Eldora Speedway
Live updates: T-Mac, Lanigan triumph
By Joshua Joiner and Todd Turner
DirtonDirt.comROSSBURG, Ohio (Sept. 6) — Action Friday for the second of three nights of action at Eldora Speedway's 43rd annual; the program includes twin $5,000-to-win features after the odd and even qualifiers are split from a 112-car field (finishes unofficial; complete World 100 coverage):
Even feature
Former Dream winner Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., led all the way in the second of Friday’s two 25-lap World 100 preliminary features, turning back three mid-race challengers to claim the victory.
Starting on the outside of the front row, Lanigan controlled the opening laps before polesitter John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., used the middle groove to look under the high-running Lanigan on lap 10 just as low-riding Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., used the bottom lane to make it three-wide for the lead at the flagstand.
Langian edged back out front exiting turn two on the next lap as Landers cleared Blankenship for second before the race’s first caution appeared when Dustin Linville and Duane Chamberlain tangled in turn two with 11 laps complete.
The caution killed the momentum of Landers and Blankenship, while allowing Lanigan to regain his edge. Langian pulled away as the next four laps ran green, while Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., moved by Landers and Blankenship to take second before the race’s second caution with 15 laps complete.
Lanigan cruised through the final 10 laps, taking the victory nearly a straightaway ahead of Clanton. Blankenship was third with seventh-row starters Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., rounding out the top five. Landers faded to seventh at the finish.
The fifth-starting Clanton was at his best on the short runs. He charged hard early in the race, moving to third on the opening lap and pressuring Blankenship for second through the early stages. But he faded after his low-side challenge in turns one and two came up short on lap six.
Clanton was well behind in fourth before the race’s first caution on lap 11, but he charged forward and was looking to challenge Lanigan before the second yellow. He briefly ran with Lanigan after the final restart, but couldn’t keep pace in the final five laps and instead had to fend off a late challenge from Blankenship.
Even feature finish: (1) Darrell Lanigan, (2) Shane Clanton, (3) John Blankenship, (4) Scott Bloomquist, (5) Earl Pearson Jr., (6) Jacob Hawkins, (7) Jared Landers, (8) Mike Marlar, (9) Matt Miller, (10) Terry Phillips, (11) Josh Richards, (12) Brian Shirley, (13) Ricky Weiss, (14) Mike Spatola, (15) Morgan Bagley, (16) Vic Hill, (17) Tim Lance, (18) Devin Moran, (19) Don O’Neal, (20) Brad Neat, (21) Duane Chamberlain, (22) Dustin Linville, (23) Casey Roberts, (24) Shannon Babb.
Odd feature
Polesitter Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., turned back a furious late charge from Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., and Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., to claim a flag-to-flag victory in the first of Friday's two World 100 preliminary features.
McCreadie cruised through much of the caution-free 25-lapper until Satterlee and Van Wormer came to life in the final five laps. With Satterlee running the low groove and Van Wormer on the extreme high side, the two late chargers raced by second-running Steve Francis and set their sights on McCreadie.
McCreadie’s lead was completely erased by the white flag, setting up an exiting final lap. But Van Wormer slapped the wall in turn three and Satterlee’s hard charge through the final corner came up short.
McCreadie claimed his first-ever Eldora victory, while Satterlee settled for second. Van Wormer survived the brush with the wall to finish third, while Francis of Ashland, Ky., held on to fourth at the checkers with Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., rounding out the top five.
Francis was McCreadie’s main challenger for most of the distance. He cleared Van Wormer for second in the opening laps and erased McCreadie’s early lead by lap six. But before he could make a move McCreadie, Van Wormer rekindled the battle for second with a turn-one slidejob on lap seven.
A back-and-forth battle for second allowed McCreadie to slip away to another half-straightaway lead before Van Wormer’s brush with the back straightaway wall on lap nine gave Francis full control of second.
Francis had only chipped away slightly at the lead by the time McCreadie caught the tail of the field on lap 14, and the traffic allowed him to quickly close the gap. But McCreadie eased away after clearing the two cars at the tail of the field and never caught any other slower cars.
