Ponderosa Speedway
Bland wins Fall Classic opener at Ponderosa
By Michael Despain
Ponderosa Speedway
Jimmy Crabtree took a scary ride at Ponderosa. He wasn't injured. (Derrick Strader)
JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (Oct. 2) — Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., won the first half of Ponderosa Speedway's 19th annual Fall Classic with a victory a 23-lap feature shortened seven circuits because of rough track conditions. Bland earned $2,500 for his victory in the unsanctioned Red Buck Cigars Friday Night Rumble. | Slideshow | Marlar wins Fall Classic finale
Shon Flanary of Mount Carmel, Tenn., finished second at the 3/8-mile oval while Dustin Neat of Dunnville, Ky., was third. Bobby Wolter Jr. of Lexington, Ky., and Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., rounded out the top five. Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., ran up front through the first half of the race but was forced to pit with a flat tire after challenging Bland for the lead.
The most serious race stoppage came on the 23rd lap when officials red-flagged the race and eventually called it official. Jimmy Crabtree of Ravenna, Ky., was running fourth when he flipped his car exiting turn two. He wasn't injured but the car was heavily damaged.
Notes: Bland's Bloomquist Race Car has a Pro Power Race Engine and sponsorship B&W Metals, CB Industries, Wave Length Hair Salon and United Steel Supply. ... The track's Late Model division is sponsored by Good Neighbor Pharmacy. ... Justin Rattliff slowed on the frontstretch on the sixth lap, ending his night. ... Tim Tungate ran up front early but dropped out on the 12th lap. ... David Webb was running third on the 18th lap but pulled out a few laps later. ... Daniel Hatcher departed on the 16th lap with left-front suspension damage. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature: Greg Johnson, Skylar Marlar, Lee Devasier, Tyrel Todd, Victor Lee, Johnny Wheeler and Brandon Hardgrove. ... Todd Coffman won the Crate Late Model feature. ... The Fall Classic weekend concludes with Saturday's $7,500-to-win Bill Pierce/Trenton Rayborn Memorial for Super Late Models.
Red Buck Cigars Friday Night Rumble: (1) Jordan Bland, (2) Shon Flanary, (3) Dustin Neat, (4) Bobby Wolter Jr., (5) Rick Rogers, (6) Tim Rivers, (7) Tommy Bailey, (8) Steve Stollings, (9) Dustin Linville, (10) Christian Rayburn, (11) Aaron Ridley, (12) Jimmy Crabtree, (13) David Webb, (14) Don O’Neal, (15) Eric Wells, (16) Mike Marlar, (17) Chris Combs, (18) Daniel Hatcher, (19) Tim Tungate, (20) Bobby Carrier Jr., (21) D.J. Wells, (22) Jeff Watson, (23) Justin Rattliff, (24) Michael Chilton. Fast qualifier (among 39 cars): Bland, 13.622 seconds. Heat race winners: Bland, Flanary, Ridley, Tungate. Consolation winners: Crabtree, E. Wells. Provisional starters: D.J. Wells, Chilton.
