of Rod Evans, Steve Wilmoth and Shon Flanary in between the pair while Carrier rolled to the win with Blair second, Conley third, Tim Dohm fourth and 10th starting Rick Aukland rounded out the top-five.
The WON11 team will be in action again on May 16 at the McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, PA and on May 17 at the Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY. Each event will pay $5,000 to win.
Official Summary of Results:
Round # 3-2008 Season
201 Speedway-Sitka, KY
May 10, 2008
Independent Racing Series Super Late Models
A-Main Finish:
1. Eddie Carrier Jr.-Salt Rock, WV
2. Robbie Blair-Titusville, PA
3. RJ Conley-Wheelersburg, OH
4. Tim Dohm-Cross Lanes, WV
5. Rick Aukland-Zanesville, OH
6. Dave Hess Jr.-Waterford, PA
7. Josh McGuire-Grayson, KY
8. Mike Marlar-Winfield, TN
9. Duane Chamberlain-Richmond, IN
10. Mike Balzano-Parkersburg, WV
11. Andy Bond-Coolville, OH
12. Paul Harris-Martin, KY
13. Chris Wilson-Louisa, KY
14. Jared Hawkins-Fairmont, WV
15. Chris Combs-Isom, KY
16. Jackie Boggs-Grayson, KY
17. Rod Evans-St. Albans, WV
18. Steve Wilmoth-Clarksburg, WV
19. Shon Flanary-Mt. Carmel, TN
20. Terry Hicks-Grayson, KY
21. John Melvin-Coal Grove, OH
22. Devin Friese-Chambersburg, PA
23. Kevin Wagner-Wheelersburg, OH
24. Mike Knight-Ripley, NY
25. Anthony Adams-Whitesburg, KY
Cornett Racing Engines Heat-1: RJ Conley, Mike Balzano, Kevin Wagner, Devin Friese, Duane Chamberlain, Shon Flanary, Brandon Fouts, Robert ‘Taco’ Fletcher, Greg Anderson, Mike Butcher
Malcuit Racing Engines Heat-2: Eddie Carrier Jr., Jared Hawkins, Tim Dohm, Chris Wilson, Andy Bond, Steve Wilmoth, Terry Hicks, Daniel Williams, Albert Butcher
Gutswear Heat-3: Josh McGuire, Rick Aukland, Rod Evans, Mike Marlar, Anthony Adams, John Melvin, Rodney Davis, DJ Wells, Paul Harris
Indy Screen Printing Heat-4: Jackie Boggs, Mike Knight, Dave Hess Jr., Robbie Blair, Chris Combs, Jamie Ferguson, Donald Runyon, David Smith, Shannon Thornsberry
Dash: Robbie Blair, Eddie Carrier Jr., Mike Marlar, Tim Dohm, Mike Balzano
Dave Poske Performance Parts B Main-1: Andy Bond, Terry Hicks, Steve Wilmoth, Shon Flanary, Robert ‘Taco’ Fletcher, Brandon Fouts, Daniel Williams, Albert Butcher, Mike Butcher, Duane Chamberlain, Greg Anderson
Dave Poske Performance Parts B Main-2: Chris Combs, Anthony Adams, John Melvin, DJ Wells, Jamie Ferguson, Rodney Davis, Donald Runyon, Shannon Thornsberry, Paul Harris, David Smith
Entries: 37 from seven states (KY, NY, PA, OH, WV, TN, IN)
Integra Racing Shocks/Graphic Impressions Fast Time: Tim Dohm
Cautions: Three (laps 17, 17, 34)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: (Carrier 1-3) (Blair 4-28) (Carrier 29-34) (Blair 35-46) (Carrier 47-50)
Series Provisionals: Duane Chamberlain and Shon Flanary
Track Provisional: Paul Harris
Time of Race: 30 minutes (started 11:12 p.m. EST ended 11:42 p.m. EST)
Independent Racing Series Championship Points: (After May 10)
1. Robbie Blair (Titusville, PA) 444
2. Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV) 429
3. Rick Aukland (Zanesville, OH) 412
4. Mike Balzano (Parkersburg, WV) 407
5. Duane Chamberlain (Richmond, IN) 395
6. Dave Hess Jr. (Waterford, PA) 394
7. Andy Bond (Coolville, OH) 388
8. Jared Hawkins (Fairmont, WV) 382
9. Mike Knight (Ripley, NY) 380
10. Devin Friese (Chambersburg, PA) 316
Independent Racing Series Rookie of the Year Points: (After May 10)
1. Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV) 429
2. Duane Chamberlain (Richmond, IN) 395
3. Andy Bond (Coolville, OH) 388
4. Mike Knight (Ripley, NY) 380
5. Devin Friese (Chambersburg, PA) 316
6. Cody Parker (Zanesville, OH) 225
Independent Racing Series Feature Event Winners: (After May 10)
1) Robbie Blair (Titusville, PA)-Hilltop Speedway April 18
2) Steve Shaver (Vienna, WV)-Elkins Motor Speedway May 2
3) Eddie Carrier Jr. (Salt Rock, WV)-201 Speedway May 10
Upcoming Independent Racing Series events:
May 16-McKean County Raceway-E. Smethport, PA-$5,000 to win
May 17-Stateline Speedway-Busti, NY-$5,000 to win
May 23-Raceway 7-Conneaut, OH-$5,000 to win ‘Rapid Refund Week Opener’