Odd feature finish: (1) Tim McCreadie, (2) Gregg Satterlee, (3) Jeep Van Wormer, (4) Steve Francis, (5) Billy Moyer, (6) Jason Feger, (7) Brian Birkhofer, (8) Dale McDowell, (9) Frank Heckenats Jr., (10) Jimmy Owens, (11) R.J. Conley, (12) Tyler Reddick, (13) Eddie Carrier Jr., (14) Dennis Erb Jr., (15) Jonathan Davenport, (16) Chris Madden, (17) Bobby Pierce, (18) Brandon Sheppard, (19) Kent Robinson, (20) Chris Simpson, (21) Greg Johnson, (22) Chub Frank, (23) Ray Guss Jr. (24) Jon Henry.
Consolation race results
(top two transfer)
Third even consolation: Devin Moran, Mike Spatola, Tim Manville, Brian Diveley, Brian Gray, Ryan Sutter, Gary Christian, Justin Ratliff, Justin Chance, Jerry Bowersock. Scratch: Chad Simpson, Doug Zartler.
Third odd consolation: Greg Johnson, Bobby Pierce, Jimmy Mars, Donnie Moran, Bub McCool, Ky Haprer, Jay Johnson, Jason Montgomery, Jody Knowles, Jeff Wolfenbarger, Scott Clifford. Scratch: Scott James.
Second even consolation: Ricky Weiss, Tim Lance, Steve Kester, John Mason, Randy Weaver, Chad Ruhlman, Robby Hensley, Matt Irey, Shannon Thornsberry, John Mayes Jr., Mason Combs, Doug Drown.
Second odd consolation: Jon Henry, Kent Robinson, Ryan VanderVeen, Brandon Kinzer, Brian Ruhlman, Jason Riggs, Kevin Weaver, Jeremy Nichols, Brad Dyer, Shane Unger, Michael Asberry. Scratch: Jeff Babcock, Nick Latham.
First even consolation: Brian Shirley, Duane Chamberlain, Mason Zeigler, Michael Chilton, Brett Wyatt, Jason Smith, Jeff Sloan, Casey Noonan, Jeff Watson, Jim Gingery. Scratch: Randy Korte, Henry Cooper, Andrew Reaume.
First odd consolation: Chris Simpson, Brandon Sheppard, Tim Rivers, Dustin Neat, Tim Isenberg, Wayne Chinn, Phil Ausra, Jay Brunson, Don Gordon, Steve Lance Jr., J.R. Hotovy. Scratch: Joe Ramey, Don Hammer, Wayne Chinn.
Post-heat notes
Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., fell just eight-thousandths of a second short of beating Jason Feger in the night’s first heat race after a lengthy side-by-side duel with his fellow Illinois driver. Heckenast said he didn’t fully process how a slower car the frontrunners were approaching would affect the finish, and thought initially he’d won. “I should’ve given it a little extra,” said Heckenast, who still gets a solid seventh-place start in the opening preliminary feature. ... Jacob Hawkins got some bad news after the heat races when the six-car inversion for Saturday’s heat race will put him starting sixth in the final heat race — a tough spot for sure. But he’s got good things to look forward to Friday night after his impressive rally for heat race win put him in contention for a Friday preliminary feature. “He really had it going on the high side,” said his brother Jared, who is helping out in the pits with the St. Henry Nite Club team. ... Dale McDowell was among drivers to use the low groove that lasted through most of the heat races, allowing him to post a second-place finish that saw him nearly track down high-running Steve Francis in the final laps. McDowell attributed track prep and the crumbs the low-running cars send to the higher groove. “It’s making it a racy,” he said, giving the track crew credit. McDowell’s best runs in August came in Ty Dillon’s No. 41 Warrior Race Car, and that’s the car McDowell’s driving at Eldora — albeit reskinned with McDowell’s No. 17m sides. McDowell said the decision was partly because the car had run well and partly because it already had a fresher motor. “That’s what we said, we’ll stay with it and maybe it will pay off.” McDowell finished fourth in June’s $100,000-to-win Dream in his MasterSbilt.
Consolation race lineups
(10 laps; top two transfer)
First odd consolation
Row 1: Chris Simpson, Wayne Chinn
Row 2: Dustin Neat, Brandon Sheppard
Row 3: Tim Rivers, Tim Isenberg
Row 4: J.R. Hotovy, Steve Lance Jr.
