Bret Emrick
Columbia (Batesburg),SC 3-20-04
Darren “The Thriller” Miller of Chadwick,IL led every lap of the
Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar Series sanctioned/Southern Xtreme DirtCar Series
co-sanctioned “Spring Fling 50” at I-20 Speedway in Batesburg,SC Saturday
pocketing the $10,000 prize for his first career Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar
Series victory. Driving the Seubert Calf Ranches No. 32D Miller Racing Rocket
Chassis/Pro Power Racing/Taurus, the 2004 LUCAS OIL “Rookie of the Year”
contender beat Donnie Moran into turn one at the drop of the green flag keeping
his car ahead of Moran and the rest of the field and never looked back. Moran
held on for second with Jimmy Mars third, Brian Birkhofer fourth and Earl
Pearson Jr. fifth. Rounding out the top ten finishers were Don O’Neal in sixth
trailed by Matt Miller, Shane Clanton, Doug Sanders and Ray Cook.
“This is a real thrill!”, stated the very happy winner. “We got the
jump on Donnie at the drop of the green flag and that pretty much was the race.
I knew Donnie was back there and I just had to tell myself to stay calm, hit my
marks and run my line. I don’t want to say the track rubbered up but it did
get somewhat black and then about the halfway mark the black started to go away
and the red clay started to show again. There was no way I was giving up the
bottom because I knew if I did Donnie would blow right by me. The Goodyear
Eagles performed flawlessly. Man, the tires worked great. We ran the X-300 all
the way through the program but did put a X-400 on the right rear for the
feature. The tires never gave up and they can be used again. 50 laps didn’t
hurt ‘em a bit”.
When asked how it felt to win his career first Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar
Series victory the personable driver said, “Awesome! I mean we ran like a dog
at East Bay in February. We didn’t make any of the main events down there.
Then to lead all the way….I’ve never led one of these races. Lead all 50 and
win. Man, it doesn’t get any better than this!”.
Moran and Miller brought the 27 car field to the green flag with Miller using
the outside groove of the semi-banked 4/10ths mile speedway to pull ahead of
Moran as the pair exited turn two. That basically was the race as once Miller
had the point and dropped to the low groove he felt no challenges the rest of
the way. Mars settled into third at the end of the first lap with Birkhofer
fourth and Pearson Jr. fifth.
By lap 10 Miller had opened up a nearly 12 car advantage on Moran but that
was quickly whittled down to four car lengths as Miller looked for a way to put
Bill Elliott a lap down. Miller worked his way past Elliott on lap 13 and
quickly opened up distance on Moran. The field continued to race hard and fast
as the laps quickly clicked off. By the halfway point of the event, Miller held
a six car length lead over Moran with Mars, Birkhofer and Pearson Jr. occupying
third through fifth. O’neal sat sixth with M. Miller seventh, Cook eighth,
Sanders ninth and Eddie Carrier Jr. tenth.
Miller saw the track clear ahead of him on lap 37 when the races first
caution flew as Jack Pennington slowed to a stop in turn three and then headed
pitside. Miller used the clear track to again open a healthy margin over Moran
but that all changed on lap 44 when Steve Shaver and Shane Tankersley tangled
exiting turn four locking their cars together momentarily until separating.
Tanksersley stalled his car bringing out the caution.
The final six laps was all Miller as he quickly assumed his advantage over
Moran and kept it taking the checkered flag with a five car margin of victory.
The $42,000 event attracted 51 drivers to the Wendy Hall promoted facility
with Birkhofer earning the RINGERS GLOVES Time Trials Fast Qualifier award with
a fast lap of 16.936 seconds. Heat race wins fell to Birkhofer, Mars, Pearson
Jr., Cook, Moran and D. Miller. Moran copped the YJ STINGER EXTREME ENERGY DRINK
Heat Race Winners Dash while the “B” Mains went to Dan Breuer and David
Smith.
Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series Race Report For 3-20-04
Round 4-2004 Season-"Spring Fling 50”"
I-20 Speedway-Columbia (Batesburg),SC-4/10ths Mile Oval
$42,000 Purse-$10,000 To Win-50 Lap Feature
Showing Finish Pos.,Start Pos.,Car #,Driver,Laps Completed,Reason Out (if
any) and Purse
1. (2) #32D Darren Miller® 50 Running $10,100
2. (1) #99 Donnie Moran 50 Running $ 6,100
3. (3) #28M Jimmy Mars 50 Running $ 3,100
4. (5) #15B Brian Birkhofer 50 Running $ 2,600
5. (4) # 1 Earl Pearson Jr. 50 Running $ 2,100
6. (8) #71 Don O’Neal 50 Running $ 1,800
7. (7) # 7 Matt Miller 50 Running $ 1,600
8. (13) #25 Shane Clanton® 50 Running $ 1,400
9. (12) #42 Doug Sanders 50 Running $ 1,200
10. (6) #53 Ray Cook 50 Running $ 1,100
11. (10) #28 Eddie Carrier Jr.® 50 Running $ 1,000
12. (11) #88 Deano Long 50 Running $ 950
13. (16) # 9 Billy Drake® 50 Running $ 900
14. (15) # 2 Dennis Franklin 50 Running $ 875
15. (18) #28X Gerald Mintz 50 Running $ 850
16. (17) #72 John Mason 50 Running $ 825
17. (19) #20 Dan Breuer 50 Running $ 800
18. (21) #19J Davey Johnson 50 Running $ 750
19. (20) #11 David Smith 50 Running $ 700
20. (24) #32 Larry Blankenship 50 Running $ 700
21. (22) #88i Petey Ivey 50 Running $ 700
22. (27) #9E Bill Elliott 49 Running $ 700
23. (9) #95 Buckshot Miles 44 Mechanical $ 700
24. (25) #T31 Shane Tankersley 44 Accident $ 700
25. (23) # 0 Steve Shaver 44 Accident $ 700
26. (14) #01 Jack Pennington 37 Mechanical $ 700
27. (26) #23 Patrick Sheltra 26 Mechanical $ 700
Time Of Race: 25 Mins. 17 Secs.
Yellow Flags: Two-Laps 37,44
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: One-D. Miller 1-50
GEMINI AUTO CARE CENTERS "Hard Charger of the Race": Clanton
(advanced 5 positions)
LUCAS OIL "Rookie of the Race": D. Miller
Provisional Starters: Shaver,Blanksenship,Tanksersley,Sheltra,Elliott
Car Count: 51
RINGERS GLOVES "Fast Time Award": Brian Birkhofer 16.936 secs.
Heat Race Winners: Birkhofer,Mars,Pearson Jr.,Cook,Moran,D. Miller
"B" Main Winners: Breuer, Smith
YJ STINGER EXTREME ENERGY DRINKS Dash Winner: Moran
SUMMARY – RINGERS GLOVES Time Trials:
Showing Car#, Driver, Residence, Sponsor, Chassis, Engine, Body Style, First
Lap, Second Lap, Fast Lap
15B
Brian Birkhofer
Muscatine,IA
Double Eagle Racing Apparel
MasterSbilt
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
17.018
16.936
16.936
25
Shane Clanton ®
Locust Grove,GA
RSD Enterprises/SAE Parts
Rocket
Custom
Monte Carlo
18.234
17.086
17.086
28M
Jimmy Mars
Elk Mound,WI
Stacker2/Heeg Well Drilling
MasterSbilt
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
17.199
17.121
17.121
1
Earl Pearson Jr.
Jacksonville,FL
Lucas Oil/Dunn Benson Ford
Rocket
Larry Wallace
Taurus
17.303
17.129
17.129
28
Eddie Carrier Jr. ®
Ona,WV
Grover Motorsports/Engines,Inc.
Rocket
Grover
Taurus
17.415
17.136
17.136
95
Buckshot Miles
Evans,GA
Newby Racing
Newman
Clements
Monte Carlo
17.287
17.139
17.139
O1
Jack Pennington
Winston,GA
Ibester Pipeline
Warrior
Clements
Grand Prix
17.268
17.144
17.144
7
Matt Miller
Waterville,OH
McCullough Motorsports
Rocket
Russell Baker
Grand Prix
17.158
17.146
17.146
99
Donnie Moran
Dresden,OH
QPI Tools Dirt Ripper
MasterSbilt
SMS Engines
Monte Carlo
17.261
17.18
17.18
53
Ray Cook
Brasstown,NC
Dodge/Bill Elliott Racing
MasterSbilt
Gaerte
Intrepid R/T
17.259
17.319
17.259
71
Don O'Neal
Martinsville,IN
A1Auto Salvage/Living Room Center
Rayburn
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
17.272
17.275
17.272
19J
Davey Johnson
Greensburg,PA
Reliable Painting
MasterSbilt
Malcuit
Grand Prix
17.281
17.316
17.281
11i
Pat Doar
New Richmond,WI
Amsoil/Badger Excavating
MasterSbilt
Malcuit
Grand Prix
17.281
17.834
17.281
O7
Ed Gibbons
Manning,SC
Clarendon Auto Parts
Rocket
Naylor
Grand Prix
17.513
17.297
17.297
9
Billy Drake ®
Bloomington,IL
MasterSbilt Race Cars
MasterSbilt
Gaerte
Grand Prix
17.44
17.303
17.303
79
Roger Lucas
Benson,NC
Visara International,Inc.
