Matt Miller – Mike Ruefer photo
ROSSBURG, Ohio – Sept. 4, 2014 – Jonathan Davenport and Matt Miller added their names to the list of likely contenders for Eldora Speedway’s coveted World 100 globed trophy by claiming $5,000 victories Friday evening during the second night of preliminary action for the 44th annual World 100.
With the event’s 120-car field split in half by time-trial results, Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., led every lap of the first of two Twin 25-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned A-Mains to claim his first career Eldora Speedway victory. Miller, the Whitehouse, Ohio, driver who won Eldora’s Dirt Late Model Dream in 2005, took the lead on lap 13 of the second A-Main and led the remaining distance to add another accomplishment to his stellar Eldora Speedway resume.
Davenport and Miller will both attempt to parlay their impressive preliminary performances into a crown jewel triumph when Eldora host the $47,000-to-win World 100 finale on Saturday.
Both drivers were tested in claiming their Friday night victories. After advancing from third to first on the opening lap of the feature for odd-numbered qualifiers, Davenport withstood a mid-race challenge from Eldora veteran Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., amid traffic, and later pulled away after a late-race restart.
The victory was a welcomed breakthrough for Davenport, who has been plagued by poor luck in his recent trips to Eldora.
“This is definitely big. Even though it’s against half the field, we held off one of the fastest guys here all weekend,” said Davenport, who drives the AES Racing Longhorn Chassis for car owners Kevin and Lee Roy Rumley. “It was good for us to get this win and finally get the monkey off our back we’ve had for so long here at these big races.”
Bloomquist, a three-time World 100 winner, settled for second with fellow former World 100 winners Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., taking third and fourth respectively. Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., was fifth.
In claiming the main event for even-numbered qualifiers, Miller had to outduel retiring driver and cancer survivor Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., who was gunning for an emotional victory in his final visit to the historic half-mile oval. The two front-row starters put on a thrilling performance with Miller holding off a resurgent Korte in the closing laps.
Jonathan Davenport – Mike Ruefer photo
“My buddy Randy there, I know it’s his last time and I hate to take it from him,” said Miller, who drives a Rick Delong-owned Rocket Chassis. “But it’s a race and we need it as bad as he does.”
Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., ran just behind Miller and Korte for most of the race in finishing third, while R.J. Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., rounded out the top five.
With Saturday night’s six 15-lap Dream heat races aligned by each driver’s best lap time from the two rounds of qualifying, Jeff Babcock’s fast time on Friday earned him overall fast time honors for the World 100 weekend. Babcock of Wayne, Ohio, and second-fast qualifier Brandon Overton of Appling, Ga., are guaranteed starting spots in Saturday’s World 100 A-Main thanks to the two provisionals that go to the two fastest qualifiers who fail to make the A-Main through a heat race or last chance race.
Babcock’s fast time earned him a visit to the Eldora stage during Friday’s program to spin the inversion wheel. It stopped on ‘6,’ setting up a 36-car invert and leaving Babcock starting sixth in a heat race that will transfer the top-three finishers to the World 100.
The World 100 weekend will conclude on Saturday night with World 100 heat races, last chance races and the 100-lap, $47,000-to-win A-Main. The first heat is scheduled to get under way at 7 p.m.
Fans can obtain tickets and information for the World 100 by going online to www.EldoraSpeedway.com or contacting the Eldora offices at 937-338-3815. Fans who can’t make it to Eldora in person this weekend can still watch all the action live by purchasing the live Pay-Per-View video broadcast of all three nights of action that is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com.
For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit www.dirtcar.com.
Odd-Number Qualifiers Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. Jonathan Davenport, 2. Scott Bloomquist, 3. Brian Birkhofer, 4. Billy Moyer, 5. Chris Madden, 6. Billy Moyer Jr., 7. Dennis Erb Jr., 8. Eddie Carrier Jr., 9. Chris Simpson, 10. Dale McDowell, 11. Devin Moran, 12. Jimmy Owens, 13. Mason Zeigler, 14. Randy Weaver, 15. Jimmy Mars, 16. Brad Neat, 17. Frank Heckenast Jr., 18. Ryan Gustin, 19. Shannon Babb, 20. Bobby Pierce, 21. Duane Chamberlain, 22. Jeff Babcock, 23. Jeep Van Wormer, 24. Brian Shirley.
Even-Number Qualifiers Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. Matt Miller, 2. Randy Korte, 3. Tim McCreadie, 4. R.J. Conley, 5. Darrell Lanigan, 6. John Blankenship, 7. Brandon Sheppard, 8. Brandon Overton, 9. Tyler Reddick, 10. Eric Wells, 11. Gregg Satterlee, 12. Chris Brown, 13. Terry Phillips, 14. Doug Drown, 15. Kent Robinson, 16. Jason Feger, 17. Shane Clanton, 18. Chad Ruhlman, 19. Mike Spatola, 22. Rodney Melvin, 21. Nick Latham, 22. Mack McCarter, 23. Wendell Wallace, 24. Earl Pearson Jr.