Row 5: Joe Ramey, Phil Ausra
Row 6: Don Gordon, Jay Brunson
Row 7: Steve Isenberg, Don Hammer
First even consolation
Row 1: Brian Shirely, Mason Zeigler
Row 2: Duane Chamberlain, Michael Chilton
Row 3: Jason Smith, Brett Wyatt
Row 4: Jeff Watson, Casey Noonan
Row 5: Chad Smith, Jeff Sloan
Row 6: Randy Korte, Jim Gingery
Row 7: Henry Cooper, Andrew Reaume
Second odd consolation
Row 1: Jeff Babcock, Kent Robinson
Row 2: Ryan VanderVeen, Brandon Kinzer
Row 3: Jon Henry, Brian Ruhlman
Row 4: Jason Riggs, Kevin Weaver
Row 5: Michael Asberry, Jeremy Nichols
Row 6: Brad Dyer, Shane Unger
Row 7: Nick Latham
Second even consolation
Row 1: Ricky Weiss, Doug Drown
Row 2: Tim Lance, Randy Weaver
Row 3: Steve Kester, John Mason
Row 4: Robby Hensley, Shannon Thornsberry
Row 5: Chad Ruhlman, John Mayes Jr.
Row 6: Matt Irey, Mason Combs
Third odd consolation
Row 1: Greg Johnson, Bobby Pierce
Row 2: Bub McCool, Jimmy Mars
Row 3: Jason Montgomery, Donnie Moran
Row 4: Ky Harper, Jay Johnson
Row 5: Jody Knowles, Jeff Wolfenbarger
Row 6: Scott Clifford, Scott James
Third even consolation
Row 1: Brian Diveley, Justin Chance
Row 2: Devin Moran, Gary Christian
Row 3: Mike Spatola, Jerry Bowersock
Row 4: Brian Gray, Tim Manville
Row 5: Justin Rattliff, Ryan Sutter
Row 6: Chad Simpson, Doug Zartler
Saturday's heat inversion
Overall fast qualifier Jason Feger spun a "6" on the inversion wheel during a brief intermission to set up a six-car inversion for each of Saturday's World 100 heat races.
Sixth even heat
John Blankenship check out in the final heat race of the night, winning the caution-free race by more than a straightaway over fifth-starting Dustin Linville. Third-starting Casey Roberts moved to second on the start and briefly challenged Blankenship on the opening lap before fading and settling for third at the finish. He'll join Blankenship and Linville in transferring to the even feature.
Finish: John Blankenship, Dustin Linville, Casey Roberts, Justin Chance, Gary Christian, Jerry Bowersock, Tim Manville, Ryan Sutter.
Sixth odd heat
Tim McCreadie pulled away on the start and maintained a half-straightaway lead over sixth-starting Chris Madden to claim the caution-free eight-lapper. Madden charged from sixth to third in the opening corner and overtook polesitter Bobby Pierce with a turn-three slidejob on the third lap. But McCreadie had already opened a comfortable gap that Madden couldn't erase. He settled for second while Chub Frank moved by Pierce late in the race to grab the third and final transfer spot.
Finish: Tim McCreadie, Chris Madden, Chub Frank, Bobby Pierce, Jimmy Mars, Donnie Moran, Jay Johnson, Jeff Wolfenbarger.
Fifth even heat
Polesitter Darrell Lanigan cruised in the fifth even heat, winning the caution-free race by nearly a straightaway. Don O'Neal held off Shannon Babb in a late side-by-side battle for second. They'll both join Lanigan in transferring to the even feature.
Finish: Darrell Lanigan, Don O'Neal, Shannon Babb, Brian Diveley, Devin Moran, Mike Spatola, Brian Gray, Justin Rattliff.
Fifth odd heat
Second-starting Jeep Van Wormer pulled away from an early battle with polesitter Jonathan Davenport to claim a flag-to-flag victory in another caution-free eight-lapper. Davenport was about a half-straightaway back in second while R.J. Conley was about the same distance back of him in the third to also transfer. Third-starting Bub McCool ran with Van Wormer and Davenport in the early laps before fading to fifth at the finish.
Finish: Jeep Van Wormer, Jonathan Davenport, R.J. Conley, Greg Johnson, Bub McCool, Jason Montgomery, Ky Harper, Jody Knowles, Scott Clifford.
Fourth even heat
Polesitter Mike Marlar held off an early charge from third-starting Vic Hill and pulled away through the closing laps to claim the fourth even heat. Hill made multiple low-side challenges on the high-running Marlar but had to settle for second at the finish with Brad Neat also transferring. The first caution of the night waved when Mason Combs spun at the top of turns three and four. Marlar nearly hit Combs, but he was able to woe up his car just in time to slip by unscathed.
