CHUB FRANK TOPS 4th QUARTER DRIVERS POLL

 By Jarrod Lehman

 Smithville, OH --- Chub Frank, of Sugar Grove, PA, finds himself on top of the voting for the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL for the 4th quarter of 2002 (October-December). Frank topped the national poll by 290 markers over second place finisher Brian Birkhofer. The recent balloting was the fourth “official” balloting that has been held every three months and is based on the performance of dirt Late Model drivers nationwide. The voting board is made up of primarily Motorsports media members as well as representatives from the manufacturing, sanctioning and promoting branches of the industry. Voting members were requested to list their top fifteen choices of the top drivers based on performances from October to December 2002. A points system was utilized to determine the top vote getters.

           Previous number one drivers in the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL include Don O’Neal (1st Quarter), Dale McDowell (2nd Quarter) and Brian Birkhofer (3rd Quarter). A national driver of the year and driver standings will be released soon with the results based on season long accumulated points gathered in the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL during 2002.

           Trailing Frank in the fourth quarter voting were Birkhofer, Shannon Babb, Scott Bloomquist, Rick Eckert, Billy Moyer, Dale McDowell & Don O’Neal (tied for seventh), Steve Francis, Duayne Hommel, Dick Barton, Bill Frye, Steve Shaver, Steve Lucas, Ray Cook.

           54 drivers received votes in the fourth quarter balloting.

 Frank’s successful fourth quarter top votes came from strong performances against national talent, highlighted by his stunning win in the “Hardees/UDTRA Shoot-Out” at Dixie (GA) Speedway in October that brought Frank a $55,000 payday in one of the sport’s “crown jewels” events.  Frank’s Corry Rubber, Corry Laser, Nystrom's Auto Sales, Draime Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Pierotti Motorsports, Farr MotorSports, Chevrolet Monte Carlo #1* racked up a total of nine victories and 26 top five finishes in 60 events competed in during the 2002 season. 

 He also captured the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series (RDRS) championship for the third consecutive time, competed in all 32 events on the RDRS championship trail this season collecting five wins, 14 top five finishes and over $95,000 in purse money. In UDTRA Pro Dirt Car Racing Series events, Frank entered nine UDTRA races and captured two wins, two top five finishes, four top 10 finishes and $76,866 in UDTRA prize money. Frank also won one UMP sanctioned event and one United Late Model Series (ULMS) event during 2002.

For additional information and details on procedures visit the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame website at: www.ndlmhof.com. The NATIONAL DRIVERS POLL is sanctioned by the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.

 4th Quarter Balloting – NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL – October-December 2002 

TOP 15 USA DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS

 

1.         CHUB FRANK                         2830

2.         Brian Birkhofer                     2540

3.         Shannon Babb                      2490

4.         Scott Bloomquist                 2370

5.         Rick Eckert                            2090

6.         Billy Moyer                            1940

7.         Dale McDowell                      1380

            Don O’Neal                            1380

9.         Steve Francis                       860

10.      Duayne Hommel                  730

11.      Dick Barton                           590

12.      Bill Frye                                 570

13.      Steve Shaver                        540

14.      Steve Lucas                          480

15.      Ray Cook                               470

 

4th Quarter Complete Standings/NDLMDP:

 

1.         CHUB FRANK                         2830

2.         Brian Birkhofer                     2540

3.         Shannon Babb                      2490

4.         Scott Bloomquist                 2370

5.         Rick Eckert                            2090

6.         Billy Moyer                            1940

7.         Dale McDowell                      1380

            Don O’Neal                            1380

9.         Steve Francis                       860

10.      Duayne Hommel                  730

11.      Dick Barton                           590

12.      Bill Frye                                 570

13.      Steve Shaver                        540

14.      Steve Lucas                          480

15.      Ray Cook                               470

16.      Freddy Smith                        450

17.      Earl Pearson,Jr                     420

18.      Brian Ruhlman                      380

19.      Wendell Wallace                  370

20.      Randle Chupp                       310

21.      Jimmy Mars                          290

22.      Gary Stuhler                          260

23.      Skip Arp                                 240

24.      Donnie Moran                       230

25.      Jack Pencil                            220

            Al Purkey                               220

27.      Todd Andrews                       210

28.      Terry English                         200

29.      Pat Doar                                 190

30.      Kyle Berck                             180

31.      Rick Aukland                         150

32.      Mike Balzano                        130

            Randy Korte                          130

34.      Rodney Wing                         120

35.      Kenny Merchant                   110

            Johnny Wheeler                   110

37.      Ryan Markham                     70

38.      Terry Phillips                         60

            Jason Smith                          60

40.      Dan Armbruster                   50

            Denny Eckrich                       50

            Anthony Rushing                  50

            Dick Shepard                         50

44.      Steve Barnett                       40

            Nathan Durbaraw                 40

            Billy Ogle, Jr                          40

47.      Paul Wilmoth                        30

48.      Dennis Erb, Jr                       20

            Darren Miller                         20

            Bob Pierce                             20

51.      Dennis Franklin                    10

            Larry McDaniels                   10

            Jack Pennington                   10

            Ken Schrader                        10