Rocket
Lucas
Taurus
17.503
17.35
17.35
32D
Darren Miller ®
Chadwick,IL
Seubert Calf Ranches
Rocket
Pro Power
Taurus
17.369
17.353
17.353
97
Dick Schiltz
Conover,NC
Wrenchmaster
Wright
Clements
Monte Carlo
17.397
17.473
17.397
A1
Duke Whiseant ®
Texarkana,AR
A1 Auto Salvage
Rayburn
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
17.398
17.492
17.398
0
Steve Shaver
Vienna,WV
Richard Construction/Bill Bland
Rocket
Malcuit
Monte Carlo
17.409
17.49
17.409
23
Patrick Sheltra
Indiantown,FL
Sheltra & Sons Construction
Rayburn
Clements
Grand Prix
17.43
17.473
17.43
11
David Smith
Inman,SC
Hi-Bridge Automotive
MasterSbilt
Clements
Taurus
17.503
17.443
17.443
28X
Gerald Mintz
Columbia,SC
Ergle Paint & Body
Shaw
Naylor
Grand Prix
17.557
17.445
17.445
9E
Bill Elliott
Dawsonville,GA
Dodge/Coca-Cola
GRT
Elliott
Intrepid R/T
17.665
17.46
17.46
2
Dennis Franklin
Gaffney,SC
Hamrick's of Gaffney
Wright
Cornett
Taurus
17.478
17.585
17.478
88i
Petey Ivey
Union,SC
Nichol's Communications
GRT
Clements
Monte Carlo
17.617
17.478
17.478
42
Doug Sanders
Springwood,NC
Allstate Mechanical/Starette Trkg.
TnT
Hendrin
Grand Prix
17.509
17.479
17.479
88
Deano Long
Saluda,SC
Dann Chavis
GRT
Custom
Taurus
17.504
17.522
17.504
45
Phil Gann
Mayodan,NC
Gann's Race Cars & Parts
Goliath
M&M
Monte Carlo
17.526
n/t
17.526
55
Jeep Van Wormer ®
Pinconning,MI
Bayline Fire Protection
Warrior
Pro Power
Taurus
17.544
18.132
17.544
20
Dan Breuer
Sherill's Ford,NC
LB Racing/Burnett Performance
Wright
Burnett
Grand Prix
17.824
17.567
17.567
10S
Scott Shirey
Swanson,SC
Performance Automotive
Newman
Russell Baker
Grand Prix
18.036
17.586
17.586
S1
Scott Autry
Autryville,NC
L& M Convenience Stroe
Warrior
Pureyear
Monte Carlo
17.615
n/t
17.615
72
John Mason
Millersburg,OH
Bert Transmissions
Rayburn
Malcuit
Monte Carlo
17.717
17.635
17.635
32
Larry Blankenship
Mooresville,NC
LB Drywall
Rocket
Hendrens
Taurus
17.661
17.749
17.661
1x1
Sonny Conley
New Martinsville,WV
Conley Enterprises
Lazer G2
Emery
Monte Carlo
17.694
17.733
17.694
5
Johnny Collins
Jacksonville,FL
Sheltra & Sons Construction
Rayburn
Clements
Grand Prix
17.703
n/t
17.703
7x
Scott Dedwylder
Vossburg,MS
B&M Salvage
Rayburn
Performance
Grand Prix
18.065
17.72
17.72
7C
Jim Curry
Norman,IN
Jim Blackwell Trucking & Conveying
Rayburn
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
17.69
17.723
17.723
17D
Charlie Duncan
Millersburg,OH
American Payroll Advance
MasterSbilt
Malcuit
Monte Carlo
17.89
17.777
17.777
10
Pete Parker
Kaukauna,WI
Potowatami Bingo Casino & Lodge
Reliable
Travis Kern
Grand Prix
17.975
17.834
17.834
O0
Richard Smith
Science Hill,KY
Donnie Smith Auto Sales
Swartz
Cropper
Grand Prix
17.708
17.835
17.835
12W
Gabe Wilson
Waynesville,NC
RFI/Hodge Auto Parts
GRT
Wilson
Grand Prix
17.958
17.84
17.84
12
Bruce Bullard
Greenwood,SC
Brunner Manufacturing
GRT
Clements
Monte Carlo
18.077
17.979
17.979
O4
Richie Corley
Leesville,SC
Sheely Speciality
GRT
HRS
Grand Prix
44.978
18.097
18.097
11B
Terry Bullard
Greenwood,SC
Terry Bullard
GRT
Clements
Grand Prix
18.368
18.397
18.368
J1
Jay Arnett
Waynesboro,GA
Arnett Development
Newman
Naylor
Monte Carlo
18.644
18.637
18.637
17S
R.J. Simon
Farley,IA
Senpeco Oil
MasterSbilt
Pro Power
Monte Carlo
19.01
18.993
18.993
T31
Shane Tankersley
Morgonton,GA
Hicks Speciality Welding
Rocket
RaceTek
Grand Prix
n/t
n/t
n/t
64
Sean Cosgrove
Catharpin,VA
Drywall Systems
Rocket
Hershey
Grand Prix
n/t
n/t
n/t
17W
Ricky Williams
Fayetteville,GA
RSD Enterprises/SAE Parts
Rocket
Custom
Monte Carlo
n/t
n/t
n/t
Heat # 1 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Birkhofer,M.
