The Titusville Terror Suffers Heartbreaker at Sharon Speedway
May 31, 2008
The Titusville Terror suffered a heartbreaking defeat last Saturday night (May 31) in the 50-lap Independent Racing Series (IRS) event at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, after a mid-race tangle with Josh Richards.
After winning the dash, Rob Blair would find his Specialty Products, Bossard’s Used Auto Parts, Maloney Tool & Mold, Rocket Monte Carlo WON11 on the front row for the 50 main event. “We went with hard tires, so it took us a few laps to get going,” stated Blair. “But once the tires fired, we were definitely fast.”
Blair would take the top spot from Doug Horton on lap 16 and lead for the next several laps. On lap 20, Blair would relinquish the top spot to Josh Richards while in lapped traffic. The two extended their lead over the rest of the field and battled for the top spot for the next few laps.
But on lap 23, disaster struck Blair. As he raced Richards to the inside of turns 1 and 2, Josh jumped the cushion and came back down across the track making contact with Blair.
“Our car was extremely fast tonight,” said Blair. “When he (Josh) went into the turn (one) over the cushion, I got underneath him, and when he came back across the track, I had nowhere to go. It was probably a racing deal, but I think it could’ve been avoided.”
“It’s too bad, because I think we could’ve won the race. We had on harder tires and my car was still getting better. We were able to salvage an 11th place finish, but it’s definitely not what we were looking for.”
Dash winner Robbie Blair and Doug Horton brought the 25 car field down to the green flag for the start of the 50-lap main event with Horton jumping to a nice lead early on.
Robbie Blair settled for second spot while Todd Andrews and Donnie Moran would mix it up on back.
Polesitter Robbie Blair would come up with the second spot while he and race-leader Doug Horton would lead the field for 22 straight green flag circuits. By the 15th lap, Blair was on the back bumper of Horton knocking on the door for the lead and would make the spot stick on the 16th circuit and lead the next four laps.
Seventh place starting Josh Richards would come from no-where to take the lead on the 20th lap with Blair second and Horton third. The trio would duke it out for a lap or so with Richards finally coming out with the top-spot.
Tragedy would strike for race-leader Josh Richards and second place runner Robbie Blair on the 23rd lap as the two would be knocked out of contention after making contact, sending both cars around in turn one. This would leave Horton back on the point with fifth place starter Donnie Moran on his rear for the restart.
The next yellow would come out on lap-26 as Russ King, Josh Richards and Ron Delano Jr. collected each-other in turn two.
Horton held the point with Moran to fend for second while Todd Andrews was third on the restart.
The final yellow would come out on the 36th lap as third place runner Todd Andrews slowed in turn four with mechanical problems.
The 14 lap dash to the finish saw race-leader Doug Horton and 4-time World 100 winner Donnie Moran battle it out until Moran made a move to the inside with just four laps remaining in the main event to take his first IRS-sanctioned win.
Official Summary of Results:
Round # 8-2008 Season
Sharon Speedway-Hartford, OH
May 31, 2008
Independent Racing Series Super Late Models
A-Main Finish:
1. Donnie Moran-Dresden, OH
2. Doug Horton-Bruceton Mills, WV
3. Duane Chamberlain-Richmond, IN
4. Mike Knight-Ripley, NY
5. David Scott-Garland, PA
6. Dave Hess Jr.-Waterford, PA
7. Tim Dohm-Cross Lanes, WV
8. Jared Hawkins-Fairmont, WV
9. Chub Frank-Bear Lake, PA
10. Boom Briggs-Bear Lake, PA
11. Robbie Blair-Titusville, PA
12. Ryan Markham-Ashland, OH
13. Ron Davies-Erie, PA
14. George Lee-Loudonville, OH
15. Russ King-Bristolville, OH
16. Devin Friese-Chambersburg, PA
17. Ron Delano Jr.-Stotstown, PA
18. Todd Andrews-Eldred, PA
19. Rick Aukland-Zanesville, OH
20. Brent Rhebergen-Clymer, NY
21. Josh Richards-Shinnston, WV
22. Tony Lombardi-Warren, OH
23. Ben Porter-Ashtabula, OH
24. Charles Supplee-Rock Creek, OH
25. Terry Porter-Erie, PA (DNS)
26. Keith Berner-Millersburg, OH (DNS)
Cornett Racing Engines Heat-1: (All Transfer) Rick Aukland, Dave Hess Jr., Robbie Blair, Todd Andrews, Ron Davies, Keith Berner, Tim Dohm
Malcuit Racing Engines Heat-2: (All Transfer) Josh Richards, Ron Delano Jr., Doug Horton, Duane Chamberlain, Tony Lombardi, Devin Friese, Charles Supplee
Gutswear Heat-3: (All Transfer) Jared Hawkins, Brent Rhebergen, Russ King, Donnie Moran, Terry Porter, Ben Porter
Indy Screen Printing Heat-4: (All Transfer) Mike Knight, George Lee, Ryan Markham, Boom Briggs, Chub Frank, David Scott
Dash: Robbie Blair, Doug Horton, George Lee, Todd Andrews, Donnie Moran
Dave Poske Performance Parts B Main: (All Transfer) Chub Frank, Tony Lombardi, Ron Davies, David Scott, Tim Dohm, Devin Friese, Terry Porter, Ben Porter, Charles Supplee, Keith Berner (DNS)
Entries: 26 from five states (IN, PA, NY, WV, OH)
Integra Racing Shocks Fast Time: Donnie Moran-15:695 seconds
Cautions: Three (laps 23, 26, 36)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Horton (1-15), Blair (16-19), Richards (20-23), Horton (24-46), Moran (47-50)
Independent Racing Series Championship Points: (After May 31)
1. Robbie Blair (Titusville, PA) 1207
2. Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV) 1201
3. Duane Chamberlain (Richmond, IN) 1156
4. Dave Hess Jr. (Waterford, PA) 1132
5. Rick Aukland (Zanesville, OH) 1117
6. Jared Hawkins (Fairmont, WV) 1097
7. Mike Knight (Ripley, NY) 1057
8. Devin Friese (Chambersburg, PA) 971
9. Andy Bond (Coolville, OH) 910
10. Mike Balzano (Parkersburg, WV) 801
Independent Racing Series Rookie of the Year Points: (After May 31)
1. Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV) 1201
2. Duane Chamberlain (Richmond, IN) 1156
3. Mike Knight (Ripley, NY) 1057
4. Devin Friese (Chambersburg, PA) 971
5. Andy Bond (Coolville, OH) 910
6. Cody Parker (Zanesville, OH) 418
Final Grover Racing Engines ‘Rapid Refund Week’ Points: (After May 31)
1. Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH) 706
2. Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV) 697
3. Robbie Blair (Titusville, PA) 688
4. Duane Chamberlain (Richmond, IN) 686
5. Dave Hess Jr. (Waterford, PA) 662
6. Jared Hawkins (Fairmont, WV) 640
7. Rick Aukland (Zanesville, OH) 630
8. Mike Knight (Ripley, NY) 602
9. Devin Friese (Chambersburg, PA) 580
10. Ryan Markham (Ashland, OH) 507