Time Trials:
- Jeff Babcock 15.611; 2. Brandon Overton 15.616; 3. Randy Weaver 15.619; 4. Darrell Lanigan 15.649; 5. Jimmy Mars 15.653; 6. Brad Neat 15.705; 7. Kent Robinson 15.726, 8. Frank Heckenast Jr. 15.755, 9. Steve Francis 15.767; 10. Duane Chamberlain 15.773; 11. Jackie Boggs 15.793; 12. Rick Eckert 15.814; 13. Tyler Reddick 15.816; 14. Bobby Pierce 15.819; 15. Wendell Wallace 15.825; 16. Dennis Erb Jr. 15.831; 17. Austin Hubbard 15.852; 18. Shannon Babb 15.853; 19. R.J. Conley 15.860; 20. Dale McDowell 15.864; 21. John Blankenship 15.867; 22. Brian Shirley 15.879; 23. Morgan Bagley 15.888; 24. Brian Birkhofer 15.898; 25. Tim McCreadie 15.922; 26. Gregg Satterlee 15.940; 27. Chris Madden 15.945; 28. Shannon Thornsberry 15.948; 29. Jason Hughes 15.988; 30. Shane Clanton 15.993; 31. Jonathan Davenport 15.995; 32. Earl Pearson Jr. 15.997; 33. Casey Noonan 16.008; 35. Randy Korte 16.021; 36. Eddie Carrier Jr. 16.024; 37. Brandon Sheppard 16.039; 38. Scott Bloomquist 16.040; 39. Chris Brown 16.047; 40. Billy Moyer 16.050; 41. Eric Wells 16.059; 42. Rod Conley 16.065; 43. Doug Drown 16.072; 44. Billy Ogle Jr. 16.073; 45. Mike Spatola 16.077; 46. Ryan Gustin 16.080; 47. Chad Ruhlman 16.083; 48. Jon Henry 16.091; 49. Matt Miller 16.091; 50. Brandon Kinzer 16.108; 51. Aaron Scott 16.127; 52. Don O’Neal 16.130; 53. Jay Johnson 16.184; 54. Chris Simpson 16.188; 55. Tim Lance 16.203; 56. Rusty Schlenk 16.219; 57. Jared Landers 16.219; 58. Wayne Chinn 16.226; 59. Ross Nicastri 16.237; 60. Mark Dotson 16.239; 61. Jeep Van Wormer 16.250; 62. Nick Latham 16.270; 63. Jimmy Owens 16.280; 64. Delmas Conley 16.289; 65. Billy Moyer Jr. 16.303; 66. Mike Marlar 16.306; 67. Josh Adkins 16.324; 68. Cody Mahoney 16.324; 69. Mack McCarter 16.330; 70. Devin Moran 16.331; 71. Donald McIntosh 16.332; 72. Jacob Hawkins 16.333; 73. Jason Feger 16.345; 74. Walker Arthur 16.346; 75. Steve Lance 16.349; 76. Jason Riggs 16.349; 77. Greg Johnson 16.362; 78. Dustin Linville 16.367; 79. Brett Wyatt 16.368; 80. Bub McCool 16.397; 81. Steve Casebolt 16.414; 82. Chase Junghans 16.420; 83. George Lee 16.432; 84. James Rice 16.448; 86. Jim Shereck 16.458; 86. McKay Wenger 16.488; 87. Brian Ruhlman 16.494; 88. Jason Welshan 16.526; 89. Terry Phillips 16.544; 90. Charles LaPlant 16.598; 91. Terry Wolfenbarger 16.601; 92. Brian Diveley 16.612; 93. Curtis Roberts 16.678; 94. Jerry Bowersock 16.722; 95. Dan Schlieper 16.741; 96. Cecil Eunice 16.786; 97. Curtis Deisenroth 16.810; 98. Austin Smith 16.820; 99. Andrew Gordon 16.874; 100. J.T. Conley 16.925; 101. Don Hammer 16.951; 102. Vic Hill 16.977; 103. Tanner English 16.991; 104. Jon Hodgkiss 17.038; l05. Rodney Melvin 17.114; 106. Tommy Bailey 17.156; 107. Timothy Culp 17.183; 108. Mason Zeigler 17.209; 109. Brian Gray 17.228; 110. Don Gordon 17.367; 111. Tim Sabo 17.435; 112. Bill Lewis 17.458; 113. Ron McQuerry 18.004; 114. Bryant Dickinson 18.179; 115. Rodney Hamblin 18.187; 116. Scott Knepley 18.255; 117. Ernie Cordier 18.467; 118. David Breazeale 20.757. No time: Chris Nash, Butch Kruckeberg, Scott James.