Miller,Clanton,Shaver,Gibbons,Autry,Duncan,Sheltra,R. Smith
Heat # 2 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Mars,O’Neal,Pennington,Breuer,Shirey,Blankenship,Collins,Schiltz
Heat # 3 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Pearson
Jr.,Miles,Franklin,Johnson,Whiseant,Van Wormer,Arnett,Parker,Simon
Heat # 4 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): Cook,Carrier Jr.,Drake,D.
Smith,Doar,Lucas,Elliott,Corley,B. Bullard
Heat # 5 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature):
Moran,Long,Mason,Ivey,Conley,Dedwylder,T. Bullard,NS-Williams
Heat # 6 (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance To Feature): D.
Miller,Sanders,Mintz,Curry,Tankersley,Cosgrove,Gann,Wilson
"B" Main # 1 (15 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature):
Breuer,Johnson,Whiseant,Gibbons,Autry,Van Wormer,Shirey,Blankenship,
Duncan,Sheltra,Collins,R. Smith,Arnett,Parker,Shaver,NS-Schiltz,Simon
"B" Main # 2 (15 Laps-Top 2 Advance To Feature): D.
Smith,Ivey,Curry,Doar, Dedwylder,Tankersley,Lucas,Cosgrove,Gann,Conley,
Corley,T. Bullard,Wilson,B. Bullard,Elliott,NS-Williams
YJ STINGER EXTREME ENERGY DRINK Heat Winners Dash (6 Laps-Finish Determines
First Three Rows Of Feature): Moran,
D. Miller,Mars,Pearson Jr.,Birkhofer,NS-Cook
2004 Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar Series “YJ STINGER CUP” Point Standings
(after 3-20-04)
1. #28M Jimmy Mars Elk Mound,WI 677
2. #99 Donnie Moran Dresden,OH 661
3. # 1 Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville,FL 641
4. #15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine,IA 573
5. # 7 Matt Miller Waterville,OH 570
6. # 2 Dennis Franklin Gaffney,SC 558
7. #72 John Mason Millersburg,OH 555
8. #71 Don O’Neal Martinsville,IN 545
9. #19J Davey Johnson Greensburg,PA 532
10. #25 Shane Clanton ® Locust Grove,GA 521
11. #28 Eddie Carrier Jr.® Ona,WV 516
12. # 9 Billy Drake® Bloomington,IL 498
13. # 0 Steve Shaver Vienna,WV 495
14. #53 Ray Cook Brasstown,NC 458
15. #T31 Shane Tankersley Morgonton,GA 455
16. #55 Jeep Van Wormer® Pinconning,MI 430
17. #32D Darren Miller® Chadwick,IL 425
18. #1x1 Sonny Conley New Martinsville,WV 392
19. #A1 Duke Whiseant® Texarkana,AR 389
20. #10 Pete Parker Kaukauna,WI 381
21. #00 Richard Smith Science Hill,KY 364
22. #23 Patrick Sheltra Indiantown,FL 335
23. #70 Jeff Smith Dallas,NC 321
24. #7C Jim Curry® Norman,IN 320
25. #64 Sean Cosgrove Catharpin,VA 320
2004 Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar Series “LUCAS OIL Rookie of the Year”
Point Standings (after 3-20-04)
1. #25 Shane Clanton Locust Grove,GA 521
2. #28 Eddie Carrier Jr. Ona,WV 516
3. # 9 Billy Drake Bloomington,IL 498
4. #55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning,MI 430
5. #32D Darren Miller Chadwick,IL 425
6. #A1 Duke Whiseant Texarkana,AR 389
7. #7C Jim Curry Norman,IN 320
8. #1K John Anderson Omaha,NE 313
9. #58 Garrett Durrett Simsboro,LA 304
10. #33 Al Purkey Coffeyville,KS 302
11. #70 Jeff Choquette West Palm Beach,FL 240
12. #30 Mark Voigt Alhambra,IL 240
13. #1X Scott Pounds Seymour,TN 160
2004 Stacker2® Xtreme DirtCar Series Feature Winners (after 3-20-04)
1. #32D Darren Miller Chadwick,IL 1
#99 Donnie Moran Dresden,OH 1
#72 John Mason Millersburg,OH 1
#28M Jimmy Mars Elk Mound,WI 1