Finish: Mike Marlar, Vic Hill, Brad Neat, Doug Drown, Randy Weaver, John Mason, Shannon Thornsberry, John Mayes Jr., Mason Combs.
Fourth odd heat
After pulling away early, second-starting Steve Francis held off Dale McDowell's hard charge in the closing laps to win the caution-free prelim in a close finish. Francis used the low groove to pull away in the early laps before switching to the top groove when he began to fade midway through. The low-running McDowell reeled Francis in through the closing laps but came up just short at the finish. Polesitter Tyler Reddick was a distant third to also transfer.
Finish: Steve Francis, Dale McDowell, Tyler Reddick, Kent Robinson, Brandon Kinzer, Brian Ruhlman, Kevin Weaver, Jeremy Nichols, Shane Unger.
Third even heat
After dropping back to fourth on the opening lap, second-starting Jacob Hawkins used the high side to chase down Morgan Bagley and raced ahead for the lead with two laps remaining. Bagley kept pace with Hawkins the rest of the way but settled for second, just ahead of fifth-starting Terry Phillips. The top three earned feature starting spots through the caution-free prelim.
Finish: Jacob Hawkins, Morgan Bagley, Terry Phillips, Ricky Weiss, Tim Lance Steve Kester, Robby Hensley, Chad Ruhlman, Matt Irey.
Third odd heat
Second-starting Gregg Satterlee pulled ahead of Jon Henry and Jeff Babcock early in the eight-lapper, then turned away charges from both Jimmy Owens and Brian Birkhofer to claim a solid prelim win. Fourth-starting Owens and sixth-starting Birkhofer both charged through a fierce battle among four cars for second and third but neither could get by Satterlee. Birkhofer settled for second with Owens in the third and final transfer spot.
Finish: Gregg Satterlee, Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy Owens, Jeff Babcock, Ryan VanderVeen, Jon Henry, Jason Riggs, Michael Asberry, Brad Dyer.
Second even heat
Second-starting Shane Clanton ran side-by-side with polesitter Jared Landers for nearly the entire distance before a slower car blocked Landers' low groove in the final corner and sealed the prelim victory for Clanton. After swapping the lead for the first three laps, Clanton edged Landers each time at the line the remaining laps, but Landers charged hard on the final lap. Landers nearly got into the Jim Gingery as he limped to the pits on the final lap. He checked up and settled for second ahead of Scott Bloomquist, who also transferred to the main event.
Finish: Shane Clanton, Jared Landers, Scott Bloomquist, Mason Zeigler, Michael Chilton, Brett Wyett, Jeff Sloan, Jim Gingery.
Second odd heat
Polesitter Billy Moyer pulled ahead of fellow front-row starter Ray Guss Jr. on the opening lap and held third-starting Eddie Carrier Jr. at bay throughout the caution-free race to claim the prelim victory. Carrier followed Moyer around the track's bottom groove for all eight laps but couldn't make any of his looks under the leader stick. He settled for a close second while Guss held off Wayne Chinn and Brandon Sheppard for the third and final transfer spot.
Finish: Billy Moyer, Eddie Carrier Jr., Ray Guss Jr., Wayne Chinn, Brandon Sheppard, Tim Isenberg, Steve Lance Jr., Jay Brunson, Phil Ausra.
First even heat
Third-starting Matt Miller used a three-wide move to pull ahead of front-row starters Brian Shirley and Josh Richards on the opening lap of the first even heat race and outdueled Richards in a back-and-forth battle before pulling away in the final two laps of the caution-free eight-lapper. Richards faded in the close laps and had to hold off a hard-charging Earl Pearson Jr. in a photo finish for second. The polesitting Shirley faded to fourth in a race that transferred only the top three finishers to the main event.
Finish: Matt Miller, Josh Richards, Earl Pearson Jr., Brian Shirley, Duane Chamberlain, Jason Smith, Jeff Watson, Chad Smith.