Odd-Number Qualifiers Heat Race Results
Odd Heat No. 1 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Brian Birkhofer, Jeff Babcock, Rick Eckert, Jeep Van Wormer, Brandon Kinzer, Austin Smith, Walker Arthur, McKay Wenger, Don Gordon.
Odd Heat No. 2 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Chris Madden, Billy Moyer, Randy Weaver, Bobby Pierce, Jimmy Owens, Don O’Neal, Jason Welshan, Steve Lance Jr., Bill Lewis, J.T. Conley.
Odd Heat No. 3 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Dennis Erb Jr., Chris Simpson, Jimmy Mars, Mike Marlar, Dustin Linville, Rod Conley, Vic Hill, Jason Hughes, Charles LaPlant, Bryant Dickinson.
Odd Heat No. 4 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Billy Moyer Jr., Brad Neat, Shannon Babb, Billy Ogle Jr., Cody Mahoney, Bub McCool, Brian Diveley, Jon Hodgkiss, Scott Knepley.
Odd Heat No. 5 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Ryan Gustin, Dale McDowell, Devin Moran, Frank Heckenast Jr., Jared Landers, Casey Noonan, Chase Junghans, Curtis Deisenroght, Tommy Bailey. Did not start: David Breazeale.
Odd Heat No. 6 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Eddie Carrier Jr., Mason Zeigler, Brian Shirley, Duane Chamberlain, Jacob Hawkins, Jon Henry, Dan Schlieper, James Rice, Ross Nicastri. Did not start: Butch Kruckeberg.
Even-Number Qualifiers Heat Race Results
Even Heat No. 1 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Brandon Overton, Gregg Satterlee, Tyler Reddick, Chris Brown, Jason Riggs, Nick Latham, Aaron Scott, Andrew Gordon, Brian Ruhlman, Tim Sabo.
Even Heat No. 2 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Darrell Lanigan, Eric Wells, Wendell Wallace, Terry Phillips, Delmas Conley, Shannon Thornberry, Don Hammer, Greg Johnson, Ron McQuerry, Jay Johnson.
Even Heat No. 3 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Doug Drown, Shane Clanton, Josh Adkins, Tanner English, Terry Wolfenbarger, Tim Lance, Rodney Hamblin, Austin Hubbard. Did not start: Brett Wyatt.
Even Heat No. 4 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): R.J. Conley, Earl Pearson Jr., Kent Robinson, Mike Spatola, Rodney Melvin, Mack McCarter, Rusty Schlenk, Steve Casebolt, Curtis Roberts, Ernie Cordier.
Even Heat No. 5 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Randy Korte, John Blankenship, Chad Ruhlman, Timothy Culp, George Lee, Wayne Chinn, Donald McIntosh, Steve Francis, Jerry Bowersock. Did not start: Chris Nash.
Even Heat No. 6 (8 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Matt Miller, Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, Morgan Bagley, Mark Dotson, Jim Shereck, Brian Gray, Cecil Eunice. Did not start: Jackie Boggs.
Odd-Number Qualifiers B-Main Results
Odd B-Main No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bobby Pierce, Jeep Van Wormer, Jimmy Owens, Dustin Linville, Rick Eckert, Don O’Neal, Mike Marlar, Rod Conley, Brandon Kinzer, Vic Hill, Jason Hughes, Steve Lance Jr., Austin Smith, McKay Wenger, Walker Arthur, J.T. Conley, Charles LaPlant. Scratched: Bill Lewis, Jason Welshan.
Odd B-Main No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Shannon Babb, Frank Heckenast Jr., Duane Chamberlain, Billy Ogle Jr., Bub McCool, Jacob Hawkins, Jared Landers, Chase Junghans, Jonn Henry, Casey Noonan, James Rice, Dan Schlie;er, Jon Hodgkiss, Brian Diveley, Cody Mahoney, Curtis Deisenroght, Tommy Bailey. Scratched: Ross Nicastri.
Even-Number Qualifiers B-Main Results
Even B-Main No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Terry Phillips, Chris Brown, Nick Latham, Josh Adkins, Don Hammer, Austin Hubbard, Tanner English, Delmas Conley, Brian Ruhlman, Terry Wolfenbarger, Shannon Thornsberry, Tim Lance, Aaron Scott, Greg Johnson, Jason Riggs, Tim Sabo. Ron McQuerry, Andrew Gordon. Scratched: Rodney Hamblin.
Even B-Main No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer):
Mike Spatola, Mack McCarter, Rodney Melvin, Mark Dotson, Jim Shereck, Timothy Culp, Rusty Schlenk, Curits Roberts, Wayne Chinn, Morgan Bagley, Jerry Bowersock, Brian Gray, George Lee, Cecil Eunice, Donald McIntosh. Scratched: Steve Casebolt, Steve Francis, Jackie Boggs.
