Roaring Knob Mtsprts Complex
Miller gets first 2012 victory in Jones Memorial
By Dave Kittey
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Jeremy Miller heads to victory at Roaring Knob for his first of 2012. (Tommy Michaels)
MARKLEYSBURG, Pa. (Aug. 4) — Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., pulled off a clean sweep in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Super Late Model division Saturday night at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex on his way to earning $2,200 for winning the 3/8-mile oval’s Ernie Jones Memorial. | Slideshow
Miller set fast time, won his heat race and the dash, then led flag to flag in the 22-lap feature to score his first feature victory of the season.
Although he led every lap, the pole-starting Miller didn’t have much time to relax in turning back second-starting Jared Hawkins early in the race, then later holding off challenges from David Williams and Tim Senic.
Miller led the field into turn one at the drop of the green, hugging the inside as Hawkins rode the rim lap after lap. Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., raced side by side with Miller nearly every lap before breaking on lap eight and pulling to the pit area.
Williams of Charlotte Hall, Md., was next to challenge Miller, keeping pace with the leader after the restart to apply relentlessly pressure. Williams looked to be setting Miller up for the winning pass, but as the leaders charged into turn one on lap 17, As they crossed the Williams jumped the cushion with a flat tire sending him into the wall and ending his strong run.
Ninth-starting Senic of Elkins, W.Va., took over the second spot for the ensuing restart and hung on Miller’s tail in the closing laps. But Senic couldn’t find a way around and had to settled for second as Miller led to the finish.
Behind Senic, Mason Zeigler of Farmington, Pa., finished third with Devin Friese of Chambersburg, Pa., and Bob Gordon of Keyser, W.Va., rounding out the top five.
The race was considered complete after the drivers took the white flag on lap 21. The whole field then dropped to the bottom of the track and let Scott Rhodes pass by to take the honorary win for Ernie Jones. Rhodes’ car was painted and carried the No. 22 to resemble one of Jones’ cars.
Notes: Miller’s sponsors include USA Spares Precision Machining, Miller Fabrication Hoosier Racing Tires by Bob, Nininger’s Tire & Auto Center and Pancho’s Racing Products. … Each of the four heat races paid $222 to the winner with Miller, Williams, Hawkins and Gordon claiming victories. … Charlie Schaffer earned a free American Racer Tire for his consolation race victory. … The event was sponsored by Bobby Lake Motorsports, High Gear Speed Shop Chuck Harper Racing, Touchdown City Motors, Stone House Restaurant, Newt’s York Bar, Three Mules Welding, Mort’s Graphics, Roy Anderson, Denise Hollidge, Hoosier Tire, Lias Tire – American Racer, Arsenberger Trucking and Butch Hunt Ford. … Double features were held for weekly Fastrak Crate Late Models with Bobby Cossell and Mike Lewis splitting victories.
Ernie Jones Memorial: (1) Jeremy Miller, (2) Tim Senic, (3) Mason Zeigler, (4) Devin Friese, (5) Bob Gordon, (6) Mike Lupfer, (7) Ron Delano, Jr., (8) Scott Rhodes, (9) Danny Mitchell, (10) Billy Holbert, (11) Cody Hardesty, (12) Charlie Schaffer, (13) Greg Gellner, (14) Kyle Merkel, (15) L.C. Powers, (16) Mel Minnick Jr., (17) Sean Merkel, (18) Mark Booth, (19) Doug Burkholder, (20) Jared Miley, (21) Chuck Harper, (22) David Williams, (23) Chad McClellan, (24) Randy Smithley, (25) Jared Hawkins. Fast qualifier (among 33 cars): Miller. Heat race winners: Miller, Williams, Hawkins, Gordon. Dash winner: Miller. Consolation winner: Schaffer.