First odd heat
After finally edging ahead of fellow front-row starter Frank Heckenast Jr. on lap five, second-starting Jason Feger turned back Heckenast's final-lap charge to win the first eight-lap heat in a photo finish. Feger and Heckenast ran side-by-side for the first four laps of the caution-free prelim before the high-running Feger pulled ahead on lap five. Heckenast remained close to Feger on the bottom groove and pulled even for the lead when Feger caught the lapped car of Don Gordon in the final corner. Heckenast briefly pulled ahead exiting turn four, but Feger used high-side momentum to nose ahead at the finish. Dennis Erb Jr. was just behind the leaders to complete the all-Illinois top three. Those three drivers all transferred to the main event.
Finish: Jason Feger, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dennis Erb Jr., Chris Simpson, Dustin Neat, Tim Rivers, J.R. Hotovy, Joe Ramey, Don Gordon.
Time trials
Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., topped Friday’s second round time trials for Eldora Speedway’s World 100 with a lap of 15.770 seconds around the historic half-mile oval. Feger’s earned fast time overall, besting Ky Harper’s lap of 16.811 seconds from round one of qualifying on Thursday.
Feger was one of just three drivers to crack the 15-second mark at Eldora along with Josh Richards (15.872) of Shinnston, W.Va., and Ray Guss Jr. (15.971) of Moline, Ill., who was the first car out.
Feger spun a "2" on the inversion wheel to set the inversion for the night’s 12 heats, putting him on outside pole of the first odd heat. Richards will start outside pole of the first even heat.
Feger will spin the inversion wheel again later in the evening to determine the invert for Saturday's six World 100 heat races.
Heat race lineups
(Eight laps; top three transfer)
First odd heat
Row 1: Frank Heckenast Jr., Jason Feger
Row 2: J.R. Hotovy, Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 3: Dustin Neat, Chris Simpson
Row 4: Tim Rivers, Joe Ramey
Row 5: Don Gordon, Steve Isenberg
First even heat
Row 1: Brian Shirley, Josh Richards
Row 2: Matt Miller, Chad Smith
Row 3: Earl Pearson Jr., Duane Chamberlain
Row 4: Randy Korte, Jeff Watson
Row 5: Jason Smith, Henry Cooper
Second odd heat
Row 1: Billy Moyer, Ray Guss Jr.,
Row 2: Eddie Carrier Jr., Brandon Sheppard
Row 3: Wayne Chinn, Tim Isenberg
Row 4: Steve Lance Jr., Phil Ausra
Row 5: Jay Brunson, Don Hammer
Second even heat
Row 1: Jared Landers, Shane Clanton
Row 2: Mason Zeigler, Scott Bloomquist
Row 3: Michael Chilton, Brett Wyatt
Row 4: Jeff Sloan, Casey Noonan
Row 5: Andrew Reaume, Jim Gingery
Third odd heat
Row 1: Jon Henry, Gregg Satterlee
Row 2: Jeff Babcock, Jimmy Owens
Row 3: Ryan VanderVeen, Brian Birkhofer
Row 4: Brad Dyer, Michael Asberry
Row 5: Jason Riggs, Nick Latham
Third even heat
Row 1: Ricky Weiss, Jacob Hawkins
Row 2: Morgan Bagley, Tim Lance
Row 3: Terry Phillips, Robby Hensley
Row 4: Chad Ruhlman, Steve Kester
Row 5: Matt Irey
Fourth odd heat
Row 1: Tyler Reddick, Steve Francis
Row 2: Dale McDowell, Kevin Weaver
Row 3: Brian Ruhlman, Jeremy Nichols
Row 4: Brandon Kinzer, Kent Robinson
Row 5: Shane Unger
Fourth even heat
Row 1: Mike Marlar, Brad Neat
Row 2: Vic Hill, Shannon Thornsberry
Row 3: Randy Weaver, John Mason
Row 4: Doug Drown, John Mayes Jr.
