Lake Cumberland Speedway
Marlar ends drought with Lake Cumberland victory
By Michael Despain
Lake Cumberland Speedway
Mike Marlar won $10,000 at Lake Cumberland Speedway. (Brian McLeod)
BURNSIDE, Ky. (June 16) — Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., earned a $10,000 victory in Saturday’s MAC Metal Sales Lake Cumberland Classic presented by Mulligan Plumbing feature at Lake Cumberland Speedway, ending a season-long winless streak in the 3/8-mile oval's unsanctioned event. | Video | Slideshow
Marlar charged forward from his eighth starting spot in the 75-lap race, and ran down race-long leader Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., near the race’s midway point. Marlar stalked Neat for a number of laps and finally claimed the top spot on lap 50.
Neat’s night went completely south when a flat right-rear tire knocked him from contention.
Marlar controlled the remaining distance of the race, surviving a late restart to lead Todd Coffman of Junction City, Ky., to the finish. Victor Lee of Danville, Ky., was third while Skylar Marlar, the winner’s younger brother finished fourth.
Defending race winner Dustin Neat of Dunnville, Ky., recovered from a flat tire on lap 13 to finish fifth, while older brother Brad rallied to sixth after his lap-51 flat.
Notes: Marlar drives a Norman Bryson-owned Rocket Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from Andy Stebbins Motorsports, Dave Thomas Foundation, Currin Construction, Keyser Manufacturing, Convenient Lube, and SEG. … The victory ends a Marlar’s winless drought that dated back to the 2010 season and is his first with Bryson Motorsports late last season. … Aaron Ridley of Chatsworth, Ga., won the $1,000 dash that included the top three qualifiers from each qualifying group.
Lake Cumberland Classic: (1) Mike Marlar, (2) Todd Coffman, (3) Victor Lee, (4) Skylar Marlar, (5) Dustin Neat, (6) Brad Neat, (7) Terry English, (8) Michael Chilton, (9) Joey Daniel, (10) Johnny Wheeler, (11) Jason Barrett, (12) Randy Ridner, (13) Michael Asberry, (14) Shelby Johnson, (15) Chad Stapleton, (16) Mike Strunk, (17) Chris Combs, (18) Tim Tungate, (19) Justin Rattliff, (20) Tim Taylor, (21) Aaron Ridley, (22) Caleb Ashby. Fast qualifier (among 27 cars): English, 13.422 seconds. Heat race winners: Chilton, Neat, Ridley, Lee. Consolation race winners: Strunk, Daniel. Provisional starters: Ridner, Rattliff.