Row 5: Mason Combs
Fifth odd heat
Row 1: Jonathan Davenport, Jeep Van Wormer
Row 2: Bub McCool, R.J. Conley
Row 3: Jason Montgomery, Greg Johnson
Row 4: Ky Harper, Jody Knowles
Row 5: Scott Clifford
Fifth even heat
Row 1: Darrell Lanigan, Don O’Neal
Row 2: Devin Moran, Shannon Babb
Row 3: Justin Rattliff, Brian Diveley
Row 4: Mike Spatola, Brian Gray
Row 5: Chad Simpson
Sixth odd heat
Row 1: Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie
Row 2: Jimmy Mars, Donnie Moran
Row 3: Chub Frank, Chris Madden
Row 4: Jay Johnson, Jeff Wolfenbarger
Row 5: Scott James
Sixth even heat
Row 1: Jerry Bowersock, John Blankenship
Row 2: Casey Roberts, Tim Manville,
Row 3: Dustin Linville, Ryan Sutter
Row 4: Justin Chance, Gary Christian
Row 5: Doug Zartler
Mid-qualifying notes
Jason Feger flat-footed it around Eldora’s half-mile for his 15.770-second lap that was fastest midway through Friday’s time trials. “He never lifted,” said a smiling crew member who leaned in talk to Feger as he exchanged fist bumps with teammate. “If I had more motor,” Feger shouted over the din of the pits, “I’d go faster.” Feger said the track conditions worked well for his Pierce Race Car that’s steering especially well. But he wondered if another driver might click off a better lap. A fast car can do it “basically if you keep it straight and smooth and don’t get in the fence.” ... Time trials started a little later tonight, but conditions for qualifying are different than in the past for the World 100, where qualifying often started after sundown. That’s meant that mostly the earliest qualifiers have been quickest, particularly Thursday when Ky Harper, the first driver out, topped the charts. “That kills those guys at the end,” said Adam Logan, a crew member for Darrell Lanigan. ... Brian Shirley’s wife is due with a child soon, and with cell service tricky in the Eldora infield, she’s planned to contact the track if she she goes into labor. ... Why is the No. 9i entry not in action? “We’re missing a driver,” said Tim Isenberg, driving the nearly identical No 9T car. Steve Isenberg of Marshfield, Wis., entered in a team car to his son, has scratched for the weekend. Work prevented him from coming Thursday, then when he planned to hop a ride in his private plane Friday, technical difficulties with the aircraft kept him grounded. ... Jeep Van Wormer is good to go after swapping transmissions following his qualifying run.
Qualifying (unofficial)
- Jason Feger (25), Bloomington, Ill. 15.770
- Josh Richards (1), Shinnston, W.Va. 15.872
- Ray Guss Jr. (58), Milan, Ill. 15.971
- Shane Clanton (25), Zebulon, Ga. 16.062
- Gregg Satterlee (22), Rochester Mills, Pa. 16.129
- Jacob Hawkins (20h), Fairmont, W.Va. 16.141
- Steve Francis (15), Ashland, Ky. 16.154
- Brad Neat (11), Dunnville, Ky. 16.155
- Jeep Van Wormer (55), Pinconning, Mich. 16.157
- Don O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind. 16.159
- Tim McCreadie (39), Watertown, N.Y. 16.186
- John Blankenship (23), Williamson, W.Va. 16.187
- Frank Heckenast Jr. (99jr), Frankfort, Ill. 16.207
- Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill. 16.221
- Billy Moyer (21), Batesville, Ark. 16.237
- Jared Landers (5), Batesville, Ark. 16.242
- Jon Henry (15), Ada, Ohio 16.253
- Ricky Weiss (7), Winnipeg, Manitoba 16.258
- Tyler Reddick (11), Corning, Calif. 16.258
- Mike Marlar (5B), Winfield, Tenn. 16.273
- Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga. 16.295
- Darrell Lanigan (29), Union, Ky. 16.300
- Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill. 16.301
- Jerry Bowersock (95j), Wapakoneta, Ohio 16.305
- J.R. Hotovy (13), Hartford, Mich. 16.331
- Matt Miller (3), Waterville, Ohio 16.367
- Eddie Carrier Jr. (28), Salt Rock, W.Va. 16.375
- Mason Zeigler (25z), Chalk Hill, Pa. 16.389
- Jeff Babcock (1), Wayne, Ohio 16.397
- Morgan Bagley (14m), Longview, Texas 16.400
- Dale McDowell (17m), Chickamauga, Ga. 16.402
- Vic Hill (1), Mosheim, Tenn. 16.406
- Bub McCool (57j), Vicksburg, Miss. 16.448
- Devin Moran (99m), Dresden, Ohio 16.449
- Jimmy Mars (28), Menomonie, Wis. 16.468
- Casey Roberts (101), Toccoa, Ga. 16.469
- Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill. 16.479
- Chad Smith (19), Miamisburg, Ohio 16.489
- Brandon Sheppard (B5), New Berlin, Ill. 16.501
- Scott Bloomquist (0), Mooresburg, Tenn. 16.505
- Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn. 16.529
- Tim Lance (48), Brimfield, Ill. 16.537
- Henry Cooper (14), Star, Miss. 16.554
- Kevin Weaver (B12), Gibson City, Ill. 16.567
- Shannon Thornsberry (17), Martin, Ky. 16.573
- R.J. Conley (71c), Wheelersburg, Ohio 16.586
- Shannon Babb (18), Moweaqua, Ill. 16.586
- Donnie Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio 16.593
- Tim Manville (33), St. Jacob, Ill. 16.599
- Dustin Neat (6), Dunnville, Ky. 16.601
- Earl Pearson Jr. (44), Jacksonville, Fla. 16.601
- Wayne Chinn (49), Bradford, Ohio 16.636
- Michael Chilton (97), Salvisa, Ky. 16.639
- Ryan VanderVeen (23), Six Lakes, Mich. 16.669
- Terry Phillips (75), Springfield, Mo. 16.671
- Brian Ruhlman, (49), Clarklake, Mich. 16.680
- Randy Weaver (116), Crossville, Tenn. 16.709
- Jason Montgomery (21), Jackson, Ohio 16.718
- Justin Rattliff (16), Campbellsville, Ky. 16.719
- Chub Frank (1*), Bear Lake, Pa. 16.730
- Dustin Linville (D8), Bryantsville, Ky. 16.748
- Chris Simpson (32), Oxford, Iowa 16.766
- Duane Chamberlain, Richmond, Ind. 16.769
- Tim Isenberg (9T), Marshfield, Wis. 16.793
- Brett Wyatt (17), Crossville, Tenn. 16.801
- Brian Birkhofer (15B), Muscatine, Iowa 16.846
- Robby Hensley (21), Walton, Ky. 16.857
- Jeremy Nichols (91), Shelbyville, Ill. 16.870
- John Mason (72), Millersburg, Ohio 16.871
- Greg Johnson (15), Bedford, Ind. 16.916
- Brian Diveley (11D), Springfield, Ill. 17.043
- Chris Madden (44), Gray Court, S.C. 17.094
- Ryan Sutter (11), Fort Recovery, Ohio 17.151
- Tim Rivers (46), Salem, Ind. 17.162
- Randy Korte (81), Highland, Ill. 17.172
- Steve Lance Jr. (48x), Cuba, Ill. 17.175
- Jeff Sloan (4gh), Charleston, Mo. 17.211
- Brad Dyer (0), Mohawk, Tenn. 17.222
- Chad Ruhlman (48), Bemus Point, N.Y. 17.230
- Doug Drown (1dj), Wooster, Ohio 17.234
- Brandon Kinzer (18), Allen, Ky. 17.273
- Ky Harper (34), Holland, Ohio 17.380
- Mike Spatola (89), Manhattan, Ill. 17.446
- Jay Johnson (93), West Burlington, Iowa 17.463
- Justin Chance (2), Mansfield, Ohio 17.475
- Joe Ramey (2), Ironton, Ohio 17.503
- Jeff Watson (11), Campbellsville, Ky. 17.548
- Phil Ausra (15), Dowagiac, Mich. 17.632
- Casey Noonan (1), Sylvania, Ohio 17.635
- Michael Asberry (360) Crossville, Tenn. 17.647
- Steve Kester (77), Holland, Ohio 17.705
- Kent Robinson (7r), Bloomington, Ind. 17.762
- John Mayes Jr. (69), Clyde, Ohio 17.779
- Jody Knowles (66), Tyrone, Ga. 17.804
- Brian Gray (3), Hamilton, Ohio 17.841
- Jeff Wolfenbarger (28), Clinton, Tenn. 17.854
- Gary Christian (58x), Broken Bow, Okla. 17.873
- Don Gordon (33), Chatham, Ontario 17.907
- Jason Smith (25s), Seymour, Ind. 18.088
- Jay Brunson (23B), Dubberly, La. 18.089
- Andrew Reaume (88), Blenheim, Ontario 18.097
- Jason Riggs (81jr), Harrisburg, Ill. 18.187
- Matt Irey (36), Mansfield, Ohio 18.188
- Shane Unger (79), Versailles, Ohio 18.670
- Mason Combs (98), Springboro, Ohio 18.867
- Scott Clifford (86), New Lothrop, Mich. 19.011
No time: Chad Simpson, Scott James, Doug Zartler, Steve Isenberg, Don Hammer, Jim Gingery, Nick Latham.
Hot lap notes
Chad Simpson slowed trailing heavy smoke during his hot lap run. ... Jason Feger (15.802), Darrell Lanigan (15.813) Scott Bloomquist (15.862), Chris Madden (15.869) and Mike Marlar (15.954) were among the fastest cars in hot laps. ... During hot laps, there was a tricky spot in turn three — Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., called it a “hump” — that lifted a few cars in the air for some scary moments. “I went for a little bicycle ride there,” Marlar said. The solution? “I left off the gas — that was all I knew to do.” The spot appeared to smooth out a bit before time trials. ... Shannon Thornsberry of Martin, Ky., who came to Eldora fresh off a $4,500 victory last Sunday in the Wince Mayabb Memorial at 191 Speedway in Campton, Ky., struggled Thursday night, and found a car that he tightened up Thursday handling poorly on Friday. “It’s tight tight,” Thornsberry said. “You gotta go the other way tonight.” ... Using an experimental transmission, Thursday feature winner Jeep Van Wormer had problems early Friday and required a push through the pits because first gear wasn’t working. “I can start it; I just can’t get rolling,” he said. The team elected to wait to make a fix after time trials. He also complained his car was very tight in hot laps. ... Wayne Chinn of Bradford, Ohio, who was fourth in the 2007 World 100, was the only driver to enter the competition on Friday. His regular engine wasn’t ready so he came to the track Thursday and worked a deal to buy a powerplant from Bill Schlieper of Pro Power Engines. The team installed the powerplant Friday and headed to the track, hoping Friday’s qualifying times will be markedly quicker than Thursday, when only three drivers broke 17 seconds. “I was definitely surprised to see quick time be 16.8 (seconds),” Chinn said, knowing that might give him an opening Friday. The new powerplant offer a “deeper power,” Chinn said. “It’s a little different feel than the other motors we’ve used.”
Race format
Friday’s program starts with time trials — with three cars on the clock at a time — that will split the field into odd and even groups, with odd-numbered qualifiers (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) in the first group and even-numbered qualifier (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) in the second group.
Each group will run a complete racing program with the top three finishers in each of six eight-lap heat races transferring to the each feature (there will be a heat-race inversion). The top two finishers in each of three consolation races also transfer to each feature.
Saturday’s racing will follow the traditional World 100 program of six heats and two consolation races before the 100-lap finale. Saturday’s heat races will be lined up according to a driver’s best time trial from Thursday or Friday’s program.
Pre-race notes
Action kicked off Thursday night with Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., and Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., splitting $5,000 victories. ... Friday’s action was pushed back about a half-hour to help give the track surface a chance to maintain more moisture; the surface looks heavier than last night, but still appears firm through the middle. ... Ky Harper of Holland, Ohio, topped the first round of qualifying Thursday with a lap of 16.811 seconds. ... Wayne Chinn of Bradford, Ohio, is the lone new entry. ... Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., is the only driver not returning after Thursday’s action. James, running the Rayburn Race Cars house car, was an early retiree from his heat race Thursday and didn’t run his consolation race. ... Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., made a motor swap after his 430 c.i. powerplant was leaking from the rear seal. He’s dropped to a 390 c.i. Bullock engine and hopes it doesn’t hurt him. “If it stays dry slick like it was last night, we’ll be all right,” said Chilton, who finished 10th last year in his first World 100 start. ... Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., also had to do a motor swap after the crank bolt broke in Thursday’s heat race; the crew initially tried to drill out the bolt, but decided on switching to a 430 c.i. powerplant, slightly smaller than the original engine. ... Todd Moser, crew member for Brandon Kinzer, hopes the Allen, Ky., driver can make a feature start on Friday after missing in Thursday’s action. Kinzer hasn’t been to Eldora in a few years. “We’ve just gotta get him pumped up a little more,” he told a passer-by.
Friday's race schedule (starting 8 p.m.)
First odd heat
First even heat
Second odd heat
Second even heat
Third odd heat
Third even heat
Fourth odd heat
Fourth even heat
Fifth odd heat
Fifth even heat
Sixth odd heat
Sixth even heat
(Track prep)
First odd consolation
First even consolation
Second odd consolation
Second even consolation
Third odd consolation
Third even consolation
(Track prep)
25-lap odd feature
25-lap even feature
